Why Is My Pressure Washer Losing Pressure?

Having your pressure washer lose pressure can be frustrating. Since there is no one thing that can be blamed for this inefficiency, trying to pinpoint the exact cause, and fixing it can prove to be a long and complex process for an amateur. However, experts might not have a similar experience.

Understanding the problem, the experienced technicians of Crown Cleaning Systems have compiled some of the common reasons for lost pressure in washers and tips on fixing them in this blog.

Unclean Discharge Valves

Like any other machine, a pressure washer requires regular cleaning and maintenance to perform optimally. If any part of your pressure washer, like its valves or strainers, is unclean or clogged, its pressure level would be affected. Be sure to always keep your valve assemblies clean and blockage-free to enjoy efficient pressure washing.

Worn Out Nozzles

Old, broken-down nozzles are notorious for depleting the pressure quality of your pressure washer. Fortunately, this can be easily fixed. Just replace the worn-out nozzle with a new one, and it should be fine again. The pressure will be restored to its former glory in no time!

Inlet Plumbing Problem

An inlet plumbing problem essentially means that the air within your pressure washer’s plumbing system is leaking. To fix the leak, you need to disassemble the pressure washer parts, locate, and seal the leak and then reassemble. If you feel the need, call in an expert for pressure washer repairs to get efficient fixes.

Relief Valve Malfunction

Make sure to ensure that your relief valve is clean, adjusted, and free of leaks. Clogging or leakage in this pressure washer part will not only hamper the performance of your washer but it can also potentially damage your relief valve for good which would mean extra expenses in the form of replacement costs.

Slipping Belt

A slipping belt can lead to slipping levels of pressure in your pressure washer. All you need to do to solve this is to tighten or replace the belt as required.

Problem with the Inlet Suction Strainer

Improper sizing or blockage in the parts of your pressure washer can cause pressure loss. Using the correct size of the inlet suction strainers and keeping them clean will help avoid this.

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Factors to Consider Before Buying a Pressure Washer

A thorough cleaning can bring a world of difference in the appearance of anything you own. Be it a house, walkway, or even a car, everything is subject to collecting dust and stains over time. When it comes to fighting stubborn stains, grime, or even mold and mildew, nothing works better than a pressure wash.

Buying a pressure washer is no easy task. There are several factors you must consider before finding the ideal match for your needs. Here are some of the factors to simplify your decision-making process.

Your Needs

The first and most important factor to be considered before making any purchase is your needs. If you are a homeowner who requires a pressure washer for small, personal cleanups, an axial pump is a good choice. However, if you need a pressure washer for things like washing the siding, paint stripping, or removing mold and mildew, a triplex pump would be best.

Check the Water Pressure and Power Source

Naturally, a pressure washer requires a strong water and power source. Consult your plumber to ensure that you have the required water source for the kind of pressure washer you are looking to buy before you make the purchase. As for the power source, if you choose an electric washer, you would need a circuit of at least 20amps to power it.

Know What Attachments You Need

It may seem like a good idea to buy a range of nozzles, wands, and brushes for your power washer, but you should know what your needs are first. Buying more than what you specifically need can be unnecessarily expensive and time-consuming and is thus best avoided.

Operating and Storing a Pressure Washer

Learn how to operate your pressure washer correctly before using it to get the best results. Also, it is important that you store your washer properly to avoid damaging it by accident.

Check For the PWMA Stamp

A pressure washer bearing the logo of PWMA, or Pressure Washer Manufacturers’ Association, has been evaluated and approved by that association and can thus be trusted for quality.

Buy the Right Cleaners

Not all cleaners or detergents go with all kinds of pressure washers. Consult an expert to find out which specific detergents will work for your washer and buy accordingly.

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The Best Cleaning Companies Use the Best Pressure Washing Chemicals and Techniques

With over 25 years of providing excellent cleaning services to businesses across Northeast Ohio, we know how to get your building clean – and we also run into some misconceptions along the way. Some customers believe that power washing is simply a matter of hosing down a building with a high-pressure sprayer.

