Other useful Websites

I've seen a cheap pressure washer online, why shouldn't I buy that?

What Commercial Vacuum Cleaner should I buy?

• There are a lot of cheap vacuums out there but if you need a robust and reliable machine with spares easily available then you must pay a little extra and stick with big names like Numatic or Karcher, its cheaper in the long run.
• Dry Vacuums like Henry can only pick up dry products, like dust.
• Wet and Dry machines can vacuum up wet or damp products like flooded carpet or upholstery and spills.
• A Spray Extraction Vacuum machine is used for applying cleaning chemicals to upholstery or carpets then Vacuuming them off.
• If you do not know the answers to the following questions then ask an expert, Henry is a good little machine but it won’t do everything:

- Decide on the waste bucket size needed to suit its use and make sure it will fit around the area to be cleaned.

- How powerful do I need the Vacuum to be. i.e. 1000watt or 2000watt?

What Commercial Hot or Cold Pressure Washer should I buy?

• DIY type stores do not sell Commercial Pressure Washers.
• Beware of Tool/Equipment Companies that sell re-branded Chinese machines as their own.
• Only buy off the Internet if the Dealer can offer an On-site Warranty, it shows that they have invested in the business and are not just selling a job lot of Jet Washers today and Lamp Shades tomorrow.
• A lot of companies offer a Warranty but you have to fill it in and return it to them and it may be some time before you see it again.
• Buying from a shop or warehouse that also sell lots of other equipment means the salesperson may have only a limited knowledge of each product which could leave you buying an unsuitable machine.
• Don’t be fooled into buy a machine on price alone.
• Most Specialist Cleaning Equipment Dealers can advise you on the best machine for the job, and if necessary can arrange a demonstration before you buy.
• Avoid Chinese or Eastern European machines, they are cheap but parts and service are not readily available.
• British, German and Italian machines are generally best, most machines are built with parts that are readily available at reasonable prices.
• Cold Water Pressure Washers can be used to clean anything from cars to patios.
• Hot Water or Steam Cleaners can cover a wider range of cleaning jobs which include cleaning off oil and grease.
• The best 240volt machines should have at least 550ltrs of water flow and 100bar of pressure (water flow is just as important as pressure).
• 440volt machines are more specialised in their use and should not be purchased blind.

What Sweeper or Scrubber Drier do I need for this size area?

This is a question that can only be answered by a Specialist Cleaning Equipment Dealer as the total area and type of surface to be cleaned along with type of power required needs to be calculated.

My machine is not working, it normally starts up when I switch it on or pull the trigger

• Check the socket is working by plugging in another appliance
• Fit a new 13amp fuse and try again.
• Check the water level in the tank, it may have a Water Level Sensor.
• The nozzle may be blocked. Switch off the machine and un-screw it from the end of the lance. Clear any obstruction and try again.
• If all this fails call in an expert. Do not try and repair it yourself as you may hurt yourself and/or it will cost you more to put it back together.

The machine is working but the pressure is fluctuating

• If your machine is directly fed from the water main, check the water flow by running the tap with the feed hose unattached. The water should flow with a good pressure.
• If your machine has a water tank, check the water flow into it with the machine working and trigger open.
• The chemical valve may be letting in air while in the closed position so check the level in the chemical tank and top with chemical or water, try again with the chemical valve open to clear the air from the system.

The Machine is working, the pressure is low but smooth and consistent

• If your Machine has a Pressure Gauge check the reading, if it shows normal i.e. 100bar or more with the Machine turn on and the Trigger open it may have a partly blocked Nozzle, remove to clear and try again.
• If the above is unsuccessful then the boiler may be scaled up.

The Machine has normal pressure but the water is not getting hot

• The obvious things to check are the Fuel Level and the Thermostat setting.
• Make sure that liquid in the Fuel Tank is Diesel or Kerosene and not Chemical for example.
• Check the cleanliness of the Fuel Filter, clean if required.

The Machine has normal pressure but the Boiler is smoking

• Check quality of the Fuel, if in doubt drain and re-fill.
• The Burner may have previously failed to fire and now has to burn off
excess fuel, in which case a service is required.
• The Boiler air flow may be incorrect and needs to be cleaned.

Useful Websites

• www.numatic.co.uk
• www.interpump.co.uk
• www.beridge.co.uk
• www.clean-image.co.uk
• www.wickedwheels.com
• www.ga-safetysupplies.co.uk
• www.bolthole.co.uk
• www.kennet-leasing.co.uk