As winter approaches, many pressure washing businesses in colder climates face a big challenge—freezing temperatures. When water freezes, it expands, potentially causing costly damage to your pumps, fittings, and plumbing. Winterization is crucial, but unfortunately, many in the industry overlook this important process.
Why Winterizing Your Pressure Washing Equipment Matters
For those of us in milder climates, winterization might seem unnecessary, but for anyone dealing with freezing conditions, it's essential. If your rig isn’t properly winterized, you risk cracked fittings, air leaks, and damaged pumps. The water inside your pressure washing rig can freeze and expand, damaging equipment, and leaving you with hefty repair costs.
Here’s a simple guide to winterizing your pressure washing equipment:
Step-by-Step Winterization Process
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Set Up a Small Winterization Tank: Install a small 5-10 gallon tank on your rig. This tank will be used to hold antifreeze or washer fluid during the winterization process.
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Connect to Your Feed Line: Run a hose from the tank to your pressure washer’s feed line. Insert a 90-degree ball valve to easily switch between normal operation and winterization mode.
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Flush Antifreeze or Washer Fluid Through Your System: When the temperature drops below freezing, switch off the water supply and open the valve to the winterization tank. Let the antifreeze circulate through the pump, hose, and fittings. This will prevent freezing and expansion, protecting your equipment.
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Don’t Forget Your Hose! Water left in your hose can freeze too. After running antifreeze through the system, make sure to loop it back through the hose for full protection.
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Use Washer Fluid as an Alternative: Washer fluid can be a cheaper alternative to antifreeze and works just as well for most systems. Just add a few gallons to your winterization tank, and you’re good to go!
The Importance of Proper Maintenance
No matter how careful you are, winter conditions are tough on pressure washing equipment. Banjo filters, in particular, are prone to cracking, even after winterization. Regularly check your fittings and plumbing for leaks and cracks during the cold months, as even the best precautions sometimes aren’t enough.
When the Cold Shuts You Down: Consider Christmas Light Installation
If you're in an area where winter temperatures shut down your pressure washing business, you don’t have to sit idle. One great way to supplement your income is by offering Christmas light installation. Many of the same clients who use your pressure washing services are likely to want professional holiday lighting—and it’s a high-margin service!
One of our colleagues, Glenn Jernigan, has perfected this model and is on track to make $150,000 this year just from installing Christmas lights between November and January. That's a significant amount of revenue during the otherwise slow season.
Want to learn how to add this service to your business? Join Glenn in the Christmas Light Boot Camp, a five-day virtual course where you'll learn everything from selling to installing and maintaining holiday lighting. This course is perfect for any pressure washing business owner looking to stay busy and profitable during the colder months.
Keep Your Business Running Smoothly
For those of you who can continue washing throughout the winter, or if you’re looking to expand your services, now’s a great time to sharpen your skills. Consider taking the SESW Softwash 101 Class, where you’ll learn the ins and outs of soft-washing techniques, business strategies, and equipment maintenance, ensuring your business thrives all year long.
In Conclusion:
Winter doesn’t have to be a slow season for your pressure washing business. Whether you're winterizing your equipment or exploring new services like Christmas light installation, there are ways to keep things running smoothly.
For more expert advice and tips on growing your business, don’t forget to check out the SESW Softwash 101 Class—the perfect resource to keep your soft-wash and pressure washing skills sharp, no matter the season.
