Unfortunately, power-washing equipment doesn’t last forever. It will, however, last a very long time if operated and maintained properly.

The fact remains; power-washers are high maintenance equipment that operates under grueling conditions. High-pressure water will eventually wear out seals, O-rings, valves, springs and numerous other parts that make up a high pressure cleaner.

As the owner of a power washer, you can expect to replace fluids, seals, valves and O-rings as part of routine maintenance. Periodic checking and replacement of these inexpensive parts and fluids will greatly increase the life of your equipment.

However, the most common causes of excessive repairs and maintenance are operator error and negligence. Typically, we find the following issues to blame for most equipment failure:

Pressure Washer

Problem #1 – Running the machine dry / without water
Running the power washer without water will normally damage the pump and/or seals very quickly. Costs for repair can range from a relatively inexpensive seal kit to a damaged/warped pump head and bent plunger rods. Replacing the entire pump is usually the most practical fix in this case.

» Problem #2 – Running the machine in “extended bypass”
By-pass is when the power washer is running but the trigger is not open and water is not flowing out of the machine.

With the engine running and the trigger closed, the water circulating in the machine (and in the pump) begins to heat and may damage the pump if the machine is not equipped with the proper safety devices.

Warning: before buying a “disposable” power washer from a local retailer, make sure running the machine in by-pass for short periods of time does not void the warranty.
Commercial / industrial grade power washers deal with overheating problems by incorporating unloader or, thermal relief valves. These components protect the power washer by purging heated water and dumping it on the ground. As safety is first never run any machine in bypass for more than 3 minutes.

» Problem #3 – Cavitation
Cavitation is caused by air getting into your pump. The air can damage your pump as it rapidly expands and contracts. The first sign of cavitation is loss of water pressure and a hammering noise.

The cause of cavitation is lack of water or, air getting into the system.

For example, your pressure washer is rated for 4.2 gallons per minute (GPM) but the inlet hose only provides 3 GPM, the power washer pump will still try to pump 4.2 GPM thus starving the pump for water and consequently sucking in more air.

A hole in the inlet hose can also cause more cavitation as the pump will sometimes suck in additional air through the hole. The solution to cavitation is to feed the pump the required amount of water and to make sure there are no leaks in the water inlet systems.

» Problem #4 – Freezing
If you live in a cold climate and let your power washer freeze with water left in the pump, there is a possibility the pump will be damaged. A good prevention for this is to run a little anti-freeze into the pump before storage. Never let your system freeze with water in it.

» Problem #5 – Lack of lubrication
High-pressure pumps, like gasoline engines, require oil to lubricate the plungers in the backend of the pump opposite the pump head. The forces generated in the pump are substantial, causing friction and heat.

The oil is needed to keep the pump parts cool and turning freely. If oil is allowed to leak out, or water gets into the pump oil, the pump parts will overheat and begin to break apart. Always check your oil level and maintain the correct amount and type of oil in the pump to prevent damage.

Question? Call or email us anytime!
If you have questions about the performance of your equipment or would like to know more about the preventative maintenance you can perform on your equipment, call or email us anytime and we’ll be delighted to help.