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Pressure Washer Maintenance in Jacksonville Florida

When your pressure washer is running right, you can clean your car, your home, your driveway, and more. But if you are having problems with how your pressure washer is running, Call Black Creek Services, Inc. 904.449.3986 or email us at [email protected] for reliable in-shop repair of your pressure washer.

Pressure Washer with Honda small engineBlack Creek Services, Inc. has been working on small engines in pressure washers, lawn mowers, lawn tractors, and emergency power generators, in the Jacksonville, Florida area, since 1998.  We can provide pickup and delivery – prompt and efficient service.

Our motto is, “No small engine repair job is too big or too small.”

Pressure Washer with small engineBlack Creek Services is located in Middleburg, Florida, and also provides our small engine maintenance and repair services for clients in surrounding areas such as:

  • Fleming Island
  • Orange Park
  • Jacksonville
  • Green Cove Springs

If your pressure washer is not performing like it should, before you start pricing a replacement, Call Black Creek Services, Inc. 904.449.3986 or email us at [email protected] for a free estimate.

  • Make an appointment to drop off your small engine powered Lawn Mower, Lawn Tractor, Portable Generator, or Pressure Washer at our Middleburg, Florida shop using our handy Contact Form.
  • We also can provide pickup and delivery service for clients in our service area.

 

What size Portable Generator do You Need?

Briggs and Stratton Portable GeneratorPortable generators can provide emergency power for your home or business when your electrical power service is disrupted.

The size/power capacity of portable generators are measured in its rated wattage output.

  • Before buying a generator, you need to decide how many appliances you need to provide power for.
  • Then size your portable generator to provide power for the total of the STARTING watts you need.

More considerations when shopping for an emergency generator for your home or business are discussed in the Ready.gov/ article about preparing for a Power Outage.

A guide to seeing what size generator you will need appeared in this recent article in Forbes magazine.

Read more tips for portable generators in our article, Safe Operation of Portable Generators.

10000 Watt - Briggs & Stratton Portable GeneratorHaving problems with your portable generator? Or do you have questions about buying or maintaining your portable generator? Give us a call at Black Creek Services 904.449.3986, email us at [email protected], or Contact Black Creek Services.

We like helping people keep their portable generators running!

Springtime is Outdoor Equipment Maintenance Time!

Pink springtime blossomsSpringtime is such a great time of year! Buds are blossoming, the grass is starting to grow again, leaves are popping out on shrubs and trees! Time for Outdoor Equipment Maintenance!

Is your Lawn Mower, Lawn Tractor, Riding Mower, Portable Generator, or Pressure Washer ready for Spring?

Black Creek Services can perform routine maintenance on your small engine-powered equipment, or repairs, as needed, to get your equipment ready to go, when you need it!

  • Cost: Payment required – Estimated maintenance service fee is based on type of equipment to be maintained.
    – – Repairs and pickup and delivery service fees are in addition to maintenance fees.
    – – Call 904.449.3986 for an estimate and to make an appointment for your equipment.
  • We offer equipment pick up and delivery service for people in Middleburg, Fleming Island, Orange Park, and the Jacksonville area, from our Middleburg, Florida shop.

Contact Black Creek Services today or give us a Call 904.449.3986 or email us at [email protected] to make your appointment to get your Outdoor Power Equipment Ready to Go when You are!

Summertime Outdoor Equipment Maintenance

Troy-Bilt lawn mower cutting a lawnThe days are longer, the lawns are growing like crazy – it’s not the time to have your lawn mower or lawn tractor sputter and cough and not run when you go to cut the grass!

Black Creek Services performs maintenance on Lawn Mowers, Riding Lawn Mowers, and Lawn Tractors in the Jacksonville, Florida area. And we can perform repairs, if necessary.

Our service area includes Jacksonville, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, and of course Middleburg, Florida where our shop is located.

  • Black Creek Services 904.449.3986 offers equipment pick up and delivery service for people in our service area.
  • We also provide maintenance and repair service for Portable Generators, and Pressure Washers.

Black Creek Services 904.449.3986, email [email protected], or use our handy Contact form,can perform routine maintenance on your small engine-powered outdoor equipment, or repairs, as needed, to get your equipment ready to go, when you need it!

