How to Winterize a Power Washer
Winter is just around the corner, and it’s time to start thinking about how to protect your power washer from the cold and wet weather. As temperatures drop and snow begins to fall, it’s important to take steps to winterize your power washer properly. This will ensure that your equipment is in tip-top condition when spring arrives and that you won’t have any unpleasant surprises when you fire it up again for the first time after winter.
In this blog post, we’ll take you through everything you need to do to winterize your power washer so you can rest easy knowing it’s ready for whatever Mother Nature throws it’s way.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to Winterizing a Power Washer
Welcome to the world of winterizing a power washer! As temperatures start to drop, it’s time to think about storing your power washer correctly so that you can keep it in top condition. Winterizing your power washer is essential to avoid any damage and to ensure that it’s ready to use for the next season.
To begin, make sure that you have all the necessary supplies. You will need antifreeze, a fuel stabilizer, pump saver oil, a garden hose, safety goggles, and a tarp. You may also need some tools to disassemble hoses and lines.
Once you have all your materials ready, the first thing to do is to flush out the system with tap water to remove any remaining dirt or debris. Then, completely drain the reservoir before flushing the pump and chemical injector with fresh water. Disconnect all hoses and the gun and wand assembly from the pressure washer, draining as much water as possible.
We recommend adding a fuel stabilizer to the gas tank to avoid any damage caused by fuel that is left inside the machine. If you own a gas-powered washer, we suggest protecting the engine by draining all the fuel from the tank and starting the engine to allow it to run empty.
To prevent frozen water from damaging the machine permanently, introduce an antifreeze product into the machine. Make sure that it’s introduced in every place, and protect your eyes by wearing safety goggles and laying down a tarp.
Finally, turn off the power supply and squeeze the trigger gun to ensure that any remaining water is expelled from the system. By following these steps, you can confidently store your power washer for the winter without any worries.
2. Purchase the Necessary Supplies
Now that you know how to winterize a power washer, it’s time to gather the necessary supplies. Before starting the process, make sure you have a fuel stabilizer, pressure washer pump saver oil, and RV antifreeze on hand.
First, the fuel stabilizer ensures that the fuel in your gas-powered washer doesn’t become stale during storage. This is important to avoid any issues when you’re ready to use your power washer again.
The pressure washer pump saver oil is crucial to protecting the pump during the winter months. Draining the pump and adding the pump-saver oil will help prevent any damage from freezing water.
Lastly, don’t forget the RV antifreeze. This is used to fill the pump and hose lines to protect them from freezing temperatures. Follow the instructions on the RV antifreeze to correctly fill the pump and hose lines.
By having these supplies on hand, you’ll be prepared to properly winterize your power washer and have it ready for use when warmer weather arrives.
3. Flushing the System with Tap Water
When it comes to winterizing your power washer, flushing the system with tap water is an important step to ensure that all of the detergents are removed. After you have run the pressure washer at a low setting with warm water in the detergent tank, turn off the water supply and let the pressure washer run until all the detergent is flushed from the system with a low-pressure nozzle. Once the detergent is flushed, it’s time to remove all water and detergent from the pressure washer’s system. Grab a bucket with clean water and disconnect the spray gun, wand assembly, and high-pressure hoses, draining as much liquid as possible. Even after draining the system, there may still be residual fluid left. To clear out all residual fluid, put the feeding tube in a bucket of clean water and flush out the system. By following these steps, you’ll be sure to have a clean and well-maintained power washer that is ready to use when you need it.
4. Draining the Pump of Remaining Water
Now that you’ve flushed out all the water from the system, it’s time to drain the pump of any remaining water. Disconnect all hoses and the gun and wand assembly from the pressure washer, making sure to drain as much water as possible. Disconnect the pressure hose from the spray gun and the high-pressure outlet on the pump. Remember that any water left in the pump, coil, fittings, gun jet, or hose can freeze and cause damage to your pressure washer.
To fully drain the pump, you can tip the unit and let the remaining water drain out. Some models may have a drain plug that you can unscrew to empty any water inside. Once all the water has been drained, you can add a little bit of lubricant to the pump’s pistons and seals to ensure that they stay protected during storage.
With the pump drained and lubricated, you’re one step closer to properly winterizing your power washer. Don’t forget to also empty the gas tank and add fuel stabilizer to prevent any damage to the carburetor. By taking these simple steps, you can protect your pressure washer during the cold winter months and ensure that it’s in top condition when you’re ready to use it again.
5. Adding Fuel Stabilizer to Gas Tank
Now that you’ve drained any excess water from your power washer’s pump, it’s time to add some fuel stabilizer to your gas tank. This step is crucial in protecting your power washer’s engine during the winter months. Begin by purchasing a high-quality fuel stabilizer and adding it to your fresh gasoline. Make sure to follow the instructions on the product label for the correct amount to add based on the size of your gas tank. Once you’ve added the stabilizer, run the engine for 2-3 minutes to get the stabilized fuel into the fuel system. Doing so will help prevent tarnish build-up in the carburetor and clogging of the fuel lines during storage. Don’t forget to store your power washer in a clean, dry place until you’re ready to use it again. By taking these simple steps to winterize your power washer, you can ensure its reliable performance for many seasons to come.
