Starting with a Dirty Patio

Grabbed my electric pressure washer from the garage this morning. Saw my patio looking like a moldy science experiment after last week's rain. Figured it was time to blast away the grime. Hooked up the garden hose to the washer, triple-checked the connections. Don't wanna flood the basement like last summer, right? Plugged it in and heard that satisfying hum.

Testing Surfaces First

Remembered my neighbor wrecked his deck paint last month, so I started gentle. Sprayed plain water on concrete near the edge – watched how the moss reacted. Then switched to 40-degree nozzle from 20 feet back. Rule number one: start weak and far away. Slowly moved closer till dirt started lifting. That sweet spot? About 12 inches for my setup. Did test patches on:

• Concrete walkway
• Wooden bench leg (hidden spot!)
• Those plastic Adirondack chairs
• Brick barbecue base

The Real Work Begins

Okay, concrete first. Worked in 3x3 foot sections, moving sideways like mowing grass. Used overlapping sweeps – up-down, not side-side. Saw ancient pizza sauce stain vanish in seconds! Felt like magic. Switched to wooden furniture with wider spray pattern. Held nozzle farther back, almost 2 feet. Big lesson: wood soaks water like sponge – paused every minute to check for splintering.

Noticed patio bricks bleeding white dust halfway through. Stopped immediately. Dumb me forgot efflorescence happens! Waited 20 minutes for bricks to dry, then gently rinsed without pressure. Saved myself a chalky disaster.

Surprising Wins and Fails

Got cocky after patio success. Tried pressure washing my vinyl fence. Worked amazing... until hitting a loose post cap. That thing shot into next yard like a rocket! Found it in Mrs. Wilson's petunias. Apologized with chocolate later.

• Good surprises: Driveway oil spots disappeared, trash cans look brand new
• Nope items: Old painted shed (paint peeled), car tires (left weird streaks)

Cleanup and Lessons

Unplugged everything, drained leftover water from the hoses. Checked for pooled water near house foundation – big no-no. Spent longer cleaning tools than actual washing! Final takeaways:

• Wear waterproof boots (soaked socks suck)
• Cheap pressure washer works fine for home stuff
• Assume every surface is weaker than it looks
• Birds will poop on clean patio within 3 hours