Operating a pressure washer will teach you about some do’s and don’ts in the grand scheme of things. If you are among those who use a pressure washer for commercial cleaning services, keep in mind that the machine can outlive its usefulness sooner than you expect when you use it without caution.
If you are wondering how long can you run a pressure washer or a soft wash pressure washer, the answer is between three and five minutes. But we must let you in on a fact, which is that pressure washers are capable of developing mechanical issues. And they can be entirely grounded if you do not follow the instructions in their manual.
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How long can you run a pressure washer?
It has been mentioned that no one should run their pressure washer for more than five minutes. However, when learning how long to run a pressure washer, remember that it differs from one model to the next.
But, leaving the washer running for over five minutes may lead to overheating. Note that there are models that have a thermal protector. This thermal protector must immediately shut off your machine once it overheats.
Nevertheless, some other models do not have this thermal protector feature. So, you will have to watch the temperature gauge and stop your machine once it leaves a safe temperature level. Generally, most people will advise you not to run the pressure washer for over fifteen minutes at a time.
For those who need to clean a large surface, this will mean breaking your job into tiny sections. Then, allow the pressure washer to cool down in between these sections.
What happens when the engine is idling?
While you know the answers to how long can you run a pressure washer, you should also understand what happens when the pressure washer engine is turned off.
So, as you use the washer, you will need to pull the trigger to let the pressure washer spray water. Understand that fresh water gets to flow through the pump continuously. This water is cool and typically sixty degrees, keeping your pump cool.
If you stop spraying water, but your engine is left running, the water will recirculate within the washer’s pump. Understand that this recirculation is being done under pressure. When this happens, it is referred to as a bypass. This is because the water gets to bypass the outlet and recirculate within the head of the pump. Higgins pressure in the pump head will make the water get hot.
Note that, after some minutes, the temperature within the pump head gets to be more than one hundred and forty-five degrees. It will continue rising until you pull the trigger and freshwater gets into the pump head. The freshwater will help in cooling the pump. With all of these, it is clear that you should never leave your pressure washer idle, especially when water is not getting sprayed for some minutes.
If the pump head does not get cool, the temperature will rise to two hundred degrees. Once it gets that hot, the o-rings and water seals will soften and wear down swiftly. In this process, the valves can also get distorted and warp.
How long can you run a pressure washer?
More so, cavitation will form within the low pressure side of your pump, thus destroying other components. And when you finally pull the trigger and begin spraying water, the cool water inflow will result in the ceramic plungers cracking through thermal shock.
In other news, all we have been trying to say is that nothing good happens when the pressure washer stays too long in bypass. Nevertheless, installing a thermal relief valve can prevent all these damages.
Understand that this valve will open up whenever the internal temperature of your pump head gets to one hundred and five degrees. And when it opens, it will spill water out of your pump. This new freshwater enters the pump inlet to cool everything down.
You must ensure that the thermal relief valve you install gets properly reset whenever it opens up. And make sure there is no peak so that no problem arises. There are pumps crafted to avoid all of these problems.
However, the easiest way to prevent all these damages from bypassing is to not let the pressure washer remain in bypass for longer than a few minutes. If you are not spraying, shutting the pressure washer off is best.
Note that the pressure washer can only handle one to three minutes of the engine staying idle even if no water runs out. One thing you should keep in mind is that whether your pressure washer lasts up to five minutes or not is solely dependent on the model and make of your washer.
It is not advisable to gamble on this; you can choose to take care of the pressure washer.
Tips for safely using a pressure washer
Since you now know how long can you run a pressure washer, you should also know how to care for the washer in your possession. The first thing is to read the handbook that comes with it. The handbook will give you the information you need to know about customer support, replacement components, troubleshooting methods, and warranties. These tips come in really handy when you often pressure wash a deck or pressure wash a balcony. Some of the safety tips you need to know are:
Protect yourself by wearing protective gear
You can put on safety goggles, enclosed shoes, trousers, work gloves, and even ear protection when working with a pressure washer. Bear in mind that you will need to put on ear protection when making use of a gas pressure washer.
Stay away from ladders
You must avoid using ladders when handling a pressure washer, as it may likely lead to a terrible fall. This is because of the kickback force of the washer. It is ideal for using extension wands when you need to get to high places. Or you can hire an expert cleaning service.
Prepare your surroundings
You will need to get the surroundings ready by cleaning them up. So, close the windows and cover up the vents and lighting. Anything that will make you trip on the floor must be removed from your path. This might include cables, hoses, potted plants, kids, toys, or furniture.
Be cautious of your hands
You must keep your hands off the path of your pressure washer spray. Be it your hands or any other body part, do not spray it on anyone. It can be dangerous, which is why you can only use it with an older teenager who knows the dangers.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Should you run a pressure washer without water?
The answer to this question is a big fat NO. We told you that you can run a pressure for about three to five minutes when you asked how long can you run a pressure washer. The reason for being able to run it for so long is that the water running through the water pump keeps it cool. So if you run the pressure washer without water, the machine will overheat in minutes and break down immediately
How does a pressure washer overheat?
One reason for the answer to how long can you run a pressure washer is just 3 – 5 minutes is because you run the risk of overheating it. A pressure washer will overheat when the water pump overheats. This part overheats when there isn’t any cool water running through it. Also, pressure washers can overheat when the machine is idle for too long.
How can I make my pressure washer last longer?
One of the main things to do when using a pressure washer is to make use of pump protector products. These products help to keep your water pump free of buildup and corrosion, which are some of the most common reasons for your pressure washer to break.
Can I keep my pressure washer idle?
No, you can’t keep your pressure washer idle. Knowing how long you can use a pressure washer, you should also know that keeping the machine idle for too long will result in the device overheating and breaking down. If you aren’t using the pressure washer, it will be best for it to shut down until you need it again. Moreover, a pressure washer in idle can start to surge.
Conclusion
On a general note, you no longer need to ask how long can you run a pressure washer as we have provided you with the necessary answers. Do not forget to follow the safety tips and read through all that will happen if the engine is left to idly run.
