We’ll take some of the pressure off with quick solutions
Pressure washers can stop working for a variety of reasons.
If your engine won’t run, the carburetor may be clogged with old fuel.
Low water pressure is likely from clogs, kinks, or hose trouble.
Leaks may be a sign of damage or a worn-out valve.
Call a trained service pro to fix your washer properly.
If you own a pressure washer, you're probably used to convenient access to high-pressure cleaning whenever you need it. However, pressure washers can break down due to a variety of common issues, like faulty water inlet valves, clogged filters, and kinked hoses. If your pressure washer is not working, explore these pressure washer troubleshooting tips for spotting typical problems, knowing the right steps to take next, and discovering tips on pressure washing your home to prevent further issues.
If your pressure washer has been sitting in storage all winter, you may discover the engine won't stay running come time to dust it off and put it to use. If it's sparking and seems to have enough oil, the most likely culprit is a clogged carburetor. The carburetor’s purpose is to mix fuel from the gas tank with air before injecting the mixture into the combustion chamber to power the pressure washer.
Compared to an electric pressure washer, gas pressure washers require more maintenance and can have different issues involving managing the fuel. When gasoline sits in a tank for more than one or two months, parts of it may begin to evaporate. This leaves behind a thick, sticky substance that can block the carburetor.
To troubleshoot the problem, open the carburetor drain plug and let some of the old fuel dribble out. You should also check the fuel filter, air filter, and fuel tank cap for clogs and replace them as needed.
If you close it up and it still won't run, you'll need to drain the gas tank completely and have the carburetor removed and cleaned. This is a complex job that involves disassembling many small parts. For this reason, carburetor adjustment typically requires a trained pro. Call a power washer service near you or reach out to your pressure washer’s manufacturer to learn where to get it serviced.
No one likes trying to clean gutters with a pressure washer that won’t emit enough power to effectively blast off scum. If your pressure washer engine starts and runs fine, but little or no water comes out, you may have a clog somewhere in the system.
The most common places for clogs in a pressure washer include the hoses, filter, and pressure wand. If you turn on the hose and water doesn't flow out, you probably have a clogged filter. You can locate this fine-screen mesh encased in brass where the garden hose attaches to your pressure washer.
Your first step should be to check all hoses for kinks. After ruling out clogged hoses, check your washer's inlet filter. If possible, remove it and scrub away any debris before replacing it and trying to use your washer again.
The next place to look for problems is the pressure washer wand. Try swapping out the nozzle on the end of your wand. Always keep extra pressure washer nozzles on hand for these scenarios. If all else fails, you may need to replace the wand’s hose.
"If you don't think your pressure washer is strong enough, consider hiring a pro. Professional machines provide stronger pressure without using a smaller tip, allowing them to maintain surfaces without damaging them."
— Dylan Harris, Director of Operations at Window Hero, Charlotte, North Carolina
Sometimes, less is more. If you have the opposite problem from those whose pressure washers have low pressure, then your pressure washer could send water out too strongly, which can damage your siding, gutters, deck, and more.
Your pressure washer could have too much pressure for several reasons, namely, a wrong setting or a faulty pressure washer unloader valve. If your washer continues to have too much pressure, this can cause an overload that eventually damages the engine.
The easiest issue to fix is a washer on too high of a setting. Simply follow the manual to adjust the pressure to a lower level. In most cases, you’ll need to adjust the unloader valve by loosening it. If your pressure washer has too high of a pressure setting regardless of adjusting the level, then you might need to replace the pressure washer unloader valve.
To prevent damage to your pressure washer, you must purge air by pumping the handle on the wand before running the engine. This should release air and unpressurized water from the wand. Otherwise, trapped air can damage seals and check valves on the pump and cause leaks. Forgetting this essential step is a common pressure-washing mistake that is easy to avoid with a little know-how.
If you don’t remove compression from your washer, then you may have damage to the pump’s seals or valves. When this happens, you’ll need to have your machine serviced. Seals and valves can often be replaced individually, but severe leaks may require complete pump replacement.
One other potential source of a pump leak is the thermal release valve. This small valve on the bottom of your pressure washer releases water from the pump when it gets too hot. If the valve is worn out or defective, water may leak constantly from the bottom of the pump. In this case, unscrew and replace the thermal release valve.
The wand is the part of the washer you hold. It has a trigger that releases pressurized water. If your wand leaks water when you're not holding the trigger, it will result in lower water pressure and get you soaking wet while using your pressure washer.
Undo the screws holding the wand together and carefully examine the whole assembly for cracks. Cracked wands should be replaced entirely. If any rubber O-rings in the wand assembly are worn out, they may be causing the leak. These can be replaced without replacing the whole wand and should be swapped out for rings of the exact same size and thickness.
Some top pressure washers have a built-in soap reservoir to make cleaning more efficient. This is a great alternative to bleach for pressure washing, as it’s less abrasive and, therefore, less likely to damage your home. If soap isn't properly flowing, it's likely due to an excess of back pressure in the washer's pump.
Try removing the nozzle from your wand or attaching the nozzle with the lowest pressure. This will increase the flow rate and help draw up more soap.
If your pressure washer runs, but the pump makes strange sounds, and no water flows through the system, your pump likely has severe internal damage.
This often happens when you store your pressure washer for the winter without completely draining it or filling it with antifreeze. The leftover water can freeze, expand, and cause enough damage that the only solution is a total pump replacement.
Again, severe damage can result in irreparable damage, but there are ways to prevent damage. Knowing how to winterize a pressure washer can save you on pressure washer replacement costs ranging from $100 to $1,000. If you want to avoid the cost of replacing your pressure washer, consider renting a washer instead. Pressure washer rental costs fall between $40 and $175 for a four-hour rental and may be a good option if you infrequently use your washer.
