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How to Run a Pressure Washer off a Water Tank – Definitive Guide!

You must know the way to set up and how to run a pressure washer off a water tank. Are you thinking, how do you do? Take a step and read some exciting tips!

Now, everyone is familiar with the modern innovative machine pressure washer, and you might also know how to use this device. But there are many things that are closely related to this machine, and if you know them, your work will be hassle free and comfortable.

The general truth is that if you cannot provide proper food for something, it’ll not give you a better service. This applies to a pressure washer as well. Powerful and more GPM machines need enough water supply; else, you will not get the maximum output of it.

Without a sufficient fuel supply, a vehicle cannot go far. If a 6.0 GPM device is connected to a regular water supply faucet, it’ll work like a 2.0 GPM machine.

Why You Need a Water Tank with Pressure Washer

It’s very important to provide adequate water supply to a heavy-duty and high GPM pressure washer for it to work at its optimum level.

Generally, the regular water faucets or big buckets cannot contain delivery water up to your device’s need. If your water supply gets over quickly, your cleaning work will be uninterrupted and proper.

Having a large tank by your side will ensure the necessary water supply as per your machine’s requirement. It can be used not only for your large machines, but also you can use it for your light-duty devices as well while cleaning your house, car, motorcycle, fence, etc. Many people make a portable water tank only for use in cleaning purposes.

how to run a pressure washer off a water tank

How to Run a Pressure Washer off a Water Tank

The process of running a pressure washer is not very complicated as it sounds to be. In this process, you will need a water tank that will remain close to where you will keep your machine. For that, a portable tank is perfectly suitable as you can carry it easily to the place of your work.

You have to hook up your machine’s water inlet pipe to the tank with a thick pipe for the water to flow freely.

To complete this process, you should place both the water tank and your machine in such a way where the tank’s exit pipe faces the pressure washer’s inlet pipe. This will relieve you from any kind of twist or kink on your pipe.

If you are using your regular rigid pipes, their connectors must be attached firmly to each other. When you run your machine, it will vibrate, which might cause the pipe to disconnect from its connections.

Ensure that your machine doesn’t vibrate much; if needed, tie it with a rope or something. After your set up is done, connect all the other parts of the power washer before starting.

Next, you start the engine and pull the trigger to wash away all your tough dirt away.

Read: How Long Can You Run a Pressure Washer

How do you hook up a water tank to a pressure washer?

To connect a water tank to your pressure washer is quite an easy process if you can do it properly; it might take only 8-10 minutes.

If you look at your water tank, you will find a banjo fitting on your tank, though you might customize the fittings according to your convenience.

1. First, you connect a threaded pipe to the fitting and attach an inline to the PVC.

2. Use Teflon tape to secure the connections and avoid any leakage.

3. After that, you have to connect the ball valve and barb connector and attach your hose to it.

4. Then connect the hose to your pressure washer’s feed line, which is generally placed beside the inlet for the garden hose.

5. The barbs must be firmly clamped to avoid any water leakage.

Now you are ready to go.

Get the Right Pressure.

In a pressure washer, water goes inside the pump through a hose. The pump generates pressure, applies it to the water, and forces it to let out through an HP hose and spray gun. The water supply rate should always be higher than the exit rate so that the cleaning becomes smooth.

If the pump doesn’t get adequate water supply, it might damage its seals, gaskets, and other components while running. So it would be best if you understood the importance of providing the right water pressure to avoid any injury to your machine.

Maintenance

If you are using a device, it’s needless to say that you have to maintain it properly for its better service and longer life.

To maintain a pressure washer and a water tank, you have to eject all the connections that you have attached before your work.

1. First, empty the tank and remove all the connectors.

2. Secondly, remove the basic parts of your pressure washer.

3. Then put the components in their proper storage for the next usage.

4. On a regular basis, you have to clean the water tank and your pressure washer.

5. Don’t forget to change the engine and pump oil off your device as per the instruction given in its user manual.

Conclusion

Many say that it’s unnecessary using a pressure washer with a water tank; we also agree with this. But having a water tank with your machine will always ensure an uninterrupted water supply to the pump.

There are multiple negative impacts you will find when you run your machine without water. As stated earlier, it will damage the gaskets, seals, and other components, which might give you more trouble. That’s why it’s recommended to have a water tank by your pressure washer if you are using a heavy-duty machine with high GPM.


About Daniel Wood

Daniel has completed his graduation mechanical engineering from a reputed university in US. He worked as a technical engineer in a pressure washer manufacturing plant for four years. He has a great passion for mechanical devices and has opened a workshop where he does research on various machines in his leisure time. His high interest in technology made him an expert in commercial and residential pressure washers.

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