Properly maintaining your pressure washer hose is essential to keep it safe from damage. This article provides tips on what to look for, how to clean, and how to store your hose. Read on to learn more. This article is part of a series on How to Maintain the Pressure Washer. Once you know what to look for, you'll be able to keep your hose in good shape for many years.
Properly maintaining a pressure washer's hose will keep it safe from damage
A pressure washer's hose is made of a flexible material, so excessive force can weaken it over time. The braided reinforcement on the hose is also easily compromised. Abrasion will wear away the cover and expose the metal braiding, which can be vulnerable to rust. The best way to prevent this from happening is to avoid using it during cold weather.
Before using your pressure washer, first check for clogs in the filter. It should be flushed with clear water and replaced if necessary. Also, make sure that all connection points are secure. A pressure washer's hose bears tremendous pressure and improper maintenance may lead to damage. It is vital that you maintain the hose regularly. You should clean it after every use.
In addition to cleaning the nozzle, you should also perform regular maintenance on the wand and engine of your pressure washer. This will extend the life of the machine by reducing wear and tear on its mechanical parts. You should also check the oil level of the gas engine. If it is low, you may experience difficulties starting the machine and may end up injuring yourself. Another important part of maintaining a pressure washer's hose is the spark plug. It needs to be maintained to ensure safe start up and efficiency.
Types of hoses
There are several different types of pressure washer hoses available on the market. These hoses are made of various materials and can be characterized by different characteristics. These include non-marking hoses, which will blend in with the surface they are attached to. A gray-colored hose will blend in with the color of the concrete, making any marks the hose makes practically nonexistent. Smooth hoses are easier to maintain, while wrapped hoses are flexible but may pick up debris.
While the hoses for these tools are generally made of plastic, there are also some polyurethane and rubber cylinders. Generally, high-pressure hoses are made of PVC plastic, rubber, or polyurethane. PVC hoses are the most common, but are relatively stiff and do not bend easily. Rubber hoses are softer and more flexible, but are more prone to scuffing and leaving marks on surfaces. Polyurethane hoses are flexible, but are not as flexible as PVC plastic.
Cleaning a hose
If you own a pressure washer, you must have a clean hose. Cleaning it is necessary to protect it from damage. Solvents can seep through pinpricks and erode the wire reinforcement of the hose. You should also winterize it if you live in a cold climate. Water and solvent will expand when it sits in the hose, causing damage to the inner rubber tube and wire reinforcement.
Keeping the hose straight is essential to avoid drops in water pressure. Hoses should be as wide and long as possible to have the lowest amount of water resistance. If a hose is dirty, the water pressure can be affected as well. For cleaning, you can immerse it in a bleach and water solution and let it soak for at least eight hours. Once this is done, rinse it thoroughly with plain water. This should remove any dirt that has built up inside.
Store a hose
To prevent mold and bacteria from growing in your pressure washer hose, you should properly store it away. You can store the hose in one of two ways. One way is to drain water out of the hose. The other way is to coil the hose and store it on a hose reel. In order to save space, you can hang the hose instead of coiling it. Here are some tips to store a pressure washer hose.
Before storing your pressure washer hose, make sure to wash it. Solvents and other materials that may have come in contact with the hose can seep out of pinpricks and damage the wire reinforcement. Winterizing your hose is also an option if you live in a cold climate. When storing it, don't leave it outside in direct sunlight, as water or solvent can expand, damaging the wire reinforcement and inner rubber tube.
Conclusion
To keep your pressure washer hose in good condition, you should clean it after every use and perform regular maintenance. You should also check the oil level of the gas engine and replace the spark plug as needed. When storing the hose, make sure to wash it and winterize it if necessary. Keep it out of direct sunlight to prevent damage. With proper care, your pressure washer hose will last for many years.
