A blackened terrace, a grimy courtyard, a stained facade or a car covered in mud after a dirt track: a pressure washer does in a few minutes what takes hours with a brush. Before looking for a pressure washer in Morocco, though, you need to know how to read two figures: the pressure in bar and the flow rate in litres per minute. This guide explains how to interpret them, which type of machine to choose and how to adjust your cleaning for your car, terrace and facade without damaging surfaces.
Contents
Bar and flow rate: the two figures that matter
Pressure (bar)
Pressure, expressed in bar (or psi on some spec sheets), indicates the force of the jet. It is what loosens ingrained dirt: moss, dried mud, black marks on concrete. The higher it is, the more aggressive the jet, which is useful on concrete but risky on car paint or a fragile joint.
Flow rate (L/min)
The flow rate indicates the amount of water sprayed each minute. It is what carries away the dirt once loosened and speeds up rinsing. A high flow rate lets you treat large areas faster, in fewer passes.
Why you need to look at both
A machine with very high pressure but low flow strips small areas well, but rinses slowly. Conversely, a high flow rate with more moderate pressure cleans large areas quickly. To compare two models, you can multiply the two figures to get a simple “cleaning capacity” indicator. Here is an example with the two TOTAL pressure washers available at Brico MIM:
| Model | Max pressure | Flow rate | Bar × L/min | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL TGT11276 electric 3000 W | 130 bar | 14 L/min | ≈ 1 820 | High flow rate: fast rinsing of large areas |
| TOTAL TGT250105 petrol 6 HP | 214 bar | 8.7 L/min | ≈ 1 860 | Very high pressure: stripping, usable without electricity |
The two machines have comparable capacity, but with two different approaches: one relies on flow rate, the other on pressure. The right choice therefore depends mainly on where you will be working.
Electric or petrol: which engine should you choose?
| Criterion | Electric | Petrol (combustion engine) |
|---|---|---|
| Power supply | Mains socket | Unleaded petrol, no socket needed |
| Ideal location | House, villa, garage, workshop | Building site, farm, remote plot, machinery |
| Maintenance | Minimal | Oil, fuel, spark plug, like a lawn mower |
| Noise and fumes | Quieter, no exhaust fumes | Noisy, outdoors only in a well-ventilated area |
The TOTAL TGT11276 (3000 W, 130 bar, 14 L/min) plugs into a socket, with no fuel or engine maintenance. The TOTAL TGT250105 features a 208 cc 4-stroke OHV engine with recoil start, a 3-piston aluminium pump, a 7.6 m high-pressure hose, a metal lance and gun, plus three nozzles. For maintaining a combustion engine (oil, petrol, storage), see our guide combustion engines: power and maintenance.
Brico MIM tip: a 3000 W electric pressure washer needs a solid electrical installation. Plug it directly into an earthed socket protected by a 30 mA RCD, on a circuit suited to this power, and avoid thin, coiled extension cables. If in doubt, have your electrical panel checked (see our article on the circuit breaker and residual current switch).
Settings by use: car, terrace, facade
Car
- Use a wide-angle (fan) nozzle, never the pencil or rotary jet on the bodywork.
- Keep a good distance from the paint, and even more from seals, tyres, headlights, stickers and paint chips.
- Pre-wash from bottom to top, then rinse from top to bottom so dirty water does not run back over clean areas.
- Do not aim directly at the engine compartment or electrical connectors.
Terrace, courtyard and driveway
- Always start with a test on an inconspicuous area.
- On concrete and outdoor tiles, a more concentrated nozzle removes black marks; work in even strips, holding the lance at an angle.
- On wood, reduce the intensity (wide nozzle, more distance) and follow the direction of the boards to avoid raising the fibres.
- Avoid aiming at tile joints at close range: a jet that is too powerful can hollow them out.
Facade and walls
- Check the condition of the render or paint: a crumbling facade can be damaged by a jet held too close.
- Do not aim the jet at windows, air vents, electrical boxes or under roof tiles.
- Work from top to bottom, section by section, and rinse thoroughly.
- For high areas, work from the ground with a suitable lance rather than on a ladder: the gun's recoil can throw you off balance.
Water supply and consumption
A pressure washer connects to a mains water supply that feeds its pump. An often-forgotten point: your tap must supply at least the machine's flow rate. To check, time how long it takes to fill a 10-litre bucket: if it fills in 1 minute, your supply delivers 10 L/min. A 14 L/min model therefore needs a generous supply; an 8.7 L/min model is less demanding.
In terms of consumption, a pressure washer generally uses less water than a garden hose left running for the same job, because the concentrated jet cleans faster. During droughts, check for any water-use restrictions in your municipality, and see our ideas for saving water in the garden. To connect the machine, a good hose and leak-proof fittings make all the difference: see our watering department.
“Karcher” prices in Morocco: what budget to plan?
In Morocco, many customers say “karcher” to mean any pressure washer, just as people say “frigidaire” for a refrigerator. At Brico MIM, we offer TOTAL brand pressure washers designed for intensive use:
- TOTAL petrol pressure washer 214 bar 8.7 L/min: from 4 500 DH.
- TOTAL electric pressure washer 3000 W 130 bar 14 L/min: from 9 000 DH.
To compare prices properly, don't just look at the advertised bar rating: check the flow rate, pump type, high-pressure hose length and the accessories supplied (lance, gun, nozzles). Find all models in the pressure washers collection.
Safety and maintenance
- Never aim the jet at a person, an animal, a socket or an electrical appliance.
- Wear safety glasses and closed shoes; flying gravel is common.
- Hold the gun with both hands: the jet produces recoil.
- Petrol model: use outdoors only, never in a closed garage (exhaust fumes). Refuel with the engine off and cooled down, and check the oil level before each start.
- After use: switch off the engine, release the pressure by pulling the trigger, unplug, drain the water and store the machine under cover.
Frequently asked questions
How many bar do you need to wash a car?
Pressure is not the only criterion: what protects the paint is above all a wide-angle nozzle and enough distance. With a powerful model, stand further back and test on an inconspicuous area first.
Can you use a pressure washer with water from a tank?
The models shown here connect to a pressurised mains water supply. If you depend on a tank or reservoir, contact us on WhatsApp before buying to check the right solution.
Electric or petrol for a farm?
With no electrical socket nearby, the petrol model is the most practical: it works anywhere, with a 7.6 m hose to cover a wide area around the machine.
Do you deliver everywhere in Morocco?
Yes, Brico MIM delivers to all cities in Morocco, with cash on delivery.
Find your pressure washer
Electric or petrol, our advisers help you choose based on your surfaces and water supply. Delivery everywhere in Morocco, cash on delivery.
0 comments