If a pressure washer is experiencing loss of pressure, it may be time to replace the hose. A damaged hose can be dangerous. It can also cause severe damage to your property and possibly land you in the hospital.
Pressure hoses are available in a variety of lengths, diameters, and pressure capacities. Choose one that best fits your needs.
It is made of three layers
The third layer is the outer cover, which protects the hose from environmental dangers, such as weather or abrasion. This layer is typically made from a material that resists corrosion and withstands high temperatures. The outer cover also protects the wire reinforcement from damage.
Ordinary hoses, reenforced with wire, are normally circular in cross-section and flattened when they are accidentally crushed or otherwise distorted. This bending stresses the wires beyond their elastic limit and ruins the hose. Consequently, there is usually an absence of any circumferential tension in such a flattened hose.
But when the hose is in use, it is inflated by the pressure of the fluid within it and is forced back into a circular shape by that fluid’s pressure. The two helix or spiral layers of chain 35 and 38 are therefore obliged to carry the full circumferential and longitudinal tension, which is why it is desirable to arrange them so that their angle with a line drawn directly around the hose is greater than 26 and 34.
It is flexible
Although a high-pressure hose is flexible, it should not be abused. Aggressive pulling, forcing it around corners or repeatedly dragging it over rough surfaces can weaken the hose’s materials and lead to premature failure and blowout. Hoses should also be inspected regularly for damage, kinks and abrasions.
Investing in a specialized hose reel can help prevent the hose from getting stepped on, driven over or kinked. Additionally, storing the hose properly will protect it from moisture and heat.
Non-marking hoses eliminate the problem of leaving lines on concrete or sidewalks, as black, red and yellow hoses often do. It is best to choose a gray non-marking hose for most pressure washer applications. Stain reliefs should be installed on both ends of the hose to protect it from excessive bending and twisting at the end connections. In addition, a modular end connection allows for easy replacement of the hose fittings, which reduces overall cost of ownership.
It is abrasion-resistant
In industrial applications, abrasion is the number one cause of hose failure. Parker offers several abrasion-resistant products to protect your equipment and extend its life. These include NEXWRAP chafe guards, ParKoil spiral wrap and PolyGuard heavy-duty hose protector. These products can be easily assembled without shutting down your equipment, preventing costly downtime.
Abrasion can occur when a hose is repeatedly exposed to friction and can damage the inner tube and wire reinforcement. Abrasion can also result from cover wear, which exposes the metal braid. This can be caused by continuous rubbing, fluid incompatibility, or bending the hose too close to equipment components.
Identifying the causes of abrasion can help you avoid premature hose failure. If abrasion is caused by rubbing, you can minimize the problem by isolating the areas that are being abraded with products like hose looms and elbow pads. You can also use abrasion resistant hose and hose reels that are made from heavy-duty materials to withstand high pressure and temperatures.
It is lightweight
The hose itself is light enough to easily move around, but can still hold pressure. It also has a protective collar and connections that can stand up to regular use and the elements. The brass, aluminum, or stainless steel couplings, which are called fittings, can last longer than plastic ones.
Even the best hose will kink if it is left coiled on the ground or hanging on a hook, especially when not in use. Using a hose reel will help prevent this, and it will also make it easier to roll up and store the hose.
You should always check a hose for dents, abrasions, kinks, and holes. These minor problems can quickly become big problems under pressure. You should also look at the PSI rating to see how much pressure the hose can handle. A higher PSI rating means it can withstand more pressure than a lower one. Also, be sure to buy a quality gun swivel and quick-connect couplers for your hose.
