Maintenance Tips for Pressure Washers

About the Author: David A. Cochran, director of sales & marketing for Altaquip, wrote this article about pressure washer repair, power tool repair and authorized repair maintenance. Altaquip is the premier North American service solution provider for powered equipment and tool repairs. David has held senior leadership positions in operations, sales and marketing for the past 24 years and is dedicated to his primary goal of customer satisfaction. Website: http://www.altaquip.com Keywords: pressure washer repair, tool repair, power tool repair, authorized repair maintenance Summary: Gas-powered pressure washers are great for cleaning big outside projects. But like any power tool, they require occasional upkeep. This article provides some tips on solving some common gas-powered pressure washer repair problems. Article: Gas-powered pressure washers are ideal for cleaning big outdoor projects such as houses, boats and cars. The pounds per square inch (PSI) of water supplied by gas-powered pressure washers make them better candidates for tackling heavy duty jobs than electric-powered pressure washers. However, as with any power tool, gas-powered pressure washers experience wear and tear over time and will most likely need some form of repair down the road. Below are some do-it-yourself tips for fixing common gas-powered pressure washer repair problems. No Water Flow • Remove the nozzle to check for blockage. Proceed to clean the nozzle if any obstruction is found before putting it back in place. Check the hose for blockage as well. • It's possible the trigger gun might be defective. This problem can be resolved by purchasing a new one. Low Pressure • Check for blockages in the inlet and other parts. Clean the part to remove the obstruction before securing it back into its proper place. • Other possible reasons for low pressure could be air leakage, a worn nozzle or water leakage in the discharge valve. For these problems, contact the manufacturer or a tool repair store for a replacement part. Pump Making Loud Noise or Abnormal Vibrations • Release the trigger gun to discharge any air in the pump. Proceed to look for water in the pump. If water is found, this might indicate the pump head seals are torn, which would then require purchasing a new pump. • Look for bearings and connecting rods that are worn or broken. Talk to a professional at your local power tool repair shop about whether buying replacement parts will solve the problem, or if the situation requires a new pressure washer pump instead. Other Problems • Oil leakage due to a worn crankshaft seal or o-ring can be resolved by buying replacements. When adding oil, make sure to use the type recommended by the manufacturer. • Water leaks are usually caused by hoses that are damaged or improperly attached. Buying a replacement hose will resolve this problem. Proper care and routine check-ups of the operating system of your pressure washer should minimize any potential problems that might arise. Before trying to repair your gas-powered pressure washer, make sure to read the manufacturer guidelines in order to gain a better understanding of the problem. And don't hesitate to call an authorized repair maintenance professional when uncertain of the problem or uneasy about performing the repair yourself. Source: DoItYourself.com. How To Repair A Gas Pressure Washer. Retrieved on February 4, 2011 from: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-repair-a-gas-pressure-washer