Pressure Washer Maintenance Guide

Keeping on top of regular maintenance of your pressure washer may help go a long way in ensuring that your washer can continue to be used.

Understanding how to best maintain your pressure washer can help prolong the life of your machine, giving you more opportunities to help keep your patios, decking and cars clean.

This article will help highlight some simple, easy to do tips on keeping your pressure washer washing and avoiding bigger faults in the future.

Safety First! Please make sure your appliance is switched off before beginning any maintenance work.

The Inlet Filter

It is recommended to always check the inlet filter for any signs of dirt and debris. Doing this before you begin cleaning could help prevent the machine from becoming damaged from a whole host of other faults.

Pressure Nozzle

Check the pressure nozzle, is this blocked with dirt? To test, connect the water supply hose and with the lance disconnected squeeze the handgun trigger, this will run water through the pressure washer. Continue this until the water flow is constant.

External Water Source Washing

If you're drawing water from an open water source, such as a water bucket, always have a minimum of 10 metres (25 feet) of uncoiled hose between the water tap and your machine.

It is recommended that the internal diameter of the feed water hose to be around 12mm (1/2").
Water regulations require the use of a back-flow preventer valve at the tap end of the supply hose.

eSpares Top Tip: Only use a full flow connector to connect the hose to the machine.

Electrical Components

• It is advised to always fully uncoil any extension lead during use.
• Use an RCD (residual current device) whenever you use your pressure washer, as they will reduce the risk of electrocution and fires caused by electrical faults.
• Never use defective electrical connections or extension cables. If any cable is damaged, don't use the appliance until you have replaced the cable.
• Never touch the mains plug or socket with wet hands.
  Make sure the connection between the connection line and extension cable never lies in water.

Cleaning

After each use a simple wipe down can help ensure that any remaining water or residues can’t become home to a host of bacteria and germs.

• Check connections for wear or water damage - make sure hoses, pipes and connectors are in good condition.
• Check flex and plug.
• The nozzle can be a breeding ground for any matter of bacteria and dirt, clean the nozzle to keep water flow consistent and the germs at bay.
• The filter can become clogged regularly to prevent blockages.

Performing these steps regularly can help you avoid bigger problems down the line.Taking care of your pressure washer can ensure that it will continue to work and prolong its life.