How to Winterize and Store Your Pressure Washer for the Off-Season
The pressure washer industry is growing fast, becoming more popular for both businesses and homeowners. It’s expected to grow by 3.4% every year from 2019 to 2025. This shows how much people are starting to depend on pressure washing to keep places clean. Pressure washers are great at getting rid of tough dirt, grime, mold, and algae, making them key for looking after the look and strength of buildings, sidewalks, and more.
Pressure washing goes beyond just cleaning off surface dirt; it gets deep into surfaces to clean away tough stains and dirt that other methods can’t handle. To get things really clean, you need the right tools—a dependable pressure washer, different nozzles for various surfaces, hoses, and sometimes special cleaning solutions designed for specific cleaning jobs.
This equipment is a big investment for both businesses and homeowners. It’s crucial for keeping properties looking good and meeting cleanliness standards, which is especially important for businesses where making a good first impression matters a lot. But these machines need proper care when not in use, especially in winter.
Why It’s Important to Store and Winterize Your Pressure Washer
Making sure your pressure washer is stored properly during the winter is key to keeping it working well for years. Winterizing it means getting it ready for the cold weather, which helps avoid damage that cold temperatures can cause. Here’s why this step is critical and what could go wrong if you don’t do it.
Reasons to Winterize Your Pressure Washer:
- Avoid Damage: If water inside your pressure washer freezes, it can expand and break parts like the pump, hoses, and other inside bits. Fixing or replacing these parts can be expensive and might shorten how long your pressure washer lasts.
- Cut Costs: It costs money to fix or replace damaged parts of a pressure washer. By winterizing it, you dodge these extra costs and keep your spending on maintenance low.
- Keep It Running Smoothly: A pressure washer that’s looked after will work better and last longer. Winterizing makes sure your machine is ready to use without any problems when you need it next.
- Stay Safe: A well-maintained pressure washer is also safer to use. Not winterizing could lead to safety risks when you try to use it next.
What Happens If You Don’t Winterize?
Not getting your pressure washer ready for winter can lead to several issues:
- Cracks in Parts: The biggest risk is to the pump and the plumbing inside it. Frozen water can put pressure on metal and plastic parts, causing them to crack.
- Rust and Corrosion: Leftover water can also make parts rusty or corroded, especially if there’s detergent or chemicals left in them.
- Blocked Systems: Ice can block the hoses and nozzles, leading to failures or the need to replace parts.
- Shorter Life for Your Washer: All these problems can greatly reduce how long your pressure washer works for, turning what should be a good long-term buy into something you have to keep spending money on.
How to Get Your Pressure Washer Ready for Winter
Getting your pressure washer ready for winter, or “winterizing,” means preparing it to stay safe during the cold months so it doesn’t get damaged by the freezing temperatures. This process helps keep every part of your machine in good shape, so it’s ready to use again once it gets warm. Here are the steps to do it:
Steps for Winterizing Your Pressure Washer:
- Get Rid of Any Water: First, you need to make sure there’s no water left in your pressure washer. You can do this by turning it on for a short while without hooking it up to water, which helps push out any water that’s still inside.
- Give It a Good Clean: Clean off any dirt or stuff that’s stuck to your pressure washer. Make sure you check the nozzles and spray gun too, as they can get blocked up.
- Take Off and Empty Hoses: Take off all the hoses and make sure they’re totally empty. You don’t want any water left in them that might freeze and cause them to break.
- Use Antifreeze for the Pump: Find a special antifreeze product made for pressure washers and pour some into the pump. This stops the inside parts from freezing and keeps the seals from drying out.
- Look After the Fuel: If your pressure washer uses gas, put some fuel stabilizer into the tank. This keeps the fuel from going bad and helps protect the engine. After putting it in, run the engine for a bit to spread the stabilizer around.
- Care for the Engine: If yours is a gas pressure washer, now’s a good time to change the oil and maybe the spark plug too. This helps the engine stay in good shape while it’s not being used.
- Find a Good Spot for Storage: Lastly, put your pressure washer somewhere dry and where it won’t freeze. If it has to stay outside, cover it up with a waterproof cover to keep it dry.
Following these steps will help make sure your pressure washer makes it through the winter without any issues and is all set to work again when spring comes. Doing this not only makes your machine last longer but also keeps it working well.
Keeping Your Pressure Washer Going Strong
Taking good care of your pressure washer means it could last you over 10 years. This involves regular checks, cleaning it after use, storing it right, and following the care instructions. Doing this keeps it working smoothly and prevents early wear or damage.
On the flip side, not looking after your pressure washer can cut its life short. Missing out on maintenance and proper storage might mean you’ll need repairs or even a replacement in just a few years. Especially if you don’t prepare it for winter, you could face issues like cracks, rust, or blockages.
In essence, a bit of maintenance effort goes a long way toward extending your pressure washer’s lifespan and efficiency. Regular upkeep and correct storage are key to avoiding early failure and keeping it ready for work. Taking care of your pressure washer saves you time and money in the long run.