Put power behind your cleaning tasks with a Generac pressure washer. Whether you’re spring cleaning your home, sidewalks, and decks or offering pressure washing services to other homeowners and businesses, a power washer is an invaluable tool that makes your job easy and achievable. Understanding the inner workings and maintenance of pressure washers will give you the knowledge you need to keep your tool working for many seasons.
Generac Pressure Washer Uses
Whether you have used a pressure washer in the past or are new to the concept of power washing, it is easy to see the cleaning benefits of a high-powered machine. Water can be a powerful element, and these tools combine a lot of water with high pressure to give you the force you need to take care of some of the most challenging cleaning jobs you encounter.
Having a quality pressure washer on hand can help you keep your home, property, and other areas pristine. Outdoor spaces caked in dirt, grime, oil, and more need more than a water hose and some soap, which is what makes power washers so valuable.
What Can Be Cleaned With a Generac Pressure Washer?
- Driveways
- Sidewalks
- Decks and patios
- Home exteriors
- Drains and gutters
- Fences
- Vehicles
While cleaning with a pressure washer is not difficult, it is important to know the basics to avoid injury to yourself or damage to your property. The high-pressure water that makes these machines so effective can be harmful if used incorrectly.
What Makes a Generac Pressure Washer Stand Out
Shopping for specialized tools can be daunting, but it is essential to research which specific brand and model is right for you and your situation. Like its other products, Generac pressure washers are powerful and long-lasting. These machines are known for their durable frames, high-quality engines, and performance.
Generac pressure washers stand out for many reasons, including their well-made elements and user-friendly operation. Repairing a pressure washer with genuine Generac OEM parts that you can trust to get you back to cleaning is also easy.
Specialized Pumps in a Generac Pressure Washer
The pressure washer pump creates the high-pressure water spray needed to effectively clean tough messes. Generac pressure washers are equipped with specialized power washer pumps, depending on the machine’s anticipated usage.
Axial pumps are used on all Generac residential pressure washers. These pumps are made of aluminum and are lubricated and sealed during manufacturing, meaning they do not require oil maintenance. If damaged, these pumps cannot be rebuilt, but a pressure washer repair is easy with a complete replacement pump.
The Triplex pump is used on professional Generac pressure washers. Unlike the axial pumps, the Triplex pump can be rebuilt and generally lasts four times longer than its residential counterpart. Maintenance is important and this pump needs regular oil changes to keep up its performance.
Generac Pressure Washer Versatility and Ease of Use
When cleaning your driveway or beautifying your gutters, the last thing you need is to get frustrated wrestling with a complicated tool. Sometimes, your spring-cleaning list is a mile long, and you need equipment that is versatile and easy to use. A Generac pressure washer is intuitive and flexible, helping you check off your Honey Do assignments.
The pressure washer gun is the part you hold while operating the machine, making its design vital when determining how comfortable and easy it is to use. The ergonomic spray gun combined with intuitive controls makes Generac pressure washers simple for beginners and pros alike.
Many models also come with other attachments that specialize your tool for various tasks. Different attachments are better for decks or driveways, and some accessories give you greater reach or the ability to add detergent to your project. This versatility offers you a wide range of usage without having to invest in a variety of tools.
Engines of Generac Pressure Washers
Your pressure washer needs power to produce the concentrated spray to tackle your cleaning project. An engine or motor is a necessary component to how pressure washers work, and Generac pressure washers use special OHV — overhead valve — engines to run the machine. These engines are designed for reliability and performance.
OHV engines are known for their longevity and fuel efficiency. By keeping up with pressure washer repairs and maintenance, you can be confident that your equipment’s engine will run well without wasting fuel.
Generac Pressure Washer Maintenance
It is always a good idea to stay on top of regular upkeep with your major tools and appliances. Keeping up with your pressure washer maintenance will ensure your equipment’s performance and reduce needed power washer repairs over time. Much like generator maintenance, it is better to spend a little time on a consistent basis assessing your pressure washer and doing small tasks that help keep your pressure washer working optimally.
When you are checking your equipment for wear and tear, take note of any obvious signs you need to repair your pressure washer so that you can address issues immediately and avoid any damage ballooning into a more significant problem. Your pressure washer repairs can stay minimal with consistent inspection and upkeep.
Regular Oil Changes for Power Washers
Similar to cars and other machines, your Generac pressure washer needs regular oil changes to run well. A closely followed oil change schedule can reduce needed pressure washer repairs on the engine. Oil change frequency depends on your average usage, but a good rule of thumb is to change the oil every 100 hours of usage or every three months.
How Do You Change the Oil in Your Power Washer?
