Many small pressure washing and high-pressure hot water contract cleaning companies are located in areas, which may reach sub zero temperatures with wind chill factor. It is important to make sure your equipment does not freeze, as the water left in a pump will expand and crack the casing, unloaders or coils. With equipment running around $10,000 for a good skid unit, one has to be very careful to keep it in good running order as replacing it does not come cheap.

For those of you that live in colder climates and keep your truck in an unheated garage there are a few things that you should consider. We have found that as an alternative to running antifreeze through your pressure washer you can turn the halogen lights on the top of your truck or wash rig trailer on and focus them onto your pressure washer coil cover to protect the coils.

You can usually do this and then I have one more work light that you hang on the side of the skid above the Honda or Vanguard engine and focus this light down into that area to protect the pump. This setup has worked quite well so far and can actually get things pretty warm.

Obviously this setup would not work if you keep your truck outside although I have heard of people that have had good luck with covering their pressure washer with a tarp and putting a heater under it but I don't know that it would be worth the risk. You probably better off just going with the anti freeze in that situation. But, never the less never let your pressure washer freeze over, unless all the water is completely drained. Think on this in 2006.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/