Many homeowners and business owners choose to rent or purchase their own pressure washing equipment instead of contracting with a power washing company for cleaning services. However, in order to choose the best pressure washer for the job – and to use it effectively – it’s important to understand the three primary pressure washer ratings: PSI, GPM and CPU.

1. PSI, OR POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH

This number tells you how forceful the water will be during cleaning. The higher the PSI, the greater the cleaning power – and the greater the potential for damaging your property. Most pressure washers offer a range of PSI settings, typically from 1,500 on up to 4,000 or more. (As a point of comparison, a garden hose typically operates at 40 PSI.)

The pressure washer with the highest PSI setting isn’t always best; rather, you should choose a model that offers a range of suitable settings for the tasks you need done. For most homeowners, a high end of 2,250 PSI is sufficient. More than that, and you may be wasting your money.

2. GPM, OR GALLONS PER MINUTE

GPM measures how much water a pressure washer uses during each minute of pressure washing. At first glance, you might think a model with a lower GPM would be more efficient and thus more desirable; however, the opposite is generally true. The higher the GPM, the less time it will take to complete your pressure washing job. For example, a 4-GPM pressure washer will wash away grime in half the time of a 2-GPM model.

Ultimately, a higher GPM can potentially save you both time and money (on fuel or electricity to power your pressure washer).

3. CPU, OR CLEANING POWER UNITS

Multiplying PSI by GPM gives you the CPU, also known as Effective Cleaning Units. Calculating CPU is a handy way to compare pressure washing models at a glance. If the CPU is high, you will have a better probability of investing in a pressure washer that is efficient and successful.

Of course, hiring a power washing company to clean your home or commercial property will eliminate the hassle of purchasing a new washer. Plus, professionals are experienced and are trained to clean efficiently without harming your property. However, if you’d rather do the job yourself, understanding PSI, GPM and CPU is a good place to start.

Certain areas of life are nearly impossible to imagine without modern technology. For instance, before the advent of the washing machine, washing a family’s clothes took an entire day of scrubbing, twisting and rinsing. Likewise, pressure washing for trains has dramatically changed the way people think about rail car cleaning. For the first hundred years or so of train history, cars were washed in a pull-through building that modern thinkers would probably associate with a car wash. Today, however, engineers can rely on pressure washer services to keep trains in tip-top shape – regardless of whether there’s an open washing bay nearby.

Pressure washing for trains includes cleaning the exterior, engine, carriage, wheels and even the interior, depending on the type of train. (The interior of box cars may be pressure washed, but passenger trains will require gentler cleaning approaches. Most pressure washer services are happy to apply these less intense cleaning styles.) Graffiti may also be removed with the proper pressure washer services. Many pressure washer services also include a de-greasing solution to prevent future grime buildup. One caution: Pressure washing for trains should not include the locomotive. Pressure washing professionals should cover locomotives with tarps before washing the rest of the train. This is to protect locomotives’ brake systems; repeated exposure to water can corrode and eventually destroy disk brakes.

A pressure washing approach to rail car cleaning has many advantages, including:

1. COST SAVINGS

This classic motivation for outsourcing services also applies to pressure washing for trains. Many rail managers have chosen to switch from in-house cleaning to outsourced pressure washer services to save money. Specialization typically improves job performance, and pressure washing for trains is no exception. Because pressure washing is all they do, many pressure washer services can undercut traditional employment costs. By hiring out cleaning duties, management can save money on employment taxes, benefits and other labor costs.

2. QUICKER TRAIN TURNAROUNDS

A whole unit train includes 125 cars, equating to an incredibly large surface area that must be cleaned. Many rail yards aim to clean a one-unit train in five days. However, because they specialize solely in pressure washer services, professional pressure washing experts can usually complete the enormous task of washing a train in four days. This means more rail time and less downtime – bringing even more cost savings and profit.

3. MOBILE CLEANING OPPORTUNITIES

Oftentimes, trains are cleaned only when they need repairs or maintenance. This is a shame, since a clean train not only improves employee morale, it also improves the public’s perception of the train industry. Finally, a clean train is usually a faster train, since all that dirt and grime adds unnecessary weight to the whole unit. However, time and equipment constraints limit how often trains can be cleaned in wash bays.

When it’s not possible to run a train through the bay wash, pressure washer services can step in. Pressure washing for trains requires certain equipment, including lifts to reach the top of the train as well as a waste management system. Assuming you select a prepared rail car cleaning partner who has his or her equipment ready to go, you should be able to achieve mobile train cleaning, even if there’s not a wash bay nearby. With more frequent washing, your trains will be faster and more appealing overall.

4. EFFECTIVE GRAFFITI REMOVAL AND PREVENTION

Graffiti is an eyesore that just grows larger and uglier with time. As soon as one tag appears on a train, others are sure to follow. Fortunately, pressure washing for trains can include graffiti removal and prevention. Anti-graffiti solutions can even prevent future tags from appearing.

5. EARTH-FRIENDLY TRAIN CLEANING

Some pressure washer services are dedicated to environmentally conscious operations. Such forward-thinking organizations capture their wastewater, since the water coming off of dirty trains is usually quite polluted with engine chemicals, road dust and more. Wastewater from cleaning trains can taint local watersheds if not collected. Green pressure washing companies also use earth-friendly cleaning solutions to wash trains.

From saving money to saving the earth, there are many advantages to cleaning trains through outsourced pressure washing. One last benefit: Many pressure washer services are also capable of painting trains, so you can take care of even more maintenance tasks at a time.

By this time of year, most privately owned pressure washers have been put to bed for the winter. However, if you’re one of those die-hards who keep on pressure washing even throughout the winter, there are a few precautions pressure washing companies recommend taking in cold weather.

Pressure washing must be done carefully when you’re outdoors in very cold temperatures. Among many other risks, you don’t want to deal with freezing water or, worst-case scenario, hypothermia. Here are some tips to keep you brave pressure washers safe while pressure washing in winter:

BEWARE OF HYPOTHERMIA

Be wary of getting ill when outdoors in the rigid temps. Hypothermia can take place even when land temperatures are above freezing. If you already have a cold, it’s best to avoid venturing outdoors with your pressure washer. Most pressure washing companies are experienced at working in cold temperatures and can do the job for you much more safely.

Winter pressure washing should take place during the warmest part of the day. Bundle up to take care of your health – wear warm clothing as well as a hat and gloves to protect your skin. It’s also important to warm up with plenty of indoor breaks.

CHEMICALS ARE LESS EFFECTIVE

Another thing pressure washers should keep in mind is that chemicals are less effective in cold weather, which is why it’s best to accomplish pressure washing tasks during the warmest part of the day. You can also consider a hot water rig. Powdered chemicals will mix much better in hot water, resulting in a quicker cleaning job – and less time spent out in the cold.

FREEZING WATER CAN HAPPEN

You don’t want damage to your pressure washer’s pump, and this is very likely to happen during the winter unless you take extra precautions while pressure washing. Frozen water in a pump expands, and any remaining liquid in your pump can damage your equipment. To avoid parts from rupturing, pay attention to the following tips:

• Store the pump in a warm area so it does not freeze during the winter.
• Use compressed air to release the remaining fluid in your pressure washing equipment.
• Run a blend of 50 percent antifreeze and 50 percent water through your pump.

You should also be careful while pressure washing in freezing temperatures, as water can freeze behind you and cause a nasty fall.