Floor Scrubber Squeegee Blades

Floor Scrubber Squeegee Blades

Squeegee blades are an essential part of floor scrubber machines, designed to collect and pick up water or other fluids off the floor. Squeegee blades are attached at the back, and sometimes sides, of a floor scrubber or sweeper/scrubber. Liquid is funneled and picked up off the floor with a combination of the vacuum motor, squeegee assembly and squeegee blades.

Squeegee blades are not very expensive, but using the wrong type of squeegee blades or ones that are not well maintained will lead to unnecessary downtime and increased labour, maintenance and parts costs. Squeegee blades are available in different materials; rubber, Linatex® & urethane. Gum rubber blades are not chemical resistant, are the least expensive squeegee blade option and are typically used on even and smooth floors. Linatex® are the most commonly used, long lasting, versatile & durable squeegee blades. These are blades are ideal for various floor conditions, including floors that are not smooth. Urethane blades are oil and chemical resistant, long lasting and work best on rough surfaces.

If you are interested in purchasing squeegee blades, or any other floor machine parts call Priced Right Cleaning Equipment Inc. We are dedicated to finding the best cleaning solutions for our customers at the lowest cost. If your machine is leaving water, debris or streaks on the floor, which leads to increased risk of accidents, slips and falls, first check your squeegee blades to see if they are worn or torn and if so rotate the blades to an unused side. If this does not solve your problem your squeegee assembly may be out of alignment. Alignment of your squeegee assembly involves 2 adjustments: the pitch (height) and the deflection of the squeegee. A properly adjusted squeegee has a pitch that is even across the entire squeegee, from tip to tip, and has the correct amount of deflection or down pressure being applied to the squeegee blade.

Listed below are some common squeegee problems and how to solve them:

Centre of squeegee is not picking up water – Pressure adjustments must be made until there is even contact with the floor, across the entire squeegee blade. On most machines you can do this adjustment by doing the following: Lower the blade & remove the vacuum hose. Use a pair of pliers to loosen the lock nut. Turn the adjustment bolt clockwise with a socket. Re-secure the lock nut and test the squeegee to confirm it is now picking up all of the water/solution. Stop and repeat if it is still not picking up all the water.

Edges of squeegee not picking up water – Same as above, pressure adjustments must be made until there is even contact with the floor, across the entire squeegee blade. On most machines you can do this adjustment by doing the following: Lower the blade & remove the vacuum hose. Use a pair of pliers to loosen the lock nut. Turn the adjustment bolt counterclockwise this time, with a socket. Re-secure the lock nut and test the squeegee to confirm it is now picking up all of the water/solution. Stop and repeat if it is still not picking up all the water.

Streaks being left on floor – There is most likely some dirt or debris on the squeegees. Raise the squeegee assembly and wipe the length of both squeegees with a clean cloth or rag. Or you can raise the squeegee assembly to the up position and then drop it to the ground to basically knock the dirt or debris out from between the two squeegee blades.

If you have any further questions regarding the adjustment of the pitch and/or deflection of your squeegee or other water pick up problems reach out to us at Priced Right Cleaning Equipment Inc. We are here to help! As a wearable part, squeegee blades will need to be replaced more often than most parts on your floor cleaning machine, but there are simple steps you can take to keep your squeegees in good working order and reduce replacement costs. Remember to inspect, wipe down and rotate your squeegees (they have 4 usable sides!) on a regular basis to extend the life span of your squeegee blades. Also be sure to replace your squeegee blades before they get too worn and /or torn.

Priced Right Cleaning Equipment Inc. – Floor Scrubber Squeegee Blades

It is also important to incorporate lubricating, with water resistant lubricant, all moving parts, pivot points and screw threads on the squeegee assembly, into your regular maintenance. This is a necessary step to counteract corrosion caused by the squeegee assembly operating in a wet environment and from oil and/or chemical build ups on the squeegee assembly.

At a relatively small cost, squeegee blades can have a huge impact on the quality of cleanliness and efficiency & effectiveness of your floor cleaning equipment. Give Priced Right Cleaning Equipment Inc. a call today to order your squeegee blade kit.