Pressure washer that doesn't need a tap
Discussion
Hello,
Looking for some advice from some wise PHers please. I'm after a pressure washer that I can use without connecting it directly to a tap, it can be battery powered but I do have access to mains power. I'm also happy with options that connect to a tap as long as they can also be used without a tap.
Budget is flexible depending on the quality, if it can also be used with a tap I think I could justify up to £300 ish but if it's just bucket fed and of lower power ideally closer to £100 ish. No preference on brand, but want something that will last more than 5 mins.
Primary purpose is I need to clean up the concrete pathway and entrance area to a rented property with no outside tap, and I don't want to be faffing around to adapt an internal mains feed to make this work. I could then also use this to hose down my motorbike outside my flat where I also don't have a tap.
Thank you!
Looking for some advice from some wise PHers please. I'm after a pressure washer that I can use without connecting it directly to a tap, it can be battery powered but I do have access to mains power. I'm also happy with options that connect to a tap as long as they can also be used without a tap.
Budget is flexible depending on the quality, if it can also be used with a tap I think I could justify up to £300 ish but if it's just bucket fed and of lower power ideally closer to £100 ish. No preference on brand, but want something that will last more than 5 mins.
Primary purpose is I need to clean up the concrete pathway and entrance area to a rented property with no outside tap, and I don't want to be faffing around to adapt an internal mains feed to make this work. I could then also use this to hose down my motorbike outside my flat where I also don't have a tap.
Thank you!
Lots of pressure washers will work with a water butt but this might be an alternative.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/WORX-WG629E-1-Cordless-HY...
No idea if it is any good..
https://www.amazon.co.uk/WORX-WG629E-1-Cordless-HY...
No idea if it is any good..
All the ones I've had will happily pull from a bucket or water butt - after all they're just a pump that generates pressure for the lance. Standard hose connector on them so just have a short piece of garden hose that goes into the bottom of your bucket.
There are battery ones like the Worx Hydroshot but they're lower power - perfect for cleaning bikes or the car, not so good for cleaning concrete where you really need the power.
Bear in mind a small pressure washer like a Karcher K2 will use about 6 litres a minute - you'll probably be spending longer walking back and forth to refill a bucket than you will cleaning. Any way you can use an internal tap and run a hose outside?
There are battery ones like the Worx Hydroshot but they're lower power - perfect for cleaning bikes or the car, not so good for cleaning concrete where you really need the power.
Bear in mind a small pressure washer like a Karcher K2 will use about 6 litres a minute - you'll probably be spending longer walking back and forth to refill a bucket than you will cleaning. Any way you can use an internal tap and run a hose outside?
sjg said:
All the ones I've had will happily pull from a bucket or water butt... bear in mind a small pressure washer like a Karcher K2 will use about 6 litres a minute
Yup, unless you have a water butt you will be forever walking to and fro filling buckets.What would probably be a lot easier is to quietly fit a self-cutting tap kit under the sink, even if you just left the "external" tap loose under the sink. You could fit something like this with little more than a screwdriver, https://www.screwfix.com/p/outside-tap-kit-15mm-x/... and remove everything except the valve at the end of tenancy.
How many times do you need to clean the path? If it's just the once then you could hire a 'proper' presure washer & then buy something like the battery powered Worx for cleaning your bike.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16rLD_TzXX4
I'm thinking about one but it's definately a trade off between power & convenience. You can actually run the Worx off a pop bottle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16rLD_TzXX4
I'm thinking about one but it's definately a trade off between power & convenience. You can actually run the Worx off a pop bottle.
Thank you all for the great advice so far- I already have a small Karcher and was completely oblivious that I could run it from a bucket/water butt. So the first thing I'll do is test to see if mine works and if so, that's answered a lot of questions. My karcher isn't great (quite old and plays up occasionally) so this could be a nice excuse to upgrade it for something better which will serve all my needs both present, and when I do eventually buy a house with a garage.
In response to installing a tap, it's a great idea but I probably didn't explain myself very well. I live in a rented flat (1st floor) and don't have the ability to install an outside tap at all (but may be able to fit a water butt to the guttering with the LL's consent). And the property I'm currently looking to clean is a property I own but rent out and so I don't really have the time/desire to fit an otherwise unnecessary exterior tap for jet washing an area that will probably only get cleaned once a decade.
