As the owner of a successful power washing company with clients year round, I can’t possibly get every wash done during the warm months. Some concerned clients wonder if I can wash during the Winter so if they’re wondering, you probably are too. Can you still use a pressure washer in the Winter months?
Can a pressure washer be used in Winter? The good news is YES, a pressure washer can be used in the Winter months. As long as the temperature is above 32 degrees, using a pressure washer can be just as effective as in any other season.
Whether you’re a homeowner who likes to stay busy in the Winter with some well needed home maintenance or a full time power washing company that depends on consistent income, you’ll need to know the do’s and don’ts of pressure washing during the cold season.
Preparing the Power Washer
If you live in a climate that reaches temperatures of 32 degrees or less, you will surely need to know how to winterize your pressure washer. Even one really cold night can ruin the pump on a pressure washer for good.
Naturally, freezing temps and pressure washers don’t play well together. That’s why it’s important to protect your investment throughout the Winter months by following some simple storage guidelines.
Be sure to store your washer in an enclosed location. This could mean a garage, storage shed, enclosed trailer, etc. You don’t want your valued pressure washer to be subjected to the harsh elements of Winter if you can help it. Treat it like your beloved dog… except you don’t have to feed it as often. Just follow the, “if you’re cold, it’s cold” rule. Bring it in!
Rain and cold temps can take a strong toll on your equipment. Hoses tend to stiffen up, plastic parts become brittle, and water in the pump can easily freeze thereby cracking the pump seals. Just keep it out of the elements when not in use. One or two nights of weather at 32 degrees should probably be OK if the washer is kept in a building or enclosed trailer since the walls keep it out of the
If you’ve ever had to purchase a water pump for your pressure washer, you know they are sometimes as much money as the washer itself. Once you add in the labor cost of having it replaced, it almost isn’t worth it. Just save yourself the hassle and take care of your investment.
Your cleaning agents need to remain out of the weather elements as well. Most liquid based chemicals will lose their effectiveness after being frozen and will not perform well when you need them most. Keeping them out of the cold and direct sun will ensure they remain potent.
Additionally, if you use powder, flakes or beads as chemical mixing agents (like sodium or potassium hydroxide), you will have severe issues trying to get them to dissolve properly.
It’s easy to stop up the spray tips of your pressure washer or pump sprayer if the chemicals aren’t dissolved well enough. Stick to liquids that mix instantly or dissolve your solids with hot water to avoid spending an hour cleaning your spray tips out.
Take Advantage of the Daylight
In most part of the country the Winter months bring the shortest daylight hours. So if you need to wash during this time, be sure to take advantage of the warmest part of the day. Most house washes can be completed within just a few hours so adjust your schedule accordingly. I schedule all my Winter washes between noon and 3 p.m.
Even though it may be difficult to fit a few house washes in (if you’re a business) during this few hour window, it isn’t worth risking the health of you or your equipment just for a few dollars. You can always reschedule the job for another day if needed.
Avoid the Shade Like the Plague
Depending on what you’re washing, you may want to clean it in the sunlight. Everyone knows the best part of a cold Winter day is finding that sliver of warm sunlight.
Obviously, you can’t just move a whole house out of the shade, but if you’re cleaning something that’s mobile like a car or heavy machinery, move that thing to the sun! This will help keep you, the machine, and what you’re cleaning warm. It also helps with the
Increase Your Dwell Time
If you are using cleaning detergents to help your pressure washing progress (and I hope you are), you will have to increase the dwell time. Cleaning products don’t work well in colder weather.
Most pressure washers are sold with the ability to downstream liquid chemicals and other soaps to assist in the cleaning process. These chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite, sodium hydroxide, and other popular cleaning agents take time to activate under normal conditions.
An average dwell time of 10 minutes during the Summer may take 20-25 minutes during Winter months. Allow extra dwell time during the colder season. Using an additional surfactant (sticky soap) will help keep the chemicals stuck to the surface a little longer as well.
Use Hot Water
If you have access to hot water, use it! It will be the saving grace of washing in the cold elements. Not only will it allow your chemicals to work better (thereby saving you time), but it will keep your water spray from freezing on the surface.
Some commercial pressure washers have heating elements built in allowing the water to be heated up almost instantly to between 120-180 degrees.
Heating water to this degree is extremely valuable in the cleaning process. Just think about it this way…
Do you wash dishes in cold water?
Of course you don’t! The same concept applies to exterior cleaning.
Some homes even have hot water outlets. So if you have access to it, use it!
Wear Waterproof Clothing
Wearing shorts and flip flops while pressure washing is never a good idea, but especially not while washing in the Winter. Working in the cold sucks, but not as much as being cold and WET! Being in the situation many times myself, I suggest wearing a full body waterproof suit while washing. Getting hypothermia is a real concern even when moving about. It could take only a matter of minutes before there’s no turning back.
Just like every other wash, I’d wear a hat, waterproof gloves to protect your
I like xtratuf boots because they offer 100% waterproof protection, good grip on the bottom and are extremely comfortable. They tend to last longer than normal galoshes also.
Whatever you wear, you should have two main concerns; stay warm and dry.
Control Your Water Run-Off
Anyone who has used a pressure washer before knows that the water has to go somewhere. And if you’re lucky enough to have a yard that does not drain very well like me (enter sarcastic eye roll here), you also know that the water will pool up and take hours to drain off.
This is an obvious problem if you are washing in freezing temps. Having a clean house or car is great but not at the expense of a broken back when you slip on the ice you just created.
Make sure the water runs off at a steady pace and doesn’t pool up anywhere that will create a slip hazard. If you can’t avoid pooling water, you may want to treat the area with some de-icing salt before washing.
Re-Winterize Your Machine
One you’re all done making your home shine like new, be sure to place your pressure washer back into a Winter-proof state. Winterizing small engines are crucial to their lifespan. Follow these simple steps to ensure your washer lives long enough to wash again:
- Run anti-freeze into the pump to protect the seals and keep the pump from seizing
- Turn the fuel switch off and run the machine until all fuel is used up
- Pour in some fuel stabilizer to protect the carburetor and fuel lines from gumming up
- Clear all supply and pressure lines of water by allowing them to drain out
- Lube/oil all moving parts including the quick connect fittings and trigger guns
- Disconnect all hoses and store them dry
Putting It All Together
In short, the answer is YES, you can pressure wash in the Winter. Certain conditions must be met, but overall, it’s not extremely different than washing any other time of the year as long as you follow these basic steps:
- make sure to wear warm clothes that will keep you dry during the wash
- increase your chemical dwell time
- avoid making an ice skating rink
- winterize your machine when don
Related Questions:
What are the best chemicals for pressure washing? There are a host of cleaners that can be used to wash a variety of surfaces. The most prevalent is sodium hypochlorite, also know as bleach. This salt-based liquid will kill any organic material almost immediately so it must be used with care to avoid killing grass and plants.
What can I use when the water doesn’t drain properly? Keeping a shop broom or a large floor squeegee is a must for any serious power washing company. Water can easily be moved to lower lying areas with these must-have tools.
Recent Comments