– – Repairs and pickup and delivery service fees are in addition to maintenance fees.
– – Call 904.449.3986 for an estimate and to make an appointment for your equipment.

We can help you have your Outdoor Power Equipment Ready to Go when You are!

Small Engine Repair Tips

Racing Lawn TractorsSome companies focus on a pretty package for their small engine-powered product. Paint, shiny trim, and flashy decals can make their product very eye-catching. How the product performs should be among the top criteria in a consumer’s shopping list. And the small engine that powers the item is important in producing that product performance.

If your Lawn Mower, Lawn Tractor, Portable Generator, or Pressure Washer is not performing like it used to, here are some small engine repair tips to help you out.

small engine Briggs and Stratton1.  All small engines are not the same. You may pay a little more to get a product with a brand name small engine like Briggs and Stratton, or Honda. That’s OK. These people make rugged, reliable engines. If properly maintained, they will keep performing well for years and years.

Some off-brand small engines don’t stock repair parts, so what might be an easy fix for a better know small engine might be the “end of the line” for the off-brand engine,  and the lawn mower, lawn tractor, portable generator, or pressure washer it was powering. Bummer!

2.  Get genuine repair parts for your small engine-powered equipment whenever possible.  A small engine runs best with the parts that meet it’s original design (unless you are into Lawn Tractor Racing). Some companies do a good business in providing parts that “will work” in various small engines. Without the original design plans, they have to guess at the specifications for the replacement parts they make. And variations from the original design specifications can result in less than optimum performance for you and your small engine.

lawn mower small engine3.  Unless you are handy with tools, and understand how to maintain your small engine-powered equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, have a professional mechanic maintain your equipment on a regular schedule. Most manufacturers recommend regular maintenance every so many months, or so many hours of operation. Many people have their small engine-powered equipment maintained each spring, when we tend to become more active with such equipment. Regular maintenance can help your equipment last as long as it was originally designed to.

4. Regular maintenance of your small engine powered equipment will help it last longer, and that saves you money. Equipment that is not properly maintained will cost you money, either in repair bills or in the cost of having to buy a new piece of equipment. Who needs that? Do yourself a favor and let us help you with maintenance of your small engine powered equipment. Black Creek Services, Inc. provides thorough, reliable maintenance and repair for Lawn Mowers, Lawn Tractors, Portable Generators, and Pressure Washers.

5.  If you are having problems with your small engine-powered equipment, just call Black Creek Services, Inc.  904.449.3986 or email us at [email protected]. We can provide a FREE estimate.

  • We provide reliable maintenance and repairs in our Middleburg, Florida shop for clients living in Middleburg, Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, Orange Park, and Jacksonville, Florida.
  • Black Creek Services can also provide pickup and delivery service for clients in our service area.

If you have questions, please call us 904.449.3986 or Contact us. We like to help people get their small engine-powered equipment running right again!

Do you have the right Generator?

From heating and cooling to running the refrigerator, the microwave, the TV and even re-charging our cell phones, electrical power is something most people don’t want to be without very long.

10000 Watt - Briggs & Stratton Portable GeneratorTo provide temporary electrical power during a power outage, such as during a storm, or worse, in the event of hurricane damage, many people have purchased portable generators.

Most people have heard that portable generators cannot be run inside their home (or even in their garage) because the exhaust of the small engine that runs the generator can produce hazardous levels of deadly carbon monoxide in closed spaces.

portable generator with a small engineBut some portable generator owners don’t understand that portable generators are only supposed to be used to power several appliances in their home or office, via heavy duty extension cords plugged into the generators electrical outlets.

Actually, before buying a portable generator, the first step is supposed to be deciding what your temporary power needs are, and then buying the generator that will provide sufficient electrical power to run the appliances you pick. Read more about determining the size portable generator that you need in our Black Creek Services article – What Size Portable Generator Do You Need?

Some people have tried connecting their portable generators directly to their home or business breaker panel/electrical distribution panel. This is dangerous, because it creates an electrical hazard not only for the people using their portable generator this way, but also can backfeed electrical power into the local electrical grid, endangering others in the family, neighbors, and electrical  service personnel when they start to restore normal electrical power to the area.

Portable Generators are for temporarily powering several appliances for a home or office.

