Alright, let's talk about getting one of these power washer things. My patio looked like it hadn't seen sunlight since the dinosaurs, seriously nasty stuff.

First thing, you gotta figure out what kind you need. Everyone's got an opinion. Electric? Gas? It's like asking about politics at a family dinner.

Decisions, Decisions...

I looked at the electric ones first. Seemed simpler, right? Just plug it in and go. But then you read about the power, the PSI and GPM numbers. Pounds per square inch, gallons per minute – basically how hard it blasts and how much water it moves. The electric ones? They seemed a bit… weak? Fine for washing the car maybe, but for my disaster zone patio? I wasn't convinced.

So, I started looking at the gas models. Yeah, they cost more upfront. And you gotta deal with fuel, oil, the noise – oh god, the noise. But the power numbers? Way higher. We're talking serious cleaning muscle. I pictured that grime just melting away. That's what sold me.

Getting it Going

Got the box home, thing was heavier than expected. Took a bit to get it all assembled, connect the hoses, figure out the wand attachments. Had to make sure I had the right gas, mixed the oil if needed (depends on the model, always check!). Felt like prepping for some kind of small engine battle.

Filled it up, pulled the cord. First pull, nothing. Second, sputter. Third pull – VROOOM! Yeah, it's loud. Like, really loud. Sorry, neighbors. But you hear that power, you know?

The Actual Cleaning Part

Okay, squeezed the trigger. Wowza. That kickback is real. Started on a less visible corner, just to get the feel. Good idea, that. You gotta respect the pressure. Got too close once and nearly etched a pattern into the concrete I didn't want.

• Finding the right nozzle: Switched between a few. Wider spray for general rinsing, narrower one for the tough spots. Makes a huge difference.
• The grime fight: It took passes, back and forth, nice and steady. But man, seeing that dirt just peel away? So satisfying. Way better than scrubbing on my hands and knees like last year. My back thanked me.
• Water usage: It uses water, obviously, but honestly, probably less than I would have trying to hose it down normally for hours. It's the pressure doing the work, not just flooding the area.

Gas vs. Electric Thoughts Now?

Yeah, the gas is noisy. And it needs maintenance. But the freedom? Not being tied to an outlet? Huge plus. And the power difference is noticeable, especially on stubborn, old stains. For big jobs, I'd go gas again. If I just had a small balcony or washing the car? Electric might be fine, less hassle.

Running cost? Gas costs money, sure. Electricity isn't free either, especially if you run an electric one for hours. It probably balances out unless you're using it daily for work.

End result? Patio looks amazing. Like, night and day difference. Took maybe two hours instead of a whole weekend of torture. Totally worth the noise and the initial cost. Just gotta remember to wear boots next time... got soaked.