It is a given that when water freezes it expands, if the pump is full of a freezing fluid you may cause some irreversible damage. Broken plungers, damaged packings and ruptured manifolds to mention a few.
There are three ways to protect your pump.
Store it in a warm area. Blow out the fluid with compressed air (30 - 70 PSI) and Circulate a mixture of 50% antifreeze and 50% water through it.
One word of caution make sure you are not breaking any EPA regulations. If you use your pressure washer in areas of the country that get below freezing make sure it is thawed out and free from slush before running.
The winterizing information listed above is only for the pump; the rest of the system must also be protected.
- Always check with the equipment manufacturer for their recommendations on winterizing.
- Down time costs you profit.
- Neglect or I will fix it later can be your worst enemy.
- Fix any and all problems when they occur.
- Keep spare parts on hand.
- Understand why the repair was needed.
- Usually repairs are not made until the operation of the equipment has become so bad that it usually does not work.
- Use a professional repair facility, they will repair your equipment the proper way and save you time and money.
The high-pressure pump is used in such an array of applications that one must protect yourself and company in today's world. Safety issues are very prevalent in today's world, nobody wants to see anyone injured, "liability" is very visible. Preventative maintenance can not only reduce the risk of injury; but also cut "down time", increase profits, decrease costs and increase the equipment life. Understand your equipment.
Remember the pump is generally one of the most dependable and best-constructed components in a high-pressure washer.
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