How to Winterize Your Industrial Wash Systems and Water Treatment Equipment

When temperatures drop, industrial wash water treatment systems, pressure washers, wash racks, and water treatment equipment become highly vulnerable to freeze-related damage. Even brief exposures to freezing conditions can cause water inside pumps, coils, plumbing lines, and tanks to expand and rupture, resulting in costly repairs, extended downtime, and safety hazards for your facility.

At Evans Equipment & Environmental, we design our systems to withstand harsh environments year-round. However, proper winterization is essential for protecting your investment and ensuring equipment stays operational during cold weather. The following guide outlines practical winterization steps that are technical enough for maintenance professionals but simple enough for everyday operators to follow.

Pro Tip: With an Evans Scheduled Maintenance, our technicians ensure your equipment stays running at peak performance year-round, especially during winter, when freezing conditions put added strain on pumps, coils, and water treatment systems. Through routine inspections, seasonal preparation, and early detection of potential issues, we help your system remain powerful, protected, and ready for whatever the cold weather brings. 

Why Winterization Matters

Water is one of the most damaging forces to equipment once temperatures fall below 32°F. Any water trapped inside lines, fittings, filters, or pumps can freeze. When water freezes, it expands roughly 9%, creating internal pressure that can crack metal housings, burst copper or PVC lines, damage pump seals, or compromise filtration components.

Even if freezing only occurs once, the damage may not be immediately visible. Small cracks can worsen over time, eventually leading to catastrophic system failure when temperatures rise, and equipment returns to whole operation.

Winterizing is a proactive way to:

• Prevent freeze-related leaks and line bursts
• Reduce repair costs and emergency downtime.
• Extend the life of your pressure washer and water treatment system.
• Maintain compliance if your site requires consistent wastewater containment.
• Ensure that components such as pumps, coils, aerators, and monitoring sensors remain fully functional.

1. Maintain Container Temperature Above Freezing

If your Evans system includes an equipment container, maintaining the correct interior temperature is your first line of defense.

Keep the Interior Above 32°F

The temperature inside the container must stay above freezing at all times. This prevents the water in pumps, tanks, plumbing, and treatment components from solidifying.

Most containers are equipped with a built-in heater, but it is crucial to remember:

• The heater provides a fixed BTU output.
• In extreme temperatures, the heater may struggle to keep up.
• Supplemental heating may be required during severe cold snaps.

If your forecast includes prolonged freezing temperatures, we strongly recommend monitoring the container temperature daily. Installing a low-temperature alarm or remote monitoring thermostat can provide extra peace of mind.

Customer Responsibility Reminder:

Maintaining above-freezing temperatures is ultimately the customer’s responsibility. Evans provides equipment capable of heating, but supplemental protection may be necessary depending on weather conditions.

2. Drain All External Lines and Remove Standing Water

External lines, including plumbing, hoses, valves, and fittings exposed to ambient temperatures, are especially vulnerable to freezing. Even small pockets of water left inside can cause cracks or bursts.

Drain Using Available Valves

Begin by opening all drain valves in your system. This allows water to escape naturally using gravity.

Use Compressed Air for Pneumatic Fittings

If your system includes pneumatic or quick-connect fittings, water often remains trapped in pockets that gravity alone cannot evacuate.

Introducing compressed air into the line can:

• Push out the remaining water
• Clear fittings that are prone to freezing
• Reduce the likelihood of blockages when temperatures rise again.

Operators should take care not to exceed recommended PSI levels to avoid damaging fittings.

Insulate All External Plumbing

Insulation is an inexpensive and highly effective protection method.

We recommend insulating:

• Exposed PVC lines
• Copper or steel plumbing
• Valves
• Hose connections
• Pump inlet and outlet lines

Foam sleeves, pipe wrap, and insulated tape are all suitable options. Insulation does not replace proper winterization, but it dramatically increases your system’s resilience during sudden temperature drops.

3. Protect Your Pressure Washer With -20° Windshield Washer Fluid

Pressure washers contain components that can be severely damaged by even minimal ice formation.

To protect the pump, coil, and internal plumbing, Evans recommends using colored -20° windshield washer fluid as an antifreeze agent.

How to Apply the Fluid Correctly

1. Pour the fluid into the pressure washer’s float tank. The colored tint helps confirm flow during the process.
2. Start the pressure washer and allow it to run. Keep the wand open to ensure active circulation.
3. Continue running the unit until the colored fluid exits the wand. This confirms that the antifreeze has reached all critical internal components.

This simple step provides significant protection against freeze damage. Windshield washer fluid is cost-effective, widely available, and much safer for pressure washer components compared to traditional automotive antifreeze.

4. Keep Water Treatment Systems Powered On

One of the most common misconceptions about winterizing water treatment systems is the idea that powering them off will keep them safe. The opposite is true.

Why They Must Stay Powered

Evans’ closed-loop water treatment systems rely on:

• Continuous water circulation
• Aeration systems
• Internal pumps
• Filter movement

These functions help:

• Prevent water from becoming stagnant
• Maintain dissolved oxygen levels.
• Reduce the risk of freezing inside tanks or treatment chambers.

The system must remain powered on to maintain circulation and aeration throughout winter conditions. Turning it off could allow water to sit still, making freezing much more likely.

Important Notes and Responsibilities

Note 1: These recommendations are meant to minimize the risk of freeze damage but are not fail-proof. Weather conditions, usage patterns, and system configurations vary widely. Customers must exercise caution and remain vigilant during freezing weather.

Note 2: Heaters are designed to deliver a specific BTU rating. In unusually cold weather, external supplemental heating may be necessary.

Note 3: Water treatment systems must remain powered to ensure circulation and aeration. Disconnecting power increases the freeze risk significantly.

Prepare Now to Prevent Downtime Later

Winter weather can create serious challenges for industrial wash operations. With a thoughtful, proactive winterization plan, you can keep your equipment running smoothly, protect your investment, and avoid costly repairs when temperatures drop.

If you need assistance preparing your Evans Equipment system for winter, our service team is ready to help. With an Evans Scheduled Maintenance Program, our technicians keep your equipment running as powerfully and efficiently as possible, especially during the winter season when freezing conditions can add stress to your systems.

Contact us today to schedule a winterization check or learn more about our preventive maintenance programs.