A pressure washer is a mechanical sprayer that uses a high-pressure water stream to clean surfaces on your property. The machine comes with several valves, each of which plays different roles in the operation of the pressure washer. The following are some of the main valves you will find on different pressure washer models
It is important to note that there are different types of pressure washer valves. Some of them are designed for specific applications while others are designed for general use.
The most common type of pressure washer valve is the trigger gun style which has been around for over a century now. It consists of a handle that attaches to the wand with an air hose connected to it at one end, and a spray nozzle attached to the other end.
The second type of pressure washer valve is known as the “rotary valve” or “ball valve”. These types of valves require less maintenance and can be easily installed in any location where water is present such as underneath sinks or showers. They work by opening and closing with the use of a spring-loaded armature on top of them which allows water flow through them when pressed down against a stop pin located near its tip.
The third type of pressure washer valve is called the “floating ball” or “in-line shut off” valve. These are ideal for low-pressure applications because they allow water flow through them without having to manually change their position (by hand). They work just like regular valves but instead they have an internal spring that opens when pushed down.
The Solenoid Valve: The solenoid valve is designed to keep the pressure washer from starting when the gun trigger is pulled. This safety feature does not allow the machine to start until an operator pulls the trigger of the gun.
The Pressure Switch: The pressure switch is a safety feature that keeps a pressure washer from running when there is no water flow through it.
The Temperature Switch: This switch is also a safety feature that turns off the unit if there is no water flow or if the water supply gets too hot.
Pressure regulator. This valve regulates the amount of pressure that enters the pump from the water source. If you have a pressure washer that comes with just one manifold, this valve is either located by the inlet or somewhere along the hose that connects the pump to the faucet. You can use this valve to adjust the pressure so it matches your cleaning needs.
Bypass valve. This valve allows water to bypass the pump and go straight into the discharge hose. It is also known as an unloader valve because it unloads the water tank whenever you are not spraying with your pressure washer. The benefit of this is it allows you to turn off your machine easily and store it without having to wait for all the water in it to drain out — which could take hours. Visit the Giraffetools collections for a deeper breakdown of these valves.
