Maybe a stubborn stain on your floors has resisted all your futile manual scrubbing efforts, or perhaps your current machine is in the shop for repairs.
No matter why you are thinking of renting a pressure washer, finding the right machine is crucial for ensuring your cleaning tasks go smoothly. After all, maintaining the cleanliness of your property is crucial for any commercial business, whether you need to impress potential investors, customers, or vendors.
But if you have never done it before, the idea of learning how to rent a pressure washer may seem a bit overwhelming. In this article, we will simplify the process, including how to choose the right machine for the job and which accessories and soaps to consider.
And if you are in Southeast Texas, you’re in luck! You will find the best industrial pressure washer rental in Houston at Hotsy of Houston, thanks to our inventory of over 80 types of machines, all paired with the knowledge of our friendly team of Houston natives to set you up for success.
Let’s jump into why renting a power washer is a wise decision for your business.
Why Rent a Pressure Washer?
Before you learn how to rent a pressure washer, it is essential to understand why you are doing so.
From pressure washing concrete to pressure washing farm equipment, these nifty machines can handle any cleaning task in a fraction of the time that manual scrubbing takes, all without the risks of chemical cleaners.
Additionally, renting a pressure washer is extremely convenient and cost-effective. For many business models, renting alone can be enough to tackle cleaning tasks for a while, though we will also touch on situations where buying a machine is better in the long term.
Cost-Effectiveness
On their own, pressure washers can represent a significant investment, especially for cash-strapped businesses. Depending on your cleaning needs, infrequent cleaning needs can be better served by rentals.
When you consider how much it is to rent a pressure washer, usually around $60-$150 a day, depending on the details of your agreement, and compare it to the average cost of buying outright, you may save a lot of money in the short term.
This is especially true when comparing rental costs to the price for professional cleaning services, which often charge you $200 to $400 per job.
Convenience and Flexibility
While learning how to rent a pressure washer takes a small amount of research, it is still significantly more convenient than owning one. You won’t need to worry about things like how to maintain a pressure washer, storage during the winter, finding an optimal pressure washer hose length, and so on.
This is especially important if your business lacks storage space for an entire machine, detergent, and accessories. You can quickly rent a machine for a day or two, gain access to the best pressure washer accessories and soap for specific tasks, and then return it to your rental provider without worrying about upkeep.
Additionally, renting a pressure washer provides unparalleled flexibility. Many businesses we work with return for rentals even after purchasing.
Wait, but why, you may ask?
First, it is crucial to note that several types of power washers are on the market, ranging from different engine types, varied power and flow rates denoted by GPM on a pressure washer, and so on.
So, let’s say your business is primarily concerned with vehicle fleet pressure washing, such as for a mobile landscaping company.
While we recommend a lighter machine to provide a safe clean for delicate vehicle exteriors, you may occasionally need to manage tougher stains. Perhaps you need to consider pressure washing a parking lot outside your small storefront a few times a year or have to remove oil or rust from your equipment occasionally.
Renting a more powerful machine for a few days can allow you to tackle your lower-frequency tasks while still allowing you to save money on buying two separate machines.
When it Makes Sense to Buy
Deciding whether or not to buy or rent a pressure washer is ultimately a matter of scale. While every business’s specific needs will vary, the rule of thumb we use to guide our clients is relatively straightforward.
If you have storage space and budget room for maintenance and need to use your machine multiple times per month, such as when pressure washing industrial buildings, buying will be a great fit in the long run. You won’t have to deal with the ins and outs of learning how to rent a pressure washer or worry about drop-off and pick-up procedures.
On the other hand, less frequent pressure washing, like every other month tasks, or businesses without physical storefronts, like a mobile service business managing a fleet of vehicles, are often better suited to rent for a while. Renting a pressure washer will allow you to focus more on cleaning and less on details like storing or maintaining a machine.
How to Rent a Pressure Washer: Step-by-Step Guide to Renting a Pressure Washer
We have covered why renting a pressure washer is a fantastic idea for commercial businesses.
But how does the rental process actually work? Between the different types of pressure washers, creating a reliable pressure washer equipment list, and finding a provider that offers a streamlined experience, it can all be overwhelming.
However, with this step-by-step breakdown on how to rent a pressure washer, you will have everything you need to simplify the process and get straight to eliminating those stubborn stains.
Determine Your Cleaning Needs
The first instinct many business owners have is to ask, what is the best industrial pressure washer?
However, the answer to this will depend significantly on the details of your needs. Do you have an enormous cleaning area littered with embedded stains such as oil and grease, which are common in industrial settings? Are you working primarily indoors and just need to make the floors within your storefront shine like brand new?
Your answers to this question will help determine everything from which type of machine to consider to the best soaps for a pressure washer.
Selecting the Right Pressure Washer Specifications
Once you grasp the extent of your cleaning needs, you will use them to select a machine. Several categories include water temperature, motor type, water pressure and flow, and more.
For temperature, you will choose between hot water vs cold water pressure washers. We recommend hot water machines for embedded stains like grease, rust, and oil. Heated machines have the extra power needed to tackle these tasks.
On the other hand, cold water machines are less expensive and are suitable for working with delicate materials like vehicle exteriors and outdoor furniture.
The type of engine in your machine also plays a significant role. Both sides of the gas vs electric pressure washer debate have pros and cons depending on your needs.
We recommend gas models for challenging cleaning tasks in industrial settings and outdoor cleaning. Gas-powered machines are extra mobile because they do not require a power outlet.
