A pressure washer is an expensive machine. When you spend that much money on a product, you will work hard to protect it from damage and prolong its usability. This is the case with pressure washer owners. However, the greatest challenge pressure washer owners encounter is ensuring their durability, especially in winter. For this reason, this post discusses tips for winterizing pressure washers.
Tips for winterizing pressure washers
Winterization is the process of preparing something for winter. You can prepare the item for use or storage as long as you make it resistant to the winter weather. For example, the harsh winter weather can cause your pressure washer to get damaged. You can keep this from happening by pressurizing your machines. Below is a guide to winterizing pressure washers;
1. Drain the water from the pump
The first step for winterizing pressure washers is draining the water from the pump. The harsh winter weather may cause the water to freeze in the pump. When water freezes, it expands, causing the machine's components to break. When this happens, the machine components may experience severe damage.
You can drain the water from the pump by disconnecting the water supply line and the high-pressure hose. Additionally, it would be wise to disconnect the high-pressure trigger gun. Other than draining the pump, you should go the extra step of ensuring all the water from the hoses is completely drained.
2. Protect the pump from freeze
Your pressure washers' pump is also prone to freezing even without the water. Therefore, you can also winterize pressure washers by protecting the pump from freezing. There are two methods to achieve this. The first one is pouring antifreeze solution into the pump through the funnel connected to the hose.
The second method is attaching the pump saver bottle to the inlet valve. The foamy solution from the water outlet will keep your pressure washer pump safe during winter.
3. Remove fuel from the fuel tank and protect it from freezing
Other than the pump, the fuel tank also needs protection from freezing. The easiest way to do this is by draining the fuel from the tank. You can also do this by using a fuel-stabilizing solution. The second method does not require you to drain the fuel. Instead of pouring the stabilizer into the tank, you can also drain the fuel, mix it with the fuel, and put it back into the tank. The method you choose for protecting your fuel tank from freezing will depend on the type of pressure washer you need.
4. Winterize the cylinder
Another tip for winterizing pressure washers is protecting the cylinders. You can remove the spark plug and oil the cylinder with motor oil. This will keep the pressure washer parts lubricated to prevent damage. Additionally, the oil helps keep the pressure washer at a peak state.
Conclusion
Winterizing pressure washers aim to prepare them for storage in winter weather. In addition, it helps protect the internal components from damage. For instance, it can prevent blockages from leftover gas in the fuel lines.