We get several calls, almost every day, asking the differences between a pressure washer and a jetter.

People want to know if they can use a pressure washer as a jetter, and it's a good question.

Afterall, both pressure washers and jetters have a pump, an engine, and a pressure control, right?

Well let's take a look at some of the differences between the two.

Pounds per Square Inch (PSI)
PSI, pounds per square inch, is the measurement of how much pressure the water is under.

For pressure washers, an increased PSI is necessary to break the chemical bond between the surface and the stain.

For jetters, you'll need an increased PSI to break up sludge and roots that are clogging the pipe.

The stronger the chemical bond, or the thicker the clog, the more pressure you'll need to break it up.

Gallons per Minute (GPM)
GPM, gallons per minute, measures water flow. GPM varies greatly between pressure washers and jetters.

For pressure washers, GPM determines how much surface area a pressure washer can clean. For jetters, GPM determines the diameter of piping you can clean.

GPM is very important to both machines. Pressure washers tend to average between 2-4 GPM, whereas professional jetters tend to start at around 4 GPM and can reach as high as 30 GPM.

Hoses and Tips
The most noticeable difference between pressure washers and jetters has got to be the hoses and tips.

A jetting hose is lightweight, abrasion resistant, slippery, and able to be pushed through the pipe. They also typically are much longer than pressure washer hoses.

The tips, or nozzles, are designed with a forward jet as well as several rear jets. The rear jets are important as they propel the nozzle forward and help to pull the hose through the pipe.

The forward-facing jet breaks up debris to clear a path, and the rear propulsion jets break up and clear out any remaining debris as the nozzle moves through.

Accessories

Pulsation valve

Pressure gauge

Hose reels

Ball valve