6. Protecting the Engine of a Gas-Powered Washer
Now that you have taken care of the basic steps to winterize your pressure washer, it’s important to focus on protecting the engine of your gas-powered washer. As mentioned earlier, gasoline goes stale in about 30 days, so it’s crucial to add a quality fuel stabilizer to fresh gasoline. You can protect your engine further by adding fuel treatment to clean, fresh fuel before filling the fuel tank.
Once you’ve added fuel stabilizer and treatment, run your pressure washer for a few minutes to circulate the additives throughout the system. After that, store the gasoline engine pressure washer in a dry, ventilated location that does not contain sources of flame, such as a furnace or water heater.
It’s also important to remove the detergent from the pump before storage. Detergent can damage the internal seals of your pressure washer if left in the pump during winter months. For maximum winterization, make sure to drain the detergent from the pump before storing it away.
By taking these steps to protect the engine of your gas-powered washer, you are ensuring that it will start up easily and be ready for use when warmer weather returns. Remember, winterizing your pressure washer can save you costly repairs and make your cleaning tasks easier and faster when it’s time to use your unit again.
7. Filling the Pump with Antifreeze
Now that you’ve drained the pump of water and added fuel stabilizer to the gas tank, it’s time to protect the pump from freezing by filling it with antifreeze. Here’s how:
First, put on some gloves and grab a bucket of clean water. Add one gallon of RV antifreeze and three quarts of water to the bucket. Normally, you mix 50/50, but you’ll be getting water out of the pump to make the other half of the mixture.
Next, inject the “Pump Guard” into the pump through the hose input. Make sure the engine is in the OFF position and pull the starter cord a few times to distribute the antifreeze throughout the system.
Finally, flush the pump and chemical injector with fresh water to remove any remaining residue. Turn off the power supply and squeeze the trigger gun to release any excess pressure.
Congratulations, you’ve successfully winterized your gas-powered pressure washer! With these steps completed, you can store your machine knowing it’s properly protected from the harsh winter weather. Don’t forget to keep it in a dry place and follow any additional storage tips recommended by the manufacturer. Happy cleaning!
8. Flushing Pump and Chemical Injector with Fresh Water
Now that you’ve drained the remaining water from the pump, it’s time to flush it with fresh water before adding any antifreeze. Begin by filling a bucket with clean water and placing the injection tube of your power washer into it. Make sure to flush both the pump and chemical injector with the water. This step is important because any leftover detergent can cause damage to the pump and other internal components if left inside the system.
Next, turn off the power supply and squeeze the trigger gun to release any remaining water in the system. This step helps prevent any water from freezing inside the pump and causing damage during the winter months. Once you’ve completed this step, you can move on to the next one in the winterizing process.
Remember, proper maintenance and preparation before storing your power washer for the winter can help extend its lifespan and ensure it’s ready to use when the warmer weather returns. By following these steps, you can feel confident that your power washer will be ready to go come springtime.
9. Turning off the Power Supply and Squeezing Trigger Gun
Now that you’ve flushed the pump and chemical injector with fresh water, it’s time to turn off the power supply and squeeze the trigger gun. To do this, first, turn off the engine and the main water supply. Then, point the spray gun of the pressure washer in a safe direction and squeeze the trigger to relieve any remaining pressure. It’s important to do this to prevent any damage to the system and ensure that all the water is removed.
After squeezing the trigger gun, wipe off any excess water from the hose and gun with a rag. This will help prevent any moisture from remaining in the components and potentially causing damage during storage.
Remember, proper winterization of your power washer ensures that it will be ready to use again come spring. Stay ahead of potential issues by following these simple steps to keep your power washer in tip-top shape.
10. Conclusion and Storage Tips
Congratulations, you’ve successfully winterized your power washer! Now that the system is prepped for cold weather, it’s time to focus on storage. Here are a few tips to ensure your machine stays safe and ready to use when you need it:
1. Choose a dry, sheltered location – If possible, store your power washer in a covered space that’s free from moisture. Excess humidity or exposure to rain and snow can damage the machine’s components, so it’s important to keep it dry and protected.
2. Keep the system free from debris – Before you put your power washer away, make sure it’s free from dirt, leaves, and other outdoor debris. Use a high-pressure washer to clean off any grime or residue that might have accumulated during the winterization process.
3. Maintain your equipment over the winter months – While you’re not using your power washer, take time to maintain it. Check the oil levels, tighten any loose bolts, and make sure everything looks good. This will ensure that when you’re ready to use it again, you’ll be able to jump right in without any issues.
By following these storage tips and properly winterizing your power washer, you can rest easy knowing that it will be ready to use come springtime. Taking care of your equipment now will save you time and money later on, so don’t skimp on these important steps!