Pressure Washer Repair, Parts & Local Service Centers
As you know, pressure washers are extraordinarily
effective in blasting away dirt, mold, algae, mud,
bird droppings, sap, stains, old paint, etc., from
just about any outdoor surface.
But, the best thing you can do to prevent
breakdowns and other pressure washer trouble is to
take good care of your
pressure washer pump.
That means making sure you’ve kept contaminants
out of the pump - and that you’ve checked and changed
the pump oil on schedule, according to your owners
manual.
To keep contaminants out of your pump, check the
o rings
and screens on your wand and hose connections.
Make sure your connections are leak free and that your
screens are clean.
D>
Debris can block the screens very
quickly or the screens can become worn or damaged, so
they should be checked each time, before you begin
pressure washing. Such a simple thing, but you’d be
surprised how often this step is forgotten and a
pressure washer pump is seriously damaged.
Taking care of your pump also means
CHANGING THE OIL.
For 80% of the pressure washers
sold to homeowners, this is a requirement! Check out
your owners manual and it will tell you how to check
the pump oil level and when to change the pump oil.
This is a must!
(I learned this lesson in a very hard way, when I was
younger and didn’t adequately check the oil level in
my 1972 VW Beetle. My family has never let me forget
the disastrous results. Please benefit from my
failures.)
If you're thinking about replacing your gas-powered pressure washer, I can highly recommend Northern Tool + Equipment for their great selection, high quality & competitive prices. I especially the Northstar model (shown below) at Northern Tool + Equipment because it features a Honda engine & Comet pump. This is the same engine & pump that I've been using for years & I couldn't more satifisfied with the power and reliablity.
Check out their big selection of electric & gas models.
Remember: you must use a
PUMP OIL
that’s specially formulated for pressure washer pumps. Do NOT use regular engine oil!
There are other things you can do to extend the life
of your pressure washer and your owner’s manual will
guide you. (Engine oil check & change, air filter check & change, fuel tank filter, etc.) Follow their recommended routine
maintenance schedule.
But eventually, hopefully many years down the road, you’ll have to deal with a servicing or repair problem. That’s just life.
So go to your owner’s manual again and consult the
section on troubleshooting. Quite often, your
particular problem is covered and you’ll find
instructions to help you fix it yourself.
To compare prices on popular Karcher electric pressure washers, click on the photo of the Karcher below:
Still having problems and think you're covered under warranty? Now it’s time to review
your warranty information in your owners manual and note the serial number
of your pressure washer.
If your pressure washer is still under warranty, you
must take it to an authorized service center that has
been approved by the manufacturer. If you’re like
most other pressure washer owners, you bought your
pressure washer from a store/website that doesn’t have
an in-house service department. So you need to find an
authorized service center. This is so important!
See the list of your local, authorized service centers, below.
Otherwise, you’ll probably end up paying for all the
repair work and you won’t be assured that the service
center is using the proper manufacturer-approved parts
& supplies.
My Recommendation: If your pressure washer is not under warranty, I would still suggest using an approved service center. BUT
always make sure to get an estimate, in advance, for repairs – and compare the repair costs against purchasing a new
unit! You just might do better to purchase a new unit, rather than pay for repairs.
Remember, there ARE good deals to be had on for pressure washers and attachments!
Just click on the link below to see the live pressure washer & attachment auctions at Ebay:
Don't forget that
flat surface cleaners
like water brooms and rotating surface cleaners can greatly speed up and improve your cleaning results. Northern Tool + Equipment has a great selection of surface cleaners and they offer FREE shipping too:
Below is a handy list I put together to help you find a
local pressure washer warranty and repair center. Just click on the brand name and you'll be connected to their list of authorized service centers in your area!