Ryan Cash
UAMCC Associate Member
How do I winterize my Pressure Washer?
When do I need to winterize my equipment?
What are the steps to winterize the RoofTec machine?
Do you need to winterize a soft wash pump?
As winter is quickly approaching, it’s important to make sure you take the necessary steps to protect your equipment and pumps. If your pressure washing/soft washing unit is exposed to freezing weather conditions, the water and chemicals inside of the unit may freeze, resulting in SERIOUS DAMAGE to the unit.
As water and chemicals freeze, they expand, causing cracks and damage to the pump, fittings, hoses, and spray tools.
In general, there are 3 methods that can be safely used to prepare your machine for freezing temperatures.
**If possible, always store the unit in a heated building when not in use in cold weather**
**If you must use the unit in freezing temperatures, avoid long periods of shut down as the unit generates heat while running. Keep the unit running just prior to leaving for the next job. Extended travel between jobs could freeze the unit**
Before any long term winterization, you should prepare the machine to sit unused for an extended time.
Cycle Bleach Neutralizer through the pump, hoses, and tools to deactivate any remaining bleach inside your machine. This will help your pump last longer and prevent premature rusting/pitting of the different surfaces that SH comes in contact with.
Once your machine is prepped for inactivity, you’ll need to winterize it.
Here is our recommended process for winterizing the RoofTec XCS500. These steps can be easily converted to fit to whatever system you use.
WINTERIZING THE UNIT WITH ANTIFREEZE
REMOVING ANTI-FREEZE FROM THE UNIT
Here are the Key Takeaways:
Now, a quick word about Bleach. Bleach will freeze, but at generally lower temperatures than water. The higher the concentration of bleach, the lower the temperature it will require to freeze. For example, A product with 5% Sodium Hypochlorite will begin to solidify at a temperature of 20 degrees F, however, bleach with 10% Sodium Hypochlorite will begin to freeze at a temperature of 7 degrees F.
As long as your temperatures aren’t dropping below 10 degrees, it’s not necessary to drain the bleach out of your system every night (if you’re still able to use it during the day when temperatures raise back up).
Finally; Some contractors prefer to winterize their systems using compressed air. The idea here is that you blow out all hoses, pumps, and fittings with air so that there is no water left in the machine to freeze and expand.
For most pressure washers this can be done by using an adapter hooked up to the water intake on your system.
Simply, hook up to an air compressor, blow it out and refill with water the next day when you’re ready to run your system again.
Regardless of how you do it though, please make sure you take cold weather into account! Otherwise, you’ll be rebuilding/replacing your pump in the spring!
When do I need to winterize my equipment?
What are the steps to winterize the RoofTec machine?
Do you need to winterize a soft wash pump?
As winter is quickly approaching, it’s important to make sure you take the necessary steps to protect your equipment and pumps. If your pressure washing/soft washing unit is exposed to freezing weather conditions, the water and chemicals inside of the unit may freeze, resulting in SERIOUS DAMAGE to the unit.
As water and chemicals freeze, they expand, causing cracks and damage to the pump, fittings, hoses, and spray tools.
In general, there are 3 methods that can be safely used to prepare your machine for freezing temperatures.
- Store the system in a heated building.
- Winterize with AntiFreeze
- Winterize with Compressed Air
**If possible, always store the unit in a heated building when not in use in cold weather**
**If you must use the unit in freezing temperatures, avoid long periods of shut down as the unit generates heat while running. Keep the unit running just prior to leaving for the next job. Extended travel between jobs could freeze the unit**
Before any long term winterization, you should prepare the machine to sit unused for an extended time.
Cycle Bleach Neutralizer through the pump, hoses, and tools to deactivate any remaining bleach inside your machine. This will help your pump last longer and prevent premature rusting/pitting of the different surfaces that SH comes in contact with.
Once your machine is prepped for inactivity, you’ll need to winterize it.
Here is our recommended process for winterizing the RoofTec XCS500. These steps can be easily converted to fit to whatever system you use.
WINTERIZING THE UNIT WITH ANTIFREEZE
- It is recommended to disconnect the water supply hose from the water tank and blow the hose and reel out with compressed air. The hose may also be removed from the hose reel and stored in a heated location. You may still have water in the hose reel.
- Attach a spray tool to the end of the solution hose.
- Remove the cap from the water tank and add 1 gallon of antifreeze and 1 gallon of water (if empty) to create a 50/50 antifreeze mix. Leave the cap off the water box.
- Turn the water tank bypass valve to the ON position.
- Turn the water metering valve all the way on.
- Make sure the bleach and surfactant metering valves are off.
- Start the unit in low pressure and point the spray tool into the water tank. Trigger the spray tool and run for a minute or two after the antifreeze mix is circulating back into the water tank.
- Turn off the unit. Trigger the spray tool one last time to remove any remaining pressure in the line. You may leave the spray tool connected or remove it for storage. There will be antifreeze in the hose that may run out if you choose to disconnect the tool.
- It is recommended to vacuum any standing chemicals remaining in the other tanks and hoses.
REMOVING ANTI-FREEZE FROM THE UNIT
- Connect the water supply hose to the unit and to a fresh water source, turning it on. Alternatively, fill the water tank repeatedly and follow the steps below. Do not let the water tank run empty.
- Turn the water bypass valve to the ON position.
- Connect a spray tool to the solution hose, if there is not one already connected.
- Open the water metering valve all the way if not already open.
- Start the unit in low pressure and trigger the spray tool into an approved disposal location or container to flush the antifreeze out of the system.
- After all of the anti-freeze has been removed, turn the ignition switch OFF and trigger the spray tool to remove any remaining pressure. The unit is ready for normal operation.
Here are the Key Takeaways:
- Replace all water in the system with Antifreeze.
- Clear out hoses and fittings.
- Drain excess Surfactant
- Drain Excess Bleach
Now, a quick word about Bleach. Bleach will freeze, but at generally lower temperatures than water. The higher the concentration of bleach, the lower the temperature it will require to freeze. For example, A product with 5% Sodium Hypochlorite will begin to solidify at a temperature of 20 degrees F, however, bleach with 10% Sodium Hypochlorite will begin to freeze at a temperature of 7 degrees F.
As long as your temperatures aren’t dropping below 10 degrees, it’s not necessary to drain the bleach out of your system every night (if you’re still able to use it during the day when temperatures raise back up).
Finally; Some contractors prefer to winterize their systems using compressed air. The idea here is that you blow out all hoses, pumps, and fittings with air so that there is no water left in the machine to freeze and expand.
For most pressure washers this can be done by using an adapter hooked up to the water intake on your system.
Simply, hook up to an air compressor, blow it out and refill with water the next day when you’re ready to run your system again.
Regardless of how you do it though, please make sure you take cold weather into account! Otherwise, you’ll be rebuilding/replacing your pump in the spring!