Preventive Maintenance for Your No-Touch Cleaning® System
Your Kaivac No-Touch Cleaning® system makes restroom maintenance fast and easy. Keeping your No-Touch Cleaning system in good working order is also fast and easy. Kaivac makes performing preventative maintenance and troubleshooting potential issues simple. No special equipment or technical expertise required.
Here’s a quick start guide (with links to video tutorials) to help trouble shoot your Kaivac No-Touch Cleaning system. Use it to diagnose little problems before they grow into big issues. Before long you’ll be getting into the groove of daily, weekly, monthly, and specialty maintenance practices that keep your machine working like new.
Problem: Loss of Vacuum Suction and Streaking
Loss of vacuum suction impairs the cleaning power of your No-Touch Cleaning system. This loss of suction also leads to streaking as the machine cannot fully recover used cleaning solution.
If you are experiencing loss of suction and/or streaky floors, check the squeegee blades. Kaivac recommends inspecting squeegee blades daily, even though the parts are designed to last. Damaged or worn squeegee blades may be the cause of lost vacuum suction and streaking.
Replacing squeegee blades is easy. Check out this video tutorial to learn how.
Loss of suction and reduced pressure could also be caused by storing the machine with a full freshwater or recovery tank. Both tanks should be cleaned out daily. This video walks through the process.
Problem: Loss of Suction/Foam or Water Coming From the Exhaust
A wet or saturated HEPA filter can also cause a loss of suction leading to longer cleaning times. If you see water or foam coming from the exhaust it may mean the recovery tank is overfilled or foam has entered the vacuum system. It also means you have a wet HEPA filter.
Inspecting and replacing the HEPA filter monthly promotes good suction while ensuring only clean air is released from the system.
Watch this video to learn how to inspect and/or replace the HEPA filter.
Problem: Squeegee Head Keeps Falling Out of the Vacuum Wand or Doesn’t Spin Freely
The squeegee head and vacuum wand collar are two of the biggest wear and tear items on your No-Touch Cleaning system. Kaivac recommends replacing these pieces monthly. If the squeegee head keeps falling out of the vacuum wand or doesn’t spin freely it’s probably time to change them out.
Replacing the squeegee head and vacuum wand collar is simple as the video tutorial demonstrates. As the video stresses, do take care to replace the brass ring fitted inside the collar as this device holds the squeegee in place and allows it to spin freely.
Problem: Squeegee Head Not Well Attached to Aluminum Wand
If the squeegee head is still giving you trouble, even after replacement, there may be a buildup of grease or soil in the fittings. Inspect these fittings weekly. If they need cleaning, follow these simple video instructions. NOTE: Along with access to a sink you will need a small brush and degreaser or a liquid hand soap.
Problem: Machine Develops Malodors or Looks Dirty
No one wants to work with a dirty, smelly tool. Keeping your No-Touch Cleaning system fresh and clean requires just a little daily upkeep.
To prevent algae growth and bad odors be sure to empty and clean out both the freshwater and recovery tank daily. This preventative maintenance also keeps pumps and pressure systems working well, preserving your machine’s suction. Follow the steps in this video to empty and clean the tanks.
Wiping your No-Touch Cleaning system down daily with a soft cloth extends your machine’s life and preserves it’s appearance. Click here for a quick tutorial on how.
Problem: Pressure Build Up in Pressure Hose
It is important to release the pressure in the spray line daily. This action protects the pump, chemical system, and cleaning staff.
This video tutorial demonstrates the simple process.
Problem: Sticky Pressure Gun Nozzle or Chemical Valve
A sticky pressure gun nozzle or chemical valve means it’s time to lubricate components. Kaivac recommends lubricating parts monthly with either a white lithium spray grease or WD-40.
This tutorial demonstrates how to lubricate the pressure gun nozzle.
This tutorial shows how to lubricate the gun nozzle, quick-disconnect fitting, and chemical valve.
Problem: Loss of Pressure
If you’re experiencing a loss of pressure your No-Touch Cleaning system may have a clogged or dirty water filter. Kaivac recommends inspecting the water filter daily to avoid potential issues.
If your water filter is clogged or dirty, this video tutorial demonstrates how to clean it. (NOTE: NEVER run the machine without the water filter in place).
Problem: Storing Your Machine for Long Periods or in Below Freezing Temperatures
There are a few steps to take if you plan to store your No-Touch Cleaning system for long periods of time. Taking these precautions will prevent chemicals from gumming up the injection system and creating blockages.
Start by bleeding the chemical injection system to remove all residual chemical from the lines. This video tutorial demonstrates the process. (NOTE: This action requires about 20 ounces of hot water).
It’s crucial to winterize your No-Touch Cleaning system if you plan to store it overnight in below freezing temperatures. Skipping this process may damage the pressure hose, fittings, or water pump system, leading to costly repairs.
Avoid storage issues by following the steps in this video tutorial. Do this every time the machine is stored in an area where temperatures may dip below freezing. (NOTE: this process requires a gallon of windshield wiper fluid).
Problem: Unsticking Chemical Injector Valve After Storage
If you forgot to bleed your No-Touch Cleaning system before an extended period of storage you may come back to a clogged machine. Leaving chemistry in the lines can gum up the injector’s check valve causing the ball bearings to stick to the O-ring. This will cause your machine to suffer a loss of chemical injection leading to poor performance.
Unsticking the chemical injector check valve is easy. Simply follow the steps in this video tutorial. (NOTE: You will need a pair of plyers and an Allen wrench or straightened paper clip).
Maintenance Timetable: At a Glance
Here’s a quick guide (with links to video tutorials) to daily, weekly, monthly, and as-needed tasks. Following this timetable will keep your No-Touch Cleaning system in peak condition.
DAILY
Inspect Squeegee Blade—Link to Video
Wipe Down Machine—Link to Video
Release Pressure in Spray Line—Link to Video
Clean Out Vacuum and Water Tank—Link to Video
Inspect Water Filter—Link to Video
Cold Weather Storage—Link to Video
WEEKLY
Inspect Aluminum Wand Fitting—Link to Video
MONTHLY
Replace Squeegee Head and Vacuum Wand Collar—Link to Video
Lubricate Components—Link to Video
Inspect HEPA Filter—Link to Video
AS NEEDED
Bleed Chemical Injection System for Storage—Link to Video
Prepare for Cold Weather Storage—Link to Video
Unsticking Chemical Injector Check Valve—Link to Video
Amy Milshtein
Amy Milshtein is a seasoned writer and content strategist at Kaivac, Inc., where she combines her passion for storytelling with her extensive knowledge of cleaning technologies. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Amy has become an expert in translating complex technical concepts into engaging and accessible content. She holds a degree in English and Communication from Rutgers, the State University of NJ.
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