How to Keep your Pressure Washing Equipment Operational During the Winter Months (or Store Your Pressure Washer if you are Seasonal Operator)
Your pressure washer will last for a long time when taken care of properly. Seasonal pressure washer maintenance is a must before the winter weather gets cold enough to cause damage to your pressure washer.
Many professional pressure washing companies however, continue operating throughout the year and must maintain their equipment in the colder climates for the machineries’ optimal performance.
I had the pleasure of gathering these tips from conversing with the owner of All Touch Power Wash & Paint’s Ryan Mason from Baltimore Maryland where the weather can be blazing hot in the summer and extremely cold in the winter.
For the homeowner he suggests storage for the winter along with the below tips.
For the pro wash company, most of the tips are a daily routine and should be followed.
Storing your pressure washer inside of your garage, storage unit, or shed is just not enough and will not protect your washer. Going through the steps to winterize your machine will ensure that any residual moisture inside does not freeze and expand causing serious damage to the inside of the pump.
Below, we will talk about how you can winterize your gas pressure washer for the cooler months of the year.
Use a Fuel Stabilizer
The first step is to use a fuel stabilizer in your pressure washer to prevent moisture from leaking into your fuel and to protect the inner components from rust and corrosion.
You can pour the stabilizer into your fuel tank and should follow the instructions on the chosen stabilizer for information on how much to pour in. Once in, turn on the pressure washer and let the engine run from two to five minutes to ensure the stabilizer reaches the carburetor.
Flush Out Your System
The next step is to flush out your entire system. This is required if you use any type of chemicals in your pressure washer.
You need to make sure that NO water remains in the pump when you store it or you need to use a marine antifreeze. This process is simply done. Cut a short length of a garden hose about a foot or so long and insert a funnel that fits the hose orifice. Screw into the pressure washer pump water inlet and pour enough antifreeze (usually about an ounce or so) until you see the color of the antifreeze dripping out of the outlet of the pump. The color may be faint. Make sure you’re certain to see the pink or blue color of the antifreeze drip out. Again, the color will be faint.
With the power switch in the off position, pull on the recoil string handle about five to six times to circulate the antifreeze.
To Store Your Pressure Washer
If it’s time for you to store your pressure washer, be sure to keep it in a safe, clean, dry space. You may want to lay down a tarp and allow the pressure washer to sit on it.
If storing for the winter, before you tidy up, do take a moment to maintain your pump system by using a pump saver oil. The oil works to keep your pump oiled and lubed and will prevent freeze damage, rust, and corrosion.
Once the oil is in the pump, pull on the recoil handle three times and then keep your pressure washer in a dry, cool, clean place for the winter months.
Featured Photo by Your Best Digs on Flickr | License CC BY 2.0