Permanent stand-by generators are larger units that can be installed for homes or offices and wired into breaker panels/distribution panels to provide backup power when there is a power outage. If you want to provide power to more than just a few appliances during a power outage, we recommend you look into a stand-by generator. We found some good points in this video created by This Old House.

Most people find portable generators an affordable option.

hurricane weatherIs your portable generator ready to provide you electrical power during a power outage? When is the last time you started it up and ran it for 5 to 10 minutes?

If you can’t get your portable generator to start, or if you’d like to make sure your portable generator is ready for the next Hurricane, Call Black Creek Services 904.449.3986 for our Hurricane Season Generator Service, or Contact Black Creek Services! You can’t beat our in-shop service prices, and we can also provide pickup and delivery service.

Quality Lawn Mower Service in Middleburg Florida area

Is your lawn mower or lawn tractor giving you a rough time when you need to mow your lawn?

mowing the lawnIf your lawn mower is hard to start, runs rough, or won’t even start at all, you can get quality lawn mower service for your lawn mower or lawn tractor from Black Creek Services, Inc. of Middleburg, Florida: 904.449.3986.

Our prices are reasonable and competitive. If we can’t fix your problem, we won’t waste your time or your money!

We provide in-shop lawn mower and lawn tractor repair service in our Middleburg, Florida shop.

  • You can make an appointment to bring your mower or lawn tractor in (Just Call 904.449.3986 or email [email protected]) , or we offer pickup and delivery service.

small engine Briggs and StrattonMany people don’t realize that if you need to get your lawn mower ready for each new mowing season:

  • Replace the oil.
  • Clean or replace the air filter.
  • Replace the gasoline.
  • Replace your spark plug.

Many times,  just these four steps gets your lawn mower running properly again.

Let us help you be able to enjoy mowing your lawn again!

We provide our lawn mower and lawn tractor tuneup and repair service for clients in Middleburg, Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, Fleming Island, and Jacksonville, Florida.

Call Black Creek Services, Inc. 904.449.3986 or use our handy Contact form for an appointment to get your lawn mower or lawn tractor performing like it should.

 

Fall Outdoor Power Equipment Care – Jacksonville FL

Here in Northeast Florida, we usually have mild winters, and many of us don’t even stop using our outdoor power equipment through the winter months for fall power equipment care.

For example:

  • northeastern Florida bermuda grass in the fall the lawn grows uneven and shaggy looking
  • warmer days offer an opportunity to pressure wash our home, patio, driveway, or other outdoor items
  • portable generators need to be run periodically to assure they are ready for use in an emergency

But if you are done with your outdoor power equipment until the Bermuda grass starts turning green again in the spring, the main thing you need to remember is to add Briggs & Stratton Fuel Fit to your gas tank.

  • the first step in any small engine maintenance is to review the instructions in your power equipment Owners Manual
  • next, run your lawn mower, lawn tractor, or pressure washer (outside) to get the fuel additives and preservatives that protect your small engine from the effects of ethanol damage through your engine fuel system
  • and last but not least, top off your fuel tank to prevent accumulation of moisture that could lead to corrosion

If you don’t have the time to do this maintenance on your:

  • lawn mower
  • lawn tractor
  • portable generator
  • pressure washer

just give Black Creek Services a call at 904.449.3986 or email us at [email protected]. We can help you keep your small engine-powered equipment maintained for a fair and reasonable price.

  • Pickup and delivery service is available, too!

Black Creek Services, Inc. LogoWhen springtime rolls around, we can also help you make sure your outdoor power equipment is ready for a busy season with a Springtime Small Engine Maintenance Service.

Black Creek Services, Inc. offers in-shop lawn mower and lawn tractor maintenance and repair for clients in the Jacksonville Florida area. For examples, we’re talking Jacksonville, Orange Park, Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, and Middleburg, Florida.

We work in our Middleburg, Florida shop, where you can bring your lawn mower or lawn tractor by appointment (just call us at 904.449.3986 or email us at [email protected] to make an appointment).
AND we can provide pickup and delivery service.

If you have questions, please call us 904.449.3986 or use our contact form to Contact Black Creek Services. We like to help people get their small engine-powered outdoor equipment running right again!

Lawn Mower won’t start?

Regular lawn mower maintenance helps prevent problems, and lengthens the life of your lawn equipment. But even with regular maintenance, there can still be surprises.

