If your industrial floor scrubber is leaving streaks, smears, or standing water behind, it’s not just frustrating – it’s also a safety hazard. Slippery floors can lead to accidents, and streaking leaves a poor impression on staff and visitors. The good news? Most of these issues are caused by a few common, fixable problems. Let’s walk through the most likely culprits and how to get your scrubber back to peak performance.
1. Worn or Damaged Squeegee Blades
The squeegee blades are responsible for collecting dirty water after scrubbing. If they’re cracked, split, or uneven, they won’t make full contact with the floor, which will leave water behind.
Solution: Inspect for cuts, warping, or hard edges. Rotate or replace blades regularly (usually every 100–200 hours of use). Ensure even downward pressure is applied.
2. Blocked Vacuum Hose or Filter
A clogged vacuum hose or dirty filter restricts suction, meaning water isn’t being drawn up effectively.
Solution: Remove debris from the vacuum hose. Clean or replace the vacuum filter weekly. Check hose connections are airtight and secure.
3. Low Brush Pressure or Worn Pads
If your floor pads or brushes are worn, they can’t apply proper pressure to lift dirt and water evenly. This can result in patchy or inconsistent cleaning.
Solution: Replace pads when visibly worn or uneven. Check pressure settings on the control panel. Use the correct pad or brush type for your floor surface.
4. Clogged or Misaligned Spray Jets
If the clean water isn’t spraying evenly, you’ll get uneven cleaning coverage, which often leads to streaking.
Solution: Remove and clean spray nozzles regularly. Check alignment and flow rate. Use only approved cleaning solutions to prevent residue build-up.
Bonus: Test & Prevent Routine
Before each shift, run a short test cycle: Fill the solution tank and activate the scrubber on a clean section of floor. Check water flow, vacuum suction, and drying performance. Address visible issues immediately.
Still Seeing Problems?
Persistent streaks or standing water could be a sign of a mechanical fault. At SRS Cleaning Equipment, we provide full diagnostics, spare parts, and on-site service to get your machine back in action quickly.
Need support or replacement parts? Call us on 0330 678 11 22.