A pressure washer surface cleaner is meant to clean large outdoor surfaces with rotating streams of water. So, when the surface cleaner does not spin, you are unable to move it to clean up the grime and dirt on your outdoor pavement.
Why my pressure washer surface cleaner won’t spin? The surface cleaner’s sealant that is placed on the threads of the nozzles that shoot out water, clogs up. The sealant can interfere with the way of the nozzle which stops the surface cleaner from spinning.
A pressure washer surface cleaner picks up a lot of dirt and debris and if it is not cleaned properly, it can lead to a malfunction in the device. What are other problems that can lead to a surface cleaner to stop spinning?
Surface Cleaner Is Not Spinning
As you walk outside, you notice your patio floor looks dirtier than it should be. You retrieve your pressure washer surface cleaner only to find out that when you start it, it just does not spin. Without this main function, you are unable to clean anything. So, what are some of the issues:
- The surface cleaner’s sealant is clogging up the nozzles.
- You may have to grease the bearings/swivel.
- Change the inline filters to remove trapped dirt.
- Your pressure washer senses that it is overheating and turns everything off.
These are just a few suggestions as to what is potentially stopping your pressure washer surface cleaner from spinning. For several customers, there have been complaints that their surface cleaner still jets out water and yet it does not spin. Others say that their surface cleaner only spins it they tilt it a bit.
You do have a few options that you can pick and choose from that will allow you to fix your surface cleaner. A quick tip would be to learn and read over any warranties you may have that could prevent you from modifying your own surface cleaner.
How To Fix Your Pressure Washer Surface Cleaner
There are several things that affect your surface cleaner from spinning. If you know what is causing your surface cleaner to stop spinning you have successfully completed a diagnostic test. However, if you are unable to do so, your manufacturer would probably like to have a word.
Clogged Nozzle
If your nozzles are clogged there are a few steps you can take to clear them. Those steps include:
- Unscrew the nozzles and wash them in a bucket or your sink. This ensures that the hot water can encompass the entirety of the nozzles so that they have emerged.
- As you are washing the nozzles, use something small enough to put into the nozzle to take out the dirt.
- Now, you need to remove the sealant on the threads and find something like tape to put on the threads. After you are done with the threads you can now put everything back together.
Overheating Pressure Washer
Now, if your pressure washer is overheating it will shut off its thermostat. Should you be using the pressure washer in a space that barely receives any cool air, there is no cool air to help keep the engine from heating up.
Even if you are using it outdoors, if the weather is
- Hot
- Sticky
- Humid
This could cause the same results. It is best that you let your pressure washer come to a cooler temperature before you start back up again.
This is why it is important to learn about the two types of pressure washers and all of their pros and cons to make the perfect decision for your needs.
Manufacturer’s Warranty
As mentioned, there are many ways to fix your surface cleaner, however, at times it may not be best to fix it by yourself. There are some manufacturers who take it upon themselves to prevent their customers from repairing their units.
The manufacturers may add screws that only their repairmen are capable of taking off. Even the repair costs could be astronomical, which could end up costing more than the original price of your surface cleaner.
When you look into implementing your warranty, you will want to take note of what the warranty covers. The type of repairs the warranty covers depends on the manufacturer. There could be a third-party servicer that you will have to take your surface cleaner to. The manufacturer can bring a technician to your home to look at your surface cleaner.
Should the technician come to your home, you will have to fill out an agreement. That agreement would state that if the technician finds any signs of neglect or poor handling, you will have to pay for the repair and labor costs instead of it being taken care of by the warranty.
Although, if you are past your warranty and you want to find the cause of your problem you are able to do so without consequence. There are surface cleaner servicers who will repair your unit without needing a warranty from a manufacturer.
Gas Versus Electric Pressure Washer
First, you need to understand what the difference is between gas and electric. Both types of pressure washer surface cleaners are great to use, but it comes down to your needs and your target price range.
Choosing Electric
Electric pressure washers are going to have less power than a gas pressure washer. This is because electric pressure washers only clock in approx. 2000 pounds per square inch (PSI) and this is on the higher end of the scale. Because of this, they are less expensive than their gas counterparts.
While gas is more powerful, an electric pressure washer is:
- Lightweight, allowing you to transport it with ease.
- Low maintenance since all you need to do to have them run is simply plug them in.
- They do not need gas or oil to run, which also helps to keep the costs low.
The cons of having an electric pressure washer lie in its ability to:
- Plug into any outlet. Even though all you have to do is plug it in, it is bound to an outlet.
- The cord can only stretch so far.
- This may require you to enlist in the help of an extension cord.
If you are in the business of pressure washing other individual’s property, you will want to survey if they have electrical outlets around the home. If not, this will definitely halt any projects that you can do for them with an electric pressure washer surface cleaner.
Electric pressure washers are made from plastic and other inexpensive materials, which is why it is a more cost-effective option. This means that they can become easily damaged and are known for having a short lifespan than a gas pressure washer.
The electric pressure washer is great if you have ample amounts of electrical outlets at your disposal and if you are only using it for your own property.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on May 4, 2020.
Going with Gas
Having a gas pressure washer means that you can have a business of servicing others because gas is more heavy duty than electric. Gas pressure washers give out approx. 2800 PSI, which is 800 pounds more per square inch than electric. The highest and more expensive gas pressure washers have 4000 PSI.
The higher your PSI is, the more range you are able to cover to reach higher places. Even oil stains cannot compete with this much pressure.
The price of a gas pressure washer comes from its need to use oil and gas. Also, the materials that it is made out of are more durable and can take a beating. While gas pressure washers are bigger, they can also be moved and powered anywhere because of their wheels.
Should you use this pressure washer once or twice a week, it is recommended that you change the oil every 3 months. If you use it every now and again, be sure to change the oil at a minimum once a year. The key to making your gas pressure washer last is by doing maintenance checks on it before or after each use.
With gas pressure washers there is a need to urge safety. This can be said for both electric and gas, but gas pressure washers can cause:
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on May 4, 2020.
- More injuries than electric pressure washers
- Projectiles from smaller objects
These projectiles can cause serious harm. Survey the area and make sure those who are around you are always watching and taking precautions to prevent any injuries.
Now that you understand the two types of pressure washers, which brands of surface cleaners will help with your needs?
How to Choose a Surface Cleaner
When choosing the right pressure washer surface cleaner for yourself try to figure out what you require. There are three options to choose from besides knowing if you want the pressure washer surface cleaner to be electric or gas:
- Consumer-Grade: This is an entry-level pressure washer for those who rarely use pressure washers and are new to using one. Not too powerful, but just powerful enough for tasks around the house.
- Semi-Pro: If you have a small business that you use this frequently for small projects. You can use this for cars, patios, and the driveway.
- Professional-Grade: You have a business that tackles heavy dirt and grime on a daily basis. These are more expensive as the PSI is higher than the consumer-grade and semi-pro.
Learn how much area you need to clean. If you have a huge driveway to cover, you may not want to think about using a 10” surface cleaner.
Choose a surface cleaner that has a non-marking track. With this tool, you can stop your surface cleaner from leaving tracks on your newly cleaned floors.
Splash guards are used to stop the water from over spraying and ruining your property’s outside appearance. Brush skirts actually keep any dirt that your surface cleaner comes across and prevents it from coming in contact with the nozzles.
Overall, your surface cleaner should be able to handle high-pressure connections. If you already have your pressure washer, be sure to double-check its PSI to make sure you are purchasing the correct surface cleaner.
Now that you know what to look for in a surface cleaner, there are a few surface cleaner brands you should look into.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on May 4, 2020.