How to Winterize Electric Pressure Washer: Your Ultimate Guide

Not sure how to prepare your power washer for the winter? We’re here to help. Our guide provides a step-by-step process to ensure your power washer is ready for the cold season. With our expert advice, you can confidently winterize your equipment.

To winterize an electric pressure washer, use these steps:

To winterize an electric power washer, flush detergent with warm water, remove hoses and cord, blow out water with compressed air, add pump saver fluid, and store it indoors. Check for damage before reusing. Flush out the pump saver before first use after winter.

Don’t miss out on our expert advice to help you confidently prepare your power washer for winter. Learn the importance of each step and how it contributes to the longevity of your equipment.

Getting Rid of Detergent From Your Electric Pressure Washer

Suppose you have been using your electric pressure washer with the detergent. In that case, you must ensure no detergent is left in the detergent tank or the pressure washer system before you store the unit for a long time because over-detergent can dry out.

And can clog various components of the pressure washer. For example, an electric pressure washer will have a detergent container, or it will have a siphon that sucks detergent in from any external jar or bottle.

Either way, you can follow these steps to remove detergent from your electric pressure washer before long-term winter storage:

Things you will need:

Warm water, A bottle or container

Step 1. Fill it with warm water:

First, fill your electric pressure washer’s detergent reservoir with warm water. Or, if your pressure washer has a siphon function, you must submerge the siphon hose in a container with warm water.

Tip: If your electric pressure washer has a removable detergent reservoir, you can detach it and rinse it thoroughly under running water to ensure no detergent or soap is left inside the reservoir.

Step 2. Run at low pressure:

With the water supply hose connected to the inlet of the pressure washer, run the pressure washer at a low-pressure setting to allow the warm water.

You pour inside the detergent reservoir or from the container where you submerged the siphon hose to remove residual detergent from the lines and hoses.  

Step 3. Run at high pressure:

Once you have run the pressure washer at a low setting with warm water in the detergent tank or detergent siphon, you need to run the pressure washer on a high setting for a few more seconds to make sure the pump and the high-pressure line are free from any leftover detergent.

Remove All the Lines and Hoses from the Electric Pressure Washer Unit

This is one of the most critical steps for winterizing your electric pressure washer. Leaving the hoses, wand, and gun attached for a long storage period can cause these components to get stuck together, and separating them can be next to impossible.

Therefore, removing all the lines, hoses, and power cords is important before storing your pressure washer for the winter. Not only will doing this step preserve the lines and the power cord, but it’ll also be more accessible to keep the pressure washer.

Because disassembled components are going to take a lot less space than storing the complete electric pressure washer with all the lines and hoses attached, with that being said, you can remove the hoses and power cord using the method explained below:

Step 1. Turn off the water supply:

First, turn off the water tap and remove the inlet or supply hose from the tap. Doing this will stop the water flow to the pressure washer, and you can prevent the accidental splashing of water onto the pressure washer unit while removing the other end of the water supply hose.

Step 2. Remove the supply hose:

Now, remove the water supply hose from the water inlet point of the pressure washer by turning the hose joint until it becomes loose.

Next, raise the water supply hose from one end to allow the leftover water inside the hose to flow out from the other side before rolling the hose up. Ensure to avoid getting the hose tangled when rolling it up because it can get deformed if left in a tangled position for long periods.

Step 3. Remove the high-pressure hose:

With the supply hose removed, it is time to remove the high-pressure hose from the electric pressure washer. Still, before removing it from the washer, it is a good idea to use the pressure hose gun to squeeze out any water left inside the high-pressure line.

Keep the trigger of the pressure washer gun pressed until the water stops coming out of the nozzle. Doing this is also going to help depressurize your electric pressure washer.

Squeeze the trigger several times to ensure water comes off the nozzle, indicating you can now remove the high-pressure line. Turn the high-pressure line connector anti-clockwise and remove it from the unit.

