Floor Scrubber Troubleshooting: Common Problems Issues

January 10 2023

Few things are more frustrating than running into problems with your floor scrubber, especially when your team is in the middle of something urgent. The good news is that many common issues with floor cleaning machines have relatively simple fixes. Follow these floor scrubber troubleshooting steps to get your equipment back up and running in no time.

The First Steps in Floor Scrubber Troubleshooting

An often-overlooked solution to many issues is carefully reading your model’s service manual. Every scrubber has different moving parts that are important to keep in mind. The location of systems varies significantly between walk-behind and ride-on scrubbers, for example.

Some problems happen because of new employee errors. Make sure your organization’s training program covers important settings: pad pressure, squeegee alignment, vacuum operation and other details.

Common Floor Scrubber Issues

Even the best commercial and industrial floor scrubbers can run into these problems from time to time.

No Water or Low Water Flow

If there’s no water coming out of your machine, follow this list of potential causes from top to bottom:

• Empty tank: Make sure your scrubber has water in the tank.
• Clogged hose or filter: Check the inline water filter. You may be able to remove the filter, clean it and connect it again.
• Water controls: Test the controls by turning the water up all the way. If no water comes out, the problem is either a switch or the water valve.

Dirt or Wax Left Behind

Floor machines of any size are more than capable of deep-cleaning tile, concrete and other surfaces. However, if you notice that your scrubber is leaving behind dirty spots, the next step of floor scrubber troubleshooting is to check for these potential problems:

• Low pad pressure: Check your pad pressure settings.
• Incorrect cleaning solution: Make sure you’re using the right type and concentration of cleaning product for the job at hand. Improperly removed wax is common when stripping commercial floors with years of buildup.
• Worn-out or clogged scrub pad: Check the scrub pad's abrasiveness. Worn pads aren’t effective for removing dirt, regardless of how much pressure the scrubber puts out.
• Wrong scrub pad: Know which type of pad to use for different applications. Heavy-duty cleaning requires heavy-duty scrub pads.

Problems Vacuuming Up Water

This floor scrubber troubleshooting issue is more common than you may think. If you notice your floor scrubber is just pushing water around, look for these common issues:

• Vacuum system not switched on: Ensure the vacuum setting is engaged.
• Full recovery tank: Remember to empty the recovery tank before wastewater levels hit the cutoff.
• Loose hose: Check that the hose is firmly connected to the rear squeegee.
• Clog: Look for signs of debris or sludge plugging up the recovery tank hose. Any cracked or creased hoses need to be replaced.

Lasting Solutions for Floor Scrubber Troubleshooting

What if your trusty floor machine has finally kicked the bucket? It’s not always worth repairing older models, especially if they require expensive parts from overseas. The right answer for floor scrubber troubleshooting may be to replace or upgrade your machine. At ScrubberShop, we can help you find state-of-the-art scrubbers from top brands. We provide customized recommendations with all the details and images you need to make a great decision. Contact us to learn more.

Find Used Industrial Floor Scrubbers

Sources:

• https://www.scrubbershop.com/blog/floor-scrubber-troubleshooting/
• https://www.scrubbershop.com/blog/commercial-cleaning-training/
• https://www.ebpsupply.com/blog/common-problems-with-autoscrubbers
• https://www.nycoproducts.com/floor-finish-problem-solutions-guide/#