Pressure washing is one of the most effective ways to wash the exterior of your home. It helps remove mildew, dirt scales, algae, oil, and other outdoor contaminants from your siding.
A surging pressure washer is one with an inconsistent spray. The washer will be spraying at a certain PSI and then suddenly, the spray will increase in strength for several seconds. This can happen every few minutes or each time you squeeze the trigger.
Surging is not just annoying it can cause damage to the pump and the power washer itself. However, it's usually easy to fix once you know what causes the surging. Here are possible causes of a surging power washer:
Possible Causes and Solutions to Surging In Pressure Washers
Surging in a pressure washer can be caused by one of several issues. A surge is where the engine sounds like it speeds up and slows down quickly, and causes the water to pulsate. There are several things that can cause this to happen.
Unstable Water Supply
The problem may be with your water source, or it may be inside your pressure washer's pump. If the water supply is unstable, your pump won't receive a consistent flow of water, which means it won't maintain consistent pressure levels.
To solve this, check your water source to make sure that you have a stable connection to the machine and a steady stream of water coming through the hose. If this isn't the problem, check your pump for any loose or worn parts.
Air in the Pump
Air in the pump causes surging if it is not bled out properly. To bleed a pump, start the pressure washer and squeeze the trigger until it reaches operating temperature. If it is still surging after the unit has reached operating temperature, stop the machine and loosen one of the chemical injector fittings at the bottom of your machine. Then restart your machine and squeeze the trigger until you see water coming out of this loose-fitting.
A Faulty Unloader Valve
This also causes a surge due to fluid bypassing it on its return path through your pump when there isn't any pressure demanded from the trigger gun commonly known as flow control.
This can be diagnosed by a technician with a low-pressure gauge while under load with no demand from trigger gun or by tracing return line back to pump and loosening fitting or adding another.
Preventing Surging In Pressure Washers
If you have a pressure washer that surges consistently, there are several ways to stop it:
Check for leaks in your hose or fittings. Even a small leak can cause big problems with pressures washers. Always double-check all fittings and connections before running your pressure washer.
Check for sediment build-up in the pump. The pump is where the water comes out of your pressure washer and goes into the nozzle. Over time, debris can build up here, preventing consistent flow.
Always ensure that you have an adequate water supply and constantly check on your valve to ensure it’s working well.
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