Step 4. Remove the wand:

Next, you must remove the gun or wand from the high-pressure hose. This can be done by turning the connector as if you pulled the high-pressure hose from the electric pressure washer unit. Once you have removed both ends of the high-pressure hose, lift it from one side to allow the water to flow out from the other side.

Tips: Removing Leftover Water From the Electric Pressure Washer

After flushing out the electric pressure washer thoroughly to remove any detergent or soap and remove all the hoses, the next step is to remove as much water as possible from the electric pressure washer unit.

Removing the water before storing your washer for the winter is essential because if you live in an area where the temperatures drop below freezing, the leftover water in your pressure washer can freeze inside the pump and damage it.

• The Impact of Freezing on Your Pressure Washer

Since water expands when frozen, water inside your electric pressure washer pump can freeze, grow, and leave it useless. Not to mention that leftover water will cause rust and oxidation, reducing the life of your pressure washer’s components.

It is not uncommon for different pressure washer components to get permanently jammed due to corrosion caused by leftover water inside them. So, to remove excess water from the electric pressure washer before winterization, follow these steps:

Things you will need:

Compressed air

Step 1. Run the unit for some time:  

With all the hoses removed from the electric pressure washer unit, turn the unit on for a few seconds to get rid of any remaining water from the pump and the internal lines of the pressure washer.

You will notice a small amount of water being sprayed from the outlet where the high-pressure hose is supposed to be connected. If this water is left inside the pump during the winter, it can potentially damage the valves and seals and puncture the lines.  

Step 2. Move the unit back and forth:

While the pressure washer is running, move the unit back and forth and left to right to remove any water that might still be sitting at the bottom of the pump or inside the internal lines of the electric pressure washer unit; now, you can turn the electric pressure washer unit off.

Note: You should only run your electric pressure washer without water for 10-15 seconds at the maximum because running a pressure washer for some time without water flowing through it can damage the pump. So you will have to step steps one and two within 15 seconds.

Step 3. Use compressed air:  

Now, it is time to use compressed air to blow out any water still inside the pressure washer.

Put the nozzle of the air compressed air line compressed air can inside the water inlet of your electric pressure washer and blow air inside the inlet so that any residual water can be blown out from the outlet side.  

Note: For this step, you can either use an air compressor or a can of compressed air to blow out water from the unit. But if you use an air compressor to blow out the water, ensure the air compressor is in the low setting.

Remove the Power Cord

This must be the most straightforward step in winterizing your electric pressure washer. For this step, you must remove the power cord from your electric pressure washer and wind it up properly to conveniently store it.

Roll the power cable up so it doesn’t get tangled. If the power cable is tangled up, it can damage its insulation.

Adding Pump Saver to the Electric Pressure Washer

The pump of your electric pressure washer makes it a pressure washer because it pressurizes the water and sprays it out from the nozzle since the pump is such an essential component of your electric pressure washer.

You should ensure it stays safe during the winter storage period, which lasts several months. A damaged pressure washer pump can be expensive, and installing a new pump is no easy task.

Manufacturers recommend using a pump saver when storing a pressure washer, especially duriNG winterers. What a pump-saver fluid does is that it protects the seals and pistons from freezing and cracking by forming a layer on top of the internal parts of the pump.

• Cost and Availability of Pump Savers

Pump savers can be bought for under $15 and used in gas and electric pressure washers. Some pressure washers may even recommend using a pump saver during regular usage, but it is mainly designed to preserve the pump when unused.

The best part is using a single can of pump saver at least 3 or 4 times, which is a small price compared to replacing the whole pump. A pump saver is a specialized form of antifreeze and a lubricant for the pump of pressure washers.

• Understanding the Importance of a Pump Saver

Pump savers come in two types of containers; they can either have a tube that attaches to the pressure washer unit, or the bottle has a connector that can be joined directly with the pressure washer.

