A floor scrubber is an essential tool to have perfectly clean and dry floors in a single pass. Moreover, it allows you to mechanize cleaning operations, making them effective and fast while lowering costs. But, like all cleaning equipment, the floor scrubber may not work properly or not running at all. So let’s see the 6 answers to the most frequently asked questions, we can give you without a machine inspection, if your floor scrubber is not working.
Table of contents:
- Why is my floor scrubber not working?
- Why is the run time of my floor scrubber shorter?
- Why is my floor scrubber not cleaning properly?
- Why is my floor scrubber not vacuuming properly or not vacuuming at all?
- What causes too much foam in my floor scrubber?
- Why is my floor scrubber not dispensing water?
- Frequently asked questions about a floor scrubber that is not working
Why is my floor scrubber not working?
This is the most frequently asked question, and the answer is often very simple. So let’s see what to do in case you floor scrubber is not working:
- If it is a cable-powered floor scrubber, check that it is correctly connected to the power socket.
- If it is a battery-powered floor scrubber, check if the main switch is on. Also check that the emergency button is not activated.
- Then verify whether the battery connector is connected to the connector of the electrical system or not. Moreover, check that the batteries are properly connected to each other.
- Verify batteries state of-charge and recharge them if needed.
- Check for error messages. Floor scrubbers, especially the most technologically advanced ones, are equipped with a display that allows you to see any errors and anomalies.
Why is the run time of my floor scrubber shorter than usual?
Compared to manual systems, scrubber dryers are chosen as they allow you to clean large surfaces in a very short time. So, if your floor scrubbing machine has a very short run time, it is important to know the most common causes:
- Start by checking whether the charge level is sufficient or not.
- Also in this case, check that the batteries are properly connected to each other. Moreover, verify whether the battery connector is connected to the connector of the electrical system or not.
- Check the presence of dirt or oxide on the battery poles and terminals. If so, contact a technician.
- Check the condition of the batteries: the older the batteries, the less they hold a charge. For this reason, we suggest the evaluation made by a specialized technician.
- Is the brush pressure at the maximum level? In case you have chosen this operating mode to work on a specific floor that requires a lot of pressure, remember that a shorter working autonomy is normal.
- What accessories are you using on your floor scrubber? The type of accessories can negatively affect the run-time of your scrubber dryer. For example, the pad absorbs much more energy than the brush.
Why is my floor scrubber not cleaning properly?
When your floor scrubber is not properly cleaning, or is not cleaning as well as you would like, we suggest you to:
- Check whether the dispensed detergent solution is enough or not. We suggest you to modify its quantity if necessary. Please remember that floor scrubbers equipped with a dosing system – such as the CDS Comac Dosing System – can overcome this problem.
- Check if the type of detergent you are using is appropriate for the dirt type. Moreover, verify whether the detergent is suitable for the floor type or not.
- Then check that the brush or the pad is correctly installed on the scrubbing machine.
- Check the wear of the brush or pad. If the accessories are worn out, the scrubber drier will never clean in a proper way. So, you must replace them.
- Check whether the brush or pad type is suitable for the task to be done or not.
- Is the brush pressure level enough? Some floor scrubbers allow you to adjust the pressure on the brushes, even automatically.
Why is my floor scrubber not vacuuming properly or not vacuuming at all?
In case your floor scrubber is not vacuuming properly or not vacuuming at all you should:
- Verify whether the suction system or the suction hose are clogged. But also check the condition of the suction filter and clean it if necessary.
- Check if the suction hose is securely attached to both the recovery tank and the squeegee assembly of the scrubber dryer.
- Evaluate the wear of the suction system. The hose, for example, must be intact as even a small hole can create a suction leak.
- Are the squeegee blades you are using compliant with the task you need to do? If you are not sure, read the ultimate guide to squeegee blades or contact a specialist who can help you in choosing the right ones.
- Check if the squeegee blade is dirty or worn. If this is the case, it does not allow the water to be collected in a proper way. In case it is worn, and you have not already done so, remember that Comac squeegee rubbers can be used on all 4 sides.
