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Waterpik water flossers are extremely durable and they normally don’t require complicated maintenance or repairs. However, after months or years of use, some issues may occur. It is a wise decision to know how to perform Waterpik water flosser troubleshooting and how to solve the problem. Here, we will guide you through the process.
Waterpik Water Flossers: Main Components
It is essential to know what the main elements of a water flosser are, which helps you to diagnose and repair possible issues easily and in less time. In a case Waterpik water flosser not working you will have to know the main role of each element! Luckily, there are 3 main elements and all of them are easy to distinguish. They are:
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Electric Motor and Pump
Basically, these two elements are implemented into the case you will see and which will sit in your bathroom. This is the main and therefore the largest component of each water flosser. The main purpose is to produce pressure and send it to the tip. Usually, issues occur in these two components.
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Water Reservoir
This is a component where you will pour warm water. In simple words, it is an ordinary tank which stores water before it reaches the water pump. Although it is a simple part, it is linked with a few issues, usually related to the valves and smaller elements inside a tank.
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Water Flosser Tip
This is the component which will spray water into your mouth. There are a few tips available, but all of them are attached to a small handle. Both of them can cause some issues, but they are very rare. Keep in mind that tips should be replaced after 3 or 6 months of use, depending on a model!
Now when you know the main components of each water flosser, you can deduce and discover the main issue which has occurred to your product. Just to add, Waterpik warranty covers all three components from the list.
Caring For Your Water Flosser
In order to make sure issues don’t occur, it would be a wise decision to care about your water flosser. Yes, it is a simple process which takes no more than 5 minutes of your time, but it truly has an impressive result to the overall condition of your unit. Anyway, all of it should begin with proper cleaning. During the process, you will have to disassemble the water flosser, clean all the components and make sure there are no debris or anything else which can jeopardize the main components we mentioned above.
You can use warm water, toothpick or a brush to clean all the parts. Pay a close attention to the tip and to the handle. They can develop mold at some point, which is normal if we know that water flossers are always exposed to the water and moisture.
Cleaning the reservoir is another main task to consider. In essence, you will have to pour antibacterial solution to it, direct the Waterpik water flosser tip to the sink and turn it on, to the maximum pressure. This will clean all the reservoir, the hose, and the tip, removing mold, bacteria and anything else which may be an issue. In addition, you can use white vinegar or any other solution which kills bacteria.
The last, but not least is the prevention of further damages. If you travel and you are planning to go to parts of the world where temperatures are below zero, make sure to remove all the water from the reservoir and from the device. This can prevent ice development which will cause severe damage to your unit.
Now, the time is to mention the most common issues and how to fix them. Waterpik troubleshooting and fixing are easier than you may believe. Go to our How to use a Waterpik article to read more about proper use.
- RECHARGEABLE WATER FLOSSER: Waterpik Cordless Pulse is a great choice for portable water flossing. It includes 2 Waterpik Classic Jet tips for everyday use, a rechargeable battery, and can be used in the shower.
- EASY TO USE: Ergonomically designed non-slip hand grip is comfortable and easy to hold, plus Waterpik Cordless Pulse features our quiet water flossing technology.
- DENTIST RECOMMENDED: Waterpik is the #1 water flosser brand recommended by dental professionals and the only water flosser brand to earn the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance for safety and effectiveness.
- KEY FEATURES: 2 tips, 2 safe and effective settings (low/high), 6oz removable reservoir (top-rack dishwasher safe), up to 45 secs floss time, lithium-ion battery with recharge indicator, USB charger (wall adapter not included), waterproof for shower use
- PROVEN EFFECTIVE: Waterpik water flossers use PrecisionPulse technology to deliver a combination of water pressure and pulsations, removing up to 99.9 percent of plaque bacteria from treated areas that cause gingivitis, cavities, and bad breath.
- WARRANTY AND SUPPORT: Backed by a 2-year limited manufacturer’s warranty, see manual for details. Waterpik’s Colorado support team is available to help with any product questions or needs.
- ADVANCED WATER FLOSSING: Aquarius is a fully featured water flosser featuring enhanced pressure with 10 settings for a custom clean, massage mode for gum stimulation, plus a built-in timer/pacer pauses briefly at 30 secs and 1 min to track flossing time.
- EASY TO USE: Features a large reservoir for 90+ seconds of use, no refilling required. Small maneuverable flossing wand makes it easy to floss all areas including back teeth and includes a convenient water on/off switch.
- DENTIST RECOMMENDED: Waterpik is the #1 water flosser brand recommended by dental professionals and the only water flosser brand to earn the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance for safety and effectiveness.
- KEY FEATURES: 7 tips for multiple family members and needs, 10 safe and effective pressure settings, removable 22 oz reservoir (top-rack dishwasher safe for easy cleaning), 90+ secs floss time, 360 tip rotation, 120VAC/60Hz for use in North America only.
- PROVEN EFFECTIVE: Waterpik water flossers use PrecisionPulse technology to deliver a combination of water pressure and pulsations, removing up to 99.9 percent of plaque bacteria from treated areas that cause gingivitis, cavities, and bad breath.
- WARRANTY AND SUPPORT: Backed by a 3-year limited manufacturer’s warranty, see manual for details. Waterpik’s Colorado support team is available to help with any product questions or needs.
