When the water pressure hose gets damaged, you do not have to buy a new one before probing and finding out where the problem is. Most times, it is a problem you can solve. We will share how to repair pressure washer hose problems with a few easy steps. However, you do not have to solve problems that you can avoid by buying the right pressure washer. You can find excellent options under 200$ or 100$
First, you have to remember the pressure washer hose passes water with high pressure. Therefore, you can not afford to do a flimsy repair if you want the pressure washer to last long. Use the following steps to learn how to repair pressure washer hoses efficiently.
Remember to have your safety gloves on before you start working on the hose.
How to Repair Pressure Washer Hose
A leaky pressure washer hose deserves the best repair to keep serving your home. Pressure washers are among the most useful home machines we use for different purposes. Here are the steps to repair a pressure washer hose.
Step 1: Turn off the Power
When you notice a leaky hose, turn off the power immediately. For example, if you use an electric pressure washer, unplug the washer immediately. You will notice a leak because of the high-pressure water inside the hose. While the chances of a high-pressure hose leaking are low, it can happen, and when it does, you will notice the leak.
Step 2: Remove Water by Pressing the Hose Trigger
You need to get rid of the water inside the hose tubing. There is probably still some water in the washer hose if you noticed the leak when using the pressure washer hose. Working with a wet hose can be inefficient, and it is better to work with a relatively dry hose. Ensure you have gotten rid of all the water inside the hose.
Step 3: Locate the Leak and Mark it.
There is a chance you already know where the leak is because you probably saw it in the middle of your cleaning process. Leaks are easy to locate and just as easy to lose. Therefore, repairing the pressure washer hose will be a simple task if you locate the leaks. Otherwise, it might feel like rocket science when it does not.
Once you have marked the area with the leak, mark it so that you can locate it later. Ensure that the area is dry before you start working on it. If the area is not dry, you might make a cut that is more than you require.
Step 4: Cut the Hose
You will need a sharp blade in this step. If you have to repair the damaged hose, you must do it using specific instructions. Making a larger than necessary cut might force you to buy a new hose altogether. An old blade will damage the hose. Getting a hose repair kit is one way of ensuring you have the right tools for the job.
Using the blade, make a square cut to the leaking area. Most power washers should have a hose that you can easily cut through if you have the right tools.
Remember, the square-cut should be on both sides of the leak.
Step 5: Coupling
You will need the correct sized coupling for the leaking area. In addition, you will need both a female repair coupling and a male repair coupling for this process. The couplings have compression rings that help them stay put against the hose for proper installation.
To install the new coupling, insert the male coupler into the hose. The coupler should stay flat against the hose, and to hold it in place, use the compression rings. Next, do the same for the female coupler on the other side of the hose. Remember that you have to pay attention to this process because of the high pressurized stream that the water can create at times.
Step 6: Connect the Couplings
For the repair to withstand high pressures, you need to connect the two couplings. To ensure that the couplers are tight, you can use an adjustable wrench to connect the couplers. Pressure hoses work under so much pressure that you can not get this repair couplings step wrong. The female coupling spins counterclockwise when threaded and is reverse threaded as the male coupling.
Once you are done with the six simple steps, you will be good to go. Please do not use the traditional hose repair methods because they might not be efficient in some cases. For example, high-pressure hoses can sometimes cause serious injury because the pressure is high enough to cut concrete. Pressure like that can cause severe injury.
How About Connecting Two Pressure Washer Hoses?
If you feel that the hose you are using is not long enough for a garden hose or one to use in your house, you can create a long enough hose. Then, you can buy a new hose to connect with the old one. However, you will not get the desired pressure if you do not connect the parts properly. You need to use the seal cone to get sufficient pressure from the pressure washer hose.
Pay attention to the gates compression fitting and follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the compression seal. Sometimes you want to get the pressure washer long enough, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Final Take
A pressure washer hose repair can be a challenging thing to go about. However, it is not impossible. Remember, before you repair a pressure washer, there is a difference in the method from the one used to repair non-pressurized hoses. This is because the pressure hose has a highly pressurized stream that can cause damage.
Do not use duct tape or a similar repair tape to patch loose fittings as that will not withstand the required pressure. While repairing is cost-effective, use the recommended method above if replacing is not yet a choice. Before you turn on the water, tighten all the necessary parts. Remember, safety first. The gloves have to be on.