Winterizing Your Pressure Washer 101: Everything to Remember
Published:
3/4/2022
Table of Contents:
5 Tools you Need to Winterize Your Power Washer
Winterize a Gas Pressure Washer: 8 Step Guide (Steps to winterize Hotsy, RAMTEQ, and Hydro Tek Gas Pressure Washer)
Winterize Hotsy Electric Pressure Washer: View Step-By-Step by Model
5 tools you need to winterize your power washer
To ensure the longevity of your power washer and prevent any damage during the off-season here are 5 tools to make winterizing your power washer easier.
Keep Your Power Washer Safe During the Cold Weather With These 5 Tools
1. Pump Saver
2. Antifreeze
3. Fuel Stabilizer
4. Air Compressor
5. Shop Vacuum or Sludge Pump
Winterize a Gas Pressure Washer: 8 Step Guide
Don’t spend money on repairs or a new machine, when you can follow this easy 8 step process to winterize your pressure washer.
View the steps to winterize your gas pressure washer for a Hotsy, RAMTEQ, or Hydro Tek.
Winterize a Hotsy Gas Pressure Washer - Antifreeze
Before winterizing your pressure washer check that you have antifreeze and fuel stabilizer! Always check the user manual for winterizing your pressure washer or if you have any questions consult with the manufacturer or contact NorTex Sales & Services and ask an expert.
Winterizing a Hotsy Pressure Washer With No Float Tank:
1. Prepare a gallon of antifreeze. Connect the garden hose inlet fitting to the pressure washer inlet. (To winterize a Hosty Pressure Washer with a float tank follow these steps).
2. Let antifreeze flow into the machine.
3. Turn the machine on.
4. Wait roughly 30 seconds, then press and hold the trigger gun until you see the antifreeze spray out of the trigger gun. Then press and release the trigger gun a few times to make sure the antifreeze gets into the bypass system.
Tip: You can aim the trigger gun into the gallon jug or a new clean bucket and reuse the antifreeze. If you decide to reuse the antifreeze, consider using a filter (an old t-shirt) to make sure no debris or small particles end up in the bucket.
5. Run antifreeze through the system for a good minute or until you see the antifreeze spray out of the trigger gun.
6. Turn off the gallon jug valve.
7. Turn off the machine. Press the trigger gun to relieve the pressure.
8. Disconnect the garden hose from the machine and prepare it for storage.
If your machine has gas remaining in the tank use a fuel stabilizer to prevent that gas from gumming up causing a blockage in the lines. Make sure to remove all detergent and water from the pressure washer machine as well.
Winterize a Hydro Tek Gas Pressure Washer - Antifreeze
Before winterizing your pressure washer check that you have antifreeze and fuel stabilizer! Always check the user manual for winterizing your pressure washer or if you have any questions consult with the manufacturer or contact NorTex Sales & Services and ask an expert.
Winterizing a Hydro Tek Pressure Washer - Non-Float Tank:
1. Prepare a gallon with a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water.
2. Use a 5’ garden hose to connect to the machine.
Tip: Use compressed air to blow out the unit until no water comes out of the discharge.
3. Draw the antifreeze mix into the machine.
4. Turn the machine on.
5. Run until antifreeze appears at the high-pressure outlet.
6. Turn the machine off.
7. Remove garden hose and prepare for storage.
If your machine has gas remaining in the tank use a fuel stabilizer to prevent that gas from gumming up causing a blockage in the lines. Make sure to remove all detergent and water from the pressure washer machine as well.
Winterize a Hotsy Electric Pressure Washer
Winterize a Hotsy Electric Pressure Washer - Float Tank
For Hotsy Electric Pressure Washers, it is recommended to use automotive engine antifreeze or windshield washer solvent to antifreeze. These steps can be followed for the following models; 680 SS, 771/772, 800 Mobile Oil-Fired Series, 900/1400 Gas-Fired Series, Stationary Electric, 965 B, 1075 BE, 1080 BE, 1200 Series, 5645.
