Alright folks, gather 'round. Today I’m gonna walk you through a little project I tackled over the weekend – some serious pressure washing. And of course, I took a bunch of pictures, 'cause what’s the point of all that hard work if you can't show off the before-and-after, right?

Getting Set Up for the Grime Bustin'

First things first, I had to look at what I was dealing with. My patio, man, it was a disaster. Leaves, mud, some weird green stuff growing in the corners. It was an eyesore. I knew it was time to break out the pressure washer. I’ve learned over the years that just saying you cleaned something isn’t as good as showing the evidence. Pictures are key!

I remember this one time, years ago, I cleaned out the gutters. They were practically small trees growing up there. I told my neighbor about it, and he just nodded. If I’d had a picture of the jungle I pulled out of there, he might've actually been impressed. So yeah, lesson learned. For this patio job, I was gonna document it properly.

Pre-Wash Rituals and Gear

Before I even thought about pulling the trigger on that washer, I had some prep to do. It’s not all just point-and-spray, you know.

Here’s what I got ready:

• My old, trusty pressure washer. She ain’t the newest model, but she gets the job done.
• A couple of different nozzles. You gotta have options. One for blasting, one for a bit more gentle work.
• Safety gear! Seriously, don't skip this. Goggles are a must. I once had a tiny pebble fly back and nearly hit my eye. Scared the daylights outta me. Also, some old clothes I didn't mind getting filthy.
• Hose, power cord, the usual suspects.

Then, I cleared the deck. Moved all the patio furniture, the planters, the kids' forgotten toys. It’s a bit of a pain, but you can't do a good job cleaning around stuff. Once everything was out of the way, I grabbed my phone. This is where the "pressure washing pictures" part really starts. I took a good bunch of "before" shots. From different angles, close-ups of the really bad spots. You want to capture the full horror, you know?

Let the Blasting Begin!

Alright, with the prep done and the "before" shots secured, it was time for the fun part. I hooked everything up, picked a medium-strength nozzle to start, and fired up the washer. That hum, it’s a sound of impending cleanliness!

I usually start at one end and work my way across, kind of like mowing a lawn. I try to keep a steady motion. You can see the dirt just peeling away. It's super satisfying, I tell ya. For some stubborn spots, I had to get a bit closer or switch to a more focused nozzle. Just be careful not to get too close, especially on wood, or you can chew it up.

I spent a good hour or so just working my way across the patio. Swept all the dirty water off into the grass. It’s a bit messy while you’re doing it, but the end result is what you’re after.

The Glorious Aftermath and Picture Proof

Once I was done, I let the patio dry for a bit. You get better "after" pictures when it's not all wet and shiny. Then, out came the phone again. I tried to take pictures from the same angles as my "before" shots. That way, you can really see the difference. It’s like night and day!

The transformation was pretty amazing. The concrete was back to its original light gray, no more green gunk, no more caked-on mud. Looked almost new. That’s when you feel a real sense of accomplishment.

And there you have it. My little pressure washing adventure. Took some elbow grease, but seeing those clean surfaces and having the "pressure washing pictures" to prove it makes it all worthwhile. Hopefully, this little rundown helps someone else get motivated to tackle their own grime.