Conversely, electric machines are better suited for indoor tasks or otherwise have poor ventilation. They are also environmentally friendly and more affordable regarding your energy bill.
Finally, you must consider two of the most critical specifications: pressure washer PSI and GPM. These two factors are like salt and pepper, working together to determine how effectively a machine deals with stains.
PSI stands for pounds per square inch and signifies how powerful water flow is. The low end of PSI starts around 1000, with values eclipsing 5000 for the toughest tasks. Similarly, GPM stands for gallons per minute and indicates how much water is flowing out of your machine at any given time.
Finding the right balance is critical. Too much PSI without enough GPM will cause you to lack the water needed to wash away stains, while the inverse will lead to you bathing a stain in water without actually removing it.
It is also essential not to go overboard. Delicate tasks like vehicle fleets, patios, and outdoor furniture may be at risk of damage with excessively high values, so consult with your rental provider for specific recommendations.
Finding a Reliable Rental Provider
After determining which type of machine you need, you must figure out where to rent a pressure washer. Look for a reputable provider in your area specializing in power washers rather than a big box retailer with only generalized knowledge.
We recommend perusing online reviews, requesting recommendations from fellow business owners, and shopping for the best rates.
Reserving the Equipment
Once you identify a provider you want to work with, reserving the equipment is relatively simple. Discuss your needs with your provider, allowing you to double-check your research to ensure you use the best machine, detergent, and accessories for the job.
A reputable and friendly provider should also give you a comfortable estimate of how long you will need to rent your machine, which helps you arrange logistics accordingly.
Understanding Rental Terms and Conditions
As with any contract, it is essential always to understand the terms of your deal! Ensure you comprehend all the conditions, including the rental period, extra fees, potential overtime charges, and any maintenance or repair responsibilities.
The most reputable rental providers will review these details with you and ensure you are on the same page.
Scheduling Drop Off and Pick Up
While you won’t have to worry about how to store a pressure washer, you will still need to handle the logistics of getting your rented machine back to its provider. We recommend scheduling enough room to finish the job, including setup tasks.
If you are using a pressure washer for the first time, you may also ask your provider for a detailed tutorial or schedule an extra day to familiarize yourself with the procedure.
Clarify any details of delivery or pick-up, and ask if your provider offers on-site pressure washer trailer setup for specific jobs where mobility is prioritized.
Quick Tips on Using the Pressure Washer
You have found a reliable rental provider, scheduled logistics, and clearly understood the terms of your deal. With that behind you, your next task is preparing for the cleaning process.
If you and your staff have never operated a pressure washer, you will want time to acclimate to the machine.
Prepare your cleaning area with a pressure washing pre-treatment, equip protective equipment like non-slip pressure washing boots, and learn how to add soap to a pressure washer using the built-in detergent tank or an external container.
Once that is all established, hold the wand securely in both hands, using sweeping motions with gravity as a helping hand if applicable. Allow the soap and water to soak in, then rinse thoroughly after 5-15 minutes. You can air dry your surfaces or use fans for quicker results.
Now that you know how to use a pressure washer, all that is left is to figure out where to rent a machine to streamline your cleaning tasks. If you are looking for an industrial hot water pressure washer in Houston, we have just the place in mind…
Renting a Pressure Washer is Made Easy at Hotsy of Houston!
Dealing with stubborn stains, machine repairs, or vandalism in the form of graffiti can throw a massive wrench in your everyday cleaning operations. The last thing you want to deal with on top of everything else is figuring out how to rent a pressure washer, including all of the tiny details like pressure washer PSI vs GPM.
Thankfully, the #1 home for industrial pressure washers in Houston is at Hotsy of Houston! As Southeast Texas’ authorized Hotsy retailer, we are honored to bring our decades of combined personal experience in the industry with the storied reputation of the Hotsy brand.
We carry a rental inventory of over 80 machines, including small electric models perfect for restaurant pressure washing and powerful machines with over 5000 PSI for demanding tasks like oil rig pressure washing.
From the moment you reach out to us, we will work with you to analyze your cleaning needs and identify the ideal machine, pressure washer detergent, and accessories for you.
Plus, we are experts at industrial pressure washer repair in Houston, providing you peace of mind that our rental inventory has been maintained and is in peak condition.
Beyond rentals, we are the best place to find pressure washer parts in Houston. We sell Cuda automatic parts washers for cleaning industrial parts, attachments for your pressure washer like the Hotsy foam cannon and extension wands, and the best pressure washer hoses for unparalleled flexibility while cleaning.
Parting Thoughts on How to Rent a Pressure Washer
Overall, renting a pressure washer is a convenient and effective way to optimize your operational cleaning tasks in a budget-friendly way. While there are cases where buying makes more sense, such as large-scale businesses that have frequent cleaning needs, renting is still suitable for one-time use cases like pressure washing graffiti.
The best place to rent or buy pressure washer trailers in Houston is Hotsy of Houston! Our experienced and friendly team of Houston natives will make the entire process a breeze by listening to your cleaning needs to provide the best machine, soap, and accessories.
We serve Houston and surrounding areas across Southeast Texas and have been trusted by massive brands like Sonic, TravelCenters, and HEB.
If you enjoyed our guide on how to rent a pressure washer, check out our blog for more insights!
Other guides include DIY pressure washer trailer setup, pressure washing construction equipment, and what size pressure washer do I need.
Otherwise, if you want to learn more about rentals, repairs, or anything else related to industrial cold water pressure washers in Houston, we’ve got you covered. Call us at (832) 968-WASH(9274) or visit our Pasadena location to learn more!
