If you know the role of the unloader valve, you can control the whole pressure washer unit more conveniently.
When you take a gap from spraying water from the washer machine, the machine goes into an idle stage. At that stage, the inside water of the machine forms a water loop which makes existing water circulates to stop any external water from coming inside.
Also, there creates an insider trapped pressure, which does not allow it to invade the external water. Besides this, this entrapped water pressure does not get any passage to reduce. So it gradually becomes huge inside the pump inlet and creates a severe issue!
However, the unloader valve works here as the trapped pressure unloader. These safety switches directly drive the water flow from the outside of the pump to the inside of it. Finally reduces internal pressure as well.
What is a pressure washer unloader valve?
A pressure washer unloader valve is a safety valve or switch, needed by a pressure washer used frequently. The aim of this safety valve is to carry the pressurized water from the outside of the pressure washer to its inlet of it. Inlet means the water insider tank.
So it’s one sort of bypassing. So this bypass action is usually done to de-pressurize the excessive water pressure so that it could not create extra pressure inside the pressure washer especially when it is idle, and not engaged in action.
How does the pressure washer unloader valve work?
A pressure washer unloader valve system is like a gatekeeper of the machine insider. So it works as the checkpost of a pressurized water passage from the outsider to the inlet side. When the machine stays idle, this valve works automatically predominantly when the water pressure regulates on the nozzle or returns back to the water pump.
As you know, when the pressure washer does not wash, that means remains calm-there supposed to be an insider water loop inside of that machine. Due to this water loop, no external new water can enter the pressure washer. To relieve this closed circulation, the unloader valve works. So once you release the pressure of your machine, this valve helps to enter the new water onto this closed circulation.
The unloader valve basically works against negative internal pressures inside the pressure washer. it’s a sort of positive displacement pump-ensure a continuous regulate pressure of water flows.
Why do I need a pressure washer and unloader valve?
Built of excessive pressure inside the pressure washer unit could cause severe damage. Plain water seems not so much dangerous for you, but when it becomes too pressurized, can cause harm to your body, ear, eye, and skin. An unloader valve can stop the excess pressure. The pressure washer unloader valve can regulate the water pressure, minimize the pressure, stop the negative internal pressure, and so on.
So you can call, an unloader valve increases the safety solution for you and for your pressure washer equally. Secondly having this valve means, your pressure unit is now easy to use and control. You have more control over your unit and a wider comprehensive pressure range means you can clean more surfaces easily, without thinking the safety or other issues.
Also, this safety valve performs well to withstand the pressure unit even with a higher PSI (claimed as per the machine level). Besides this, this valve also ensures that your unit will have to afford less to transfer the high-pressure water flows from outside to inside.
What would happen if your pressure washer does not have the unloader valves?
Already you may know pressure flow actuated unloader valve is a small part (almost 4-5 inches both in length and width). These small parts relatively work large, which is-helps the pressure washer motor to restart, after the pressure washer is turned on from an idle state.
At the idle state of the pressure washing machine, when there is no operating pressure from outside-this unloader valve works to release the entrapped air, pressure from the inside of the water tank/pressure washer pump.
However, Pressure washers without the flow-actuated unloader valves will miss the redirection of the pressurized water from the outside of the pump to the inside. Therefore the trapped pressure will build gradually and will make the whole system pressure huge suddenly. Finally, the pressure washers’ PSI range will exceed, and as a result damage to the gun, hose pipe and motor is common.
If you do not operate the pressure washer frequently, you may go without the unloader valve with your main unit. But for frequent usage, or for commercial usage there is no alternative to using the unloader valve with the machine. It’s not only a safety switch that ensures your machine or machine parts are safe. Rather than that, it is also like a pressure switch that drives your machine automatically, and swiftly without facing any intermediate obstacles.
FAQs:
Can you run a pressure washer without an unloader?
You can. But it will let some safety issues for you. A pressure washer unloader valve works to stop the high pressure inside the unit, thus maintaining the normal water flow. For frequent usage, do not operate the pressure washer without the unloader valve. If so, your machine will get damaged suddenly.
How do you know if your unloader valve is bad?
If the water leaks from the machine or if there is inconsistent behavior, the unloader valve your machine has, is bad. Also, there would be less water flow through the spray nozzle if the unloader valve does not work properly.
In a Nutshell:
If you are thinking to bring one new pressure washer, still you have to decide whether you want an unloader valve with your unit or not. Having this part means, you are free of some safety issues, and your unit will go through with a continuous water flow. Also, you can avoid the pressure washer exploding, damaging the water spray nozzle with this.
So still you want to know, How does a pressure washer unloader valve work? I don’t think so! As you have read this article, now you know all!
Thank you!
