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February 06, 2025 8 min read
A commercial floor scrubber can transform your company’s cleaning process, saving tons of time and stress while achieving superior results. Much of this is due to the squeegee for floor scrubber helping to pick up any residual moisture, leaving behind an impeccable surface.
Sometimes, though, you need to know how to adjust squeegee on floor scrubber to get it working as intended. We’ll walk you through it below and share more advice on maximizing the life and performance of a floor scrubber squeegee.
All good things come to an end, though. All the work a squeegee for floor scrubber does can take a toll, and it will eventually need to be replaced. Learn about the warning signs yours is past its prime and find out what makes SweepScrub the #1 place to find a replacement!
Let’s start with an overview of how a squeegee for floor scrubber works in the first place. This component is what allows the machine to deliver spotless and streak-free results.
Its primary purpose is removing dirty water, cleaning solution, and debris that the scrubber loosens from the floor - unveiling a like-new surface in a single pass.
Without the squeegee a machine would leave behind water and residue, contributing to slip hazards while compromising on cleaning efficiency. It goes without saying that it’s an important piece of the scrubbing process!
The squeegee system works in tandem with the scrubber’s vacuum system. The blades of a squeegee are typically made from rubber and form a tight seal against the floor, channeling the dirty water into a collection path. That water is then pulled into the recovery tank through a vacuum motor.
But, the squeegee for floor scrubber isn’t always going to work perfectly as is. You might need to learn how to adjust squeegee on floor scrubber in some cases.
Blades can wear unevenly over time, causing streaks or missed areas. Moreover, floor types can vary. Cleaning commercial kitchen floors made of tile calls for less pressure than when trying to learn how to clean concrete floors, which are rougher.
All of this is to say that you will occasionally need to know how to adjust squeegee on floor scrubber. It’s not all that complicated, but it does require careful attention to detail. Missteps could impact water recovery, increase wear and tear on the blades, and even damage the floor.
Don’t worry, we’re here to help you avoid all these concerns and effortlessly adjust your floor scrubber squeegee to make the most of its cleaning potential. Just remember that you should always defer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for your specific model.
Start by turning off the machine and making sure it’s parked on a level surface before making adjustments, as this minimizes risks of accidental movement or injury during the process. You might even want to disconnect the power source or remove the key for added security.
Next, you can determine if what you need is a simple adjustment or if your machine’s squeegee blades need to be replaced altogether. Look for cracks, tears, or excessive wear. This is also a good opportunity to confirm the assembly is securely attached.
The most important thing to know about floor scrubber squeegees is that they must make consistent contact with the floor to effectively pick up water.
Too high and it won’t collect water properly. On the other hand, leaving it too low could cause unnecessary wear of the rubber material or even surface damage. Here’s how to adjust squeegee on floor scrubber:
Maybe the height of your squeegee for floor scrubber is perfectly fine, it’s the angle that’s causing you problems. This too can be adjusted fairly easily!
The blade angle determines how well it collects water and dirt. An incorrect angle will leave streaks or water behind. Here’s how to make the adjustment:
Whether you adjusted the height, the angle, or both, run the floor scrubber on a small, flat area to test the adjustments. If you’re just putting your machine to the test for the first time, be sure to read our guide on how to use a commercial floor scrubber.
You’ll know you’re good to go if you’re seeing smooth, consistent performance without any water or streaks left behind. Watch out for signs of wear on one side of the squeegee over time, as this is indicative of an alignment issue.
Speaking of watching out, you should be aware that textured or uneven floors may call for more precise adjustments to account for surface irregularities. Rougher surfaces will need the blade height lowered a bit.
The tension of the squeegee blade can also impact cleaning results and should be checked every so often as well. If it’s too loose it won’t pick up all the water. But if it’s too tight, you’ll strain your machine or develop irregular wear patterns.
Most machines have a tension adjustment knob, lever, or bolt near the squeegee assembly. Your machine’s user manual should help you pinpoint its location. Then, it’s just a matter of fine-tuning if needed:
Similar to adjusting the height or angle of your scrubber’s squeegee, run a test pass over a small area and look for water or streaks, which suggests insufficient tension, or excessive drag, which is indicative of too much tension.
