High-Pressure Hose

December 9, 2022

There are several different types of hoses available with various specifications. There are four important specifications that we are going to pay the most attention too; diameter, PSI rating, Wire, and temperature.

Diameter

The diameter refers to to the hoses size. Typically commercial pressure washers will use ⅜” diameter hoses. In some cases, more water flow is needed and operators will upgrade to ½” hoses. In other cases, for example jetting, smaller ¼” hoses are required to fish through tight areas like downspouts.

Wire

First let’s discuss wire. Typically there are two wire configurations; single wire or double wire. Additionally, you may hear them referred to as 1-wire or 2-wire. However they are referenced, the meaning is the same. A pressure washer hose has a mesh wire that surrounds the inner lining. This adds strength and rigidity to the hose. A single wire hose is good for smaller pressure washer set ups or non-commercial usage. They are much lighter but ware much faster from the inside out. The double wire hose is much heavier but can withstand constant high pressure water for a lot longer.

PSI

Like the pressure washer pump, the hose has a PSI rating. It’s important for the hose PSI rating to exceed the pressure rating created by the pump. Note that sometimes hoses advertise a maximum PSI rating and working PSI rating. You always want to pay closer attention to the Working PSI rating as this is the rating that the hose is tested at with a continuous load.

Temperature

Lastly, is temperature. In some configurations, a hot water heater is added inline with the pressure washer giving the technician additional cleaning abilities. Hot water pressure washer can get the water temperature to hundreds of degrees. It’s important that the hose (as well as all of the other components the water is passing through) has an appropriate temperature rating for the use case.

Jumper Hose

From time to time, you’ll hear the term “Jumper Hose”. This is typically referring to a short run pressure washer hose that serves as a connection between two components. Examples of this would be the hose that connects the pressure washer to the hose reel.