If you own a pressure washer, preparing it for winter is essential. Frost damage can ruin pumps, hoses, and valves if the pressure washer hasn't been stored correctly and water has been left inside. Whether you have an AVA Pressure Washer or another brand, these simple steps will help you protect your pressure washer over winter and keep it in top condition for spring.
Why Winter Protection Matters for Pressure Washers
Pressure washers are highly vulnerable to frost. When water freezes, it expands — and even a small amount of trapped water can crack the pump head, spray gun, or internal valves.
- It takes less than 2 minutes to winterise a pressure washer.
- Skipping this step can lead to leaks and loss of pressure,
- Frost damage isn’t covered by the AVA Warranty
- Garages and sheds aren’t always frost-proof — unless insulated or heated, they can still expose your pressure washer to freezing conditions.
Can You Use a Pressure Washer in Winter?
Yes – absolutely! AVA Pressure washers can be used in cold conditions (we are Norwegian after all! Our pressure washers have been tested in sub zero temperatures).
We urge you to keep using your pressure washer for car cleaning, patios, and outdoor equipment all winter - check out our guide on Winter Car Cleaning Hacks. It is, however, important to store your pressure washer correctly avoid frost damage.
Follow these simple steps or watch our short video to protect your pressure washer over the winter:
- Disconnect the garden hose, then disconnect the gun from the high-pressure hose. Pull the trigger of the gun to release any remaining pressure.
- Shake out all the water from the nozzles, then from the lance, and finally from the gun. These parts should be separated during the process.
- Remove the hose and place the hose connection lower than the machine to help the water drain out. If possible, place it so that it lies on a downhill slope.
- Turn on your pressure washer and let it run for exactly 63 seconds.
- Then lay the machine on its back with the water inlet facing upwards.
- Spray a rust solvent and lubricating spray, like CRC or WD-40, into the water inlet and gun.
- Start the machine again and stop it immediately afterward.
- Repeat step 6 and then disconnect the power.
Your machine is now prepared and secured for winter storage.
Bonus Tip: Protect Seals and Connections
One last tip to ensure your pressure washer’s durability through the cold months: apply a little grease to the O-rings and connection parts. This simple maintenance step helps prevent cracking, keeps seals flexible, and makes reassembly easier when spring comes around.
By following this guide — flushing water, adding pump saver, storing accessories correctly, and greasing O-rings — you can be confident your pressure washer will be ready for spring cleaning tasks without any unwanted surprises.
Final Thoughts
Proper winter storage ensures your pressure washer is always ready to tackle any cleaning task. Taking just a few minutes to winterise your AVA pressure washer can save you from costly repairs and extend the lifetime of your machine.
