How to Connect Hose to Pressure Washer: 4 Easy Steps

Do you need to clean your driveway or patio but don’t have a hose that reaches that far? Or maybe you just don’t want to get all wet and dirty trying to connect the hose yourself. Whatever the reason, this article is for you. We will walk you through the four easy steps on how to connect a hose to a pressure washer. After reading this post, you’ll be able to do it like a pro in no time!

Step 1: Test the GPM of your water supply

GPM which means gallons per minute, refers to the flow rate of your water supply. It’s important to figure this out because most pressure washers require a certain GPM, normally 2 – 3 gallons per minute, but you can always check this in your user manual if you still have it.

If the GPM is lower than this, it does create the chance of potentially damaging your pressure washer which could well be a pretty costly mistake.

To determine the GPM of your water source, place a 3-gallon bucket under your tap and observe how long it takes to fill it. After three repetitions, calculate the average time it takes for your water source to fill a 3-gallon bucket. This number will then be your GPM.

Step 2: Install a splitter

This step isn’t required if you use your pressure washer or power washer infrequently as it’s mainly a time and hassle saver, but well worth doing if you do use it on a more frequent basis and want to have your garden hose and pressure washer attached and or running at the same time.

A splitter does as it name says, splits the water source so you can use more than one device at a time. You do have to bit a bit careful here though as using your garden hose while pressure washing can lead to a loss in water pressure and affect the GPM and water flow rate. As explained above, a low GPM on certain pressure washers can be pretty costly to correct.

Step 3: Attach quick connect coupler

Whether you choose to use the split valve or not, you’ll need a quick connect coupling to couple your water supply and garden hose. This will allow you to quickly add and remove your pressure washer from the water source, making indoor storage a little easier and as well as overall general use.

Step 4: Connect hose to pressure washer

Now it’s time to actually connect the hose to your pressure washer. The process is pretty straightforward, take the pressure hose and connect it to the water inlet or water supply. You can do this by screwing it on or using a quick connect coupling, which can be another great time saver.

Once the hose is connected screw the high-pressure outlet on your pressure washer clockwise until it’s tight.

It’s important you make sure it’s tight because if it’s not, you could end up with water leaking out which would obviously decrease the pressure. Once you’ve screwed it on tightly, turn on your water source and check for any leaks.

If there are no leaks, congratulations you are ready to start using your pressure washer!

What to do once the hose is connected?

Once the hose it connected to your pressure washer, you might be wondering what’s the next step? Well, before you start using it there are a few things you should do which we will quickly go over.

First, check the oil level in your pressure washer and add more if needed. Second, fill up the detergent tank if your pressure washer has one. You can use any type of soap or cleaning solution but make sure it’s compatible with your pressure washer model.

Third, make sure you’ve got all the different fittings ready for the job you’re going to do. These might include different nozzles, brushes, and extensions.

FAQ

What is a PSI rating?

PSI rating stands for pressure per square inch, and it’s the unit of measure for pressure washer output. This number can vary quite a bit between models, particularly between gas pressure washers and electric ones. The spray gun of a gas powered power washer will typically have a PSI of 2,000 – 2,800, while an electric will be more around the 1,300 – 1,700 range.

If you’re looking for a high pressure hose and pressure washer for for more challenging tasks, it may be worth looking at getting a gas powered model. These are also likely to benefit from being more portable due to not needing to be connected to a power source in the same way.

However, if you are using for different projects that don’t require as power a pressure wash, an electric model spray gun should do just fine and provide enough pressure for most normal daily uses.

Can I use my everyday garden hose while pressure washing?

You can, but using a garden hose while pressure washing can lead to a loss in water pressure and affect the GPM and water flow rate. As explained above, a low GPM on certain pressure washers can be pretty costly to correct.

When it comes to combining with a pressure washer, we recommend using a pressure washer hose that is specifically designed for use with pressure washers though. These are generally going to have a higher PSI score and be able to withstand the high temperatures and water pressure.

They connect to a water tap in the same way as normal garden hoses, but provide the benefits listed above.

Final thoughts

If you follow these four easy steps, you’ll be able to connect a hose to your pressure washer like a pro in no time. Whether you were looking to connect hose to a Karcher pressure washer, Nilfisk pressure washer or another model, we hope these steps have been helpful!