First, let’s understand how a pressure washer works. The tank sends water into the hose. Then, this water is supplied to the pump, which accelerates it. Water shoots out of the pump at high pressure like a car wash pressure gun.
Budget-friendly pressure washers will need around 1 gallon per minute (GPM) and 20 PSI of pressure. As such, make sure that your pressure washer can deliver sufficient water at a suitable pressure level before using it is gravity fed.
Pumps may be used if gravity-fed water can’t provide enough pressure. Usually, lower pressure will work just fine with most machines.
In many cases, people forget to level or raise the tank above the pressure washer. Therefore, their pressure washers end up malfunctioning.
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Will a Pressure Washer Work With Gravity Fed Water?
For the most part, yes. The water can be fed directly from a tank without a pump in mobile cleaning applications. When cleaning near a water source, the hose should be extended to reach the location of the pressure washer.
Some pressure washers will accept gravity feeds, but not all. When I use my 400-gallon tank with the low-end pressure washers, they won’t work. For most washers, 20 PSI is required for proper operation.
Pressure washers generally take their water supply from a tank by gravity. Check that your pressure washer model can handle the pressure and amount of water coming from the tank.
The pressure should therefore be increased by increasing the height of the tank. You may only use certain gas and electric models if you use a suction hose to pull water from the tank.
Do Pressure Washers Need Pressurized Water Supply?
It is important to know the output pressure (PSI) and amount of water (GPM) from the water tank. The pressure and amount of water needed by a pressure washer need to be at least a minimum.
Pressure washers with a more affordable price tag typically need 20 PSI and 1 GTM. Even under lower pressure, I have found they work perfectly well.
An additional pump is only needed between a pressure washer and a tank if the existing pressure is insufficient. Pressure washers on the budget end usually require around 20 PSI, though many still work well with slightly lower pressure.
An ordinary water pump will cure poor water pressure if you add one. Using a suction hose would be another option. Such a capability isn’t always available with pressure washers.
The Karcher K4 and K5 are budget-friendly electric pressure washers with a belt-driven pump. You must make sure that the pressure washer is submerged in water higher than the water level.
Your pressure washer must have an inlet filter if it uses water from a tank. An ordinary faucet’s water usually contains more dirt than that from a water tank.
The dirt on the pump can harm the pressure washer. An optional pressure washer attachment is a good idea if your washer does not come with one. Attach the pressure washer between the host and the fixture.
How Do You Add Pressure To A Gravity Fed Water System?
It would be best if you increased the distance between the water tank and the pressure washer in order to increase the pressure of a gravity-assist water tank. Portable tanks can be placed higher if they are portable. You can also build the tank on a strong, elevated platform that can support the tank’s weight and water.
Adding an additional pump to a water tank will also increase its pressure. This can be accomplished with a standard water pump. There is only a requirement that it has enough GPM and can deliver a certain output pressure.
It is always a good idea to use a pressure washer with an inlet filter. An ordinary faucet’s water usually contains more dirt than that from a water tank. Dirt like this harms the pressure washer’s pump.
Invest in a good quality pressure washer if yours is not equipped with one. It should be installed between the pressure washer hose and the nozzle.
Can I Gravity Feed My Pressure Washer From A Water Tank?
Gravity-fed pressure washers mainly rely on the distance between the water source and the wash head to determine pressure. Pressure will increase as the height increases. This will not be possible to change in a fixed installation.
However, if your setup is more portable, you may be able to raise it. It is also important to pay attention to how much water is present. As the diameter of the output end of the hose becomes smaller, the pressure increases.
Be aware, however, that pressure washers need a certain amount of water and pressure to function correctly. When the water source delivers a relatively high GPM, you can use a short hose with a large diameter to increase the amount of water reaching the pressure washer.
As a result, the pressure washer will be able to function properly without directly increasing the pressure. A minimum number of bends will minimize any pressure loss.
The pump can be damaged if it doesn’t get enough water or has too low of a pressure. The pump could blow up as a result of air bubbles, also called cavitation.
Final Tips
Water from lakes or ponds cannot usually be directly drawn into a pressure washer. It was unsuccessful for me, despite some people claiming success. The best pressure washer to use is one that uses a suction hose.
Submersible or well pumps can be used to draw water from a lake if a pressure washer cannot draw from it. There are gas pumps as well as electric pumps. You should always ensure that your inlet filter is of good quality. There are many impurities in lake or pond water that should not be pumped into the pump. If your machine doesn’t have one, the hose can be added between the pressure washer and the hose. Also, ensure that the filter is regularly cleaned.
