I've got a hot water faucet on the exterior of the house. Why? Who knows.... it was here when we bought the place. Can I run hot water from it thru my pressure washer, rather than just regular temp water?
Running hot water (household hot, not steam) thru a standard pressure washer
- Thread starter SAR Tracker
- Start date
What does the owner's manual say? Generally it's advised not to run hot water through a typical cold water pressure washer unless the manufacturer states that it's ok, and they'll often provide a water temperature range that is acceptable. Great question though and curious to see what others think. Hot water works so much better than cold on our greasy tractors.
The local Kubota dealer let me use their hot water pressure washer and it was amazing. Certainly made me wish that I had one. Their model is commercial grade running off a diesel engine so $$$ but you can buy some really good ones with onboard heating for a few thousand. Andrew Camarata uses a nice one on his channel.
North Idaho Wolfman
Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
No, not unless the pressure washer is made for hot water.
Most pressure washers overheat and will seize up when you use Hot water through them.
BTDT...
^^^^^^
Yep.
Mine even has a Thermal Relief Valve (factory set to 120°F) to avoid seizing the pump. Pump tolerances are extremely tight and seals for cold water pumps are not designed to handle very much heat.
^^^^Yup, to the point the water gets turned on before the pressure washer is even started and is used to cool the pump even at idle.
At work we have a diesel pressure washer that heats the water, that's far different from what most people (like myself) use at home.
Note that consumer pressure washers often need to be drained of water after use, and a rebuild might be needed occasionally....the cheap ones can be worth less than the asking price.
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
depends on how 'hot' your hot water is... Generac PWs are good for 100*F ( 40*C)....wonder if others have it in the instructions that all guys read ??
Butch
Active member
Equipment
Kubota 2410, RC60-24B, FL1000- kubota hydrolic front snow blade- plug aerator
OK... here it goes.
I have a hot water frost proof spigot outside my house AND I got the brainy idea to hook it to my pressure washer. Worked great for about an hour which at that point the pump seized "tighter than a mouse's ear".
Well... my advice would be don't do it unless you want a new pressure washer....
I have a hot water frost proof spigot outside my house AND I got the brainy idea to hook it to my pressure washer. Worked great for about an hour which at that point the pump seized "tighter than a mouse's ear".
Well... my advice would be don't do it unless you want a new pressure washer....
And if you want a new one, get one of these. On my wish list for next year or the year after.
fried1765
Well-known member
Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
I say ........yes you can.
Your household hot water is likely only 120 degrees maximum.
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
hmm I'll go measure mine....ratz... granddaughter's using the gun as a cat toy ( red pointer )....sigh....
Mine is a Generac and it doesn't say you can or can't use warm/hot water in the users manual.depends on how 'hot' your hot water is... Generac PWs are good for 100*F ( 40*C)....wonder if others have it in the instructions that all guys read ??
BUT it does state the Thermal Relief Valve on the pump will activate at 120°F and to either shut down the unit or trigger the gun so that water is not recirculating through the pump.
Normal cold water usage will not cause the water in the pump to heat up.
But when you are not using the wand/gun... the unloader diverts the water back through the pump....where it heats up.
Short episodes of 'idling' (a minute or so) has never set mine off, but more than that and the water WILL heat up and activate the TRV.
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
I went to the Generac website, it was there..... got me wondering what my 'hot' water really is...
Ok cat toy in hand.... kitchen is 102-103*F
and why can't use 'hot' water. do the seals 'melt' ?
Ok cat toy in hand.... kitchen is 102-103*F
and why can't use 'hot' water. do the seals 'melt' ?
Last edited:
The pump is a piston style. Made to fit tight in the bore and the cold water keeps the gap where it should be. Add heat, expansion happens too much and it'll lock up.
ETA: I'll have to look to make sure, but I'm 99% sure the hotsies heat the water after the pump.
jyoutz
Well-known member
Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
Instead of hot water, I use a foam cannon to foam up whatever I’m washing and let the foam sit for awhile before rinsing it. A good foam soap will clean and degrease really well. Plus it’s fun to use. It was nice outside so I washed my Jeep yesterday with liquid car wash foam and wax. I really like the HF foam cannon because it seems sturdier built than some of the others I’ve seen. I prefer using soap and cleaners in the cannon instead of running it through the washer because there’s no residue in the washer to clean up afterwards.
www.harborfreight.com
Premium Wide Mouth Pressure Washer Foam Cannon
Amazing deals on this Pressure Washer Foam Cannon at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.
I guess I am the odd man out. I have a Honda engine diesel fired pressure washer but when winter comes it gets winterized and stored. I don't run my shop heat 24/7 in the winter. With that said I have a smaller 110 volt washer I store in my basement and I have ran house hot water threw this type of pressure washers for well over forty years and never locked one up yet. Maybe I am just lucky. I use it all winter to clean and degrease things I am going to be working on.
The main issue is NOT the pressure washer itself.
It is the fact that you will most likely run out of hot water after about 6 minutes.
Unless you have a big hot water storage tank or a high output "on-demand" water heater.