Common Causes and Solutions When Your Autoscrubber Isn't Putting Out Water
One of the most frustrating issues that arise when using an autoscrubber is when your machine isn't putting out water.
It is even more frustrating when you are in the middle of a job, preparing your facility for an event, or under time constraints to get a task completed.
In this article, we look at the 3 main reasons why your autoscrubber isn't putting out water.
- Operator Training
- Clogged Solution Filter
- Solenoid valve
Operator Training
Does the autoscrubber have water in it? We know this sounds obvious, but if you have an employee that’s never used an autoscrubber before, it’s not too farfetched to think that this is not the case.
One of the easiest ways to check, is to refer to the outside of the machine, most, autoscrubbers have a clear sight line that indicates the amount of water in the tank
. 
If your machine has water in it, next check and see how your machine dispenses water. Most autoscrubbers dispense water through a switch, button or dial shown below. If the switch is in the off position, the button is not set on water output or the dial is in the closed position, your machine will not dispense water.
Switch Used to Turn On Water
Button Used to Turn On Water
Dial Used to Turn on Water
Depending on your model, there might be one more valve to check, that we refer to as a ball valve, which allows an operator to shut the flow of the solution off while cleaning out their solution filter, more on that topic later. This is found near the bottom of the machine next to the solution filter, it could be that your valve in turned in the wrong direction.
Here is an example of where you can find the ball valve, highlighted in yellow.
Clogged Solution Filter
Floor scrubbers contain a component called a solution filter, which is designed to catch any dirt or debris from the fresh water before it flows through your machine's "plumbing" system.
Each week, the filter should be removed and cleaned of debris to prevent "damming” of your machine. If you think about a river, where a dam is built, overtime leaves, sticks etc accumulate and create a wall where water can no longer flow through.
The solution filter becomes your autoscrubbers "dam".
You can usually find the solution filter on the bottom of the machine. Once a week you should remove and rinse the filter to clean any debris or dirt that's accumulated there generally no tools are required, "righty tighty lefty loosey".
Solution Filter Circled in Yellow
Be sure to drain the machine prior to removing the solution filter or your machine's entire solution tank will empty onto the floor!
Some machine’s have a ball valve, which we discussed earlier in this article, which allows an operator to shut the flow of the solution off, without having to completely empty the solution tank, prior to removing and cleaning the solution filter.
Be sure to open the solution valve back up before use, or the machine will NOT put out water!
Solenoid valve
Solenoid valves control the amount of water and solution being dispensed and can be found on most autoscrubbers. This small yet critical component will last for a good while but, as most things do, will eventually need to be replaced.
Unfortunately there is very little you can do to repair one of these without contacting an authorized service provider.
If your machine needs a new solenoid valve, expect the part to cost anywhere between $100-$300 plus the labor to install it.
If you need help identifying a service provider in your area, please email help@sweepscrub.com
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