r/pressurewashing 6h ago

Troubleshooting Self Inflicted NorthStar/Cat Pump problems

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1 Upvotes

Pictures from earlier this year. Washer has spent a hard outdoor winter and my guess is my laborer did not follow directions on winterizing, and I am just a daggone fool for accepting his word that it went well and as expected. I found the unloader knob on the ground by the tires. I rethreaded this thing in, but could not get any water out of the hose. I put it all down that day as I had no time to actually think about it.

4 months later, and I see one o-ring on the unloader knob is junk, but am going to need this thing soon as our season is starting to see signs of wrapping up. But even without the o-ring, there is no water to the hose tip. When I turn water from the well off, there is a tremendous amount of pressure at the hydrant when unhooking the hose. Then when unhooking the hose from the pump, just a dribble from the pump itself. When removing the unloader valve, there is minimal water coming from the discharge/heater side of the manifold. Could it be the flow switch plugged? I am no pressure pump repairman, but it seems that it is either a very simple thing or a very expensive thing. Any smart people out there who can advise before simply spending an arman a leg to have the suits repair it?


r/pressurewashing 7h ago

Technical Questions Question about stubborn dead algae after house wash

1 Upvotes

I was doing a house wash today and ran into something I haven’t really dealt with before.
One side of the house had some really thick algae growth. It wasn’t just a wall that had turned green—it was more like splotchy/chunky patches of algae built up on the siding.
I used my typical setup: X-Jet + surfactant + 12.5% SH. Applied it to the wall and let it dwell for around 10–15 minutes.
The SH definitely killed the algae—it turned white/dead—but when I went to rinse it off, the dead algae was extremely stubborn. Even with pressure, a lot of it wouldn’t come off.
The weird part is that if I took my finger and wiped the siding, the dead algae came right off with basically no effort.
Is this just a case of needing a stronger rinse/longer dwell, or is there a better way to remove this type of thick, dead algae without having to physically wipe/scrub the siding?
Curious what you guys would do in this situation.


r/pressurewashing 8h ago

Technical Questions why does it look like this after pressure washing ?

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6 Upvotes

and this is after it has dried


r/pressurewashing 9h ago

Troubleshooting Replacement part question

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1 Upvotes

Hey yall!

Trying to find a replacement for this hose interconnect from my (admittedly cheap) pressure washer.

Pressure blew an opening right through at the bend on the inside and sprays water everywhere. I’ve been trying to search using the stamped numbers on the side and various search terms but to no avail.

Any clues? Thanks in advance!


r/pressurewashing 12h ago

Sales Help If i were you guys id be driving around stopping at ever house with roof staining. Easy $$$ !!

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0 Upvotes

Not a professional cleaner, but just did SH mix on my garage roof with very impressive results. Two years ago Insurance made me put a new roof on the house done at the sametime just because of the stains. My garage roof literally looks New Now !! (well to a idiot from Insurance company most likely looking at Sat. Image)

ROOFERS ARE MAKING A KILLING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF INSURANCE COMPANIES.. JUST GOTTA GET TO THE HOUSE BEFORE THEY DO !! I did my own roof but homeowners aren't getting a New Roof for less then 12-15k+.. Just a thought for you all..


r/pressurewashing 16h ago

Technical Questions New construction stains

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2 Upvotes

New construction house. Don’t think pressure washing it is what it would take. Customer main complaint is the orange staining. What can I use to softwash it?


r/pressurewashing 18h ago

Technical Questions First paver driveway

2 Upvotes

Got a request for a quote on a driveway. First paver driveway. I have a standard 4000 psi 4gpm gx390 and a 16inch whisper wash. Is it the same as a normal concrete driveway?


r/pressurewashing 1d ago

Troubleshooting Pressure Washer Quick-Fitting Pipe Coupling M22F to Nilfisk

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0 Upvotes

I recently bought this fitting so I could use the vevour telescoping wand.

https://eur.vevor.com/pressure-washer-surface-cleaner-c_11610/vevor-pressure-washer-telescoping-wand-21-ft-4000-psi-telescopic-spray-wand-p_010436104842

When I turn on the pressure washer, the connector can't hold the pressure; the hose slightly moves and starts leaking.

Any way to fix this?


r/pressurewashing 1d ago

Equipment Help me pick or other recommendations on pressure washing

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2 Upvotes

Want a good home use washer. Not one that dies after a couple years. I can get 10% off all listed prices and tax free with Father in laws military discount. So which one would be recommended?


r/pressurewashing 1d ago

Before/After Pics First timer

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10 Upvotes

First timer here trying my equipment out on my mom’s patio. Looking to start a business. Used 3 percent SH out of a garden sprayer let it sit for 10 mins. 4.2 GPM predator pressure washer, Westinghouse surface cleaner. Any tips?? Thanks.


r/pressurewashing 1d ago

Troubleshooting Unloader Valve Sticking

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3 Upvotes

My unloader valve keeps sticking when in bypass. I’ve seen a few comments suggesting to dismantle the unloader and clean up some things in it? I’d like to confirm before taking this step as it does sound like quite a daunting task. Any ideas on what might be happening?


r/pressurewashing 2d ago

Troubleshooting Suggestions on how to pressure wash this?

