Getting Started with the Mobile Wash

Okay, so I finally got around to tackling that grime on the patio stones out back. The real problem was, the nearest water tap is ages away, and dragging a super long hose is just a pain I didn't want to deal with. That's where this jet wash thingy with its own water tank came into play. I'd seen them around, figured I’d give it a shot.

First job was getting it set up. Pulled it out of the box, felt pretty solid. The main task was filling up that tank. It’s not massive, you know, but big enough that you feel like you might actually get something done before running back for more water. I just used the garden hose to fill it right there in the driveway. Easy enough. Connected the pressure hose and the spray gun lance thing. Everything clicked together okay, no leaks initially, which was a good sign.

Putting It to the Test

Wheeled the unit around to the patio. It moved okay, wheels weren't amazing on the bumpy grass, but we got there. Turned it on. It made that familiar pressure washer hum, maybe a bit quieter than some mains-powered ones I've used before.

Here’s basically what I did:

• Gave the whole patio a quick pre-rinse to wet it down.
• Focused the jet on the really stubborn green bits between the stones.
• Worked section by section, trying to keep the spray pattern consistent.
• Had to stop and refill the tank. Yeah, that happened. Probably got about 10-15 minutes of solid spraying before it ran dry the first time. Not unexpected, really.

The pressure was… alright. Definitely not as punchy as a big machine plugged straight into the mains and the water supply. But, for shifting general dirt, algae, and that slippery green stuff, it did the job. You just had to hold the nozzle a bit closer for the tougher spots.

Thoughts on the Tank System

The water tank is the main thing here, right? It's a bit of a trade-off. You get the freedom to wash anywhere, which is genuinely useful. I could finally clean the bins at the end of the drive without needing a mile of hose. But, you do have to keep an eye on that water level. Refilling isn't hard, just interrupts the flow a bit. If you had a huge area to clean, it would get tedious fast. For smaller, targeted jobs, or places without easy water access, it's pretty decent.

Moving it around when full required a bit of muscle, but empty it was light enough. The whole thing felt self-contained and less cluttered than dealing with trailing power cords AND hoses everywhere.

End Result?

The patio looks much better. Not sparkling brand new, maybe, but the slippery green layer is gone, and it looks cleaner overall. It took a couple of tank refills, but it worked. It's definitely handy for those awkward spots or when you just want a quick clean without the full setup hassle. I reckon it earned its keep for that patio job alone. Will I use it all the time? Maybe not for heavy-duty stuff, but for portability? Yeah, it’s a good option to have in the shed.