Most people don’t know how to winterize a pressure washer because they don’t know you’re supposed to winterize them in cold weather climates. Winterizing a pressure washer is extremely important. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Winterize a Pressure Washer?
There are convincingly logical reasons why you should winterize a pressure washer. The main reason is to prolong the life of your pressure washer. Here are some other reasons to winterize a pressure washer.
Reasons to winterize a pressure washer:
- Protect it from freezing during the winter months
- Help it start up more easily when the colder temperatures are gone
- Prevent the pump seal from drying out
- Prevent damage to the pump system that can be caused by moisture freezing in the pump
- Avoid corrosion
- Prevent mold and mildew buildup
- Minimize the risk of fire
What Do You Need To Winterize a Pressure Washer
Before winterizing your pressure washer you’ll need to gather a few items. These items vary depending on if you own a gas-powered pressure washer or an electric pressure washer.
Gas-Powered Pressure Washer
Here’s what you need to winterize a gas-powered washer:
- 10 mm wrench
- Small container for collecting gasoline
- Small container for collecting water
- Bottle of antifreeze or pump saver
- Fuel stabilizer
Electric Pressure Washers
Here’s what you need to winterize an electric-powered washer:
- Warm tap water
- Garden hose
- Water tap
- Bottle of antifreeze or pump saver
How To Winterize a Pressure Washer
Winterizing a pressure washer means draining all the water out of the pressure washer pump system and adding a fuel stabilizer to the fuel system.
These instructions take less than ten minutes and prolong the life of your pressure washer.
We’ve included both instructions for winterizing gas pressure washers and for winterizing electric pressure washers.
Gas Pressure Washer
Gas pressure washers require that you empty all water from the pump. Then add antifreeze or add pump saver to the pump. And finally adding fuel stabilizer to protect the fuel lines and engine components.
Here is how to winterize a gas pressure washer:
- Connect your garden hose to a water supply and then to your pressure washer.
- Start your power washer and run clean water through the system for a few minutes using the low-pressure setting. (This will remove any remaining detergent and cleaning solution in the detergent tank and rest of the system. This also protects your pressure washer’s internal seals and helps protect against corrosion.)
- Drain fuel from the fuel tank using a 10 mm wrench to unscrew the fuel bolt. The screw is located just to the side of the carburetor. Have a small container ready to collect the gasoline.
- Replace the fuel tank bolt. (Do not over-tighten the bolt.)
- Remove the spray gun and wand assembly and the high-pressure hose from the pump inlet.
- Engage the trigger lock on the spray gun to release trapped pressure and to remove any remaining water.
- Dry accessories (hose/injection tube, spray gun, nozzle extension, etc.).
- Remove the garden hose from the water inlet.
- Funnel antifreeze or pump saver into the pump inlet while pulling on the starter cord 5 to 10 times. (Make sure the pressure washer is in the off position. Collect liquid coming out of the unit in a small container until only antifreeze remains. All water is now out of your power washer.)
- Add fuel stabilizer to the oil to prevent coagulation and freeze damage during freezing temperatures.
- Clean the pressure washer completely, making sure it is completely dry.
- Store your pressure washer in either an attached garage, basement, or a closet in your home where the temperature will not drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.444 degrees Celsius).
Electric Pressure Washer
Electric pressure washers require proper maintenance to protect the inner seals during cold temperatures. Frozen water will expand inside your electric pressure washer causing it to no longer work. To avoid this from happening know how to winterize it properly.
Here is how to winterize an electric pressure washer:
- Connect a garden hose to an outside tap and to your washer.
- Add warm water to the detergent tank.
- Start the pressure washer and flush out all remaining soap residue.
- Disconnect the power supply.
- Disconnect the pressure hose, gun and wand assembly.
- Plug the unit back in and turn it on for a couple of seconds while you rock the washer back and forth. (You may have to do this a few times to remove all excess water from the pump.)
- Unplug the unit again.
- Add antifreeze into the water inlet to ensure any residual water doesn’t freeze during the winter months.
- Store your pressure washer and accessories in a warm dry place.
IMPORTANT NOTE: We strongly recommend you learn how to winterize a pressure washer by first referring to the owner’s manual. It should explain the best way to winterize your brand of pressure washer.
PRO TIP: If you don’t have the owner’s manual you can normally find them online by visiting the manufacturer’s website.
PRO TIP: You can also call customer support for help winterizing your power washer.
Closing Thoughts
If you live in a cold climate region and own a pressure washer you must know how to winterize it to protect it from the freezing cold.
We recommend you consult your user manual to learn the manufacturer’s directions for winterizing. The mechanical engineer that designed the model knows best how to winterize it.
The instructions presented here are general instructions for winterizing most power washers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use regular antifreeze to winterize my pressure washer?
The quick answer to this question is that you should not use regular antifreeze to winterize your pressure washer.
There are a couple of reasons for this:
- Regular antifreeze contains alcohol, which will corrode metal parts of the pressure washer.
- Regular antifreeze also contains water, which could cause the pump on many pressure washers to rust internally.
What type of antifreeze should I use to winterize my pressure washer?
You should use a food-grade safe glycol-based antifreeze like the type used to winterize RVs and groundwater pumps.
Can I add a treated fuel stabilizer to my gas without draining it?
Adding a fuel stabilizer can be done but isn’t recommended. It is better to add fresh gasoline after the cold months have passed when you’re ready to use your pressure washer again. Keeping gasoline in your power washer adds to the risk of fires starting if the washer is not safely stored.