As owners of a pressure cleaning business or homeowners who use power washers to clean their properties, you need to take the necessary steps to maintain your equipment so that it continues to work well for a long while. In addition, since power washing jobs are mainly carried out in summer or warm weather, you’ll need to pack away your unit carefully for the winter or you risk damaging it. Keep in mind that typically, gasoline-powered pressure washers may need more extensive maintenance as compared to electric units. Keep these important pointers in mind to ensure that your pressure washer remains in good condition.
Maintaining Your Pressure Washer
Study the owner’s manual and follow the directions carefully when conducting the maintenance of your power washer. Here’s how:
- Understand how to replace worn out components and take care to use only recommended spare parts.
- Check the water inlet for the filter that prevents debris from entering the machine with the water. Also, check the detergent siphoning system and wand outlet filter. Replace if cracked or damaged.
- Examine the trigger lock and the spray gun trigger. If it is does not function properly, you might need to replace them.
- Always remember to release the pressure completely before packing away your machine after a pressure cleaning job.
- Drain the excess water from an electric power washer by running the machine until the water flow stops completely.
- Make sure to check the cooling vents for any debris accumulation.
- Lubricate the connecting points of the wand extension, spray gun, and hose.
- If your machine has a muffler and spark arrestor, check them carefully for optimum functioning.
- Check the o-rings in the spray gun, high-pressure hose, and water inlet connecting points. Replace if cracked or loose.
- If your power washer has inflatable tires, maintain the air pressure between 15 and 25 PSI.
- Examine the hoses for damaged couplings, cuts, worn out sections, leaks, abrasions, or bulging covers. Replace if needed.
- Check the oil level before every pressure cleaning job and replace if it appears too dark.
Maintaining the Engine of a Gas Powered Pressure Washer
Follow the manufacturer’s directions carefully when maintaining the engine of your gas-powered pressure washer to ensure that it runs smoothly and lasts you a while.
- Remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug and place it at a safe distance away from the unit.
- Drain the oil into an oil drain pan and fill the tank with fresh oil. Take care never to overfill. Recycle the used oil responsibly.
- Check the spark plug and clean off any debris around it to prevent it from entering the combustion chamber of the engine before removing it. If the spark plug is cracked or the electrodes are pitted or burned, replace with the manufacturer recommended plug.
- Check and replace the air filters, reusable foam filter, and paper filter as needed.
- Always take care to use gasoline that is less than 30 days old. You can add fuel stabilizer to ensure that the gasoline remains fresh and does not corrode the engine or lead to the formation of varnish.
- Replace the spark plug wire and cover the power washer with a tarp until you’re ready to use it again.
Storing Your Gas Powered Machine for the Winter
Store the pressure washer in a warm section of the garage, shed, or whatever storage facility you use. But, make sure to place it a distance from sources of direct heat. Here are some other important steps to take:
- Run a mixed solution that comprises of water and antifreeze in equal proportions through the unit. By doing so, you’ll protect the seals and pistons from freezing, and the buildup of mineral deposits.
- Make sure you empty the machine completely of water and any other liquids you might have been filled in the unit by using compressed air.
- Rinse out the detergent tank with clean water and allow to dry thoroughly.
- Remember, water tends to expand after freezing and can rupture the components of the power washer. To remove any remaining water, pull the recoil handle repeatedly five or six times. If the owner’s manual has any other directions, follow them.
- If you have not added stabilizer to the gasoline tank, drain out the remaining gas into an approved container. Next, run the machine until it stops because of the fuel running out.
- Allow the machine to cool down completely and then, cover with tarp.
Using these simple maintenance tips, you can ensure that your pressure washer continues to work efficiently and remains in good condition for a good long while.
References:
1. Moultry, Linda. “16 Pressure Washer Safety Tips.” lifetips. n.d. Web. 16 Sep. 2016.
2. “Pressure Washer Maintenance.” Lowe’s. n.d. Web. 16 Sep. 2016.
3. “Preventive Pressure Washer Maintenance.” Briggs and Stratton. n.d. Web. 16 Sep. 2016.