Okay, so I finally got around to using that electric pressure washer I picked up. Been meaning to tackle the grimy patio for ages.

Getting Started

First thing, I hauled the box out of the garage. Wasn't too heavy, which was nice. Unpacked everything, laid it all out. You've got the main unit, the spray gun thingy, the wand, a couple of different nozzle tips, and the hose. Oh, and the power cord, of course.

Hooking it up was pretty straightforward. Connected the high-pressure hose to the machine and then to the spray gun. Snapped those connections tight. Then, I grabbed my garden hose and connected it to the water inlet on the pressure washer. Made sure that was screwed on properly – didn't want water spraying everywhere before I even turned it on.

Finding an outdoor outlet close enough was the next little hurdle. The cord isn't super long, so I had to grab an extension cord – one rated for outdoor use, gotta be safe. Plugged it in.

The Actual Washing

Turned on the water spigot first. Let the water run through the machine and the gun for a bit, squeezed the trigger to get the air out, like the instructions mumbled about. Then, flipped the power switch on the washer. It hummed to life.

I started with the wider spray nozzle tip, figured I'd test it gently. Pointed it at a grubby section of the concrete patio. Pulled the trigger. Whoosh! Water shot out, definitely stronger than a garden hose. You could immediately see it cutting through the green algae and dirt. It was actually pretty satisfying watching the clean concrete reappear.

Here's what I noticed during the process:

• Managing the hoses and the power cord is a bit of a dance. You're constantly moving the machine, pulling the garden hose along, making sure the power cord doesn't get tangled or sit in a puddle. It’s not hard, just something you gotta keep an eye on.
• The electric model felt okay power-wise for the general grime. Some folks rave about needing massive gas-powered beasts, but honestly, for my patio and driveway, this electric one seemed to do the job. It wasn't blasting paint off, but it cleaned the dirt.
• It was pretty light to wheel around. Didn't feel like I was wrestling a monster, which I appreciated. Moving it from one section of the patio to another was easy.
• Changing the nozzle tips makes a difference. I switched to a slightly narrower stream for some tougher spots, and it definitely concentrated the cleaning power. You just gotta be careful not to get too close or stay in one spot too long, especially on softer surfaces like wood.

Wrapping Up

I spent a good hour or so out there. Worked my way across the whole patio. It wasn't magic – some really old, deep stains didn't vanish completely – but overall? Big improvement. The concrete looked way brighter.

After I finished, I turned off the machine, then the water. Squeezed the trigger again to release the pressure. Disconnected the hoses, drained everything as best I could, and wiped the machine down before putting it back in the garage. Definitely a bit wet and muddy myself by the end of it.

So yeah, that was my first proper go with the electric pressure washer. Did the job I wanted it to do, mostly. A bit fiddly with the cords and hoses, but manageable. Glad I finally tackled that patio.