1. Fill float tank with antifreeze (view steps to Winterize Hotsy Pressure Washer with no Float Tank).
2. Remove pressure nozzle from the wand.
3. Turn machine on.
4. Let machine run until antifreeze flows from the end of the wand.
5. Place the end of the wand into float tank to circulate the antifreeze through the system.
Tip: Let machine run for 2 - 3 minutes to make sure antifreeze has a chance to flow through the machine.
6. Press trigger on the trigger gun to circulate antifreeze through machine.
7. Squeeze and release the trigger gun several times after holding it for a few seconds to make sure the antifreeze flows into the unloader system.
Tip: For added protection after running antifreeze through machine, disconnect the pressure hose and remove the coil drain plug. After coil has drained, replace pressure hose and coil drain plug.
8. Draw antifreeze through the detergent inlet line to antifreeze the detergent system.
9. Unplug your pressure washer and store it in a warm area (40 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer). Do not store flammable liquids near pressure washer or in a non-ventilated area.
Tip: Remove the lance, spray gun, and hose from your pressure washer before putting it in storage.
The two main things to do when winterizing your pressure washer is to make sure all the fluids have been drained and running anti-freeze through the system to protect from freezing and damage while in storage.
For oil-fired machines make sure to drain the fuel (from fuel tank, fuel line, fuel valve, and carburetor) and oil from the engine and replenish engine oil to upper level.
Winterize ramteq Electric Pressure Washer
The two main things to do when winterizing your pressure washer are to make sure all the fluids have been drained and run anti-freeze through the system to protect from freezing and damage while in storage.
Winterize a RAMTEQ Electric Pressure Washer with no Float Tank
For RAMTEQ Electric Pressure Washers, it is recommended to use automotive engine antifreeze or windshield washer solvent to antifreeze.
1. Prepare antifreeze
2. Attach a garden hose to the water inlet connection on the machine.
Tip: 3 ft. of garden hose will be long enough to get the job done.
3. Remove the pressure nozzle from the wand
4. Connect the other end of the hose into a container of antifreeze.
5. Place the wand into the antifreeze container.
6. Turn machine on.
7. Let antifreeze flow into the machine from the end of the wand.
Tip: Let the machine run for 2 - 3 minutes to make sure antifreeze has a chance to flow through the machine.
8. Turn the machine off and replace the pressure nozzle.
9. Unplug your pressure washer, coil up the hose, and store it in a warm area (40 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer).
If you're looking for steps on how to winterize a RAMTEQ pressure washer with a float tank follow this link.
How to Store Pressure Washers in Dallas: Dos & Dont’s
To prevent any damage to your pressure washer during the winter, there are two things you have to do. Winterize your pressure washer and properly store your pressure washer. If you don’t, you run the risk of fluids freezing causing cracks and damage to o-rings, pumps, and seals, or rust and mold or mildew to accumulate.
To make sure your pressure washer is safe from the cold, here is a list of Dos and Dont’s.
Pressure Washer Storage: Dos
- Use a pressure washer pump saver
- Use a fuel stabilizer if you don’t drain fuel from the machine (gasoline in the engine can go bad if it sits for long periods of time. Diesel is less likely to go bad and cause damage)
- Replace the fuel container if you see rust (prevent damage to the fuel system)
- Use antifreeze (recommend a 50:50 antifreeze and water mixture. For colder climates consider a 60:40 antifreeze and water mixture)
Pressure Washer Storage: Don'ts
- Do not store gasoline that has not been treated with a fuel stabilizer
- Do not store pressure washer without draining all liquids (water, soap, fuel) unless properly winterized
- Do not store the machine near heat or ignition sources (heat sources can dry out the pump seals or ignite fuel vapors)
- Do not store the machine in a shed or garage without winterizing it
Winterize Your pressure washer - hire an expert
Not really sure how to winterize your pressure washer, don’t have time or the tools, or your equipment is at out shop being repaired, don’t worry!
NorTex Sales & Service can winterize your pressure washer for you. Bring your equipment to us or schedule a service call for us to come to you.
We are located in Dallas (214-630-7310), Kilgore (903-984-0099), and Odessa (432-653-1784).
Hours of operation for our Dallas and Odessa locations are Monday - Friday 7 am - 4 pm and Saturday 8 am - 12 pm.
Hours of operation for our Kilgore location are Monday - Friday 7 am - 4 pm.
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