Do you live in an area where winters involve freezing temperatures?
If so, having a proper maintenance regimen for your water-filled equipment is more of a necessity than a personal choice.
Although you may be used to preparing your machines for the cold season way ahead of time, winterizing pressure washers can involve a couple of more steps than usual.
To help you learn how to winterize a pressure washer before the cold season arrives, we prepared this easy-to-follow guide.
With the right instructions, winterizing a pressure washer will only take a couple of minutes.
What’s even better is that you can do it easily in the comfort of your home.
Do Pressure Washers Need To Be Winterized?
If you thought the winter blues were enough to pull you down, think again.
While the impending cold season may lead to a shiver down the spine, the idea of preparing your tools, among other chores, is the real kick in the gut.
Think you can get away without winterizing a pressure washer? Sadly, you are mistaken.
What Happens If You Don’t Winterize Your Pressure Washer?
As you get through using the machine, there remain pockets of water stuck to the inside mechanism.
Although considerably less in volume, these do not evaporate easily, especially when they have found a home within the pump.
During the pleasantly warm seasons, these hidden pockets of water are not troublesome.
However, in the thick of the cold season, these can create a lot of damage, especially if your washer is not stored in a heated area.
In freezing temperatures, water droplets tend to expand.
As they do, they can damage the structure and mechanisms of the different pipes and seals connected to the pump.
If you are still wondering if washers need to be winterized, then yes, they definitely need to be prepared for the cold weather.
How Do I Prepare My Pressure Washer for Winter?
It is no secret that our sheds are full of complicated tools that may need a week-long maintenance regimen before storing away.
However, when it comes to winterizing pressure washers, the week-long regimen turns into a mere couple of minutes.
The process itself is relatively simple. However, some models have specialized instructions given in their user manuals.
Make sure you go over the manual before undertaking any of the processes mentioned in this post.
Coming back to the topic, preparing a pressure washer for the winter season requires only a handful of steps which include:
- Purge the washer from all liquid states of matter.
- If you have a gas washer, you also need to remove or stabilize the remaining fuel.
- Finally, put it away properly for the next couple of months.
To be sure you’re doing the correct steps, here they are explained in more detail:
Step 1: Remove the Detergent
The first step to winterizing pressure washers is to get rid of the residual detergent.
This step is only valid for pressure washers with a built-in detergent tank.
If your washer doesn’t have one, you can just easily move on to the next step.
You need to completely rid the detergent tank of any remaining detergent it may have by rinsing it thoroughly.
If your washer model allows, you may want to detach the detergent tank to do this effectively.
Next, fill it up with warm water before turning on the pressure washer and running it at varying pressures.
This extra step ensures that there is no more detergent in the tank.
You may need to do this a couple of times, especially if the cleaning agent or detergent you used previously has an oil base.
Step 2: Detach All the Hoses
Once you are done with purging the washer of all residual detergent, you can go ahead with the second step.
Your winterizing pressure washer regimen should include detaching all the hoses.
Along with the hoses, any other connectors and lines should also be detached.
Keep in mind that you must not only detach these from the main body but also disconnect them from one another.
Doing this will allow for fast drying and easy storage.
After all, most materials tend to expand and contract in varying temperatures, which may damage the machine in the long run.
How To Disassemble Your Pressure Washer
No idea how to do it? Here’s how you can effectively disassemble your washer.
Start with the washer gun by squeezing the release button multiple times. This will help release all blocked air that is sealing away residual moisture.
Secondly, start disassembling the washer from the bottom. In doing so, you’ll be utilizing gravity as a means of naturally draining leftover water.
Release the inlet hose and make your way up to the washer tip.
Pro tip: Don’t rush the process, as you don’t want to leave behind any moisture or water droplet. Let gravity do its thing as you patiently wait.
Step 3: Drain the Water
Once you have removed the hoses from the body and have disconnected them from one another, it is time to drain any remaining water from the washer.
If otherwise specified in the user manual, it is considered good practice to use a compressor to help achieve the task efficiently.
Pay close attention to this step; it is the most integral part of learning how to winterize a pressure washer.
How Do You Drain Water Out of a Pressure Washer?
The simplest way to drain water out of a pressure washer is to turn it on and run it on a low setting.
With electric washers, this is easier to achieve, as you will be using a simple switch to turn the machine on and off.
However, with gas pressure washers, you will need to employ a little bit more tact.
The best technique is to pull the power cord a couple of times in short, successive bursts.
Make sure to do it a bit gentler than you would otherwise when starting your gas washer.
Once started, regardless if it’s an electric and gas unit, allow the machine to run for a few minutes until the starting stream of water has left the body.
Next, rock the washer gently from side to side to loosen any hidden droplets and let them exit the washer in a similar manner as before.
For those using a compressor, you may attach it to the inlet section and run it for a few seconds on a low setting.
A word of caution, though; make sure you do not do this process for more than a few seconds.
The washer is not designed to work without water. Hence, running it empty for longer periods may lead to permanent damage to the pump.
Step 4: Protect the Heart of the Washer (The Pump)
To successfully winterize pressure washers, make sure you keep in mind the health of the pump.
One way to do this is to use a pump saver, commonly known as an antifreeze liquid.
The pump in your washer is not easily replaceable.
It may cost you an arm and a leg, too, if your washer’s model even allows a replacement.
On the other hand, a pump saver costs way less and, in most cases, readily available for purchase from your machine’s manufacturers.
Can I Use RV Antifreeze in My Pressure Washer?
Using an RV antifreeze will help you protect your pump from freezing.
This non-flammable and stainless antifreeze has two types: pressurized and unpressurized.
The simplest way to distinguish between the two is by evaluating the design of the containers.
A pressurized container will have some form of threading on the head and a release button to go with it.
A pump saver must only be applied after all the water from the washer has been drained.
Here’s how you should apply antifreeze to your pressure washer.
First, attach the antifreeze container carefully against the water inlet.
If the container does not sit properly against the inlet, do not continue further.
Once fitted properly, simply press the button given on the head of a pressurized container.
On the other hand, for an unpressurized container, you will need to pull on the starter thread to make sure the liquid seeps through the pump.
To make sure the fluid has covered the entire pump, wait until it starts pouring out of the washer outlet.
Once that happens, then you’ll know to stop.
Step 5: How To Handle Any Remaining Fuel (for Gas-Powered Washers)
If you are a proud owner of a gas pressure washer, then your job is not quite done yet.
While fuel, such as gasoline, does not easily freeze even in low temperatures, it is still susceptible to forming weird-looking gunks.
Unfortunately, these gunks can lead to damage.
Gasoline contracts in size in cold temperatures, so if you plan to leave it lying around in the tank, you must use a fuel stabilizer.
Depending on the instructions in the user manual, you can also extract the leftover fuel and let it burn away by running the washer for a few seconds.
In either case, you must make sure to do this step before applying the antifreeze solution.
Step 6: Winterize Pressure Washer
It is always a good idea to store away your pressure washer in a cool and dry environment.
Make sure to go over the user manual of the model you are using. It will have great insights and recommendations regarding adequate storage.
Also, do not leave your pressure washer or any power tool out in the open, as these are not designed to withstand weathering.
How To Winterize a Pressure Washer
Winterizing a pressure washer properly goes a long way in ensuring its longevity.
By following the necessary steps mentioned above, you will be able to winterize your pressure washer in just a few steps.
Just remember, the winterizing process is not complete until you store away the unit in a cool and dry place.