So last weekend I decided to tackle that nasty green algae growing all over my backyard fence and driveway. Looked like something straight out of a swamp movie, no joke. Felt overwhelming just staring at it. Needed a pressure washer, fast. But dang, should I rent one or just buy it? Columbus folks know this rain makes everything grow weird gunk.

Started With The Research

Hopped online first thing. Searched "pressure washer rental Columbus Ohio" and then "pressure washer buy Columbus". Prices all over the place, man. Rental spots near me wanted like $50-$75 per day for a decent electric one. Gas ones were more. The big box stores? Yeah, saw electric ones starting around $150, gas ones maybe $250 and up. Felt stuck.

Called My Buddy Dave

Dave does this stuff for a living. He started laughing. "Again with the algae, huh?" Then he gave me the real talk:

• Rent: Good if you need heavy duty power once (like stripping paint off the whole house next year maybe?). Bad if you gotta clean stuff regularly (Columbus pollen season alone kills me every spring).
• Buy: Hurts the wallet first time. But if you need it twice? Already saving cash compared to renting twice. Plus, it's just... yours. Ready whenever.

Made sense. My deck, fence, patio furniture, trash cans… they get gross often. Not just one big job. Started leaning towards buying.

Nixed The Gas Idea Quick

Went to a big hardware store downtown. Saw the gas-powered beasts. Looked powerful! Then the sales guy asked, "You got gas?" Uh. Nope. Also, storing gasoline? Smell? Noise? Neighbors might murder me trying to clean at 8 AM on a Saturday. Forget it. Too much hassle for my needs.

The Electric Choice

Ended up staring at these lighter electric models. Got a 2000 PSI one with different spray nozzles. Around $180. Felt okay. Not cheap-cheap, but Dave was right – I'll need this again. Plus, storage? Easy. Slid it behind some stuff in the garage. Set up took maybe 10 minutes? Just attach the hose, plug it in, pick a nozzle. Super simple.

Attack Of The Algae

Fired it up. Put on the 25-degree nozzle. Whoa! Like a magic wand, but for dirt. Aimed the spray at a section of the fence. BAM! Green gunk just... vanished. Started spraying slowly and kept moving. Honestly? Felt kinda powerful watching that sludge disappear. Did the fence, then the driveway stains. Took maybe an hour total. Piece of cake. Water bill might sting, but cheaper than renting a machine twice a year.

My Takeaway?

If you live in Columbus and got stuff that gets dirty all the time – your siding, your car, your walkway – just bite the bullet and buy an electric washer. Seriously. Easy to store, simple to use, cheaper long-term than renting constantly. Save the rental for those giant one-time projects you might do someday ("might" being the key word there). Worked for me.