Frost is by far the biggest threat to pressure washers over the colder months. Follow the tips below and you will have a pressure washer in tip top condition and ready to work:
Top Tips
1. All fluids must be drained from the pressure washer before it goes into storage, this cannot be stressed enough. Drain all elements and thoroughly flush the detergent tank with clean water before leaving to dry out.
2. If possible, disconnect the hoses and hang them up near the unit. If the unit is not going to be kept in a frost-free space it may be worth storing the hoses separately but make sure you know what hoses fit what machine.
3. Drain the pump and consider using a pump saver fluid to stop the pump from drying out and freezing. This is as simple as buying a pump saver fluid and following the instructions on the bottle.
4. Oil levels on the pressure washer should be checked and topped up if they are not at maximum. Replace the oil in the unit if the service schedule calls for it.
5. It is important to check all filters on the pressure washer. Clean and dry the filters before putting them back or replace with new ones if required. This should be built into an operational procedure.
6. Hot Water pressure washers have a facility to add anti-freeze, this should always be utilised, ensure that the correct level of anti-freeze is added as per manufacturer’s instructions.
7. If you want to keep your Pressure Washer in top condition and elongate product life a service contract is essential. A preventative service schedule should be taken out in accordance with manufacturers regulations and adhered to for the life of the unit. Failure to do so is one of the most common reasons for product failure and inflated costs.
8. Hot Water pressure washers must be cooled down fully before being placed in storage. The burner should be turned off and the water run cold before the hoses are disconnected. All accessories should be stored in a proper manner.
9. Cold Water pressure washers should have their oil level visually checked and the inlet water filter should be cleaned daily. Again, this should be built into an operational procedure.
10. All electrical cables should be inspected before use and replaced if there is any sign of damage. Putting the unit into storage is a good opportunity to conduct a thorough check. Electrical power supplies should be in good working order.
11. All pressure washers should be used in conjunction with an RCD unit (Residual Circuit Breaker). Company insurances are likely to be invalid if this is not the case.
12. If electrical extension leads are to be used, they must be rated for the pressure washer in question. It is often safer to extend the high-pressure hose rather than the electrical cable.
Are you looking to ensure that your pressure washer is always in top form? These top tips will ensure that your machine will perform at its peak. But, if you want to extend your pressure washers life expectancy to the absolute most then you may want to consider one of our service plans. We offer a variety of plans and financial options to suite any budget.