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3 Upvotes

Suggestions on how to pressure wash this without blowing out all the fill between the pieces?


r/pressurewashing 2d ago

Business Questions 15 y/o garbage bin cleaning marketing idea

0 Upvotes

I’m a 15 year-old who owns a garbage bin cleaning business

Is it a good idea to both pay my brother’s friends to tape flyers to garbage cans, and post in my town Facebook group that I’m paying people to put out flyers. And what price do you recommend I do that for?


r/pressurewashing 2d ago

Business Questions Yard Signs and Door Hangers

0 Upvotes

So I am branching out from just door knocking as marketing, and I don't think I am quite ready for any type of online marketing besides my social media accounts. So I am looking into door hangers and yard signs. ​I am wondering which is better and how I should go about using them? Should I put my number or website qr code on them or both? Any other recommendations are greatly appreciated!


r/pressurewashing 2d ago

Before/After Pics Nice and easy💯

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9 Upvotes

Overall simple job took about an hour and a half. Sidewalk walkway and front of the house and porch area. Customer is repainting the house.


r/pressurewashing 3d ago

Technical Questions Pressure relief valve

3 Upvotes

On the TSF2021, how should I plumb the pressure relief valve? It's a 3/8" mame npt so I currently have it in the second outlet port using a 3/8" bspp to 3/8" fnpt adapter. Should I do something else?


r/pressurewashing 3d ago

Business Questions Question on hose reel

1 Upvotes

My season is coming to an end but I’ve been getting busier and busier this year. This is just my side gig and run it out of my truck. I’m sick of rolling up hoses by hand. Any recommendations for something to use out of a truck?

Also my main jobs are steel buildings, they have been going well and not having any issues. If anyone has anymore pointers and dos and donts on them I’ll take the advice. Think my pricing has been good but let me know what you guys usually price them at.

All these buildings get painted after so mostly just a softwash.

Thank you!


r/pressurewashing 3d ago

Before/After Pics Little shadowing but overall cleaned off

5 Upvotes

r/pressurewashing 3d ago

Troubleshooting How to clean outside block?

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1 Upvotes

When I bought my new house, the land had to be leveled and the rain left some clay-stains on my block. I’ve tried simple pressure washing but to no avail. Any tips on how to properly clean this? I’ll attach a pic for reference. Thank you all!


r/pressurewashing 3d ago

Equipment Any decent yet affordable hot water units available-home use.

1 Upvotes

I mess around a lot with old tractors/equipment. It’d be very nice to get something that will peel the grease off without using a shitload of degreaser and scrubbing. Are there any affordable (not multiple thousands of dollars) options that will handle low home owner type usage? It’ll only get used a handful of times a year.


r/pressurewashing 4d ago

Technical Questions I dropped my gas powered pressure washer in a customers pool

6 Upvotes

PLEASE somebody tell me something good , i was pressure washing a customers walk way around there pool and it ended up shaking its self into the pool , i should’ve never had it as close as i did , i do not care about the pressure washer , i am terrified that i ruined there pool , the home owner was super sweet and understanding, there was no oil or anything that got in the pool , i grabbed the pressure washer before it got fully emerged but it did get half way in the water and there was a small clear film in the pool after i didn’t smell gas , i put my hand in the water where the film was and i still didn’t smell any gas but idrk , somebody please tell some good news so i can stop freaking out


r/pressurewashing 4d ago

Quote Help What would you charge to pressure wash and seal this?

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1 Upvotes

I’m the home owner. I think it’s like 1800 sq feet.

My landscaper who renovated my yard quoted me 3100 which I think is a go away price.

I contacted some local franchise and they said 800 which to me seems low enough to question the quality

Just wanted it washed and sealed with water based sealer


r/pressurewashing 4d ago

Technical Questions Westinghouse pressure washer haven't been used 1 year

1 Upvotes

I have brand new westinghouse 3400 pressure sitting in my garage about a year. When purchased it last i put the engine oil in and didn't use it at all. Is it okay to use ?


r/pressurewashing 4d ago

Troubleshooting What can I use to remove wood stain off vinyl siding?

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3 Upvotes

Customers grandson accidentally sprayed the garage while staining the fence next to it. I’ve tried mineral spirits and pressure washed.


r/pressurewashing 4d ago

Troubleshooting Concrete Stains

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4 Upvotes

Hey everyone, these stains popped up over the last year or so. I tried lightly pressure washing them and also used 30 second outdoor and 30 second outdoor mold and mildew and they didn’t budge, any advice?