If your floor scrubber is leaving streaks, not putting out water, or struggling with pick-up, it’s usually a short list of setup or maintenance issues. Run the quick checks below to get clean, dry results again.
- Streaks Troubleshooting Checklist:
- Squeegee blades: Look for nicks/rounded edges; flip or replace. Confirm even floor contact and correct angle.
- Vacuum pick-up: Check hose and recovery filters for blockages; make sure recovery tank lid seals properly; listen for vacuum motor engagement.
- Pad/brush choice: Too aggressive = swirl marks; too soft = smearing. Match pad to soil & floor.
- Solution & defoamer: Wrong dilution leaves residue. Add defoamer in recovery tank to protect vacuum and reduce foam streaking.
- Pressure & speed: Heavy down-pressure or moving too fast = streaking. Back it off until pick-up is clean.
- Floor Scrubber Not Putting Out Water:
- Check solution tank level and the inlet screen/filter.
- Open/clean the solution valve/solenoid; clear kinks in lines.
- Verify flow settings (some machines default to low).
- Flush calcification/slime in lines with warm water per OEM guidance.
- The Right Floor Scrubber Cleaning Solution:
- Use manufacturer-approved, low-foam detergent; mix to the correct dilution. (Or add anti-foam).
- Pre-sweep to remove dust/grit so you can use less chemistry.
- Battery & Runtime (How long do floor scrubber batteries last?)
- Runtime depends on battery type/age and maintenance.
- For flooded lead-acid: keep water levels correct (distilled only), avoid deep discharges, charge fully.
- Sudden runtime drops? Get a battery test—mismatched/weak cells reduce vacuum performance and pick-up.
- Preventive Maintenance That Matters:
- Daily: Rinse recovery/solution tanks, clean screens/filters, wipe squeegee blades, inspect pad/brush wear.
- Weekly: Check hoses/seals, vacuum filter, caster wear; confirm vacuum pick-up.
- Planned: Replace squeegee blades on schedule; clean solution valve; test batteries; log services.
- When to Book Professional Scrubber Servicing
- Streaks continue after the checklist above
- No water flow, intermittent pick-up, or heavy foaming
- Battery runtime falling fast or uneven charging
- Leaks, electrical faults, or error codes
Need help? Book scrubber servicing in Christchurch & Canterbury. We diagnose vacuum and solution systems, set pad pressure correctly, replace squeegees, and get your machine picking up cleanly.