Preventing damage to your pressure washer
Imagine the scenario…..you are using your pressure washer to finish off a maintenance project like cleaning your drive way or washing your car but something else calls for your attention. You become distracted and in the mean time you’ve left your pressure washer in by-pass, an idle state where the water is by-passing the outlet and recirculating within the pump head. The result is the internal water being by-passed will heat rise from the friction of the pistons and can get the water temperature hot enough to damage internal pump parts.
Back to our scenario. You realize you’ve left the pressure washer in by-pass a little too long and you pull the trigger on the shut-off gun to get fresh water introduced to the pump. Sounds like a logical solution, right? This action can actually cause more damage than you may realize.
When pulling the trigger after a pressure washer has been in by-pass, the rush of cold inlet water coming into contact with hot ceramic pistons, can cause the pistons to crack from thermal shock.
So, what is the solution to this common problem?
By installing a Thermal Relief Valve, you can prevent damage that is caused by leaving your pressure washer in by-pass for too long. A Thermal Relief Valve is designed to protect the internal seals and pistons of a high-pressure pump. Thermal Relief Valves are an inexpensive method of protecting expensive pumps and ensuring the experience you have with your pressure washer is a good one.
Thermal Relief Valves are available in a variety of temperatures to fit with your pump model. The Thermal Relief Valve, when properly matched to your pump model, will open and either discharge water to the floor or it can be routed through a discharge hose to a drain, allowing fresh water to be safely introduced to the pump while cooling it down before damage occurs.
As a precautionary note, Thermal Relief Valves should not be used on self-contained pressure washer models which have incorporated a large water tank typically mounted in a pick-up box or trailer as part of its design. If a Thermal Relief Valve were installed and happened to open, water supply to the pump would cease once vacuum was lost. The pump would suck air and incur damage from inadequate water supply to the pump.
At Pressure Services, our knowledgeable and experienced staff are available to help answer any of your pressure washer questions. Don’t forget to visit our site to review the newest pressure washer options available.