I have had 2 pumps come in with freeze damage this week alone. We only had a day or two that had “hard freeze” warnings, but it only takes one. And we are just entering the coldest time of year.
The first pump had latex paint in the pump, hose and gun. It was stored under pressure on the job. The cylinder split where the hose fitting threads into the rear of the cylinder.
The second pump seems to have been stored with water in the pump. Inside a van, camper shell. pickup bed, metal building, etc. gets as cold or colder than outside. And it stays cold longer than the outside temperature. This cylinder split the circumference of the cylinder at the foot valve. See the pictures below.
It is best to thoroughly clean your pump, then remove the hose and gun, then run it dry. It only takes a few seconds. If your pump is empty and the hose isn’t attached, it cannot freeze.
