Winterizing your Pressure Washer

Most people don't winterize their pressure washer, more precisely their pump. Left over liquid in the pump freezes when temperatures drop, expands, and then causes real damage. So if you want to get the maximum life out of your pump and don't want to purchase a new pump or pay for pump repair parts, following these instructions to winterize your pressure washer could save you time and money.

Whenever storing a pump for extended periods or between use in cold climates you need to winterize your pressure washer, drain all pumped liquids from the pump and flush the liquid-end with an antifreeze solution to prevent freezing and damage to the manifold or pump. Do not pump with frozen liquid in the pump.

Standard Shut Down to winterize your pressure washer

To begin to winterize your pressure washer

• Flush pump and chemical injector with fresh water
• Turn off power supply.
• Squeeze trigger gun to relieve line pressure.
• Disconnect Inlet and Discharge Plumbing.

How System Flush to winterize your pressure washer

• Connect a short 4 foot hose to the pump inlet for units without a float tank and place the other end of the hose in a container with 50% water and 50% antifreeze to properly winterize your pressure washer.
• For units WITH a float tank, pour anti-freeze mixture directly into tank.
• Start the unit and run until the antifreeze flows out the discharge of the pump.
• Allow unit to go into bypass at least one time to circulate anti-freeze (release trigger gun to activate bypass).
• Shut the unit off and disconnect the hose from the pump inlet, you have now finished the basic steps to winterize your pressure washer.
• Store unit (do not install plugs in the inlet and discharge port).
• Cover to protect from severe elements.
• Restarting System after you properly winterize your pressure washer
• Turn regulator/unloader setting to lowest pressure point.
• Check crankcase oil level and purity.
• Reconnect the liquid supply line, discharge line and allow liquid to flow through pump for 2-3 minutes.
• Check for leaks at all plumbing connections.
• Turn crankshaft by hand initially (this step is only for BELT DRIVE pressure washer pumps). If free moving, start power.
• Gradually reset regulator/unloader in small increments to desired system pressure and resume operation.
• Follow your established maintenance cycle or the standard Preventative Maintenance Check List in the pump service manual.