If you’re shopping around for a new pressure washer nozzle, keep in mind that not all of these products are created equally. Different nozzles are appropriate for different purposes, anywhere from cleaning mud off of a wide surface area, stripping paint from materials like wood and metal, or even blasting rust and oxidation off of various metals. The efficiency of a particular nozzle will come down to what spray patterns it has as well as what angles of spray are supported. Additionally, the power of the wash will depend on whether you are using a steam pressure washer or regular washer.
Nozzle Numbers
So where do you find this information? Thankfully, there are industry standard identification numbers on pressure washer nozzles which indicate two things:
- Supported angles of spray, and
- Size of nozzle orifice
This number generally takes the form of a 4 or 5 digit number stamped onto the nozzle, itself. The first two numbers in the sequence will always represent the angle of spray from the nozzle. For example, if the number is “45,” then the nozzle sprays at a 45 degree angle. Pretty simple! Additionally, the remaining numbers represent the orifice size on the nozzle (just put a decimal between the two nmbers). For example, the number “34″ would represent a 3.4 orifice size. The orifice size can then be translated into a PSI (pounds per square inch) level for the nozzle, which basically represents how much water pressure is being delivered.
Choosing the Correct Spray Angle
Common sense dictates that the smaller the angle, the more directed the water pressure will be, resulting in more force hitting the object that you’re washing. As you adjust the angle of spray from zero on up, you’ll increasingly cover more surface area but with decreasing pressure. OK, enough with the physics lesson. Here are some helpful guidelines matching ranges of angles with specific pressure washer applications:
- 0 degrees – This is the highest pressure setting, good for the most heavy duty of applications. For instance, you might use this setting for removing rust and oxidation from metals, stubbornly caked on mud from heavy equipment, cleaning high overhead surfaces, or even washing tar or glue from pavement.
- 15 degrees - This setting is better for stripping away materials such as paint. You can also use this spray angle for removing grease and dirt from your lawn equipment, as well as water-related damage such as marine life and stubborn mildew.
- 25 degrees – This is a slightly gentler setting that is appropriate for cleaning the roof and gutters, algae on the side of a pool, or even cleaning a surface as preparation for a paint job.
- 40 degrees – This is the lightest setting, perfect for more sensitive applications like washing windows, boats, etc.
Generally, you need to buy a separate washer nozzle for each angle setting, but there are adjustable products that will allow you to use a wider range of settings all from the same nozzle.
Safety Information and Warning
At the risk of sounding too obvious: Don’t EVER point a pressure washer wand at yourself or another living thing. These devices pack enough power to do significant, permanent injury, even killing someone. You should be giving the same level of care and attention to a pressure washer as you would with a loaded gun.
If you’re trying to remove the nozzle, always be sure that the quick coupler is locked in place so that you don’t inadvertently allow the nozzle to turn into a dangerous flying object. If none of these terms are familiar to you, please take the time to read up on them in the manual that came with your pressure washer!
Check Out This Helpful Video On Pressure Washer Basics
As with all of the posts on this site and similarly to what is stated in my Terms of Use section, everything I say on this site is an opinion based on data that I’ve gathered from real world experience as well as internet research. Nothing on this website should be considered official safety information, and I am not responsible for any injury or harm that may result from the information contained herein.
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If you would like more information on other outdoor water products, I have posts on how to choose both a solar fountain as well as a buyer’s guide for water fountain pumps.
If you’re looking for a device to clean indoors, too, you might want to check out this water vacuum buyer’s guide.
