[Ian Rochester]

I've got a job to do in a walled garden 960m², the client wants the lichen and moss cleaned off and any loose mortar blasted out so that he can get lads in to repoint, straightforward so far.......

However when we set up today and connected to the water supply, the water pressure, which looked good on first viewing, drops dramatically after a few seconds running and basically I could p!ss harder

I've never had to use a stand tank before but I've tried feeding the pressure washer (Honda GX390 13hp) by filling a 400ltr  tank and getting the machine to draw the water, but it's not drawing and I don't understand why?

Do I need a boost pump, should the pressure washer draw water or is my machine not designed to do that?  What's the technique for getting it to draw water?

This is a big job for us and I want to get it started, as there's another 3000m² of walling to do if we get this one right.

If anyone can give guideance you can email me at ian@lionheartcleaning.co.uk or call me on 07790 596782 and talk me through what I need to be doing.

[Andy Foster]

Hi Ian

I would have a word about the pressure and see whether or not they have other appliances running which is sapping the pressure.

Regarding the pump, the Honda GX390 is the engine and not the pump, the pump is bolted to the side and you could ask the supplier or manufacturer about the drawing of water problem... however, I imagine that it should draw from a tank... the tank should be higher than the pump if possible.

If the pressure issue is not resolvable then I would swallow the cost of a metred standpipe otherwise it will take you forever.

Good luck

Andy

[TVCS]

I would suggest like Andy that the water tank is a good deal higher than your machine.  Had a similar job recently where we struggled with pressure and this sorted it in the end.

[martin19842]

hi there

if you prime the drawing hose with water, then this will help, along with the head of water.

regards

martin

[BDCS]

I'd check first that the low pressure is common to the whole house as it may be just the garden tap. If it is the whole house then ask the neighbour if theirs is the same and if its better ask them if you could use their tap if they are not on a meter. I use a wheely bin with the outlet at the bottom so the pump gets a positive feed and a float valve on the supply

[Small but perfectley formed]

Hire,Hot,machine,Harrison,pressure,washers,google,them

[Blast Off Stoke]

I use a wheely bin with the outlet at the bottom so the pump gets a positive feed and a float valve on the supply

[Blast Off Stoke]

That will sort out your priming trouble.

[dandandan]

have you dropped your water pipe into the tank or do you have a fitting at the bottom,have you got the return pipe fitted to your washer and dropped into the tank,sometimes you need to keep your trigger pressed on your gun in for at least 5 minute to get primed up ,the pump connected to your 390 is all you need to suck the water through.the 390 needs well more than a domestic water feed which is why you need the water tank to maintain pressure and give you a head start with water supply,i use a wheeley bin.

[mathewl]

The pipe might be blocked, or you have not opened the tap for the easy flow of water ...ha...ah...ha;D

[Blast Away]

Probably done the pump in with direct water feed.
I take it the water is circulated round the pump head. That wears the pump.

You need it to by-bass back into the tank.

If you're gonna use people's water, put the hose into your tank/drum and suck from that.