How to Winterize a Pressure Washer

Your commercial pressure washer is the heart of your operations. It tackles tough stains for most of the year while saving you time and money.

When the cold weather arrives, learning how to winterize a pressure washer can save you from frozen pipes, cracked hoses, and a machine that won’t start after months of storage.

Winterizing a pressure washer will ensure your machine remains in working condition and save you from costly repairs or replacements.

So, how do you winterize a pressure washer?

The process involves just a handful of simple steps. Each part of a pressure washer winterizing kit is affordable, so once you learn the basics, there’s no reason not to.

We’ll break down every step of this vital pressure washer storage practice. If you have additional questions or need to refresh your equipment stock, visit RJP Hotsy New Jersey!

As the Garden State’s #1 repair center for commercial pressure washers, we can help you keep your machine in peak condition year-round.

What is Pressure Washer Winterizing?

Before we dive into the details of pressure washer winterizing kits and how the process works, we must first define the term.

Winterizing a pressure washer is preparing your machine for months of freezing temperatures.

With moisture and frozen water causing damage, winterizing is integral for maintaining a pressure washer.

How do you winterize a pressure washer?

The process involves draining all the water from your system, sealing off the pump, disconnecting hoses, and other minor maintenance tasks.

Learning how to winterize a pressure washer is simple, and the entire procedure usually takes no more than an hour.

It’s critical to note that the details of winterization will depend on the type of machine you have. There are differences in the task for hot water vs cold water pressure washers and electric pressure washers vs gas pressure washers that we’ll cover later in this guide, or you can talk to our team for personalized advice!

Why is Winterizing a Pressure Washer Necessary?

When you first begin using a commercial pressure washer in your business, you might think the machine is invincible. However, a high-quality pressure washer can blast through stubborn stains in minutes with minimal upkeep.

But when below-freezing temperatures roll around, the dynamic shifts. Winterizing a pressure washer is a must to avoid damage, even with the most durable and sturdy models.

The primary reason you need to learn how to winterize a pressure washer is simple: water expands when it freezes.

Even a tiny amount of water inside your machine’s hoses, pumps, and wands can balloon in cold temperatures. This expansion can cause critical damage, such as cracks and splits.

Every pressure washer winterizing kit has at least one form of antifreeze or pump saver.

Beyond frozen water damage, winterization also helps avoid long-term damage from an idle machine. The last thing you want after a long winter is to fire up your power washer only to be met with sputters.

Given the costs of renting a pressure washer and/or fixing the problem, you might start your new quarter in the red or neglect your cleaning tasks entirely.

How Do You Winterize a Pressure Washer? Step-by-Step Guide to Winterizing a Pressure Washer

Winterizing a pressure washer is a necessary task when temperatures drop. Thankfully, learning how to winterize a pressure washer is simple.

With just an hour of effort and a few small items in your pressure washer winterizing kit, you’ll preserve your machine for months until the weather warms up.

Step 1: Flush Out Detergents and Water

Frozen water is your pressure washer’s biggest enemy. Naturally, the first step in winterizing a pressure washer is flushing out your entire system.

Disconnect the detergent line and start running clean water through your entire system. Leftover soap can gum up your system and cause clogs even after it thaws.

Let your machine run for a few minutes to ensure everything is cleared.

Step 2: Remove Excess Water

This step in the process of how to winterize a pressure washer often trips up business owners.

When we say remove the water, we mean all of the water. No drop should be left while winterizing a pressure washer unless you want your machine damaged.

Shake out water from your machine and let each part drain using gravity. Pull your pump starter cord to help remove any water hiding within, if applicable.

Step 3: Add Pump Saver or Antifreeze

Just because you clear water from your machine doesn’t mean you’re entirely in the clear. Moisture can still accumulate with temperature changes while in storage.

That’s where a liquid like pump saver or antifreeze comes in. You pour it inside your machine, protecting the pipes from freezing and the seals from cracking.

Electric models usually work best with a pump saver, while gas models require antifreeze.

Step 4: Disconnect and Store Hoses

The hoses on your pressure washer ensure water flows appropriately from the pump to the wand. If any cracks occur during the winter, you’ll be in trouble.

Before storing your machine, disconnect all hoses carefully. Ensure they are drained entirely, shaking them and then drying them.

When you store your hoses, try not to coil them too tightly. The extra friction and pressure can increase the odds of cracks or weak spots that cause leaks. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from the elements.

Step 5: Store the Pressure Washer Safely

Storage is crucial to learning how to winterize a pressure washer. Like with your hoses, you want to find a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

Ideally, that means indoors. If you absolutely must store your machine outside, ensure you invest in a quality, weather-resistant cover and periodically check on your machine.