* * Before you start to work on your lawn mower or lawn tractor, remember to Always review and refer to the operator’s manual for guidance specific to your lawn equipment.

Husqvarna rear discharge lawn mowerHere are 4 quick steps to get you going again:

1.  If the Starter Rope on the engine of your lawn mower is hard to pull, or seems to be stuck,

  • your engine flywheel brake (usually a bar on the handle of your lawn mower) may not be fully depressed when you try to pull the rope
  • could be your mower blade is too close to the ground and dragging in tall grass (move to a flat, hard surface like a sidewalk or driveway)
  • your mower deck may be clogged with grass clippings (turn your mower OFF, disconnect the spark plug, and then remove the grass clippings)

> > If you have a Battery Started lawn mower or lawn tractor, and nothing happens when your turn the key, your battery may need to be re-charged or replaced.

2. When’s the last time you cleaned or replaced your Air Filter? Your air filter should be replaced or properly cleaned at least once each mowing season. Take a look at your air filter, if it looks like time for a change or cleaning, it’s time.

Walk Behind Lawn Mower3. The problem may be in your Gas Tank. (Ethanol/Gasoline blend fuel begins to degrade in as little as 30 days, according to the technical advice of Briggs & Stratton.) Adding a fuel stabilizer to the fuel in your gas tank can help, while you are not using your lawn mower regularly.

4. Check your Spark Plug. Good maintenance practice is to replace the spark plug in your mower each year. If you already replaced your spark plug this year, check it for being fouled/dirty, loose, or even a spark plug wire that’s disconnected.

If you try these quick steps, and you still can’t start your lawn mower or lawn tractor, call Black Creek Services 904.449.3986 or email us at [email protected] (and Please include your phone number so we can call you back). We may be able to provide a suggestion to get you started again, over the phone.

If you need help to work on your mower, Black Creek Services does maintenance and repairs in our Middleburg, Florida shop.

  • Call 904.449.3986 to make an appointment to bring your lawn mower or lawn tractor to our shop.
  • OR we can provide pickup and delivery service.

Black Creek Services, Inc. LogoBlack Creek Services uses quality parts and materials during small engine maintenance service and any repairs. Black Creek Services, Inc. has built a reputation for providing reliable, quality small engine service for people living in Middleburg, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Green Cove Springs, and all around the Jacksonville area, and we want to keep it that way.

When you are having a problem starting your lawn mower or lawn tractor and these tips don’t get you going again, Call Black Creek Services, Inc. 904.449.3986 or use our handy Contact form.

Safe Operation of Portable Generators

Are you thinking about buying a portable generator for emergency electrical power to your home or office during a power outage, such as during a hurricane?
Here are a few quick tips for safe operation of portable generators to help you get started.

8000 Watt Briggs & Stratton Portable Generator1. Portable generators are designed for providing temporary power to one or several appliances. The number of appliances they can support is based on the output of the generator and the power requirements of the appliances.

2. The first step in buying a generator is deciding how much wattage you need during an emergency power outage. The size of your generator in wattage is determined by which appliances you want to power and how much total startup energy they need.

See our Chart for approximate wattage needs of various appliances.
– – (Click on the Chart below to see enlarge the chart.) – –

watts of power needed chart

3. Check the rating of the extension cord that you use to connect each appliance to your portable generator. Make sure the cord is designed to carry the full amount of electrical current to the appliance.

4. Portable power generators are not designed to be run continuously, nor run inside your home or garage.  They should be run (outside)  for short periods of several hours, and then shut down for several hours before being run again.

Generac Portable Generator5. We recommend adding a fuel stabilizer to your fuel tank , and running your portable generator for at least 10 minutes each month, to keep it ready to go when you need it.

For more tips on the safe operation of Portable Generators, please see these tips shared by:

Is your portable generator not running or giving you other problems?
Black Creek Services can provide reliable maintenance and repair servicing to your portable generator.
We will help you keep your small engine powered portable generator ready to go when you need it!


Call 904.449.3986 or use our handy Contact form to make an appointment to drop off your small engine powered Lawn Mower, Lawn Tractor, Portable Generator, or Pressure Washer at our Middleburg, Florida shop.
  • We also can provide pickup and delivery service for clients in our service area.