- Check if the squeegee assembly is aligned with the floor. For example, if it has suffered a bump it may not be in line and therefore not dry well. Remember to adjust both the inclination and the wheels of the squeegee to have an uniform pressure on the whole blade.
- It sounds trivial but for the majority of the floor scrubbers you should switch on the vacuum system. So, verify whether the vacuum motor of your machine is working or not.
What causes too much foam in my floor scrubber?
Your floor scrubber may produce too much foam for two reasons:
- The detergent you are using is not correct. Check if the detergent type is suitable for the use with a scrubbing machine and always use low-foam detergents. If necessary, add a small quantity of defoamer in the recovery tank.
- There is too much chemical inside the floor scrubber’s tank and therefore you need to dilute it.
Why is my floor scrubber not dispensing water?
If your floor scrubber is not dispensing water, our suggestion is to:
- Check if there is water in the tank. It sounds trivial but it’s a quick and easy check as the majority of the floor scrubbers are equipped with a solution level indicator.
- Further open the tap or increase the amount of the dispensed solution.
- Check if the filter is clogged and if necessary clean it.
- Some floor scrubbers use a switch to activate the water flow. If this is the case, verify that the switch is working correctly.
Bonus tip: proper maintenance
As you may have noticed, most of the answers we have given are part of the normal maintenance activities which are tied to the floor scrubber use. In fact, our motto at Comac is:
Take care of your floor scrubber to make it last!
It seems obvious but we would like to remind it again: proper daily maintenance keeps the cleaning performance of your scrubbing machine constant. At the end of each shift, remember to carry out maintenance operations such as cleaning the suction hose and the squeegee blades. To simplify these operations the elements of Comac floor scrubbers involved in daily maintenance are yellow. In this way people who use them can easily identify those elements without wasting time. Furthermore, if you have any doubts about these operations, you can refer to the user and maintenance manual of your Comac floor scrubber, or read our dedicated article with all the tips for proper floor scrubber maintenance.
Here you can download the checklist to help you understand why your floor scrubber is not working:
Last tip, but not least: rely on an expert! Here we tried to answer the 6 most frequently asked questions on why your floor scrubber is not working. But remember that the best solution is a machine inspection done directly by specialized personnel. Professional service technicians who have extensive hands-on experience in repairing floor scrubbers can give you advice both on proper accessories and scheduled maintenance. This will allow you to preserve your investment and always get the best cleaning result.
For any further information you can always contact us. Comac and its network of dealers are available for further advice and support in choosing the best professional cleaning solution.
Frequently asked questions about a floor scrubber that is not working
The first thing to check is the power supply. If it is a cable powered floor scrubber, make sure it is correctly connected to the power socket. If it is a battery powered floor scrubber, check that the main switch is on, that the emergency button is not activated, that the battery connector is properly connected and that the batteries are charged. If the machine is equipped with a display, also check whether there are any error messages.
A floor scrubber may switch on but not clean properly when the detergent solution being dispensed is not sufficient, when the detergent is not suitable for the type of dirt or floor, or when the brush or pad is worn. Brush pressure that is too low, or an accessory that is not suitable for the cleaning task, can also reduce cleaning performance.
If your floor scrubber leaves the floor wet, the problem may be related to the suction system, the suction hose, the suction filter, the squeegee blades or the squeegee adjustment. It is important to check that the vacuum motor is working, that the hoses are not clogged or damaged, and that the squeegee blades are clean, intact and correctly positioned on the floor.
If your floor scrubber is not vacuuming water, start by checking the suction hose, the suction filter and the recovery tank. A clog, an incorrectly fitted hose or even a small leak can affect suction performance. Also check the condition of the squeegee blades and the alignment of the squeegee assembly with the floor.
If your floor scrubber is not dispensing water, the cause may be an empty solution tank, a closed tap, a water flow setting that is too low, a clogged filter or an inactive water flow switch. Before assuming there is a fault, it is always worth carrying out these simple checks and referring to the machine’s user and maintenance manual.
Run time may be reduced if the batteries are not fully charged, if they are old or worn, if the connections are not correct, or if the battery poles and terminals are dirty or oxidized. Using maximum brush pressure or accessories that require more energy, such as certain pads, can also reduce the working time of the machine.
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