Position it off the ground if possible to prevent moisture, rodents, or other potential sources of damage.

Step 6: Stabilizing Gas-Powered Models

Winterizing a pressure washer with a gas engine requires some extra factors.

You’ll need to ensure your fuel tank can survive the winter. You can exhaust the fuel tank and carburetor by running it dry. Alternatively, you can add a fuel stabilizer to your remaining tank.

We prefer fuel stabilizers, as you won’t need to waste gas.

Whatever you choose, ensure you don’t leave unstabilized fuel in your system. It can go bad within a month and cause severe headaches and repair bills.

Getting Your Equipment Ready After Winter

You’ve learned how to winterize a pressure washer, followed all the steps, and your machine was tucked away safely for the winter.

Now spring has rolled around–how do you un-winterize a pressure washer?

Inspect for Damage

After months in storage, your pressure washer requires inspection. As you pull off the tarp, inspect it thoroughly, looking for cracks, leaks, and wear and tear.

Troubleshooting a pressure washer after winter includes checking all seals and connection points. They can become weathered over time and may require replacement.

Reconnect and Test Components

With your visual inspection complete, you’ll next move on to testing. Put your machine back together, including your hoses, wands, and nozzles. You want it all to click in a place like it’s supposed to–any strange sounds or difficulty could be a sign of trouble.

You’ll then give your machine a dry run. Connect your water supply and turn it on to watch for leaks.

Flush Out Antifreeze or Pump Saver

That dry run will start the flushing process of your antifreeze or pump saver. Before cleaning, ensure all liquid is out of your machine. This can take a few minutes, but it’s worth the wait.

You can do the same for your detergent tank.

Replace or Service Worn Components

Once your machine is free of old antifreeze or pump saver, you’ll have a clear picture of its health.

Not every part needs expensive fixes. Some fixes are simple, like changing the oil, cleaning the air filter, or purchasing new nozzles.

Other parts may require more in-depth repair, however. That’s where we recommend the help of experts.

If you need industrial pressure washer repair in NJ, you can trust RJP Hotsy! We service most models, making us the trusted choice of top brands like Ryder, the NJ Transit Authority, and Nestle.

Our skilled team has mastered the art of how to repair a pressure washer, including the de-winterization upkeep we’ve learned over the years of dealing with Jersey winters. We also help you save on pressure washer repair costs with our comprehensive inspections, which identify problems before they become costly.

With our trusted retail shop, you won’t have to worry about where to rent a pressure washer while your machine is being fixed. We’re the #1 home for industrial pressure washer rental in NJ, and our collection of Hotsy models gives you access to industry-leading machines.

With RJP Hotsy, you don’t have to be an expert to achieve fantastic cleaning results. As long as you’re the right pressure washer rental age of 18 or older, We’ll walk you through how to rent a pressure washer and make the process a breeze.

Wrapping Up Our Guide on How to Winterize a Pressure Washer

When winter arrives, you must make sure your pressure washer is ready. Frozen water can damage your hoses, pump, and wand, leading to costly repairs and replacements.

If you need help winterizing your machine or need repairs after the winter season, stop by RJP Hotsy! With friendly, knowledgeable service and top-of-the-line products, we’re the trusted choice of businesses across the Garden State.

We are the only retail location to find Hotsy’s premium industrial pressure washers in New Jersey. Whether leasing, buying, or renting a pressure washer, we’ll help you find the perfect fit for your business goals.

Our selection of models for industrial pressure washer leasing in NJ includes industrial pressure washer trailers in NJ for jobs where you need an independent water supply. We also assist with pressure washer trailer setup, including mounting a pressure washer to a trailer and plumbing a pressure washer trailer.

As the #1 home for commercial industrial hot water pressure washers in New Jersey, our staff will walk you through how to choose a pressure washer. We can help you decide on pressure washer sizing, GPM on a pressure washer, a good PSI for a pressure washer, direct drive vs belt drive pressure washers, and commercial vs residential pressure washers.

And if you just need to get a powerful cleaning machine without worrying about the details, we’ve got you covered there, too. You can just tell us your business needs, and we’ll set you up with all the equipment you need.

That includes the best pressure washing chemicals in the business, Hotsy’s line of biodegradable soaps. We’ll show you how to use soap with a pressure washer, what soap to use in a pressure washer, such as the best blend for pressure washing concrete, and other pressure washer techniques like how to increase GPM on a pressure washer.

For industrial cold water pressure washers in New Jersey, winterizing equipment, or anything else you need to clean your commercial property, visit RJP Hotsy today!

NJ's One Stop Shop for Pressure Washing Sales, Service, and Solutions!

Contact us today to learn more about our pressure washing products and services: