Many tools and appliances, such as pressure washers, pool pumps, and hoses, are rarely utilized in the winter. Rather, until the weather warms up again, they should be kept in a secure place, such as a basement, garage, or shed. But keeping a pressure washer in storage isn’t enough to guarantee its security.
To avoid internal damage, winterize a pressure washer by emptying any remaining water, taking out the batteries, and draining the gasoline. To lessen the chance of the parts freezing, it’s a good idea to rinse the pump with antifreeze if the pressure washer will be kept in an uninsulated garage or shed. Learn how to keep a pressure washer securely and how to winterize it with this tutorial.
Read also: Time Saving Cleaning Tips You Need In 2025
The pressure washer’s setup
The only preparations needed to get the pressure washer ready for winterization are to change the oil, empty the gas tank, and drain any leftover water. But it’s crucial to know if the pressure washer is powered by a battery or gas. Additionally, once the pressure washer has been thoroughly winterized, it must be stored in a suitable position.
While battery-powered pressure washers only require the batteries to be taken out of the device for safe storage in a warm place, gas pressure washers must be completely drained before being stored. A warm location, such as a closet or basement, can be used to keep the full pressure washer machine.
How to Winterize a Pressure Washer
Drain the fuel tank
Before you start, make sure the pressure washer is the right kind. This step should be skipped if you have an electric pressure washer. Empty the gasoline tank before beginning the task if the machine runs on gas.
Locate the fuel shutoff valve, open it, and then empty the fuel into a metal bucket or container using a siphon pump. Use the leftover gas by running the pressure washer for a few minutes if it isn’t completely empty.
Now fill the petrol tank with two capfuls of fuel stabilizer. To close the gas tank, remove the cap, add the fuel stabilizer, and then reinstall the cap.
Drain and Refill the Oil
You can skip the next step, which is to change the oil, if you have already done so. Locate the pressure washer’s oil drain plug and remove it using a socket wrench. As the used oil seeps out, make sure a metal pail or container is prepared to capture it.
It typically takes ten minutes to finish this operation. Replace the oil drain cap after the oil has been completely drained. Next, add synthetic motor oil to the oil tank using an oil funnel. To prevent overfilling the pressure washer, check the levels often.
Remove the Battery
The battery for an electric pressure washer should be taken out and stored safely in a warm place. In order to keep it safe throughout the winter, disconnect the machine’s battery and put it indoors in the basement or another accessible closet.
Clean the outside of the pressure washer
Rinse the pressure washer’s exterior to get rid of any fluids, dirt, or debris that might have accumulated there. Use this time to take out and clean any hoses, nozzles, or filters that may be attached.
To protect the accessories from dust, grime, and unwanted bugs, store them in a locked container far from the pressure washer.
Use Antifreeze to Rinse the Pump
Antifreeze should be added to the pump to keep it from freezing if the pressure washer will be kept in an uninsulated area, such as a garage or shed.
Locate the water pump’s inlet and connect a short garden hose. Pour the antifreeze into the hose’s opposite end using a big funnel. Put a metal container or bucket next to the water pump’s output.
To move the antifreeze throughout the machine, open the water pump outlet and pull the water pump wire. Close the inlet and outlet when the water coming out of the outlet turns pink from the antifreeze instead of clear. The garden hose, funnel, and metal bucket or container should be taken out, cleaned, and dried.
Store the Pressure Washer
Even if the pressure washer is now winterized, it must still be kept secure. The pressure washer should ideally be kept indoors, but if you don’t have the room, a garage or shed will work just fine as long as it won’t come into contact with any moisture while being stored.
Read also: Microwave Cleaning Hacks to Avoid Scrubbing