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EO Express Cold Weather Hints for Pressure Wash Contractors
- DO NOT LET YOUR WASHER FREEZE! If possible, store your pressure washer in a warm place. Automatic bathroom or "Milk House" electric heaters work well in small areas. For Natural Gas and LP Gas washers the pilot lights provide heat at the base of your heater coils, block off the stack to capture additional pilot light heat. Heat lamps next to the pump help protect the pump and if you cover the entire wash rig with a tarp you can protect the entire rig if it not too cold for too long. Automatic kerosene and Natural Gas heaters will protect larger areas, connect these to thermostats calibrated in degrees. Infrared LP gas heaters also work well, heat from these heaters can be quite intense so watch for fire hazards.
- If your washer is going to freeze, the best way to protect your washer is
with automotive or RV anti-freeze. Fill up your empty float tank with
anti-freeze then start up your washer and push out the water with
anti-freeze , (Note, most hot high pressure washers hold about 5 gallons).
Remove your spray tip from your wand and insert it into the float tank. Recalculate
the anti-freeze for 2 minutes while turning the Trigger Gun on and off to
force antifreeze into the by-pass line of the unloader. This will protect
your pump, coils, hoses and plumbing. This should protect everything except
the chemical line hose which you will need to do separately while reticulating
the antifreeze. Use a 5-gallon jug to capture the anti-freeze for reuse. If
you start out with 5 gallons of pure antifreeze it should last you all
winter if you recapture it each time. If your units do not have a float
tank, use a 5-gallon bucket and insert the water intake hose into it. (Note:
some Contract Cleaners use windshield washer fluid for this, be sure and
check the freezing point of the fluid you are using. Some windshield washer
fluids do not protect below freezing).
For pressure washers without float tanks that are hooked to water tanks you can install a 3/4" or 1" 3-way ball valve (T-valve) with a short piece of hose in the inlet water line to introduce the antifreeze with. This way it is not necessary to disconnect the water line from the water tank. - The next best way to protect your unit from freezing is to blow out the water with air pressure. Be careful with this method. Water will collect in low places and still break your washer. This is especially true if you move your washer after blowing out the water. The vibration will collect water droplets in low places, especially in the heater coils.
- Your washer will freeze going down the highway with a reported air temperature of 35 degrees Fahrenheit. That is because of the cooler temperatures in low places. Remember that air temperature varies normally 2 to 6 degrees in a given region going up and down high and low places.
- In calm air hot water washing can be done to about 25 degrees Fahrenheit. In blowing wind hot water washing can be done to about 34 degrees Fahrenheit. If possible wash in direct sunlight to take advantage of thermal heating.
- Aluminum brightening and acid cleaning does not work well below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember the sun, direct sun light will raise surface temperature several degrees.
- You can pull open trailer wash rigs with water tanks down the highway in freezing temperatures by putting your wash wand into your 500 gallon water tank and firing up the water heater and recirculating the water as go down the road. If you are only going a short distance or if the temperature is not very cold (like 15 to 20°F) it may not be necessary to turn on the water heater. In this case this procedure will also work for cold water pressure washers connected to water tanks.
- Keep your water supply hoses flowing with water, water out of the ground will be about 50 degrees Fahrenheit in most areas.
- If your wash water runs across sidewalks or driveways and freezes, salt these areas down for safety. Always carry a bucket of rock salt or sand for your customer's safety.
- Chemicals work slower in cold weather. Plan on using more chemicals and extra time.
- Do not let your chemicals freeze. Store in a dry, warm place. Liquid chemicals will usually separate upon freezing.
- Protect yourself in cold weather with: 1) rain suits, 2) over shoes, 3) hard hats with rain troughs and face shields, 4) thermal underwear, and 5) gauntlet gloves with jersey inserts. Turn the gauntlet back so that water will not run down you arm.
- On days you cannot wash do sales calls and equipment maintenance. Call EO Express at 1-888-696-2700 and order spare parts.
- Below freezing work - vent-a-hoods; in-plant cleaning; de-icing of: aircraft, oil field drilling rigs, refineries, manufacturing plants with outside water piping.
- You can drain your water hose by disconnecting it at each end, laying it out in a straight line, then walking down the hose passing the hose over your shoulder.
- Be careful where you point your spray: door locks, brake drums, door jams, and steps will freeze after you spray water on them. If you use 180 degree to 200 degree Fahrenheit, hot water evaporation will help minimize the icing problem.
- When washing reefer trailer make sure the units are running, this will help minimize icing.
- Avoid washing in the shade. Direct sun light heats up skin temperature rapidly. Try to have get the fleet owner to park vehicles in the sun.
- If you walk on a lot of ice, use boot chains or shoes with spikes.
- Mount your pressure washing equipment in an enclosed trailer, Bobtail Truck, or Step Van.
- Start your washing activities later in the day after the sun has had time to warm items up, like after 10:00 a.m.
- Drop a small electric water pump (like those used for waterfall displays) with a 3' hose attached into the water tank. Water in motion will delay the freezing of the water tank. Also small submersible water heaters work good in water tanks for keeping the water above freezing.
- When traveling short distances you can disconnect your pressure washer from the water tank and only antifreeze the pressure washer, hoses, etc. Put a plug into the water tank. When you arrive at the job site remove the plug and use a screwdriver and knock out the ice.
- Where practicable cover exposed piping with heat tape.
- You can remove ice from gutters by heating up the gutter from bottom and sides then removing the ice by hand in 3 to 5 foot sections. Average size home can be done in about an hour.
- Indoor fittings with garden hose hook up for the sinks for when outside faucets are frozen.
- If as all possible never travel with your water tank half full. The surging of the water can push you out into an intersection or make you lose control under slippery conditions. Always check the brakes at the beginning of each day!
- Common add on businesses for supplementing income during the winter months: 1) window washing, 2) New construction cleanup of houses for final walk through, 3) snow removal, 4) chimney cleaning, 5) carpet cleaning 6) yard work and maintenance cleanup, 7) painting.