The equipment is part of the process, yes, but the true key to effective power washing is choosing the best pressure washing chemicals for the job, and knowing how to use them properly.

So, in this article, let’s talk in more depth about the range of chemicals and cleaning products we use, and how a great pressure washing company protects your assets while providing the cleaning services you need.

I. The Best Pressure Washing Chemicals for The Job

Pressure washers don’t use simple soap and water.  There are a variety of chemicals and cleaning agents used, depending on the job. These include:

Detergent Mixes

Basic pressure washing does use a mix of soap and water, but it’s not store-bought detergent.  Pressure washing detergent mixes are hyper-concentrated, far beyond what can be typically found in stores. The intensity of the detergent can also be adjusted, based on the needs of the job, and how they’ll interact with the surfaces being cleaned.

Bleach

Bleach is another common additive, probably the most ‘basic’ of the chemicals used in power washing.  Of course, when dealing with large amounts of bleach, care must be taken!  A spill could be disastrous.

Chlorine

Chlorine is still one of the most powerful disinfectants and is typically mixed along with bleach for maximum effectiveness. This is another chemical that requires specialized handling training, due to how dangerous it can be in large quantities.

Surfactants

These are chemicals designed to decrease surface tension, such as loosening up the grip that dirt and grime have to a building. This aids the power washing and helps protect your property by reducing the amount of physical pressure needed to knock grime loose.

Foaming Agents

Foaming agents aren’t just for looks.  They actually help the detergent penetrate into cracks, crevices, and holes, such as all the porous surfaces in brick or concrete walls.  They can also help the detergent and surfactant stick to the surface for longer, increasing the cleaning power.

Metal Brighteners

When cleaning metal surfaces, such as aluminum, acid-based detergents are used which are capable of cutting through oxidation.  They’re effective as cleaning agents, but also leave the metal looking shiny and new.

Scents

Pressure washing blends typically also include some scent agents, specifically to cover up the smell of chlorine, bleach, and other chemicals used in the process.

II. Important Techniques When Power Washing

Even if you have all the right chemicals, you still need the know-how to handle them properly, while protecting your property from any unintended damage.

A great power washing company will:

Know the location.

A washing company should never show up to your business and just start blasting away with its sprayer. Proper technique begins with a full site survey, to learn what surfaces will be cleaned, and how much work will need to be done. This allows them to formulate the best cleaning mixes for the job while protecting vulnerable or easily damaged surfaces.

Cover vulnerable areas.

Not every surface is suitable for power washing. A cleaning company must identify areas that cannot be power-washed and take steps to protect them from the pressure and/or chemicals. Plastic sheets, tarps, or heavy drop curtains are often utilized.

Clear the area of small objects.

Any small object can become a deadly flying hazard if it’s hit with a pressure sprayer.  A good cleaning company will meticulously clear any small items before attempting a cleaning. You can help speed up the process (and reduce your hourly charges) by clearing out small items ahead of time.

Watch the weather.

Think it’s bad when it starts raining when you’re washing your car?  It’s so much worse if that happens in the middle of a pressure wash.  Wind can also be a big problem since it can carry chemicals away from the building and into unsuitable places. A good cleaning company always watches the weather carefully and adjusts their techniques to fit.

Protect nearby people.

A power washing company should always block off foot access to any area they’re cleaning, with the barriers far enough away that people won’t be hit by spray.  Power washing chemicals can be dangerous if they come into contact with a person’s skin, eyes, mouth, or nose.

Crown Cleaning Systems Keeps Ohio Beautiful

We’re Ohio’s go-to source for all things related to commercial and industrial pressure washing equipment.  We sell the best pressure washing chemicals and machinery, plus offer repair and maintenance services too. We’re your all-in-one choice for commercial cleaning systems.

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