Hey guys,
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Haven’t posted in a awhile, but I check in just about daily. I’m a bit confused about something and I’m hoping you can enlighten me as you have so many times before.
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I’ve got a 2500psi pressure washer (homeowners model) that I’ve owned for about six years. Other than the annual cleaning of my exterior, it’s had very little use. I always use a 50/50 solution of water and bleach.
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Saturday morning, I took it out of the garage to clean the house. I changed the air filter, checked the oil, and started it right up. It ran just fine but wouldn’t pump a drop. After verifying that the problem didn’t exist with the hose or wand, I removed the pump for disassembly. When I tore it down, it was full of crud – white, powdery residue that had severely corroded the inside of the pump housing.
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I’ve been informed that using bleach caused this failure. But I don’t see how that can be the case when the cleaning solution is siphoned into the wand without passing through the pump. Is bleach really bad for pressure washers? If so, how does it find its way into the pump if you’re using a siphoning system?
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Thanks in advance for any feedback.
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Michael
New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
Replies
I know that bleach can be seriously corrosive to metals.... however, if your model does not run the mix through the pump, then that analysis makes no sense.
I believe my pressure washer runs the add-ins through the pump.
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
It is more likely that this is just from your water. I tilt mine so the ports are pointing down and run it until it is dry (10 seconds or so) after I remove the hoses. That keeps it it from sitting with water in it. I also blow the water out of the hoses and wand. I have "shop air" so it is easy to do. Since I started that routine I don't have problems. It used to be it wouldn't pump, every time I tried to use it. I was screwing with it for 20 minutes to get it going.
Good tip gfretwell! Thanks.
Isn't 50/50 a little overkill?
That is a lot of bleach.
Pete
I actually used straight bleach one time, but it faded a spot on my vinyl siding. I changed to a 50/50 solution on the advice of someone who does pressure washing for a living. He buys bleach by the pallet and has used it for years (He can make an old deck look like it was built last week). He insists that bleach did not ruin my pump and suspects that it was sulfur in my water supply etching away at the insides of the pump during the periods of non-use.New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
mwg
go to this BT link
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=29721.1
I don't think your problem is bleach.
read the whole thread.
WSJ
Thanks for the link. Interesting thread.New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
Thanks for the link you posted. It has inspired me to get my old pressure washer out to see if it can be revived.
Ever have freezing temps. where you store it? I've had issues with pumps if stored in a garage in the winter. I think some water typically remains in the pump and the freezing can cause some damage.
FWIW, I've seen lots of new replacement pumps for sale on eBay in the past.
"Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary, use words." - St. Francis of Assisi
No, I didn't vote for him; but he IS my president. I pray for the his safety, and the safety of his family every day. And I pray that he makes wise decisions.
We seldom get freezing cold here in SC. At least not severe freezing. I put a little antifreeze in the pw pump when I weatherize my stuff for the winter.New knowledge is priceless.
Used knowledge is even more valuable.
I have a pressure washer that I bought at one of the big box stores for about $400. It has a fairly good Honda engine, and a fairly cheap pump.
But, in addition to keeping my own home clean, I get probably a half dozen jobs each year to do some small amount of pressure washing for others.
And I'm now on my third pump. The original one lasted probably two years. I've been able to get replacements from the local Tractor Supply store -- they usually keep one in stock. Seems to me that the replacement pumps cost about $160.
seems to me, when i bought my p.w. that if you ran anything besides water through pump(specifically bleach and brighteners) it voided warranty. i have used same p.w. with h20 only for 10 yrs. honda engine not sure on pump
anecdotal only but i was taught bleach was bad for p.w. and we always bleached houses with 1/3 mix with backpack or pump sprayer. by the time you made it around the house the bleach had a chance to work and was ready to be rinsed with p.w.