Either way, the usage method of both types of pump-saver containers is almost similar, and you can add the pump-saver to your pressure washer unit by following the steps explained below:

Step 1. Check for water residuals:

Double-check if there is any leftover water in the electric pressure washer unit by tilting the unit toward the water outlet.

If water is still coming out of the unit, use compressed air again to remove it because the pump saver can only be applied once there is no leftover water in the pressure washer system.

Step 2. Apply the pump saver:

This step can be different depending on your pump-saver container type. For example, if you have a pressurized pump-saver container, it will circulate on its own.

But if you have a non-pressurized pump-saver bottle, you must circulate it manually. Application methods for both types of pump-saver containers are as follows:

Pressurized pump saver container:

A pressurized pump-saver container comes with a tube and a button on top of the container. These pump-saver containers are easier to use as you have to connect the connector at the end of a transparent tube with the water inlet of the pressure washer.

The connector is also easy to connect because it has threading that matches the inlet’s threading. Once you are sure that the can is properly fitted onto the outlet of the electric pressure washer, press the button on top of the container.

The pump-saver fluid will automatically circulate in the system and come out from the outlet end of the unit. Once you see the fluid coming out from the outlet end of the pressure washer, release the button on the can and remove the connector from the inlet.   

Non-pressurized pump saver container:

As the name suggests, this type of pump-saver container contains uncompressed pump-saver fluid, so to make it circulate through the pump of your electric pressure washer, you will have to run the pressure washer.

You must connect your unit’s power cord and plug it in for this step. Next, locate the water inlet of your electric pressure washer and fit it on the inlet because the top of the pump saver container is the same size as the inlets of most pressure washers.

– Properly Fitting the Pump Saver Bottle on the Inlet

Once you are sure that the pump saver bottle is correctly fitted on the inlet, turn on your electric washer until you can see the pump saver fluid come out of the outlet of your unit in the form of foamy liquid.

Turn off the electric pressure washer immediately when the fluid appears from the outlet because this indicates that the pump saver has properly circulated the pump.

Next, remove the pump saver container from the inlet and store it for later use by putting the lid back on it. Again, disconnect and roll the power cord as explained in the “Remove the power cord.”

Storing the Electric Pressure Washer

Now that you have correctly winterized your pressure washer, it is time to pick an indoor storage space. The good thing about electric pressure washers is that they are small machines, and unlike their gas-powered counterparts, electric pressure washers don’t take up a lot of space when stored.

Once you put the pump saver in your electric pressure washer, it can withstand below-freezing temperatures since the pump saver will prevent water from freezing inside the pump. But there are other vital components in an electric pressure washer, such as the electric motor.

Which should be kept dry at all times. Since cold temperatures are not a problem, thanks to the pump-saver fluid you added to the unit, you must ensure the pressure washer unit is stored in an indoor space, such as a garage, away from water or snow.

• Investing in a Pressure Washer Cover

You should also ensure that the area where the pressure washer is stored doesn’t get too dusty. If you are willing to spend a few extra bucks, buy a cover for your electric pressure washer.

Not only will it prevent dust from getting into the electric motor of your pressure washer, but it will also provide an extra layer of protection against moisture because pressure washer covers are waterproof. Ensure you get a fabric material cover for your pressure washer because it will not trap moisture inside.  

Can you use RV antifreeze as a pump saver?

RV antifreeze is used as a substitute for pump savers in pressure washers because it is non-toxic, and most importantly, it is biodegradable, which means it doesn’t clog up the pressure washer pump. Like a pump saver, RV antifreeze prevents water from freezing inside the pressure washer pump.

And you are damaging it, making it a great alternative to traditional pump savers. But the best part is that you can get RV antifreeze at a fraction of the price of a dedicated pump-saver fluid. On the other hand, regular antifreeze is not ideal for a pressure washer because of high toxicity levels.

