Winterize pressure washer?

[RMR&C]

What is the best way to get ALL of the water out? I need to store the pressure washer in an unheated shed. Don't want it to freeze and bust.
Suggestions?

 

[oldtractors]

I used to stick the inlet in rv antifreeze and run it for a few seconds until it sprayed out the wand.

 

[dladcock]

+1

 

[G_P]

Thanks for posting this! Reminds me I need to winterize mine!

Sent via carrier pigeon.

 

[srmofo]

I used to stick the inlet in rv antifreeze and run it for a few seconds until it sprayed out the wand.

Same here

 

[White 99]

They make a spray can with lube, anti freeze and anti rust. It is a regular spray can with a short piece of tube and a plastic hose connection that turnes. Screw it on a turn or so and push button and the water comes out the pressure hose connection. I think I found it at sears, not expensive. Hose can be drained by itself. Make sure where the pressure washer outlet is pointed.

I think the anti rust is most important for me and I give mine a quick shot if it is going to set for more that a day or so.

 

[mikegt4]

I do the same.
I made a "funnel" that attaches in place of the garden hose out of some plumbing fittings. With the funnel positioned upright I put in about a 1/2 pint of RV anti freeze and pump the fluid through using the engines starter cord (ignition off). After about ten pulls the output is nice and pink. I have done this to my pressure washer for 15 winters and like the OP, it is stored in a unheated shed. I think that the RV anti freeze also lubricates the pump internals as well.

 

[Bkf350SD]

Briggs makes something called pump saver. Comes in a spray can with a hose. Works fine and is not that expensive

 

[RMR&C]

Thanks to all. Was thinking maybe antifreeze, will give it a shot. Already blew out the hose...

 

[Clik]

I usually have attached a funnel to a short section of garden hose and filled with RV anti freeze while running pump until it makes it all the way through the system and squirts good and pink.

But some pumps won't gravity feed and require a certain amount of pressure into the feed side of the pump. In that case use a longer section of garden hose, fill with RV antifreeze and then hose clamp an air fitting in the end to pressurize the RV antifreeze.

I never use regular anti freeze because even if your house has a backflow preventer they don't always work and you can contaminate your drinking water. I'm surprised the garden sprayer makers haven't been sued out of business for the same reason.

Imagine spraying pesticide and the nozzle clogs. Now the sprayer resevoir reaches the same pressure as the hose which reaches the same pressure as the house water supply. Now all is one, including your water heater tank.

 

[Kevin C]

As long as your down there..... Never hurts to check the pumps oil level. I use the spray can with pump lubricant.

 

[rlitman]

I'm surprised the garden sprayer makers haven't been sued out of business for the same reason.

Imagine spraying pesticide and the nozzle clogs. Now the sprayer resevoir reaches the same pressure as the hose which reaches the same pressure as the house water supply. Now all is one, including your water heater tank.

The miracle gro one that took powder had a vacuum breaker built in. Many others do too.
You are also supposed to have a vacuum breaker on your hose bib.

 

[Aahz]

Antifreeze works well for pressure washers. Don't forget to take the gas (kerosene or diesel) out as well, just like the lawnmower.

 

[sberry]

I blew the water out of the neighbors the other day with adapter.