Power Washer - PEX

[dfitz21]

I have a centrally located heated power washer that I use in one building. I have run black pipe through out the building and then have power washer holes reels in different bays. This way I can wash my floors or cars or whatever I want and have the power washer in its own room. Now I want to connect two buildings together. I was wondering if I used 1" pex underground if that would work? The unit is rated at 2500psi but I dont believe that is the static pressure that the pex would be exposed to. Am I correct in thinking this. Has anyone tried something like this?

D

 

[bad_idea]

No knowledge here, but you have perked my interest. Curious to see the responses.

 

[stonesfan68]

Are you trying to push the 2500 PSIG water in the PEX pipe? Is PEX rated for 2500 PSIG?

 

[sberry]

This needs hydraulic or washer hose, pex would pop before it even came up to full pressure.

 

[pattenp]

Absolutely not. PEX is only rate to may be 160 PSI at best. Pressure washer hose depending on the unit ranges from 2500 and up. The PEX would have those kinds of pressures on it when the unit is running at full.

Edit: Depending on the type and size of black pipe you used, it's possible that you may be exceeding the working pressure of that pipe.

 

[sberry]

At these pressures and small volumes you do not need big hose. 1/2 is 2x as good as a common washer. I use 3/8 on mine for 5 gpm. Just for giggles does anyone know where there is a chart for flow loss at these pressures?

 

[tdott]

As others have said, pex won't work, it won't hold that much pressure and I bet all the fittings would leak.

 

[sberry]

I don't have any secondary pipe on mine. 100 ft on a reel and could connect some more if I needed it but I have a portable on a truck too so its pretty much moot. Some of these are really old pics, much of it has been remodeled.

 

[rpcraft]

Not sure what kind of black pipe you have running through your current setup but if you are using the power sprayer at the head and then have your sprayer lines hooked up on the other ends I'm really surprised you haven't blown out the black pipe in between......

 

[PoorOwner]

At these pressures and small volumes you do not need big hose. 1/2 is 2x as good as a common washer. I use 3/8 on mine for 5 gpm. Just for giggles does anyone know where there is a chart for flow loss at these pressures?

wouldn't the unloader cycle if you push the distance too far. Or it lose so much pressure it just come out as a trickle?

 

[matt_i]

The Sch40 "standard" black pipe is under rated for the pressure service. All depends on the unloader valve. I've seen Sch 40 used on "old tractor hydraulic service" a lot which also makes me cringe, but those seem to be around 800psi service. I still feel like its not a good idea. Schedule 80 pipe and fittings would be a safer choice. PEX no way.

 

[ChaseDE]

1" carbon steel (black) sch. 80 has a working pressure of about 3500PSI.

I wouldn't even think about using PEX.

 

[sberry]

wouldn't the unloader cycle if you push the distance too far. Or it lose so much pressure it just come out as a trickle?

I did look at a chart, 2500#, 2 gpm, 1/2 hose and it would be 9.2 miles to become a trickle

 

[dfitz21]

Black pipe it is then. Yes we have an unloaded, would the unloaded pressure setting be more realist of the actual pressure we would be running at?

 

[sberry]

No, the unloaded is idle, working pressure is the pressure its running at, full power. A power washer is a bit like welding or painting, some instruction may be in order.

 

[Dragfluid]

I did look at a chart, 2500#, 2 gpm, 1/2 hose and it would be 9.2 miles to become a trickle

The furthest berry field isn't that far away, right?