Using a pressure washer is a fast and effective way to get outdoor cleaning done. Pressure washers are a great tool to have on hand, but they can be tricky to get the hang of. When your pressure washer suddenly stops building pressure the way it should, it’s very frustrating. Try to stay calm, don’t start pricing new pressure washers yet, and go through this checklist to find possible solutions to get the water pressure back up.
Using the Wrong Nozzle
Pressure washers can be connected to a low-pressure nozzle or a high-pressure nozzle. If you’re connected to a low-pressure nozzle, it will never get up to the high pressure you want. Double-check the nozzle you’re using and change it if needed.
Check the Water Inlet and Filter Screen
Disconnect your pressure washer from the hose connection and inspect the inlet and filter screen for debris that could be blocking the water flow. If the screen is damaged, replace it with a new screen. If the inlet is clogged, just remove the clog and you should be back to high-pressure power washing.
Check the Seals
Pressure washers have multiple seals and if any of the seals are missing or damaged, your pressure washer will leak water and fail to get up to a high pressure. Check the seals and replace any that are missing or damaged.
Is the Throttle at the Right Speed?
Move your throttle over to the fastest setting to make sure the engine is running at full speed to provide the highest pressure possible.
Check the Nozzle
If the orifice of the nozzle is obstructed, it will affect your water pressure. To check the nozzle orifice, you have to empty the pump, purge the air, and clean the orifice using a wire tip cleaning tool.
Check the Water
Look to see if you have a hot and cold faucet outside or just a cold faucet. If you have both, make sure only the cold is running water. If you just have a cold faucet, the sun may have heated the water up in the hose so you should let it run for a few minutes to get cold water back before using the pressure washer. Next, test the water pressure using a water pressure gauge. Read the specifications for your pressure washer to determine if the water pressure being provided is good enough or if you need to find a new water source.
If you’re still struggling with the water pressure from your power washer, contact Brunner Tool and Repair today at (330) 546-0828! We have an experienced team that can provide parts, repairs, and maintenance to get your pressure washer back in working order.
