Note: This post features a heavy-duty, gas-powered pressure washer we rented from the store. To see how we now use a $99 electric version we own, please see this Getting Started With Pressure Washing post.
Guys. I have a new favorite thing. And no, it’s not a pint-sized plastic vehicle.
Yup, we took our spring cleaning to the proverbial next level and rented ourselves a 2000 PSI pressure washer (just got it at the Home Depot in their tool rental department). For 80 bucks and thanks to borrowing my dad’s Kia to haul it, this puppy was all ours for a day. I was happier than a hip hop hamster.
I had never used a pressure washer before (and I had the usual “don’t want to break what’s not mine” anxiety), but the guy at the store gave me a crash course. It was pretty simple. Hook up the sprayer “gun” to the hose, hook that hose to the machine, and then screw in your garden hose. Crank the motor (it runs on gasoline) and spray away.
The main reason for renting it was our deck. It wasn’t looking so fresh after the winter so it needed some “rejuvenating” before we could stain it. We hadn’t stained it yet because, after finishing it in late August, we were told to give the pressure treated wood 2-3 months to dry out before sealing any of the moisture from the treatment in (apparently sealing or staining PT wood too soon can lead to terrible results). So by the time staining was advisable by the wood’s standards, it was no longer advisable by the stain’s directions because of the cold temperatures.
So yeah, we felt a little dumb for finding ourselves in that position, but ultimately it wasn’t too bad. There was just one area where some leaves and acorns had sat around longer than they should’ve, and it desperately needed some cleaning when spring rolled around.
The pressure washer was pretty fascinating to use. It almost felt like painting as you watched the dingy color give way to something lighter with each stroke of the water jet. This is a detail of that nasty area above. Pressure washing it board by board was making a big difference, although it wasn’t 100% flawless.
Here’s the whole deck once I gave it a once over. It was definitely looking a lot closer to it’s just-built days, although there were still some acorn cap stains in that one corner. I started to regret my decision not to use a cleaner (another option is that you can route your water feed through a cleaning solution so you’re essentially using pressure and soap to clean).
I did go back later with some cleaner (sans pressure washer) which seemed to do the trick, but I’ll cover that in our deck staining & sealing post. Right now there’s more power washing action to get to.
Since we had the thing for 24 hours, I kinda went crazy and aimed it at just about every piece of wood around our house. Fences, railings, steps. You name it, it got blasted.
And somewhere around the patio I discovered it also made a huge difference on brick (update: we rented a lower pressure version than some of the stronger varieties, which can apparently damage certain types of brick, so maybe do some quick research before spraying yours).
I never realized how green and dingy some of our brick was until now. (I didn’t think to take a before, so that’s a shot from our vine removal post before everything greened up).
When nothing was left to spray at our current house, I counted my lucky stars that I had more dingy brick to spray at our new place.
As satisfying as the process was (somebody stop me!) the moderate amount of energy it took to wrangle the spray gun for hours was starting to wear on me (no really, somebody please stop me). But in an effort to get our money’s worth, the spray must go on.
Since Sherry was wrangling Clara and taking pics of the process (her toe’s pulling a Where’s Waldo above) and I was already soaked and dirty, I pressed on. Or should I say I pressured on? Har-har.
The new house’s worst spot was on the back right above the deck. Between rain splashing there and it being fairly shaded, it was a color that I’m affectionately dubbing Ninja Turtle Green.
Sherry actually shot a video of this part, so you could see the satisfying de-greening for yourself. It’s almost like painting with a bleach pen or something, since you can watch things lighten up brick by brick.
By about 5pm it was time to call it a day and return my new toy. I was worn out and pretty nasty looking (thanks backspray) but I’ll spare you the shot of my grody dirt-coated leg. Instead you get my dirt-speckled face. Thanks for this flattering angle, $herdog.
So, in conclusion. I love you pressure washer. You’re a beast, but the kind of beast that has my heart.
That’s concrete by the way. I wouldn’t have even thought it was dirty to start with had I not accidentally sprayed it while doing some nearby brick. So it got a little facelift too. Amazing this thing, I tell you. It’s right up there with pegboards.