And can even damage the pump. Since an RV antifreeze container is not designed to pour antifreeze inside a pressure washer, you have to get a little creative to put RV antifreeze in the pump to prevent freezing. You can use the following method to put RV antifreeze in your electric pressure washer:

Things you will need:

Funnel, a 3-foot piece of hose with a connector attachment, heat gun, RV antifreeze, A pair of gloves

● Assembling the funnel and hose:

Step 1. Cut a hose piece: Cut a 3-foot-long piece of hose pipe, preferably transparent, so you can see when the RV antifreeze flows through it.

Step 2. Affix a connector: Attach a connector to one end of the hose pipe so that it can attach to the water inlet of the pressure washer easily.

Step 3. Connect the funnel: Fit the funnel on the open end of the hose. You can use a heat gun or any other heat source to make the hose softer and more accessible to fit on the funnel.

● Putting RV antifreeze inside the pressure washer pump

Step 1. Wear a pair of gloves:

Put a pair of gloves on to prevent antifreeze from coming in contact with your skin. Because although RV antifreeze is not toxic, your skin can still get irritated if you are allergic to the components of RV antifreeze.             

Step 2. Raise the funnel:

Raise the funnel high above the pressure washer with the other end of the hose connected to the inlet of the pressure washer.

Note: For this step, you can also get help from a friend by asking them to hold the funnel high to make the task easier for you.

Step 3. Pour the antifreeze:

Start pouring RV antifreeze inside the funnel gradually and let gravity move the antifreeze through the hose and into the inlet.

When you are sure that the antifreeze fluid has reached the inlet hose, turn the pressure washer on to allow the antifreeze to circulate in the system and form a layer inside the pump. Stop the pressure washer once the antifreeze starts coming out from the outlet end.

Step 4. Remove any leftover antifreeze:

Before removing the hose from the inlet side, ensure there isn’t any RV antifreeze inside the hose that can get wasted while dragging the hose. If there is leftover antifreeze in the hose pipe, put a container under the hose to collect the antifreeze.

You can leave the RV antifreeze inside the pressure washer before storing it because it will prevent the pump from freezing and provide much-needed lubrication to the pump parts.  

Taking the Electric Pressure Washer Out of Storage

Before connecting all the hoses and the power cable with the pressure washer after winter hibernation, visually inspect them to ensure they don’t look damaged or cracked. Pay close attention to the power cable, especially to notice any signs of damage to the cable’s insulation.

Also, check the detergent reservoir to ensure nothing isn’t anything stuck inside it. Since you had put an antifreeze/pump saver in your pressure washer, you will have to flush all of it out before you start using the pressure washer regularly.

• Safety Measures: Avoiding Toxic Puddles

As mentioned above, RV antifreeze isn’t toxic, but pump saver can be poisonous. Therefore, when you start the pressure washer for the first time after taking it out of the storage, you should avoid flushing the pump saver in an area where it can get collected and form puddles.

Instead, spray the pressure washer near a sewer so the pump saver or antifreeze can flow into the sewer and pets or other animals can’t drink it. Also, keep an eye out for any leaks at the inlet and outlet connectors.

Remarks

While electric pressure washers require little to no maintenance, it’s essential to winterize a pressure washer properly to ensure that you get a properly working pressure washer when you need it during the spring season. 

Pressure washer components aren’t cheap; knowing how to winterize a pressure washer will save you from a surprise repair bill later. In addition, with proper winterization, your electric pressure washer can stay in storage for up to a year without developing any problems. 

• Adapting to Weather Conditions: Storing Your Pressure Washer Overnight

Pump maintenance tips include actions to keep your pump equipment in good condition. If you live in an area where night temperatures can fall below freezing, you can also use this guide for storing your pressure washer overnight.

During winter, disconnect the battery and clean the system with a fuel additive to blow out any remaining fuel. This is crucial if your pump has been running on gasoline.

Clean the pump and other components to remove any dirt or grime. This is a part of regular pump maintenance and helps ensure your equipment’s longevity.