Troubleshooting common high-pressure household cleaner issues

High-pressure cleaners are appliances that are fairly easy to use and require low levels of maintenance. The most intuitive machine can, however, run into a number of issues that prevent the user from getting the job done.

Most of these issues are easy to resolve when the cause is understood. This is why we have put together a brief guide to the most common issues and their solutions that may be occur with your high-pressure household washer.

The high pressure cleaner will not start

The first thing to do is to check the plug is secure in its socket and the extension cord.
This seems trivial, but it is a very common occurrence that a plug is fitted incorrectly. The next step is to check that the switch is ON.

The high pressure cleaner produces a burnt smell when news

This is normal, do not worry, the electric motor is settling in. Keep using the high pressure washer for at least 10 minutes and the smell will disappear.

The pressure is low or lower than normal

In this case, there may be a variety of causes in the pressure drop:

• Check that the conical filter positioned at the water inlet, inside the pump sleeve, is completely clean and free from obstructions.
• Furthermore, check the nozzle at the end of the lance and clean it with the steel pin supplied or with compressed air (towards the inside of the nozzle).
• If you are using a lance with a high/low pressure device, pull the end of the lance (called the head) towards you, thus activating high pressure instead of the low pressure.
• If you are using well water, try using the mains supply, as the problem may be the water supply.

The high-pressure washer switches off and on again continuously during us

Check again that the nozzle at the end of the lance is not obstructed and clean it as outlined above.
If the machine leaks water, check that the “Gardena” type quick coupling is fitted all the way in and that it is not pushed in at an angle.

The high pressure cleaner switches off during prolonged use, after 1 hour of operation

• The most common cause is that the mains household power supply is insufficient. The meter circuit breaker has probably tripped. Use the high-pressure washer with no other appliances in operation.
• If, however, the meter is operating correctly but the high-pressure washer motor has suddenly stopped and you are using an extension cable, check that it is rated for the type of high-pressure washer in use. Not all extension cables are the same, and those with the technical specifications required by your high-pressure washer must be used.

The table shows cable cross-sections and the maximum lengths allowed when using electric extensions. The power (Watt/kW) can be obtained from the packaging or directly from the technical data plate affixed to the machine.

• If, however, an extension cord is not in use, the thermal switch protecting the motor may have been tripped. Simply wait for the required time (usually 15 minutes) for it to cool down and then continue with the job.

The high-pressure hose contains parts that appear to be worn

• If the high-pressure hose contains parts where the white reinforced inner lining can be seen, do not worry, this is normal wear from hose on hose rubbing.
  To keep the hose in the best condition when using the machine, unroll it fully each time ensuring that there are no “loops” or “circles”.