PS: Next Tuesday, May 7th at 7pm we’ll be chatting with Kate Hall (aka: Richmond Mom) about parenting, decorating with your family in mind, and Mother’s Day gift ideas at the Barnes & Noble in Glen Allen (near Virginia Center Commons). It’ll be followed by a Q&A and a book signing, so we’d love to hang with anyone who can make it.
Sheryl says
I used to work at an aquarium, and one of my favourite jobs was power washing the drained habitats. Seriously satisfying. If you liked power washing brick and wood, imagine the transformation on a 1/4″ thick layer of algae (that stuff grows crazy good in such an, um, nitrate-rich environment). Plus there were sea otters running around at my feet, so that was pretty cool too. Now I need to power wash my balcony for summer: I’m excited!
Whitney says
So funny, I thought the same thing when we power washed our house! It was so cool to see all of that dirt and grimness disappear!
Here are the pics from when we did ours:
http://this-little-house-of-mine.blogspot.com/2013/02/backyard-improvements.html
(John, you forgot your poncho! Haha)
YoungHouseLove says
Holy cow, the difference is amazing!
xo
s
Jackie Toye says
I love your “penny pinchin’ ways” … but I’mma need you to Pull the Trigger and buy a Cash Truck for your DIY projects (yes, I just told you how to spend your money … haha)
I have a 2000 Ford Expedition (not the greenest thing to own, I know) but I can haul just about anything! I brought home my washer and dryer in it. I haul my wood, doors, and even a sofa and more) the back seats are removable.
I love reading about your projects and love the way you guys “break it on down” … God bless you guys with continued happiness and lots of projects for the rest of us to get ideas from. :)
and get that Truck.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Jackie! And your Expedition sounds awesome! I can’t believe you got a washer and dryer in it!
xo
s
SusanB says
Just remember to wear eye protection if you’re cleaning brick or stone. I was covered in sand after power washing my stone house. I love my power washer!
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip Susan!
xo
s
Carly says
Crazy coincidence… we just got an estimate to get our house powerwashed today. We thought about going The Home Depot route and renting one to do it ourselves, but then realized we’re not brave enough to try it. We’ve never done it in the 4 years we’ve lived in the house and would rather fork over the cash to a professional to make sure it’s done right, at least for the first time. Maybe next year we’ll give it a try. I can’t wait to see how it looks when it’s done.
YoungHouseLove says
What a funny coincidence! You’re going to love how it looks when they’re done!
xo
s
head in the sun says
I’m in love with my power washer.
(And my chainsaw.)
I tried my power washer out on my dirty thongs.
(That’s AUS thongs not US thongs!!!)
It blasted the pattern right off them!
Look!
http://5houses.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/project-washing-house-down.html
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah no way!
xo,
s
Kerri says
Funny thing about power washers, don’t try to be “cute” and write a loved one’s name on your deck with the power washer, because no matter how much you wash it after the novelty wears off, the name will be there forever… I am not admitting to this being something that happened on our porch, this is just all “hypothetically speaking”. And if you are wondering, we now have a fake wood deck. yup, I’m not the family power washer anymore. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha!
xo,
s
Kelly says
Just a heads-up… That heart will still be there once the water dries! I sprayed a few lines across our concrete a few years ago and thy are still there!
YoungHouseLove says
He just made it for the pic and then power washed the whole concrete area :)
xo,
s
lisa says
A little tip, if you have a stove/oven that comes apart? (My oven drip tray comes out as well as the racks, and the stove top pops off for cleaning along with the burners.) Take it apart, label the backsides with duct tape so you know where they go – and on about medium pressure, powerwash away. It was a revelation when we figured it out and I have a squeeky clean oven and stovetop now (well, twice a year anyway)! LOVE to pressure wash!!!
YoungHouseLove says
No way! Who knew you could do that?
xo,
s
KathyL says
ok, pressure washing the concrete is like my favorite thing to do. and the first time I used ours (we own a gas powered one) I was just about to yell to my husband “do you smell something burning?” when the hose that had accidentally crossed over the hot hot engine, burst, sending lots of water all over the place. Luckily my husband is my hero everyday and replaced it ($75!) and I finished the deck. I feel blessed I was allowed to use it, like the last time I rode the lawn mower I carried the gas tank back up to the garage to him and told him this is a sign from God that I shouldn’t be mowing.
