Why does my scrubber leave streaks?
Streaks on the floor after scrubbing are usually caused by dirty change rubbers, incorrect machine settings, dirty brushes or improper cleaning agents. By regularly maintaining your scrubber and checking change rubbers and brushes, you can easily prevent these floor cleaning problems and create a streak-free floor obtain.
Why do streaks appear when scrubbing floors?
Streaks on the floor after scrubbing usually have four main causes. The most common causes are dirty or damaged switch rubbers which can no longer properly extract the dirty water from the floor.
Wrong machine settings are a second major cause. Too high travel speed, incorrect brush pressure or improper suction will cause your scrubber is not performing optimally. This leaves dirty water on the floor, resulting in streaks.
Dirty brushes or pads can also cause streaking. When brushes are full of dirt and hair, they spread this dirt across the floor instead of removing it. This is especially true of brushes that are not cleaned regularly.
Finally, improper cleaning agents or dosage can lead to streaking floor problems. Too much detergent leaves a film, while too little detergent provides insufficient cleaning power.
How do you recognize a dirty or damaged switch rubber?
You can recognize a bad switch rubber by several characteristics. Cracks or nicks in the rubber prevent water from being drawn off evenly, leading directly to streaking.
Contamination of the change rubber is often visible as a dark deposit or stuck dirt on the underside. This dirt prevents the rubber from making good contact with the floor, leaving water behind.
Also note the angle of the switch rubber. It must be straight against the floor. If the rubber is crooked or sags, it will create holes in the suction that will be visible as streaks on the floor.
Wear can be recognized by an irregular thickness of the rubber or round wear spots. Modern scrubbers can automatically adjust the height of the scrub deck, but this does not fully compensate for badly worn switch rubbers.
What maintenance steps prevent streaking on scrubbers?
Daily scrubber maintenance begins with thoroughly cleaning the change rubbers after each use. Rinse them with clean water and check that no dirt or hair is stuck to them.
Regularly check the condition of brushes or pads. Worn brushes do not clean as well and can cause streaking. For one-sided wear, you can flip pads to get longer use out of the same pads.
Proper dosing of cleaning agents is important for industrial floor cleaning. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations and adjust the dosage based on the degree of soiling of your floor.
After each use, rinse the water tanks thoroughly to remove residue. Carefully clean and dry the mop nozzle and check for clogs in the vacuum hose. By following these simple steps, you will maintain the performance of your machine.
| Maintenance frequency | Maintenance task | Why Important |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | Cleaning switch rubbers | Prevents soiling and streaking |
| Weekly | Checking and cleaning brushes | Maintains optimal cleaning performance |
| Monthly | Inspect suction hose and tanks | Prevents blockages and problems |
What are the best settings for streak-free floor cleaning?
For optimal scrubber tips, start with the right travel speed. Slower driving gives brushes more time to loosen dirt and change rubbers more time to extract water.
Adjust the brush pressure to the floor type. Hard floors such as concrete require more pressure, while fragile floors such as natural stone need careful handling. Too much pressure can cause damage; too little pressure does not clean adequately.
Set the suction power based on the degree of dirt. For light soiling, normal suction is sufficient, but for stubborn dirt or lots of water, you need maximum suction for a streak-free floor.
Water pressure must be matched to the type of brush or pad. Soft pads require less water than hard brushes. Too much water cannot be properly extracted; too little water reduces cleaning power.
How do you solve persistent stripe problems on scrubbers?
Start by thoroughly cleaning all parts. Disassemble the change rubbers and clean them completely. Check that the suction hose is free of blockages and flush all water tanks thoroughly.
Replace worn parts such as damaged switch rubbers or completely worn brushes. Some modern scrubbers detect when brushes are partially worn, but visual inspection remains necessary.
Test different combinations of settings. Start with slow driving speed and gradually increase. Experiment with different brush pressure and suction until you achieve optimal results.
If these steps do not provide a solution, there may be technical problems with the machine itself. In that case, professional help is needed. A maintenance contract can help prevent such problems through regular preventive maintenance.
Streak-free floor cleaning requires the right combination of clean equipment, correct settings and regular maintenance. By cleaning the change rubbers daily, checking brushes regularly and adjusting machine settings to your specific situation, you will prevent most problems. For persistent striping problems, you help yourself best by systematically checking all components and calling in professional support if necessary. We at Metech always recommend considering a maintenance contract to keep your scrubber always in top condition and prevent unexpected problems. For more information you can contact us.