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Read MoreYou can say goodbye to a hard brush and a bucket of soapy water when you have a pressure washer around.
However, if you have one of these or are hoping to buy one, you might be wondering. Do you need to winterize your pressure washer to protect it from those freezing cold months? Luckily, this article will answer that and more for you!
When the temperatures drop below freezing, ice in the washer can cause damage. This is why you should winterize. The basic steps to this are as follows:
However, there’s so much more to know about taking the best care of your machine.
A pressure washer is a godsend for many. Certain surfaces are tough to wash because of how tightly the stains hold on. For instance, the bricks on your driveway, your patio surface, or parts of your car. You can go at them with soapy water and a brush, but sometimes the stains are stubborn.
In the winter, you’ll find it hard to find liquid water anywhere. It turns to ice, and this includes the water left in our pipes and machines. This can cause damage because water increases in volume when it freezes. If a pipe full of water freezes, the expansion puts a ton of pressure on the pipe.
Did you know – this is why roads get damaged in winter! The water penetrates into the concrete, and causes tons of internal pressure when it freezes and expands. This pressure causes cracks and weaknesses, which become potholes when heavy cars and trucks drive over them.
For a pressure washer, water freezing can destroy seals and crack other parts used. This can cause leakages, loss of pressure (cleaning power), and can be expensive to fix.
This shows why it is absolutely necessary to winterize your pressure washer. It is a quick process and should take you less than 10 minutes, even if it’s your first time.
Water is the culprit when it comes to winterizing. There’d be no need if you were certain that the pump was completely dry.
You could also just find an insulated room to toss your pressure washer in during winter. By keeping it warm, the water never gets the chance to freeze.
That being said, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. You absolutely can use antifreeze in a pressure washer. In fact, antifreeze is one of the major things you need to properly winterize your washer.
You’ll need to buy a few things to winterize you pressure washer. You are likely to have a few of these at home already though:
The process will depend on the exact model of pressure washer you use. However, there are some fundamental steps that you can follow.
These steps will make sure that your washer stays great in the winter:
For a gas pressure washer, you will need to add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. Turn it on and let it run for about 2 minutes to let it circulate through the fuel system. Unless your gas tank is completely empty, in which case you won’t need to.
After all of this, try your best to find a warm, dry location to keep your pressure washer during the winter. Along with winterizing it, this makes sure that it’ll stay warm.
It definitely can. It is important to avoid using your pressure washer at temperatures below freezing. There’s a chance of the water turning to ice and damaging your washer. Sometimes it’s just not worth this risk.
However, if it’s cold but not below freezing, you might be able to get away with using your washer. Just make sure you follow these simple steps to reduce the risk at cold temperatures:
A pressure washer is a priceless for blasting those dirty surfaces clean. However, cold temperatures can freeze water and ruin the washer. It’s vital to winterize your pressure washer when winter comes around.
If you absolutely have to use it when it gets cold, it is important to follow the steps outlined above. Do avoid using it once temperatures drop below freezing. This way, you’ll protect your hard -earned money and the washer will last longer.
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Thanks for reading, and have a great day.