We have always been in this all together, buying pressure washers without ever having to know how they work. Most people don’t even have that urge of knowing how it works because they just need the machine. But I have to promise you that it is not necessary for you to get to know the mechanism behind the pressure washing principle but I have to assure you that having the knowledge of the machine will help you in troubleshooting some minor problems.
Some of the things that you will be able to pinpoint out include a drop in pressure, spark plague issues, loss of water flow suddenly, and other similar issues. You will have a greater hand to even correct any problem that will arise instead of calling an expert if the problem is not that pathetic. So, it is better to understand how does a pressure washer works.
How Does a Pressure Washer Work?
It works on the basis of Pascal’s law. This law states that “when pressure is applied at any point in a fluid that has been stored in a container, it is distributed all directions in an equal manner and also to all points of the fluid.” This is also the same law that is used in all fluid dynamics across the globe, which is also what happens in a pressure washer.
When you compact fluid in a container that is closed and pressure applied to any point, what will happen is the pressure to travel throughout the fluid and will be felt in an equal manner for every single molecule.
We have to get to understand that when water is compressed, it will exert an outward pressure right on the content that is holding it. Imagine if a small hole being made on one side, what will happen? Basically, the pressure in the container will be released through the hole at a high compression rate.
Remember that this pressure that will be exerted on the orifice is inversely proportional to the diameter of the hole. You will realize that the smaller the hole the greater the exertion of the pressure and that is how water escapes.
Let’s as understand that various parts of the pressure washer and their contributions
A pressure washer machine consists of 3 parts,
- Source of water
- The pump and a
- High-pressure nozzle
For these three parts to work well, a toggle switch is used to ensure that proper working is done. It will allow you to either release or even hold it in the tank. You can either decide to power the engine in, either way, using electricity or even gasoline. It does not matter the source of power that you will decide to use, the working principle is all the same.
A piston and a cylinder set are two major things that run a pump. What drives a pump is a pull cord that is crucial in drawing momentum from the engine. You will also find a crankshaft in the crankcase connected to plungers in the pump.
Plungers that are found here also have the right function as those found in a syringe. Their work is to suck and also eject water. A cam is also crucial in allowing the plunger to work efficiently.
Each of the plungers in this machine is crucial in making sure that water is sucked from a temporary reservoir that stores it momentarily from the source. It will hold up that water until it is all used up before making new space for new water to flow in. the moving of the plunger in an upward manner will draw water into the containing cylinder by use of a check valve.
When the plunger is moved down, water is then forced out through the output check valve and into the Un-Loader. A trigger-type switch connects the un-loader and this will press the pressurized water out through the nozzle that is narrow. That is how you will come across pressurized water being ejected.
Now, when you compress the trigger, water will flow out and when you release it, the water flow will also stop. When the trigger is released, the spring valve will automatically detect the stopped water flow and will allow it to go back to the reservoir. This is a process that will keep on circulating until the trigger is pulled.
See The Best Pressure Washer
There is also a spring valve mechanism to run even when the flow of water is stopped. During the process, the temperature of water might arise but never worry because that problem or worry has been taken care of. The release valve will flush out the water that is hot.
That will make water that is cool to have space to also flow in. this is an entire process that works in just seconds so that you equally get to appreciate pressurized water to be available for your use. you might never realize the process because it works so fast.
Now, if you want to have your system working better, here are some of the things that you need to know and ensure that you do them for better working of your machine.
- Ensure that you use the right fuel for your pump, failure to do so, it will breakdown
- Oil the pump regularly so that the piston and other components that move are protected from overheating
- Flush out the air from the inlet pipe every time before you start it. This will prevent damaging of the valves
- Clean the carburetor regularly and when the need arises, it should be replaced
- Don’t use strong detergent to do your cleaning, instead, use a mild one to clean your machine together with its components.
Now, you understand how does a pressure washer work. It is a crucial thing because it will help you understand how to pinpoint a problem when it erupts. But all in all, ensure that your safety is the first priority and use the machine well to enable it to serve you better.
