The days are getting shorter, temperatures are dropping, and it's time to put your pressure washer away. But before you do, it’s important to properly prepare your machine for the winter. Any water left inside the pressure washer can freeze, which may cause damage to the unit. So, how do you ensure that your pressure washer survives the winter and stays in top condition? We’ll explain it step by step.
Why It’s Important to Winterise Your Pressure Washer
As you may know, water expands when it freezes. If any water remains in your pressure washer, hoses, or accessories, it can freeze and expand when temperatures drop below zero. This can cause key components such as the pump to crack or become damaged. Fortunately, this is easy to prevent by properly preparing your machine for the winter.
Removing Water from the Pressure Washer
The most important thing to do before storing your pressure washer is to remove all the water from the machine and its accessories. Follow these steps to ensure your pressure washer is completely drained:
- Turn off the water supply: Make sure no new water can enter the machine. Turn off the tap and disconnect the water supply.
- Disconnect all accessories: Remove the spray lance, high-pressure hose, and any other attachments from the pressure washer, and allow all the water to drain out. This will prevent water from being trapped in the accessories.
- Briefly run the pressure washer: Turn the machine on for a maximum of 30 seconds to blow out any remaining water from the pump and hoses. Then, switch the machine off immediately.
This way, you can be sure there’s no water left inside the unit, preventing frost damage to the pump.
Storage: Frost-Free is Best
After following all the steps, it’s time to store the pressure washer. Ideally, you should store your machine in a frost-free location such as a garage or shed. But not everyone has that option. So, what should you do if you don’t have a frost-free storage space?
- Lift the machine off the ground: Place the pressure washer on a wooden board or another raised surface. This helps keep it away from the cold ground.
- Wrap the machine in a cloth: This provides extra protection against the cold. Make sure the machine is completely dry before doing this to avoid mould formation.
Storing Your Pressure Washer Properly
Winterising your machine doesn’t just mean removing the water; you also want to store your pressure washer neatly and safely. Here are some useful tips for storing the various parts:
- Place the pressure washer on a flat surface: Make sure the machine is stable to prevent it from tipping over or getting damaged.
- Detach the spray lance from the pressure gun: This will prevent the lance or gun from bending or being damaged during storage.
- Release the pressure from the high-pressure hose: When disconnecting the hose, it’s important to ensure there’s no pressure left inside. This prevents the hose from being damaged.
- Use the hose reel if available: If your pressure washer has a hose reel, wind the high-pressure hose onto it by turning the crank counterclockwise. Make sure the hose is neatly coiled without any kinks.
- No hose reel? Coil the hose kink-free: If you don’t have a hose reel, ensure that you store the high-pressure hose without any kinks on the machine. A kinked hose can tear or become less effective.
- Store the power cable and accessories safely: Wrap the power cable neatly and store accessories like the spray lance and nozzles in the designated areas on the machine.
Avoid Springtime Surprises
By properly winterising your pressure washer, you not only avoid expensive repairs but also ensure that you can get started right away in the spring. There’s nothing more frustrating than discovering that your machine has been damaged by frost when you need it. A few simple steps now can save you a lot of hassle and expense later.
So, make sure you prepare your pressure washer properly for the winter. Draining the water, disconnecting parts, and storing the machine safely will ensure your pressure washer survives the winter in great condition and is ready for the new season!
Has your pressure washer been damaged over the winter? At Fiyo, we have a wide range of parts to help get your pressure washer back into top shape. If you have any questions about storing your pressure washer or need specific parts, our customer service team is always ready to assist you.
