Pressure Washer Storing

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Properly storing your pressure washer will keep it running for many years. These simple steps will reduce expensive maintenance costs, and lengthen the life of the washer.

Winterizing / Storage

When storing your pressure washer during the winter, follow these steps:

  • Add a Fuel Stabilizer to your fuel tank. A fuel stabilizer prevents your stored gas from eroding, which makes it unusable and difficult to remove.
  • Do not leave any liquid in the pump. If a liquid freezes in the pump, it will expand and can cause cracks and damage to the pump, causing costly repairs. Flush your pump with an antifreeze liquid prior to long term storage to prevent any serious damage.
  • Ensure that your hoses are not being stored below freezing. Make sure that the hoses are free from water as well. If water freezes in the hose, it will expand, which can cause splits and damage to the hose, making it unusable and causing a potential safety risk
  • Store your washer in a dry place. Because many of the parts on a pressure washer may be steel, it is important to prevent any water from long term storage in the unit.

Spring Cleaning / De-winterizing

This will vary depending on how well your pressure washer was put away at the end of last season. If you cleaned it, used a pump preserver and stored it nicely, spring cleaning should be a breeze. If you just hosed it off and put it in the garage you will probably have some work to do. If you didn't clean it at all and just threw it in the shed you may be buying some parts or a new pump if it was exposed to freezing. If that is the case you should probably take it to a local authorized repair center such as Portland Compressor for thorough cleaning and likely repair.

It was put away nicely

All you should have to do is clean-out the pump preserver! Do this just prior to first use of the season as you don't want to leave your pump vulnerable.

It was put away Badly

Check your washer throughout to ensure that the machine is not rusted, does not have cracks, and that there is no debris in the gas tank.

If there are any imperfections, bring the washer into your local service center. Although there might be a cost for the service, it is minimal compared to what it might cost for a new pump or engine for your washer if you have a faulty start-up.