YoungHouseLove says
Holy cow I didn’t even think about not letting the hose touch the engine! Glad it all ended ok :)
xo,
s
Terry D says
For several years I asked my husband for my very own pressure washer. His response was always “I am not going to buy you a pressure washer for your birthday, Mother’s Day…” Whatever the occasion, I always asked for a pressure washer. Three years ago he caved! It is the bomb diggity! The water bill not so much. It ranks right up there with the tiller that I finally got:) My friends think I’m crazy, they ask for jewelry, not me!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha, I love that!
xo
s
Nora says
Power washing is great…but ….I keep looking at that scruffy beard shot. Yowza.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, don’t I know it. Me-ow.
xo
s
Andrew James Stevenson says
That’s POW-POW-POWER! I didn’t know that 2000PSI will do the job. My Dad used to have one for the car but I’m not really sure how much powerful is that thing and I’m not sure if it still works.
Great job on the wooden floor and side walls. All the sea weeds were removed easily wohoohoh.
Anyway, I have one question. I recently bought this old shipping container. I’m into a DIY shipping container turned into a kitchen project. So, I’m about to rinse the whole interior and exterior. I’m thinking of renting a pressure washer for the job. Do you think 2000PSI will do it good as well on steel? Are there more powerful ones with the same rental price?
Thanks a lot for your time.
Andrew
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, I don’t know enough about them to judge whether it will work on steel or not – I would ask the place you’re renting or buying from. At our Home Depot it was the same price to rent either size machine, though.
Best,
John
Ginnie M says
Is that a Fitbit that John is wearing in the first pic?
YoungHouseLove says
Yep!
-John
Geri says
Looks awesome, John! Well worth the manpower. Also don’t forget to update your house tour to show the most recent improvements you have made in the guest bathroom (just noticed it). Totally worth showing that baby off in the house tour! Congrats on the new house. Looks very cosy and character filled x
YoungHouseLove says
Yep! We’ll be sure to get those updated so that we’ve got final pictures up there before it’s time to move.
-John
Autumn says
I remember when my Dad discovered the pressure washer, he bought one from a friend 10 years ago. I was about 16, and he let me spray whatever I wanted into the cement, I did “I <3 Dad" and he left it there for weeks before he pressure washed the driveway clean. Your posted reminded me of that, thanks.
CAM says
I adore pressure washing. Lurve it. Even with my love of pressure washing I must admit I had a giggle when John moved over to the new house for further pressure washing adventures…THAT is dedication, lol!!
Silke says
This is really cool! I have a question though, we are now living in a small rental appartment while renovating our house (major reno: knocking out bearing walls, all new batheroom, kitchen, pluming, the works!) and we are having trouble keeping up the maintenance of two places. Cleaning the one house, working away at the other. How are you juggling two entire houses since the fall?!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, you’re so sweet! The key to juggling two houses since fall = just focusing on our current house. Other than a few things we hired out (so it was just a few phone calls and estimates to take care of) for things like the roof and the furnace and our alarm system, we have not done a thing to our new house. It looks the same as the day we got it! Can’t wait to dive in with you guys now that the secret’s out!
xo
s
Lindy Gaskill says
Ah, yes, that reminds me of the time we borrowed our neighbors pressure washer (so grateful for great neighbors) and fell in love with the thing after the first spray. It’s fun to use and see the results! I completely recommend owning one. You can use it for all kinds of cleaning.
Andrea says
Okay, I need to rent a power washer for our balcony. It got so ugly over winter since it has a solid wall instead of a rail :( I started scrubbing it with a brush and some neutral soap but I really don’t want to do this anymore ;D
So thanks for this post!
Lauren says
What a wicked coincidence! My boyfriend just got home with a very similar hardcore looking one of these which we borrowed from his Dad. I’m actually kind of scared by the idea of using it, I am just imagining the hose whipping around with the pressure and smacking me int he mouth. Haha, no idea if that’s even a possibility!
