The lance is the most-used and most-replaced accessory on any pressure washer. It connects the high-pressure hose to the nozzle or trigger gun and determines the reach, angle and spray pattern delivered to the surface being cleaned. Choosing the right lance and knowing when to replace it makes a significant difference to both cleaning performance and operator safety.
Types of pressure washer lance
Standard straight lance — the most common configuration. A rigid tube typically 500mm to 1,000mm long connecting the trigger gun to the nozzle. Used for general cleaning at arm's reach. Available in different lengths — a longer lance increases reach without bending, useful for cleaning vehicle undersides, low surfaces and areas where the operator needs to stand back from the spray.
Curved or bent lance — an angled lance that changes the spray direction without changing the operator's posture. Used for cleaning under vehicles, beneath equipment, behind machinery and into recessed areas where a straight lance cannot reach the target surface.
Telescopic lance — an extending lance that adjusts in length to reach elevated surfaces such as fascias, soffits, first-floor cladding and signage without ladders or access equipment. Working at Height Regulations 2005 require that ladder use is avoided where a safer alternative exists — a telescopic lance from ground level is that alternative for many external cleaning tasks.
Gutter cleaning lance — a curved lance designed specifically for directing the pressure washer jet into gutters from ground level. The V-TUF GCX gutter cleaning system uses a carbon fibre pole to extend reach to two-storey gutter height without ladder access. Working at Height compliance — eliminating ladder access for routine gutter maintenance.
Foam lance — a lance with an integrated detergent reservoir and mixing chamber that creates a foam from the cleaning chemical and applies it at low pressure to the surface. Foam lances are used with vehicle wash shampoo, degreasers and other cleaning chemicals. Apply foam at low pressure with a wide pattern, allow dwell time, then rinse at full pressure with a standard lance and nozzle.
Rotary or turbo lance — a lance with a rotating nozzle head that produces a circular jet pattern combining the impact of a pencil jet with the coverage of a fan nozzle. Effective on heavily soiled surfaces — concrete, block paving, stone — where standard fan nozzles are too gentle and pencil jets too aggressive or too slow. Not suitable for soft surfaces, painted surfaces or vehicles.
When to replace a pressure washer lance
A damaged or worn lance reduces cleaning performance, increases pump wear through pressure fluctuation, and can create safety risks if the lance body fails under pressure. Replace a pressure washer lance when:
- The lance body shows cracks, splits or deformation — particularly at the connection points
- The trigger gun connection is loose, leaking or difficult to lock
- The nozzle connection is worn and the nozzle no longer clicks securely into place
- Pressure loss is traced to the lance rather than the pump, hose or nozzle
- The lance has been dropped from height or run over by a vehicle
Lance connection standards — M22 and quick-release
Pressure washer lances connect to the trigger gun and nozzle via either a threaded M22 connection or a quick-release bayonet fitting. Confirm the connection standard of your machine before ordering a replacement lance — an M22 lance will not connect to a quick-release gun without an adapter, and vice versa.
V-TUF machines use industrial metal quick couplers on the lance and nozzle connections — more durable than the plastic quick-release fittings on domestic machines and rated for the higher operating pressures of industrial equipment.
Nozzle colour coding
Nozzles are colour-coded by spray angle across most manufacturers. The standard coding is: 0° red (pencil jet), 15° yellow (narrow fan), 25° green (medium fan — general purpose), 40° white (wide fan — delicate surfaces and vehicles), 65° black (chemical injection — low pressure detergent application). Always use the widest nozzle appropriate for the surface being cleaned.
V-TUF lance and nozzle accessories
V-TUF supplies replacement lances, nozzle sets, foam lances and gutter cleaning lance systems for the full V-TUF pressure washer range. Spare parts and accessories are held in stock at our Lincoln warehouse for next-day dispatch.
View pressure washer lances and accessories →
Working at Height Regulations 2005 →
Call 01522 787978 with your machine model and serial number to confirm the correct lance specification for your machine.
