How to winterize a pressure washer

Protecting your pressure washer from freezing temperatures is crucial for preventing permanent damage. Extra water left in the pump may freeze and expand, potentially causing some serious issues. Winterizing your pressure washer before storing it is the best way to avoid an expensive repair come spring. The good news is it only takes a few minutes, and your pressure washer will be ready for work when the time comes.

How to winterize a gas pressure washer

Tools & Supplies

• Garden hose
• Bucket of clean water
• Fuel stabilizer (if storing for 30 days or more)
• Pump Conditioner/Winterizer

Steps

1. Remove all water and cleaning solution from the pressure washer.
   1. Hook the pressure washer up to a garden hose and put the detergent feed tube in a bucket of clean water.
   2. Turn on the pressure washer and run water through a low pressure nozzle for a few minutes to clean out any detergent in the system.
   3. Turn off the pressure washer then take off the garden hose and remove the detergent feed tube from the bucket. Pull the trigger to let all the remaining water out.
   4. Disconnect the wand and hose, draining any excess water out of them.
2. If you're storing your pressure washer in a place where temperatures may drop below freezing, adding pump conditioner/winterizer is highly recommended. Here's how to use STIHL Pump Conditioner and Winterizer:
   1. Attach the winterizer bottle to the water inlet.
   2. Turn the knob on the bottle the the open position.
   3. Pull the starter cord several times with the switch in the off position until the liquid coming out is pure solution.
3. If you're storing the pressure washer for 30 days or more, you need to add fuel stabilizer to the gas tank. This will prevent the gasoline from going stale.
   1. Add fuel stabilizer to the fuel tank following directions on the stabilizer.
   2. Run the engine for a few minutes to allow stabilized fuel to run through the fuel system.
4. That's it! Now it's time to store your pressure washer for the winter. Throw a storage cover or tarp over it for some added protection from dust, bugs, mice and moisture.

How to winterize an electric pressure washer

Tools & Supplies

• Garden hose
• Bucket of clean water
• Pump Conditioner/Winterizer

Steps

1. Remove all water and excess cleaning solution from the pump.
   1. Hook up the pressure washer to a garden hose and either fill the onboard tank with clean water or put the detergent siphon hose in a bucket of water.
   2. Turn the pressure washer on and let the water run through for a few minutes to clean out any detergent in the system.
   3. Turn off the pressure washer then remove the garden hose. Also remove the detergent feed tube from the bucket if necessary. Pull the trigger to let all the remaining water out.
   4. Disconnect the wand and hose, draining any excess water out of them.
2. If you plan on storing your pressure washer where temperatures may drop below freezing, we highly recommend adding pump conditioner/winterizer. Here's how to use STIHL Pump Conditioner and Winterizer:
   1. Attach the winterizer bottle to the pressure washer's water inlet.
   2. Turn the knob on the bottle the the open position.
   3. Pull the starter cord several times with the switch in the off position until the liquid coming out is pure solution.
3. All done! Time to store your pressure washer for the winter. Throw a storage cover or tarp over it for some added protection from dust, bugs, mice and moisture.

Taking a few minutes to winterize your pressure washer will really pay off when you go to start using it again. If you need any supplies for winterizing your pressure washer, give your local Hutson store a call.