Pressure Washer Use in Winter

[TimberXX]

I am interested in using my pressure washer this winter. I usually winterize it.

Here in NJ my attached garage gets in the mid 30s often.

Has anyone built something to keep their pressure washer heated, instead of heating the entire garage?

 

[mini14]

Just flush it with rv antifreeze when your done using it. It takes 2 min. I have 2 for about 15yrs now

 

[seville009]

What are you using the pressure washer on (ie:car)?

I’d be more concerned about the water/spray freezing up where it was used, like in the driveway.

To answer your question though, can always use one of those turbo blower heaters that are powered by diesel/kerosine. I use one to thaw out my skidsteer occasionally; works great because it’s forced hot air right where i want it.

 

[Ford850]

It should be relatively easy to keep a small space above freezing if it's within an attached garage. A plywood or cardboard box placed overtop of the washer, with either a heat tape or small light bulb inside should be plenty to keep it above freezing.

 

[blackdog2086]

A heated pet mat (or whatever they're called) under the washer and a large box as suggested in the post above.

 

[big bubba]

you might try blowing out water w/compressed air through the hose connection at a very low psi setting then use this product. drain out all lines & spray wand.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Briggs-Stratton-4-fl-oz-Pump-Saver/3241112

i try to avoid using heat tape/lamps close to combustibles in a garage setting

 

[Ford850]

you might try blowing out water w/compressed air through the hose connection at a very low psi setting then use this product. drain out all lines & spray wand.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Briggs-Stratton-4-fl-oz-Pump-Saver/3241112

i try to avoid using heat tape/lamps close to combustibles in a garage setting

That's a good point about combustibles.

 

[Ford850]

Back to the box idea, I think it would likely work with no heat source in the right location of the garage. My insulated but unheated attached garage gets below freezing at times, but I store potatoes and onions in there with no issue. I store them close to the house wall and have them lightly covered with a box or rug. There's enough warmth from the house wall and the basement (floor of garage close to the house) to keep that area above freezing. Put a thermometer on the floor to get a better idea if that will work. Cover that with a box and monitor your temps. If a cardboard box works, you could make one out of foam board for even better protection.

 

[Peter 315]

You can make a box from 2'' foil face insulation board and use a ceramic heat emitter like this one......Amazon.com : BOEESPAT Ceramic Heat Emitter 6W Reptile Heat Lamp Bulb Chicken Heater Light for Pet Brooder Coop Lizard Turtle Aquarium Snake, No Harm No Light, Black : Pet Supplies

 

[PILOON]

Also there exists small magnetic heaters @ a few 100 watts that could do the trick.
Not pricy either.
Perhaps slap it on and maybe toss an old carpet to keep in the heat.

Useless to heat my CUT but would do OK on a washer.

 

[big bubba]

other than the washer line itself & wand, the only vulnerable pressure washer part in freezing weather is the pump & housing (like a washing machine, dishwasher, or portable water pump)
once you successfully purge your pump w/low pressure compressed air & treat with something like pump saver , you're covered. then cover w/old bedding & a temp gauge close by if you feel more comfortable

a box or heating device is like a band aid. go directly to the core of the potential problem & solve imho

 

[RjCorazza]

I blow mine out with low pressure compressed air. RV dealers and Walmart sell the adapter, and it takes only a few minutes.
I have also in the past used a low wattage pipe wrap heater. I loosely wrap it a few times around the pump, and the thermostat controls the rest.

 

[Ford850]

Maybe I misunderstood the OP. I thought he wanted to use his washer occasionally through the winter. If that’s the case, then winterizing it weekly would be a pain compared to keeping it ready for use.

 

[Squeak n Itch]

Box made from foil faced fiberglass insulation used for domestic heating ducts. Then a very low wattage heater of any type.

 

[crazyal]

If you're looking for simple heat for a box get a 25 watt incandescent bulb. You can even put it on a timer (if you want to be real fancy a thermostat inside the box). I bet you could keep it at 50 with almost no energy. Make a simple box out of wood, line it with foam insulation, and add the light. Just make sure nothing is too close to the bulb.

 

[Sberry]

You can also use a bucket to purge anti freeze thru it. Suck it till it starts to *** green, turn off then hook it back to water and run the green back to the bucket till it is starting to get water. But nothing beats a little heat and to tell the truth you are doing yourself a disservice if its insulated not to heat the garage to low level if its modest. It doesnt have to blaze but 40 or 45 is so much better than freezing and doesnt take much.
It will bump up fast from there and might even be inclined to hook it to hot water circuit for winter.
Depending on where you live, the service of your vehicles even an expensive washer may be well worth it in depreciation gains, ease of maintenance. I wash a car bout every day, I wash outside but I can make 5 gpm at 200 degrees, will cut ice and snow right off and dont got to bring it all in. Got mine plumbed thru the wall, outside switching. Hot in 30 seconds.