So follow up question, what good value (doesn't have to mean cheap) pressure washer would you buy? For arguments sake lets assume I'll have a decent size driveway in the future as well as 2 cars and a motorbike to clean. Thanks again!
In response to installing a tap, it's a great idea but I probably didn't explain myself very well. I live in a rented flat (1st floor) and don't have the ability to install an outside tap at all (but may be able to fit a water butt to the guttering with the LL's consent). And the property I'm currently looking to clean is a property I own but rent out and so I don't really have the time/desire to fit an otherwise unnecessary exterior tap for jet washing an area that will probably only get cleaned once a decade.
So follow up question, what good value (doesn't have to mean cheap) pressure washer would you buy? For arguments sake lets assume I'll have a decent size driveway in the future as well as 2 cars and a motorbike to clean. Thanks again!
I'd normally say Karcher outlet but they don't have anything cheaper than retail right now.
Karcher K2 is on amazon deal today at £80, basic but will do the job. If you'll be doing long sessions then worth going for K4 or higher as they have watercooled motors. Screwfix and Amazon are doing those for £165 right now.
Karcher K2 is on amazon deal today at £80, basic but will do the job. If you'll be doing long sessions then worth going for K4 or higher as they have watercooled motors. Screwfix and Amazon are doing those for £165 right now.
gottans said:
Lots of pressure washers will work with a water butt but this might be an alternative.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/WORX-WG629E-1-Cordless-HY...
No idea if it is any good..
I've got one of these. Had it for a while now. It's not as powerful as a mains water powerwasher, but it's more than capable of washing a car or patio (as long as you don't drive a perpetually muddy 110 Defender and live in a mansion).https://www.amazon.co.uk/WORX-WG629E-1-Cordless-HY...
No idea if it is any good..
Actually, the slightly reduced output means it's kinder to a car's paintwork. The battery will last the whole car but it comes with two should you be more particular about your washing and rinsing.
Obviously it'll keep going for as long as you supply it water and the included collapsible bucket isn't the largest, so I tend to manhandle a plastic trug down to the car when giving it a clean.
Gets my vote.
Cold said:
gottans said:
Lots of pressure washers will work with a water butt but this might be an alternative.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/WORX-WG629E-1-Cordless-HY...
No idea if it is any good..
I've got one of these. Had it for a while now. It's not as powerful as a mains water powerwasher, but it's more than capable of washing a car or patio (as long as you don't drive a perpetually muddy 110 Defender and live in a mansion).https://www.amazon.co.uk/WORX-WG629E-1-Cordless-HY...
No idea if it is any good..
Actually, the slightly reduced output means it's kinder to a car's paintwork. The battery will last the whole car but it comes with two should you be more particular about your washing and rinsing.
Obviously it'll keep going for as long as you supply it water and the included collapsible bucket isn't the largest, so I tend to manhandle a plastic trug down to the car when giving it a clean.
Gets my vote.
Might not help you, but the thread on a washing machine valve is the same as an outdoor tap.
Depending on layout, you could well throw a hose out of a first floor window, I would in your shoes.
Else as said, they basically all pull from a bucket of (clean) water but will get through it unless it's a tiny area.
What about a decent stiff brush and a bit of washing up liquid to reduce friction and surface tension.
Daniel
Depending on layout, you could well throw a hose out of a first floor window, I would in your shoes.
Else as said, they basically all pull from a bucket of (clean) water but will get through it unless it's a tiny area.
What about a decent stiff brush and a bit of washing up liquid to reduce friction and surface tension.
Daniel
Thanks everyone for the advice, just thought I'd let you know what I ended up doing.
Hozelock sell quite a cool attachment with a set of rubber washers that clamps onto any domestic kitchen/bathroom tap. I then bought the cheapest hose (think about £5 for 15m) and two female hose attachments, again the cheapest ones available at just over £1 each. Total spend with the hozelock clamp thing was just under £16. I was then able to use my existing karcher and it worked absolutely fine.
I may still end up buying a proper cordless one to use for my motorbike but for what I needed more recently my existing setup with a few accessories worked a treat.
Hozelock sell quite a cool attachment with a set of rubber washers that clamps onto any domestic kitchen/bathroom tap. I then bought the cheapest hose (think about £5 for 15m) and two female hose attachments, again the cheapest ones available at just over £1 each. Total spend with the hozelock clamp thing was just under £16. I was then able to use my existing karcher and it worked absolutely fine.
