The pressure washer can be an efficient ally for household and professional cleaning, but it's always essential to know how to operate it and learn its operating instructions well. Even more important, moreover, is being aware of what mistakes should not be made when using a pressure washer.
In the household sector, the pressure washer is very effective for cleaning outdoor areas or for quickly washing cars, bikes, and RVs. In the professional field, then, the pressure washer is a practical tool even in the most unusual sectors, such as agriculture or construction.
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If, however, it is not used properly, it can result in accidents to people and damage to objects on which the pressure washer is used.
Let's see, then, what to do to use the pressure washer at its best and what not to do to avoid problems.
GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
First, read the instruction manual carefully before using the pressure washer, always applying the general safety rules:
- Do not use the jet of the pressure washer on people or animals
- Do not wash electrically live objects with the pressure washer
- Do not use the pressure washer on delicate objects and surfaces that could be damaged by the power of the water jet
- Do not use the pressure washer if you are under the influence of medicines, drugs or alcohol and do not let children or people with reduced physical or mental capacity use it
- For electric motor models, do not use the pressure washer if the power cord is damaged and the machine has obvious water leaks
- For internal combustion engine models, do not fuel the pressure washer with inappropriate fuels and do not use it indoors or in spaces where exhaust fumes are close to people, animals or vents
- For hot water models, do not let the pressure washer reach temperatures higher than those indicated in the instruction manual, in order to avoid damaging seals and machine components; moreover, do not touch the boiler and other hot components to avoid the risk of burns and scalds, always remembering, after use, to run cold water for a few minutes in order to let the pressure washer cool down; finally, do not use hot water with accessories that do not withstand high temperatures.
THE RIGHT USE FOR THE RIGHT SURFACES
The first mistake to avoid is when choosing a pressure washer: the right pressure washer is the one best suited for your use.
If you would like to use a pressure washer to remove light dirt from small surfaces, you should not choose a machine that is too large or too powerful that could damage a delicate surface with too strong a jet.
The type of jet you apply, then, must also be optimized for the object and material being cleaned. On pavements, for example, the highest pressures can be used, but the choice of the most suitable attachment can benefit the cleaning by far: for cleaning a large square footage of tile, a patio floor washer can be chosen, while for finishing cleanings such as flower bed curbs, a more precise nozzle will be more suitable. If you plan to use detergents in combination with the pressurized jet, make sure in advance that the materials to be washed are compatible with such products.
ALWAYS CARRY OUT MAINTENANCE
It's possible to get the utmost results from a pressure washer and to extend its life by carrying out regular and specific maintenance, according to precise times and ways.
At each use, it is essential to check that the hose, spray gun, filter, lances, fittings and power cords are intact, and immediately replace damaged parts or contact a specialized service center for any repairs.
In case of frequent use, it is necessary to check every month that the filters are well cleaned with water and anti-scale detergent. The same must be done with the nozzles, taking care to clean them from scale with the special pins provided, or to replace them.
HOW TO SOLVE PRESSURE WASHER PROBLEMS
Failure to perform proper maintenance can cause you to run into some problems: let's see how to solve the main ones yourself, without resorting to a service center.
If no water jet comes out of the nozzle of the pressure washer, check if the nozzle itself is not clogged - if this is the case, clean or replace it. Also check that the water mains tap is correctly opened and that there is no problem in the flow of the suction hose.
If the pressure washer does not deliver hot water (for models producing it), make sure that the boiler tank is well supplied with diesel oil or that its filter is well cleaned (if necessary, clean or replace it). As an alternative, you must operate on the safety thermostat of the boiler, but only after the pressure washer has cooled down for a few minutes to allow the device to be reset.
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If the pressure washer does not suction enough detergent (for models featuring it), after simply checking that the regulating knob is fully open and the nozzle head is in the correct position (not in the low pressure position), the detergent suction filter must be cleaned of any clogging. In any case, avoid using a detergent that is too viscous, but follow the manufacturer's instructions.
If the pressure washer vibrates excessively and is too much noisy, it could be due to the water inlet filter: if dirty, simply clean it. As an alternative, vibration and noise could be due to faulty air intake: in this case, check the integrity of the suction circuit and make sure that the ventilation is not obstructed by dust or small debris. Finally, the cause could be an insufficient water supply: therefore, it must be checked that the tap is fully open and that the water mains flow rate complies with the instructions in the pressure washer's instruction manual.
For electrically powered models, if the motor produces an annoying humming noise, it may be due to the improper condition of the electrical system and to any extension cords used to connect to the power.
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Now you know all the mistakes not to make and how to intervene for major malfunctions of a pressure washer. Just follow all the directions and cleaning with your pressure washer will have no more obstacles.
