How to Extend a Pressure Washer Wand (in 8 steps)


Pressure washer extension wands are easy to find at most any hardware and help in reaching those hard to reach places that need a little extra TLC. The only downfall is that not all pressure wand extenders are universal, as electric pressure washers have specific branding and don’t always have the capabilities of being interchanged with other brands.

Though not all spray guns and extenders are interchangeable, and not always made of the same material for durability purposes, it is important to know how to attach a pressure washer extender easily, so let’s learn together.

1. Take off Old Wand and Replace with Extender

Before you start to clean, there are a few things to do first, which includes replacing the old wand and re-attaching a new spray gun, if needed. Overtime, valves and spray guns will become warn and won’t have the pressure necessary to clean hard projects. Not all spray guns are interchangeable, so making sure that your extender works alongside your spray gun is what will make the job go more smoothly. The thing about electric and gas pressure washers is that they aren’t universal or intermixed with one another, as they are most often designed with different purposes in mind. So, making sure that the extender is compatible is important before purchasing one.

2. Connect the Extender to the Pressure Washer

After the old spray gun is off, you will need to lubricate the 0-ring on your pressure washer, then attach the extender to the trigger handle. Make sure that it’s tight, but not too tight that it will burst with the pressure, or too loose that it will allow pressure to secrete out the sides. There will be both a male and female connectors that need to be used in order to connect the extender to the trigger handle of the pressure washer. These two are what make sure they connect to the proper pressure washer and don’t lose excess pressure, whether it be an electric or gas.

3. Connect the Yellow 15 Degree Nozzle

Your first question may be as to why you should pick and use the fifteen-degree nozzle. Well, the yellow nozzle is what is most universal and used to scrape off mildew or dirt. It strips off dirt first before any other extra nozzles need to be used. It can be used on a variety of surfaces because of its lighter pressure. If you need something stronger, then choose the twenty-five-degree nozzle, or the green one. It packs a harder punch and will clean up anything in a matter of minutes, but it also is dependent on what the project is and the amount of dirt present. There are usually five nozzles that your pressure washer comes with, and they each come in vary degrees that are effective for cleaning off whatever has clung to your home, car, or driveway for the past decade.

4. Adjust the Extender to the Appropriate Length

If you’re looking to reach higher places, such as the top of your home, you will want to use a telescopic wand that can reach three different lengths: twelve feet, eighteen feet, and twenty-four feet. Having an adjustable wand makes it easier to clean without having to use a ladder on unstable ground. With a simple twist on the base of the telescopic extender you’ll be able to reach anything. You don’t have to use a telescopic wand if it isn’t necessary for your project, as an extender wand is easy to use for driveways and cars if that is what you’re working on.

5. Attach the Spray Gun to A Stabilizing Harness

Whether you’re using a telescopic extender, or just a regular extender, depending on the amount of PSI that is coming out of your pressure washer is whether you should wear a harness or not. If you feel like you will need something to help handle the weight of the spray gun and hose, then consider hooking yourself up so that you don’t get blown away. It’s a lot easier to use a telescopic extender when it’s attached to something that will be grounded to you and prevent backlash.

6. Turn on the Water

This may seem like an obvious step, but of course this is necessary in order for the pressure washer to work. Just a simple reminder, of course. Turning on the water doesn’t do anything for the PSI of your pressure washer, it just allows it to have water to work with. Since you will be using an extender, just put the hose at a length that works best for you, as the extender is what will be doing most of the hard work.

7. Spray in Sections

It always works best to clean one section at a time, rather than trying to spray in lines across a home or car. Pick a section and go back and forth until you notice that there isn’t a lot of dirt or grime protruding or is noticeable. Pressure washers can peel off paint and/or siding, so take care in not having the pressure washer focus on one point for too long, as putting paint back on to a car isn’t necessarily as easy as picking it up and putting it back on. It won’t take long to clean if you take your time in each section and go back in forth in a quick but efficient motion.  

8. All Clean!

Like I said, it won’t take very long at all to clean whatever project you’ve taken on. Having an extended pressure washer wand makes it easy to get every nook and cranny thoroughly. Pressure washers are built for tough projects where you might have to use more elbow grease than you would like. It should take no longer than a few hours to pressure wash whatever, no matter the case. After you’re all done cleaning, make sure to run water through your pressure washer so that there isn’t any leftover soap or grime stuck to the inside of your hosing or the end of your nozzle.

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