How to Properly Size Sprayer Nozzles for a Surface Cleaner

Buying a new surface cleaner is a large step when you are just starting or expanding your cleaning business. If you haven’t set your system up with the correct sprayer nozzle, though, your first cleaning job with it could be a very frustrating or very expensive. If your nozzle is too large for your pumps, you will not have enough water pressure to effectively clean your surface; you may as well be using a garden hose. If your nozzle is too small, though, you will create too much back pressure and wear out your pump prematurely. Using more concrete terms, if you use the wrong $6.95 nozzle on your cleaner, you could either gum up a $50.00 job or have to replace a $300.00 pump.

You’ll find that nozzle charts are readily available – in the manufacturer’s handbook, on websites, and usually on the equipment itself. Because a surface cleaner or wand is often sold separately from the high pressure pumps, it is important to check which size of nozzle is required for the equipment you are using. Using the nozzle size chart is only effective, of course, if you understand the information on the chart. The instructions below are meant to provide new users with enough information to choose the proper sprayer nozzle for their cleaning equipment.

1. Identify your equipment.

How many pounds per square inch (PSI) do your pumps produce? If you are using it to run a power washer system, it should put out between 2000 and 4000 PSI.

How many gallons per minute (GPM) does your cleaning system produce? This can vary between 2 and 8 GPM depending on the size of your equipment. How many orifices are on your surface cleaner? Smaller surface cleaners use one or two nozzles, while larger models can use 3 or 4.

2. Refer to the nozzle size chart.

Start by finding the PSI rating, which should be listed on the top of the chart and will read left to right.

In the column under your pumps’ PSI rating, the GPM numbers are listed vertically. Take your system’s GPM and divide it by the number of nozzles you will be using. For instance: if your system produces 6 GPM but your cleaner requires 3 nozzles, the GPM you look for on the chart is 6 divided by 3, or 2 GPM. Now, follow that row all the way to the left side of the chart and you will find the recommended nozzle size for your system.

3. Check your degree of spray.

The degree at which the water comes out of the nozzle directly affects the performance of your surface cleaner, but there is room for personal preference in this choice. Most owners opt for either a 15 or a 25 degree sprayer nozzle when cleaning a normal flat surface. 0, 40 and 60 degree spray nozzles are also available, but these are for more specialized applications.

Using the correct size of sprayer nozzle for your machine and the correct degree of spray for the job will affect your profitability in two ways; your surface cleaner will work more efficiently, and your system will last longer. Both of these factors will be good for your bottom line.

The publisher of these pages is in no way responsible for any damage caused to you, your pressure washer, anyone else, your property, or anyone else's property by trying to implement or by successfully implementing the above-mentioned performance and services.