Changing the oil in your pressure washer is not hard. Once you gather your supplies, follow simple instructions to get the job done:
- Place a catch basin under the drain hole
- Remove the oil fill cap
- Identify the oil drain plug
- Wipe the area, then use a wrench or socket wrench to remove the oil drain plug bolt
- Drain the oil
- Wipe the area clean
- Replace the oil drain plug bolt
- Place a funnel in the oil fill hole and refill with pressure washer oil
- Record the date on a scheduled maintenance sticker
Your pressure washer’s oil change may seem like the last thing you want to do when you have a chore list a mile long, but skipping this important step can lead to costly power washer repairs.
Change the Pressure Washer Filters
Your Generac pressure washer has two to three filters that need to be checked and changed regularly to keep the machine working properly. The air filter, water inlet filter, and oil filter are all important parts that keep your pressure washer running efficiently. Without proper maintenance, they can lead to costly power washer repairs.
The air filter keeps dust and dirt from getting into the pressure washer’s carburetor and other internal parts. This is especially important when you are cleaning debris off of surfaces with your Generac pressure washer. In a similar fashion, the water inlet filter makes sure only clean water is going to the pressure washer nozzle to avoid damage to your machine or the surface you are cleaning.
Generator oil filters are the unsung heroes of generator maintenance, and the same can be said of pressure washer oil filters. Many pressure washers do not have built-in oil filters, but these pieces keep impurities out of your equipment and can prevent the need for you to repair your pressure washer.
Proper Generac Pressure Washer Storage
A critical part of pressure washer maintenance is how you store it when not in use. This includes short-term storage when you are using it more frequently and long-term storage when it is too cold to use your pressure washer on a regular basis.
In the spring and summer, when you are taking your pressure washer in and out for cleaning projects, you want to store your equipment well by taking several things into account:
- Bring it indoors
- Make sure it is in a cool place
- Keep it away from moisture
- Avoid dirt and grime as much as possible
When storing your pressure washer away for the season, you will want to winterize your unit in addition to the in-season storage guidelines. Winterizing your pressure washer includes removing the hoses, removing all liquid, and rinsing the pumps with a small amount of antifreeze. If you do not properly winterize your pressure washer, you risk inconvenient pressure washer repairs due to freezing the next time you get it out.
Flush the Power Washer System
One easy way to avoid power washer repairs is to flush the system on a regular basis. Ideally, you should perform this easy maintenance task after each use, but if you don’t use your pressure washer often, you could adjust it to once a month.
Flushing out your Generac pressure washer involves running clean water through the system. This removes soap or detergent residue that could eventually clog or deteriorate elements of the tool, leading to frustrating pressure washer repairs.
To begin, find the detergent intake and clean the area out thoroughly with water until the water runs clean. Then, make sure the machine and any accompanying pressure washer hoses are completely drained before storing your equipment for any length of time.
How To Repair Pressure Washers
No matter how well you take care of your tools, there will likely be a time you have to repair your power washer. Ideally, because of consistent upkeep and equipment checks, your pressure washer repairs will be minimal and easy to handle, preventing bigger issues from occurring.
As with other equipment like generators, it is important to know how your pressure washer works to easily spot and address necessary pressure washer repairs. Familiarizing yourself with your Generac pressure washer manual will give you a leg up when things go wrong with your machine.
Pressure Washer Troubleshooting
When your Generac pressure washer isn’t performing the way it should, there is some basic troubleshooting you can do to know how to repair your power washer. Your pressure washer doesn’t generate error codes like a generator, but if you can identify the problem, you will likely be able to find the culprit.
If your power washer does not start, check the fuel level and make sure your engine’s spark plug is still intact. When your unit is not building pressure, check the hose and nozzle for clogs or leaks. If you notice unusual vibrations or noises, check for air in the system or blockages throughout the pressure washer.
Pressure Washer Pump Repair
The pump is an essential element in your pressure washer, and knowing how to perform a pressure washer pump repair will ensure you can keep your tool running for years. You may need to consider a pressure washer pump repair if your equipment has low pressure, no pressure, or a leaking pump, and no other causes can be found.
After turning off the machine and draining the pump, carefully disassemble the pump and look for any damage or obvious wear on the pump parts. Once you have found and remedied the issue, reassemble the pump and test the machine to complete your pressure washer pump repair.
A replacement pump might be necessary to get your pressure washer back up and running. It is important to find an OEM pump made specifically for your pressure washer to ensure the pressure washer pump repair is successful.
Using Genuine OEM Parts to Repair Pressure Washers
No matter the nature of your pressure washer repair, it is important to find the right replacement part. By choosing genuine OEM parts, you get elements made during the original manufacturing of your pressure washer, meaning the parts will fit seamlessly with the rest of the tool.
When shopping for replacement parts, find a supplier with real-time inventory so you know exactly when you will be able to repair your power washer. Using the right parts for your Generac pressure washer repair is essential for your tool’s longevity, and getting those replacement parts in a timely manner lets you get back to work on your washing to-do list.
A pressure washer is a great investment for a home or business owner who has pride in their property. Keep your house, sidewalk, building, and vehicle spotless with a Generac pressure washer.