Do All Pressure Washers Have Unloader Valves?
Pressure washing has been a long-followed technique in cleaning various surfaces. It works via high-pressure water output that can efface tough dirt and grimes. As it has to deal with fluctuating pressures, the machine needs to control the pressure via an unloader valve. Do all pressure washers have unloader valves?
Due to safety concerns, all pressure now comes with unloader valves. It is a key inclusion in containing the water pressure to a safe limit and stops it from building up unnecessarily. When there are issues with unloader valves, you can always have them replaced with a new unit.
In this article, we will talk about bypass valves and their functionality in keeping the washer mechanism safe. Without delay, let’s dig deeper.
What Is An Unloader Valve?
Also known as a bypass valve, it is a safety trigger that controls the water pressure within a washer unit. Whenever the washer goes into an idle state, the inner pressure will continue to rise and eventually damage the machine components. This is where unloader valves come to play.
An unloader valve simply channels the water via a bypass valve when you depress the trigger. It guides the water back to the inlet pump area and contains the pressure buildup when the machine sits idle.
Without a pressure washer unloader valve, the washer unit will keep letting in water and heat up or over-pressurize the pump, which can eventually damage the machine.
Do All Pressure Washers Have Unloader Valves? How Does It Function?
Two vital components of a pressure washer are the trigger and bypass valve. The trigger allows you to bring out water at high speed. The unloader valve is the one that controls the pressure guiding through the nozzle and within the inner chamber. The majority of trigger guns consist of a ball valve that works by sitting on the compartment to block and unblock the flow.
Without a valve, your trigger function will be continuous and you will have to walk back to the unit to shut off the flow. The unloader valve allows a person to remain at a distance and still halt the water flow by letting the trigger go.
What happens here is that when you let go of the trigger the unloader valve spring pushes the ball back to its slotting and blocks the water flow. The water is diverted back to the inlet, which helps to lower the pressure. Similarly, when you depress again, the ball shifts out of the slot and allow water to channel toward the nozzle.
Is It Necessary To Have An Unloader Valve?
Yes, it is super necessary. If the machine doesn’t fit an unloader valve, the motors will heat up faster than you can imagine. The water flow from the nozzle will be uncontained, and the pressure will keep piling up.
With a huge amount of pressure on the nozzle, the washer mechanism can turn out to be unsafe. You don’t want to shoot water at exaggerated PSI, do you?
So we say it is vital to have an unloader valve. Not just for safety reasons but also allows you to have total control over the operating pressure.
Is It Possible For An Unloader Valve To Go Bad?
Yes, bypass valves can malfunction, and you have to bear with the consequences. If you are clever enough to spot the possible degradation, then it’s wise to have them replaced as soon as possible.
Keep in mind that a worn-out bypass valve will obstruct the water flow and give out at constant pressure.
Here are some cues that tell you something is wrong with the unloader valve:
- Stalling engine
- Overheated engine
- Leaking water from the nozzle
- Fluctuating pressure. Output not optimum
What To Do When The Bypass Valve Malfunctions?
When the pressure washer unloader valve deteriorates, it is wise to have them replaced with a new functional one. If you wait for the bypass valve to go bad completely, then you are unnecessarily stressing the pressure washer’s internal components. The moment you observe the symptoms we stated above, replace the unloader valve.
Replacing The Bypass Valve
First and foremost, you need to get yourself a new unloader valve. Make sure you keep the manufacturer in mind. The components should match from every angle, only then it will sit on your pressure washer perfectly.
Let’s discuss how to reinstall an unloader on a PW-style washer. Here is a summarized method for you
- Locate the bypass valve, it sits on the outlet of the washer where you jack in the high-pressure hose
- You will need a flat-head screwdriver to undo the unloader valve. Some valves are secured using pins latched onto the manifold. Unhook them and then pop the unloader using the flat head screwdriver as a leverage on the manifold
- Take the new unloader and use grease on the o rings for smooth reinstallation
- Use a mallet if necessary to line it up with the pin slotting. Attach the pin, and you are good to go.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
You can undo the unloader valve and run the pressure washer, but the machine will be at high risk. Even if the washer will run, the absence of a bypass valve will let build up excessive pressure and heat the device or exceed the maximum PSI in no time.
Stalling engines can directly point you toward a faulty unloader valve, trigger, and O rings. Have them checked and replaced if necessary.
No, not all pressure washers come with adjustable pressure. You can alter the pressure manually by changing the nozzle size, upgrading the unloader, and such. The good thing is that you can now buy pressure washers that have adjustable pressure modes. Check the Echo PWE-1800, it comes with turbo nozzles and variable spray settings.
Final Thoughts
If you plan to buy a pressure washer, it’s important to know about its components and how they function. And the unloader valve is an integral part of high-pressure machines. But do All pressure washers have unloader valves? Yes, all units come with an unloader valve to provide safety and convenient controls for their users.
If there was no pressure bypass valve, your washer would get damaged faster than you can imagine. There will be no bypass to guide the water pressure, thus the buildup can be harmful, and you will likely face an overpowering outcome from the device.
We recommend you remember the bypass valve symptoms and ways to replace the valve. So the next time you observe a performance drop, you can assess it and fix it immediately.
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