- ADVANCED CORDLESS WATER FLOSSER: Waterpik Cordless Advanced features a 360 degree rotating tip for easy reach, even back teeth. Convenient rechargeable design with up to 4 weeks of use per charge, rapid magnetic USB charger, and LED recharge indicator.
- GREAT FOR TRAVEL: The Cordless Advanced water flosser is portable and global voltage compatible; it includes a micro-fiber travel bag, tip storage case, and water plug for travel and use on the go.
- DENTIST RECOMMENDED: Waterpik is the #1 water flosser brand recommended by dental professionals and the only water flosser brand to earn the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance for safety and effectiveness.
- KEY FEATURES: 4 tips, 3 safe and effective pressure settings, 7oz removable reservoir (top-rack dishwasher safe), up to 45 secs floss time, recharge indicator, USB magnetic charger (wall adapter not included), 360 tip rotation, waterproof for shower use.
- PROVEN EFFECTIVE: Waterpik water flossers use PrecisionPulse technology to deliver a combination of water pressure and pulsations, removing up to 99.9 percent of plaque bacteria from treated areas that cause gingivitis, cavities, and bad breath.
- WARRANTY AND SUPPORT: Backed by a 2-year limited manufacturer’s warranty, see manual for details. Waterpik’s Colorado support team is available to help with any product questions or needs.
Leaking Problems
The most common type of issues is related to water leaking. In general, it can come from the tip, handle, hose, base or a reservoir. Don’t forget that all Waterpik water flossers operate at high pressure, meaning that all of the components we have just mentioned must withstand it at all times. This type of fixing is more than just simple.
Fix: Depending on where the leaking comes, make sure to remove that component. Usually, you will need to perform Waterpik hose repair. Obviously, all you have to do is to replace an old hose with a brand new and you are done. Needed time is under 10 minutes if you are a beginner. In a case you see leaking from the reservoir, make sure the black valve is properly installed. If it isn’t, then you will have to purchase a replacement unit. Just in case, remove the old one, clean it and put it back to place. It should do the trick. Addition: You cannot repair Waterpik hose using duct tape, it simply won’t last!
If your reservoir or the entire unit dropped to the floor, the reservoir may have cracked. Repairs are possible with a glue gun, or adhesive, but it is a much better and smarter decision to purchase a replacement reservoir.
If the leaking comes from the tip, remove it and reinstall it. If it still leaks, install another one. If there is no leaning anymore, the problem is in the tip itself. Replace it.
Mineral Deposits Or Mold
If you have performed weekly cleaning, which we mentioned at the beginning, chances are low you will get this issue. In any other way, it is just a matter of time when you will have to deal with it. Mold and mineral debris will appear at the tip, hose, reservoir and even in order components. Sadly, this is perfectly normal and removing them is as easy as it gets.
Fix: Use white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to fill the reservoir. Then, direct the tip to the sink and turn the device on. Make a short break and repeat the process. In essence, all the mold and mineral debris will be removed within a matter of minutes.
Hydrogen peroxide may be a more complicated alternative than vinegar, but it is stronger and therefore more efficient in removing the mentioned issues. After this, your water flosser will work better and without any, additional complications.
Lower Pressure Than Usual
Waterpik low pressure sounds like a severe malfunction, but it actually requires simple fix. If you hear the electric motor while the device is turned on and you still get a pressure on the tip, there are no severe damage to the unit. Keep in mind that all units have a variety of pressure settings, so this refers only to the highest pressure setting. The causes are related to the black valve in a reservoir, the reservoir itself and clogs.
Fix: First of all, inspect the device. Make sure all the components are installed properly and there are no damages. Make sure the black valve in a reservoir is properly cleaned and fitted as well. The last, but not least, check the tip and the opening on it. There should be sufficient amount of room for the water to pass.
In a case, a tip is clogged or something else is, make sure to clean it properly and to remove any obstacles. In addition, leaking may cause the low pressure as well, but you will have to perform inspection and fixes from the leakage section.
Waterpik Not Working
In this section, we will mention and explain all, the main malfunctions which can cause your Waterpik not to operate properly. The most common symptoms include not charging, switch on the handle doesn’t work or tip is worn out. Here we should add that in rare cases electric motor can stop working as well. If you do not hear the noise when you turn on the water flosser, chances are high the electric motor is damaged. You should contact the seller if the warranty still lasts. If the electric motor works, but the device stopped charging a while back, you have a damaged charging port or a battery.
Fix: The main issue here is in the charger. It can get damaged due to water exposure. The charging port may be damaged as well. Always check the cable for damages.
If a switch on a handle doesn’t work, you should disassemble the handle and try to diagnose the issue. Worn spring or broken switch are common issues here. If a tip doesn’t work properly it will have to be replaced. Always replace them after 3 or 6 months, depending on a version.
Related Products
Check out our best Waterpik review guide. We also investigated the use of a Waterpik for tonsil stones, as well as what is a best water flosser for braces.
Conclusion
At the end, we can only say that the Waterpik warranty repair is probably the most likely solution to all of these issues which may occur at any given moment. A good thing is a fact all Waterpik water flossers guarantee a high quality and they are well-made, specifically for longer usages. In addition, they are optimized for flossing once or two times per day, which is recommended by dentists. Anyway, now you will be ready to solve any problem which may occur at some point. And yes, it is easier than it sounds.