Users Guide

Safety first. To make sure you use your pressure washer safely and correctly, we strongly recommend reading (or re-reading) your manual and materials first. Our User’s Guide is not intended to replace your official operating manual but instead, to provide you with helpful hints that will make the most of your pressure washing experience.

PowerClean Videos

Visit our PowerClean Video page for a wide range of helpful demonstrations and hints in an easy-to-view video format. You’ll find information on cleaning your home, deck, quick connect tips, using a rotary nozzle, and the efficient surface cleaner.

Owner’s Manuals

Lost your Kärcher manual? Not to worry! Download it from our Owner’s Manuals page that includes over 100 manuals for Kärcher Residential Gas, Residential Electric and Vacuum/Electric Sweeper units.

Safety

As with all power equipment, proper safety gear such as eye, foot, and hearing protection is extremely important. Beware – the unique hazard for pressure washers is a powerful water stream which can cut the body or inject toxins into the bloodstream.

CAUTION: Safety must be your main concern when using a machine combining pressurized hot water, detergents or other chemicals, and electricity or gasoline. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to avoid accidents

Pressure washers are equipped with safety features designed to reduce pressure buildup. Unloaders and thermal relief valves prevent water pressure and heat from reaching dangerous levels. An oil-level indicator ensures that the washer stays properly lubricated.

Always use the right nozzle. Using a nozzle that concentrates too much power can harm some surfaces, especially wood.

Use the detergent recommended by the manufacturer. Most manufacturers have detergents and waxes approved for use in their equipment. Different formulas are available for houses, decks, degreasing, and car washing/waxing. When using detergents, it may be necessary to protect the exposed skin and to use a respirator to prevent inhalation of the cleaning agents.

Cleaning a house is best done from ground level, rather than on a ladder. Use accessories such as wand extensions and brushes for this type of project. If you need an extension wand, West Michigan Power Cleaning Systems has wands available up to 24 feet in length.

CAUTION: Do not use gas-powered pressure washers in an enclosed or non-ventilated area.

Tips on Proper Spraying Techniques

Operator error is the leading cause of user dissatisfaction when it comes to power tools. Pressure washers are no exception. There are three ways to control the cleaning power of your pressure washer:

1. Adjust the throttle on the gas engine to control speed. Some units may also have a regulator knob on the pump that can adjust the pressure.
2. Adjust the spray pattern at the nozzle. Choose the widest pattern possible for spraying when starting the job. Adjust the pattern to a narrower angle until you find a suitable pattern. Remember to temper power with coverage ability when spraying.
3. Adjust your distance. The easiest way to regulate the cleaning power of your pressure washer is distance from the surface you are cleaning. Begin several feet from the surface and slowly move closer, adjusting the spray pattern as necessary. Hold the nozzle a uniform distance from the surface to ensure that no part of surface is cleaner that another.

NOTE: The average municipal water system provides about 10 gallons per minute (GPM), but if your household water draws from a well, you'll need to be sure you select a pressure washer with GPM that your well can provide. (Helpful hint: You can check your water system's GPM by running water for one minute into a 5-gallon bucket.)

Nozzles and Tips

The actual cleaning is done by the nozzle or tip of the washer. The spray angle of the nozzle is adjustable to fit the cleaning need. Here’s an important fact to remember: the wider the spray or fan, the lower its ability to cut through dirt. Optional rotating nozzles are used for paint stripping or very intense cleaning applications. Many units feature nozzles that twist from a zero degree jet to a 60 degree fan, while others have individual quick connect tips with a pre-set spray angle.

The actual size of the nozzle (or the width of the hole that is drilled in the nozzle) is EXTREMELY important and must be known when ordering new nozzles. To make it easy, we’ve created a nozzle chart in our Dirtblaster Nozzles section (link). If the wrong size nozzle is used, you will either over-pressure the machine, risking serious injury if the pump blows, or you will not get all the output the machine is capable of producing.

• A Wide fan pattern nozzle (40 degrees) will distribute the impact of water over a large area, resulting in excellent cleaning action with reduced surface damage risk.
• A Medium fan pattern nozzle (15-25 degrees) balances stripping power and washing. It is useful for moving dirt and is the best choice for cleaning large flat surfaces such as patios and driveways.
• A ZERO degree pencil jet stream nozzle delivers a high impact force resulting in maximum deep cleaning in concentrated area. The narrow stream is best suited for concrete masonry or brick and can be used to remove paint or tough dirt. You must be especially careful when using this type of nozzle as they are very powerful!

Detergents

Cleaning detergents can dramatically reduce your cleaning time and assist in the removal of tough stains, grease, bugs, and dirt. Apply them with a low-pressure spray and allow them a minute or two to dwell onto the surface to break down the contaminants. Many detergents are customized for pressure washer use on specific cleaning tasks. Only use detergents intended for pressure washers. Thicker detergents such as dish soap will clog the chemical injection system and potentially damage your pressure washer. Also, detergents that come as a powder that requires you to mix them up into a liquid are absolutely incompatible with a high pressure type detergent injection system (where the detergents go through the pump). NEVER run bleaches, acids or strong caustics through your injection system!

We strongly recommend our #1 selling detergent called “8-Ball” for a myriad of cleaning tasks including vinyl and aluminum siding on houses, travel trailers, boats, mobile homes, stains on carpet, fingerprints on the walls of your home and 1000 other uses! This cleaner comes as a concentrate that you mix 4:1 with water so 1 gallon will make 5 gallons!

For retailers, we have this available as a ready-to-use (RTU) product in quart bottles. We can even silk screen your name on the side of the bottles with your own product name and your company name (minimum 37 cases of 12 quarts). Call us today for more information about this product.

Be aware the EPA prohibits point source discharge of pollutants without a permit. If you are cleaning grease or oil or other potential ground water pollutant, or if you are cleaning equipment with detergents, you should check on obtaining a permit and/or installing a Waste Water Recovery System (link) available from WMPCS.

Maintenance

Engine maintenance for a pressure washer is the same as for other gasoline powered equipment. Check your oil level daily. Some models have automatic low oil shutdown switches to protect the engines. If using detergents, flush the detergent line with clean water after each use. When storing over the winter, in addition to standard engine storage preparation such as draining gasoline or adding a fuel stabilizer, you should also add our “Pump Guard” product to your pump to protect it from freezing and to prevent internal pump components from oxidizing over extended periods of non-use.

Cleaning Results Vary Based on:

• Whether or not you use detergent.
• How far you are from the surface being cleaned.
• How high the water pressure is.
• How wide you set the spray angle.
• Whether you use hot or cold water

Remember – safety first!

West Michigan Power Cleaning Systems 6165 Grand Haven Road, Muskegon MI 49441
(800) 348-8965