Low water pressure - car cleaning solutions

[POIDH]

I am used to some really good water pressure but the new house is much lower. So low that the hose does not spray out even gently to the roof of my van to rinse off.
I am not looking to spend a fortune - I am not a "detailer" but do like to clean my own cars as I know I can do a decent job of it, plus cheaper..
What solutions - small jetwash and a reserve bucket is where I am going at present...

[Mr Ben]

Hi there,

With absolutely no technical credentials a few things I'd suggest from my own experience(s).

Are you sure the water pressure to the property it self is low, or could it be from a particular (problematic) tap? I say this as a bib tap I have at the rear of my house (ironically coming straight of the incoming main, so should be at its best) has lower pressure/flow rate than a new bib tap I had fitted at the front of the house, for car washing purposes.

When using said tap with my jet washing unit (a new Nilfisk, highly recommended over Karcher), I use an incredibly long snake hose (expands when water put though it type) which holds a large head of water for the jet washer to draw from.

While not a long term permanent solution to your problem, the greater head of water you have together with shorter bursts of water rather than continuous flow, should/would keep the jet washer running at the required pressure for use.

With this in mind, having a large(r) holding tank, i.e big bucket of water for the jet washer to draw from, should allow you to jet wash away. As far as I'm aware, jet washing units draw water and output under pressure from a volume of water rather than incoming pressure.

NB: The above might all be complete b****x

[Scootersp]

Could try that Williams waterless spray stuff on the van?

[C5_Steve]

POIDH said:

I am used to some really good water pressure but the new house is much lower. So low that the hose does not spray out even gently to the roof of my van to rinse off.
I am not looking to spend a fortune - I am not a "detailer" but do like to clean my own cars as I know I can do a decent job of it, plus cheaper..
What solutions - small jetwash and a reserve bucket is where I am going at present...

A proper jet wash will drain a 5l bucket really quickly so if the pressure from the hose can't keep up you might have an issue there.

I used a Black and Decker Cordless Pressure Washer and 5l bucket as I don't have access to an outside tap so it's up and down the stairs for me! No where near as good as a proper pressure washer but very decent at just getting the water onto the car for a pre rinse/final rinse at the start and end with a hand wash in between. 3 buckets total (one at the start, one with detergent then one to rinse).

Might be an option? Downgrade from the real deal but a useful upgrade from just a bucket.

[vikingaero]

C5_Steve said:

POIDH said:

I am used to some really good water pressure but the new house is much lower. So low that the hose does not spray out even gently to the roof of my van to rinse off.
I am not looking to spend a fortune - I am not a "detailer" but do like to clean my own cars as I know I can do a decent job of it, plus cheaper..
What solutions - small jetwash and a reserve bucket is where I am going at present...

A proper jet wash will drain a 5l bucket really quickly so if the pressure from the hose can't keep up you might have an issue there.

I used a Black and Decker Cordless Pressure Washer and 5l bucket as I don't have access to an outside tap so it's up and down the stairs for me! No where near as good as a proper pressure washer but very decent at just getting the water onto the car for a pre rinse/final rinse at the start and end with a hand wash in between. 3 buckets total (one at the start, one with detergent then one to rinse).

Might be an option? Downgrade from the real deal but a useful upgrade from just a bucket.

Plenty of people selling clean 20/25L jerry cans that have been single used for seawater for aquariums - £2-5 each on Facebook Marketplace. I have 2 for the incessant drought order that South East Water loves to introduce.

[C5_Steve]

vikingaero said:

C5_Steve said:

POIDH said:

I am used to some really good water pressure but the new house is much lower. So low that the hose does not spray out even gently to the roof of my van to rinse off.
I am not looking to spend a fortune - I am not a "detailer" but do like to clean my own cars as I know I can do a decent job of it, plus cheaper..
What solutions - small jetwash and a reserve bucket is where I am going at present...

A proper jet wash will drain a 5l bucket really quickly so if the pressure from the hose can't keep up you might have an issue there.

I used a Black and Decker Cordless Pressure Washer and 5l bucket as I don't have access to an outside tap so it's up and down the stairs for me! No where near as good as a proper pressure washer but very decent at just getting the water onto the car for a pre rinse/final rinse at the start and end with a hand wash in between. 3 buckets total (one at the start, one with detergent then one to rinse).

Might be an option? Downgrade from the real deal but a useful upgrade from just a bucket.

Plenty of people selling clean 20/25L jerry cans that have been single used for seawater for aquariums - £2-5 each on Facebook Marketplace. I have 2 for the incessant drought order that South East Water loves to introduce.

Good shout.

[POIDH]

Cheers all - I was thinking a large Trug as a reserve + a jetwash.
It is a slow outdoor tap, connected right after the main incoming water main, so while it is lower than the rest of the house, it is still just really low pressure.

Also to add: I had no idea there was a detailing/cleaning forum. Thanks for moving mods.

[Simpo Two]

Have you fished out all the one-way valves and filters that bedevil hose fittings these days?

[Magic919]

What’s the flow rate like?

[Smint]

Most Kranzle washers can suck straight from water butts, don't know about other more reasonably priced washers, can you sort out a convenient water butt and divert some roof water run off to keep it topped up?

[Lester H]

POIDH said:

I am used to some really good water pressure but the new house is much lower. So low that the hose does not spray out even gently to the roof of my van to rinse off.
I am not looking to spend a fortune - I am not a "detailer" but do like to clean my own cars as I know I can do a decent job of it, plus cheaper..
What solutions - small jetwash and a reserve bucket is where I am going at present...

I’ve come round to the idea of using the local BP garage jet wash, avoiding high pressure on roof and windows to avoid damp inside the doors, then finishing off at home but not ‘detailing’.

[Belle427]

Its worth checking if your pressure washer can use a vessel to supply it, some cant.
Maybe an old fashioned loft style header tank would work with a float valve, depends on the flow rate of the washer really.