Understanding how to adjust squeegee on floor scrubber is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to maximizing performance and squeezing as much life out of it as possible. Here are some additional things to consider.
As we said in our guide on how to clean a floor scrubber, the squeegee takes on nearly as much grime as the brushes or pads you use. It can become a breeding ground for bacteria, but the buildup can also impact performance and lead to premature wear.
So, take a moment to remove the squeegee blade and rinse it thoroughly with water after each use. You can also use a soft brush to remove any stuck-on debris or residue. Give it time to air dry before reattaching.
Most squeegee blades are designed to be rotated or flipped to utilize all sides evenly, preventing one edge from wearing out too quickly and leading to wasted material.
The schedule by which you should rotate and flip blades depends on how often you use the machine. That being said, we recommend checking weekly for signs of uneven wear, such as nicks, tears, or reduced contact with the floor.
You should also keep a record of rotations to eliminate guesswork and ensure all edges are used equally, maximizing the blade’s lifespan and getting better value from this investment in your cleaning arsenal.
Incorrect storage can warp the squeegee blade, in turn affecting its contact with the flooring. Store the machine in a clean, dry environment to prevent exposure to moisture or chemicals that could degrade the blade.
Always raise the squeegee assembly off the ground when not in use. Most machines come equipped with a parking lever or designated storage position for this purpose.
Of course, you should make sure you’re using cleaning chemicals that don’t corrode or weaken the blade material over time. These types of harsh cleaning agents are likely to cause damage to your floor as well.
We recommend sticking with pH-neutral detergents if possible, as they’re effective yet gentle on both the squeegee and your flooring. What we don’t recommend is bleach or highly acidic cleaners.
Routine inspection can help you avoid downtime associated with squeegee replacement, giving you an opportunity to order a new one and get it on site well before it’s actually needed.
Look out for cracks, tears, or uneven edges on the blade after each use. We’ll talk about some more signs your floor scrubber squeegee may be due for replacement below.
As we said from the start, all the adjustments and care in the world won’t protect your floor scrubber squeegee forever. Eventually, the time will come to replace it - and being able to spot the warning signs empowers you to get a replacement ordered to prevent downtime.
Your floor scrubber leaving streaks is the most obvious sign something isn’t right. If you’ve put our advice on how to adjust squeegee on floor scrubber to the test and it’s still streaking, it could be time to replace it.
Not only do these streaks compromise cleaning results, but they can also leave slip hazards that put you at risk of legal trouble. This is reason enough to replace the squeegee blades.
The constant wear and tear on the squeegee blade can cause cracks, splits, or frayed edges. Any of these imperfections prevent the blade from forming a proper seal with the floor.
The good news, though, is that you don’t have to look far for a replacement. SweepScrub is here to help you get your machine back up and running with the most extensive selection of parts for all the top commercial floor scrubbers for sale.
We stock all the most popular brands from Tennant to Clarke, Nobles, Advance, and many more. Whether you have a commercial walk behind floor scrubber, industrial ride on floor scrubber, or even an industrial floor sweeper scrubber, we’ve got the parts you need.
You can rest assured you’re investing in quality that will perform well and stand the test of time, too. We only carry blades made from durable materials that provide excellent water recovery while withstanding the rigors of daily use.
If you need help finding the right fit, our customer service team is always available to talk about your machine and offer a recommendation. No need to stress about compatibility! Get in touch today, and be sure to stock up on spare brushes and pads while you’re at it.
Proper squeegee adjustment can be the difference between constant streaking and a safe, spotless flooring surface. We hope you feel clear now on how to adjust squeegee on floor scrubber and how to maintain this component in general.
Our blog has additional resources on topics like how to choose a floor scrubber, school floor cleaning, warehouse floor cleaning, or floor scrubber vs buffer. But remember that whether you want the best floor scrubber or just need a replacement squeegee, you’ll find it in our catalog.
Don’t let a worn squeegee slow you down. Keep your floors spotless with replacement parts from SweepScrub today, or upgrade your cleaning arsenal altogether with a new machine!
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