How to Choose the Right Water Blaster

Although important, aesthetics and size are rarely the sole bases for determining the suitability of a particular model to your intended purposes. Rather, at least two figures will serve as your gauge: PSI and GPM.

PSI stands for pounds in square inch; this figure measures how much pressure the water from the blaster spurts. Generally, the higher the PSI value is, the more powerful the water blaster is in removing tough dirt from surfaces. If the surface is weak, a mid-level PSI measurement is strong enough to blast holes. For industrial purposes, the PSI measurement of a blaster may range from as low as 7,250 to as high as 40,000.

GPM stands for gallons per minute; this figure measures how much water flows and can be pumped from the equipment. Generally, the lower the GPM value is, the more efficient the equipment is when water consumption and conservation are concerned. A higher outflow is needed, however, to efficiently remove softened dirt. Showers from residential units belong to the 1.75 to 6.0 GPM range. Surprisingly, a water blaster intended for commercial or industrial use is not far behind from this figure. The nozzle helps you to conveniently adjust the water outflow of the orifice.

Aside from PSI and GPM, another figure that will catch your attention is horse power, a non-Standard-International unit of measurement for power output. Generally, the higher the horse power is, the more powerful the engine is and the more energy the water blaster consumes. While air conditioning units for home use rarely exceed the 2 horse power gauge, water blasters typically run on between 45 and 130 horsepower. This is a lot of energy; make sure that you are picking the equipment to use and that you are fully capable of footing the energy bill.

Several accessories come as freebies to your purchase of the equipment, although some pieces may also be available on a retail basis. Blasters needed for contract cleaning are usually equipped with the basic trigger gun, nozzles, extension and cleaning wands, cable and shoulder support. Other models come with more unique accessories such as provisos to enable trailer or skid mounting, and built-in burners (as hot or warm water is more effective to use for cleaning) and pressure adjustors - all designed to optimize your use of water blasters.

Remember: The applications of water blasters are myriad, but the factors to consider in purchasing the right unit remain basically the same: PSI level, GPM level, horse power consumption and accessories needed to maximize the performance of the unit. Knowing these considerations can help you avoid spending on the wrong product.