{"id":2378,"date":"2023-03-27T14:02:38","date_gmt":"2023-03-27T21:02:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.appliancepartspros.com\/b\/?p=2378"},"modified":"2023-03-27T14:02:43","modified_gmt":"2023-03-27T21:02:43","slug":"how-to-pressure-washer-upkeep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.appliancepartspros.com\/c\/how-to-pressure-washer-upkeep\/","title":{"rendered":"How To: Pressure Washer Upkeep"},"content":{"rendered":"
person wearing yellow rubber boots with high-pressure water nozzle cleaning the dirt in the tiles. Image by wirestock on freepik.com<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Like all lawn equipment, your pressure washer needs some attention if it\u2019s going to keep doing its job. Regular maintenance is imperative, as is proper prep between cleaning seasons. Thankfully, for most home models, these chores are ones you can handle yourself without the help of a professional repair service and we\u2019re here to help!<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow our guide on proper pressure washer maintenance and upkeep, and you\u2019ll be keeping decks, driveways, and sidewalks clear for years to come!<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/section>\n

Winterizing Your Pressure Washer<\/span><\/h2>\n

Just like all of your other lawn equipment, your pressure washer \u2013 whether gas-powered or electric \u2013 should be properly winterized before you put it away for the season. Taking the proper steps to protect your pressure washer from the elements and a long idle period will ensure it\u2019s in good shape come spring.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are the steps you should take to prep your pressure washer for winter storage:<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have a gas-powered pressure washer, don\u2019t forget to stabilize the fuel.<\/span><\/h3>\n

Provided the fuel in your pressure washer is less than 30 days old, you can add fuel stabilizer to preserve it through the winter. Follow the instructions on the fuel stabilizer bottle when doing this, and be sure to run your pressure washer\u2019s engine for around two minutes so that the stabilizer is properly circulated.<\/span><\/p>\n

If the fuel in your pressure washer is more than 30 days old, it\u2019s already begun to deteriorate, and will not benefit much from stabilizer. You can either run the equipment until the fuel tank is empty, or hand siphon it from the fuel tank into an appropriate receptacle for safe disposal.<\/span><\/p>\n

Flush and drain all water and detergent from your pressure washer<\/h3>\n

You don\u2019t want to leave water or detergent in your pressure washer all winter. If it\u2019s stored somewhere susceptible to the cold, the water may freeze and expand, damaging internal parts. Even stored somewhere warm, like a heated garage or basement, the water inside could evaporate, leaving behind buildup that causes clogs and corrosion.<\/span><\/p>\n

To get rid of any leftover water or detergent, you\u2019ll want to attach a garden hose to your pressure washer as normal, and then either place the detergent feed hose in a clean bucket of water or fill the detergent reservoir with water.<\/span><\/p>\n

With a low PSI setting, run your pressure washer until all the detergent is cleared out. Then, disconnect the garden hose and run the pressure washer again until it is out of water.<\/span><\/p>\n

There will still be some water trapped in your equipment, so disconnect the wand and hoses and get them as dry as possible before moving on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Prep your pressure washer with pump saver or antifreeze<\/h3>\n

You can add antifreeze (with glycol) or pump saver to your pressure washer via the hose inlet to ensure nothing internal is damaged by fluctuating temperatures. Be sure to thoroughly read and follow label instructions when completing this step.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For gas-powered pressure washers, don\u2019t forget the spark plug!<\/h3>\n

Before you put your equipment away for the season, be sure to check and disconnect the spark plug.<\/span><\/p>\n

Wipe down your pressure washer<\/h4>\n

Clean your pressure washer up and dry it off before storage to prevent rust. An old shop rag should be enough for this job!<\/span><\/p>\n

Proper storage steps<\/h3>\n

Store your pressure washer in a spot where it\u2019s protected from the elements, like a garage or shed \u2013 or your basement, in the case of a smaller electric pressure washer. You may also want to purchase a cover for it. This will ensure that pests like rodents don\u2019t decide to make a nest of it during the winter months.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prepping Your Pressure Washer for Spring<\/span><\/h2>\n

Prepping your pressure washer for spring is thankfully a little less involved than winterizing it, and it starts with an inspection of the washer itself. First, check the washer body for signs of damage from rodents or other pests and clean it up. If you have a gas-powered washer, check and reconnect or replace the spark plug.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check the hoses, wand, and nozzles, as well. Any water that had been trapped inside could have potentially damaged these components by freezing and thawing during winter, or you might need to clear away a clog. Check the o-rings, which can be found where the hoses and gun connect. If they\u2019re looking a little dry, you can apply some plumbers grease to keep them in good shape. Replace them if they are dried out, crumbling, or otherwise damaged.<\/span><\/p>\n

Next, you\u2019ll want to check and, if necessary, change the oil, fuel, and any filters your equipment may have.<\/span><\/p>\n

With that done, you\u2019ll likely need to flush out any pump saver or antifreeze you used. Be sure to check the label for the product you used for instructions on how to properly dispose of it, and ensure your pressure washer\u2019s system is completely flushed before you use it to clean anything. Once your winterizer is cleared out, you can hook your pressure washer up to water and do some actual testing \u2013 make sure the pressure is adequate and all parts are functional.<\/span><\/p>\n

Everyday Pressure Washer Maintenance: Before You Clean<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you haven\u2019t done so, consult your manual for specific steps on proper pressure washer usage. Your specific make and model may have specific use steps. We can set you up with some basics, though:<\/span><\/p>\n