If a pressure washer is subjected to freezing temperatures or is to be stored or left unused for ANY period longer than thirty days the unit must be stored properly. This is called “winterizing”. The term is somewhat confusing because your storage period may or may not happen in cold temperatures or even during winter. Nevertheless this procedure MUST be done every time the unit may sit for longer than thirty days with out being used. Whether stored inside or out, heated space or cold, winter or summer. This keeps the unit from freezing and, very importantly, it keeps water from drying out inside the pump and leaving behind very harmful deposits. These deposits will act like sandpaper in the seals the next time it is used. This also keeps any parts from rusting or oxidizing which WILL destroy your pump or coil.
For cold water units:
If the unit is only being winterized to keep from freezing overnight, skip this step. If this is a Gasoline powered unit, turn the gas valve (if available) to “off” or “closed” while the engine is running in order to drain the carburetor of fuel. Once the unit is off, if there is any gasoline left in the fuel holding tank, add fuel stabilizer using instructions on the package. Ethanol is destroying carburetors, don’t skip this step!
Connect a short garden hose to inlet of pump. Preferably 1-2 ft in length. **A one or two foot section cut off of an old hose works great**
Fill hose with straight antifreeze and hold. Do not use a 50% mix. A second person to hold the hose may be helpful.
Pull the pull cord with out starting the unit until antifreeze comes out of the outlet where you would hook up your high pressure hose. You are now done!
For hot water units:
A solution tank is required for hot water units due to the extra fluid needed to fill the coil of hot water units. Some hot water units have a float tank which is suitable for winterizing.
Attach inlet for suction from tank to inlet of pump. If the unit has a water float tank, fill this reservoir with antifreeze. Disconnect any high volume water tanks from machine.
Ensure tank or reservoir is filled with approximately 1-2 gallons of antifreeze solution.
Take small hose and attach one end to quick connect on outlet of coil (normally where you would attach your high pressure hose). Sometimes this might include a hose reel. In this case just put the end of the hose on the hose reel back into the reservoir of antifreeze.
Start the engine and allow unit to pump antifreeze through pump, coil and hose reel (if attached). Once the outlet water starts to turn the color of the antifreeze, turn off engine.
If the unit is only being winterized to keep from freezing overnight, skip this step. If this is a Gasoline powered unit, turn the gas valve (if available) to “off” or “closed” while the engine is running in order to drain the carburetor of fuel. Once the unit is off, if there is any gasoline left in the fuel holding tank, add fuel stabilizer using instructions on the package. Keep antifreeze setup connected during this step to avoid running the unit dry. Ethanol is destroying carburetors, don’t skip this step!