I may still end up buying a proper cordless one to use for my motorbike but for what I needed more recently my existing setup with a few accessories worked a treat.
I have one of these for washing my mountain bike.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-High-Pressure-...
I only paid about a tenner for it. Strapped it to a 25L jerry can and it will clean several bikes and runs off the 12v socket in the car, so ideal to take out when we go for a ride. Mainly I use it with a 5L can for doing just my own bike and that should be plenty for a motorbike and convenient if you don't have a socket nearby. Not powerful enough for paths etc, but gentle enough for paintwork.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-High-Pressure-...
I only paid about a tenner for it. Strapped it to a 25L jerry can and it will clean several bikes and runs off the 12v socket in the car, so ideal to take out when we go for a ride. Mainly I use it with a 5L can for doing just my own bike and that should be plenty for a motorbike and convenient if you don't have a socket nearby. Not powerful enough for paths etc, but gentle enough for paintwork.
opieoilman said:
I have one of these for washing my mountain bike.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-High-Pressure-...
I only paid about a tenner for it. Strapped it to a 25L jerry can and it will clean several bikes and runs off the 12v socket in the car, so ideal to take out when we go for a ride. Mainly I use it with a 5L can for doing just my own bike and that should be plenty for a motorbike and convenient if you don't have a socket nearby. Not powerful enough for paths etc, but gentle enough for paintwork.
Not a neat little package, but you can't beat the for price. While they are nothing like the jabsco equiv those cheap water pumps work well for the cost. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Portable-High-Pressure-...
I only paid about a tenner for it. Strapped it to a 25L jerry can and it will clean several bikes and runs off the 12v socket in the car, so ideal to take out when we go for a ride. Mainly I use it with a 5L can for doing just my own bike and that should be plenty for a motorbike and convenient if you don't have a socket nearby. Not powerful enough for paths etc, but gentle enough for paintwork.
Bumblebee7 said:
Primary purpose is I need to clean up the concrete pathway and entrance area to a rented property with no outside tap
A liberal spray of sodium hypochlorite before some decent rain would do the job better and with less fuss.Just one of those pound shop pump sprayers would do. Maybe chuck some water on and go at it with a stiff broom if its really dirty. Don't wear trousers or shoes you don't want bleached though.
Bumblebee7 said:
I may still end up buying a proper cordless one to use for my motorbike but for what I needed more recently my existing setup with a few accessories worked a treat.
I have one of the aqua2go portable ones and while it’s alright I’d describe it as more of a portable sprinkler than a pressure washer. I bought it when I was in a similar position and i think it was a bit of a waste of money as I quickly ended up back at the pressure washer at the petrol station or just using a waterless wash if the car wasn’t filthy (if the detailing world lot are happy these are safe that’s good enough for me). That said I can see the point in them for people wanting to wash mountain bikes off before throwing them in the boot.Might be worth looking at this Draper cordless. Good quality tools generally. https://www.drapertools.com/product/97533/D20-20V-...
trickywoo said:
A liberal spray of sodium hypochlorite before some decent rain would do the job better and with less fuss.
This stuff is even better - https://www.hygienesuppliesdirect.com/products/pro... other brands and sellers available, I bought a 25L drum off ebay.Choose a dry day. Dilute, spray, done. A 5L sprayer makes it a quick task.
I used to spend an afternoon pressure washing the paving 3-4x a year to get rid of green mould, that stuff turns it into a 15 minute walkround once or twice a year.
shtu said:
This stuff is even better - https://www.hygienesuppliesdirect.com/products/pro... other brands and sellers available, I bought a 25L drum off ebay.
Choose a dry day. Dilute, spray, done. A 5L sprayer makes it a quick task.
I used to spend an afternoon pressure washing the paving 3-4x a year to get rid of green mould, that stuff turns it into a 15 minute walkround once or twice a year.
Link invalid, these solutions just look like you could get a powerful bleech for a quid and some water and just spray that almost Choose a dry day. Dilute, spray, done. A 5L sprayer makes it a quick task.
I used to spend an afternoon pressure washing the paving 3-4x a year to get rid of green mould, that stuff turns it into a 15 minute walkround once or twice a year.
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