It is imperative to note that pressure washers are huge devices used to remove grime and dirt from different surfaces. These surfaces can range from your outdoor furniture down to your barbeque grills, the road, and even your vehicle’s bodywork.
In simpler terms, a pressure washer is a cleaning equipment that uses high pressure to remove harsh stains from all surfaces. Nevertheless, most people have asked what happens if you run a pressure washer without water. We will be helping you with that question, so sit back and keep reading.
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What will happen if you run a pressure washer without water
Some pressure washer owners have found themselves wondering what happens if you run a pressure washer without water. Since these machines are costly, it is ideal that you do not do things that will result in harm. So, while you can run a pressure washer without water, it does not mean you have to do it. Some of the things that will happen when you run the pressure washer without water are:
It will harm your unit
Usually, the pressure washer must cool down and even lubricate the pump. This part pushes the water from the supply hose straight to the nozzle. Keep in mind that without water cooling and lubricating the pump, it will work harder than it usually should. And this will lead to it wearing down very fast.
All of this can occur even if you put on the pressure washer for a few seconds and there is no water. More so, the pump will not be the only thing getting damaged. As you learn what happens if you run a pressure washer without water, it must be noted that some of its inner components will begin wearing down.
For one, its motor will begin overheating as it attempts to turn the pump, which will be under lots of pressure. This can lead to it locking up or completely breaking down. Its gaskets, seals, and other components will be compromised along the way.
While all this damage may not be immediate, continuously staring at the pressure washer without water will ruin the machine. One thing to keep in the back of your mind is that if the motor or the pump fails, you will not be able to use the washer. And, you may most likely have to replace the gaskets and seals.
We advise purchasing a new pressure washer is cheaper than replacing or repairing broken parts. Whichever way, you will be ruining a good machine and wasting money. Not using water when pressure washing violates pressure washer safety set by the government.
You won’t be cleaning anything
Running your pressure washer without water will not have you cleaning anything. You will get to understand this bit when you try to clean your surface, and no water emerges. If the pressure washer breaks down due to improper starting, you must repair or replace it before getting your job done.
Fixing the situation
While you did not intentionally run the pressure washer without water, accidentally doing it will have you go through some steps to know the problem and fix it. If you run the washer for less than ten or five seconds, you will need to allow it to cool down, then try to restart it after some minutes. When restarting it, ensure you connect it to a source of water.
However, serious problems will begin if you run the machine for longer. In such a case, you will have to risk it and run your pressure washer after some minutes when restarting it again. If no water comes out, there is a high chance that the pump is damaged. You can either fix it, or you can buy a new one.
However, fixing a faulty pump will cost much more than buying a new one. Plus, fixing it will be more costly. This is the worst-case scenario if you notice the pressure washer shutting off whenever you start it. You will have to repair the motor or get it replaced. In fact, you may have to replace the seals and gaskets.
Repairing all of these will seem like a complete rebuild that will cost you more than the value of the pressure washer when you buy it. One of the clearest signs of damage to your pump will be when no water emerges from the wand. The best fix at this point is to replace the pump.
And, if the motor sounds different or is loud, you will need to replace it. Plus, when the washer tends to shut down anytime you start, it is the worst-case scenario. When the pump or motor gets damaged, you must check some other components before writing off the washer.
Understand that there is a high chance that the pump or motor damage may spread to the seals and gaskets. And so, rebuilding the entire machine may become vital.
Water source alternatives to run a pressure washer
We have told you that using a pressure washer without a water source is a very bad idea. However, there may come a time that you won’t have any water source nearby but you still need to run your pressure washer. In those times, you will need to find alternatives to an outside tap, which is the main water source most of the time.
Here are some different options that we tried and found to work quite well, considering:
- Water tank or barrel
- Pressure washer trailer
- Portable pressure washer
Water tank or barrel
Even the smallest pressure washer will use liters of water in a small amount of time; in fact, they can use gallons in a matter of minutes. So when someone asks what will happen if you run a pressure washer without water, you say it will break.
We have found that by using a large enough water tank or barrel, you can get away without having an outside tap. If you are using barrels, you need to ensure that they come with a pressure washer hose adapter.
Pressure washer trailer
Commercial pressure washer trailers are big machines that have the pressure washer and a water tank attached to each other. These machines are generally used by pressure washing companies to clean large areas.
There are options for these machines where they come with a fuel supply that can heat up the water for hot water pressure washing. If you are just going to clean our house and its surrounding area, then you won’t have access to them.
Portable pressure washer
One of the best options if you don’t have any nearby water sources is to get a portable pressure washer. These small-size pressure washers come with an attached water tank. It also has wheels that help you move it around with ease.
However, these machines are small and aren’t best for long uses. So be careful and only use them in short bursts.
Can I run the washer on little water?
This question is mainly asked by those with little or no access to sufficient water in their places of residence. As we have explained above, running the washer with little to no water is a real problem for your washer.
However, when you live in a place where it is difficult to get water, you can rub the pressure washer on a bit of water. This will mean you will be conservative as pressure washers typically need plenty of water to operate smoothly.
Being conservative here means that, since you have no access to plenty of water, you can use water from rainwater that gets to your tank if you have one. Also, you can dig a borehole or run a hosepipe to a river or lake close to you. The vital thing here is that you have a durable and long hose to get water.
You can either take this risk or not run your pressure washer at all so that you do not damage it. Regarding pressure washers, ensure you do not miss out on reading the user manual to avoid getting into trouble.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
How does a pressure washer overheat?
Since you know what happens if you run a pressure washer without water, you know that the water pump heats up. The longer there is no cool water coming into the pump, the faster it heats up until it overheats. This can happen if you often pressure wash deck or pressure wash a balcony without first supplying water.
How long does a pressure washer last?
You know what happens if you run a pressure washer without water, so you know that a pressure washer is a delicate machine. Pressure washers either come with an electric motor or a gasoline engine, and the engine is the better option. With proper care, a gas engine pressure washer will efficiently work in tip top shape for three to five years.
How long can you run a pressure washer without water?
You can use a pressure washer for about three to five minutes. And if you don’t have water coming in, you shouldn’t even run the pressure washer since you could overheat it and destroy it. You shouldn’t try to run a pressure washer even if you are soft wash pressure washing.
Can you use a pressure washer with low water pressure?
Low water pressure areas are safe to use with a pressure washer. Ensure the water pressure is only close to the bare minimum that your pressure washer requires. Many pressure washers require a minimum pressure of 20 PSI or less.
Conclusion
As it stands, we have given you all the necessary answers you need when it comes to what happens if you run a pressure washer without water. Never try running it without water, as we have explained all that will happen if you do.
And when you damage your pressure washer, you should seek assistance from any repair service nearby.
