Maintenance is a vital factor in the durability of a powered engine machine, in this case, the pressure washer.
A pressure washer is a great tool to have in your home and can be used to clean any surface. Cleaning a pressure washer is an easy task, but it is necessary to maintain its best pressure performance. Several things can cause a pressure washer not to operate efficiently, including improper maintenance and using the wrong cleaning chemicals.
Pressure washers can be difficult to maintain because of the different types of engines found in them. The most common engine found in pressure washers today is called a 4-stroke engine. This type of engine uses the chemical explosion known as spark ignition. The main components of this type of engine include the fuel pump, the carburetor, spark plugs, air filter, oil pump, and an air intake manifold.
The fuel pump on a 4-stroke pressure washer moves gas from the tank through a line (usually) to an air intake manifold that directs this gas into the motor’s cylinders. The air filter helps keep dirt and debris out of the motor while protecting it from being damaged by foreign particles such as dust and moisture. The carburetor transfers the fuel mixture from the fuel tank into the cylinders, which aids power the engine.
With such a structure, you notice that a pressure washer is a powerful machine, and it can be easy to take care of it in the wrong way.
Tips for Protecting Your Pressure Washer
1. A pressure washer’s pump and the detergent tank should not be exposed to water. Check on the water leakage regularly and wipe it dry constantly.
2. The detergent tank and pump must be kept clean. A buildup of gunk can lead to leaks, so keep the tanks clean with a cleaning kit or any other kind of cleaning utensil that will fit in the tank.
3. Check for cracks, cuts, leaks, and bulging of hose caused by kinking and wear. Replace the hose if they are damaged. Suppose high-pressure hose leaks will strike a danger when spraying. You will also want to check the trigger part of the spray gun before using it and its connection for safety and maintenance purposes.
4. Keep your pressure washer’s hoses and fittings clean and free of dirt, grease, and lint to increase the system’s efficiency.
5. Use only manufacturer-approved detergents and cleaners when washing your pressure washer or its accessories, such as clothes or garden tools, to protect them from corrosion.
Shut Down Steps of a Pressure Washer
After using your pressure washer, it’s important to know how to shut it down just like any machine to increase its lifetime. Here are steps to shut it down to help you.
- If you have used soap or any other detergent, remove the nozzle and replace it with a spray tip. Run the water again for a minute to wash out excess soap from the system.
- You then turn off the engine and pull the spray trigger for 10 seconds. Turn off the mains water.
- Disengage the pressure hose from the spray gun and the pump and mains water from the pump and place it on the hook for storage. Keep the nozzle and gun in the storage place on the pressure washer machine.
- All good for now; it’s safe to disconnect the engine a few times to drain the pump further.
Get the best pressure washers today with maintenance schedules to help you not to forget their due maintenance date. These are available at Giraffetools collections.