I hope ours works as well as yours did, we plan to use it on our house which is only 6 months old and it’s never had a wash before.
Elise says
So, you did this a few months ago, right?
YoungHouseLove says
We did this a few weeks ago in mid April (I don’t think you’d power wash in the winter in our region) which is why we mentioned we were getting off the deck grime that had collected over the winter now that it was spring – and why I’m wearing shorts! We love to stay real-time whenever we can (backlogged projects = complicated), but staining and waiting for it to dry so we could re-furnish it bumped this back a little (we thought it would be helpful to share those posts together, and we just completed that 3 days ago). Maybe we need to start shooing a picture of us holding a newspaper before each project for time stamp proof? Ha!
-John
Brittney says
Looks like you guys got a lot cleaned. :) Did you just use water or some kind of cleaner to get the green stuff off? I don’t want to use something too harmful, because we have plants right under where we want to wash and I don’t want to kill them. Thanks for the help.
YoungHouseLove says
We just used water.
-John
Fiona says
We own a Kärcher pressure cleaner. They are awesome! My husband likes writing funny things on the concrete driveway LOL
Kim says
Pressure washing is like the manlier version of steam cleaning carpets – it is SOOOOO satisfying in a strange way :-)
Renee G says
I pow-pow-power washed my cement courtyard and drive way last summer-amazing!!
Little Miss 2 had the most fun time splashing about in the puddles the run off water created :)
I also think Sherdog needs to check out this Aussie hiphop artist – http://youtu.be/eOH15_pqWZ4 (cover Clara’s ears…few swear words!)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! I love him! He had me at hoverboard.
xo
s
drew says
Go ahead and purchase one.
Joseph says
I wonder if a power washer is too strong for siding. Looking forward to Tuesday!
YoungHouseLove says
I think some folks have mentioned that certain PSIs (that’s the type of pressure it puts out) can be too strong for it, but others say they use one to clean theirs all the time! Hope it helps!
xo
s
Diann says
I hear you! I rented a power washer a couple of years ago to clean off a tree house that had become covered in black mold. I had borrowed my parent’s home use pressure washer and it hadn’t done anything. The first stroke of the professional strength across a black moldy board had me addicted. The washer stripped the boards until they looked brand new. When I was done with that, I pressure washed everything in sight! It was so much fun (and so very exhausting). I was wiped out for a week – but very satisfied. :)
Amy says
Fun fact – I wrote my name in the concrete next to my dad’s workshop using a pressure washer. Those things can be incredibly powerful!
Joy says
I was a lifeguard at a pool all through high school and college and LOVED pressure washing the concrete decks. It was so addictive!! My hand would ache and feel hollow from the vibrating but I couldn’t stop!! Seeing the dirt instantly disappear was so gratifying. I wish I could power wash my way through all of my daily chores…cleaning rugs and dust bunnies would be so much more fun! :)
Brittany says
We put ourselves in the same situation last fall when we finally got around to building our gate. (Using pressure treated wood, with the inability to stain it until now.. I can’t wait!).
http://ourhomeplace.wordpress.com/2012/10/28/building-gate-wrap-up/
I’ve also cleaned up abandoned Adirondack chair with the Behr All in 1 Wood Cleaner. Not so eco-freindly i’m sure, but it restored the chair to its young bright non midew, dirty wood of its former life. It truely was amazing.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/BEHR-Premium-1-gal-All-In-One-Wood-Cleaner-06301N/203200559#.UYPPErWxeVc
Currently I’m cleaning up some abandoned fence panels to build us a vegetable garden box/table. I can’t wait for them to dry so I can assemble!
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome!
xo,
s
Kate says
Wow, what a difference!
susan akers says
haha! “Somebody STOP me” – I know the feeling!
Chetna says
We just power-washed this weekend since our front deck gets no sun and therefore is pretty mildewy. We ended up having to spray closer to the deck than recommended and had a lot of splintering/fuzzing on the deck. Now we have to sand the whole thing. It was totally worth it since the deck is 10 times better now, but a word of caution to others…
YoungHouseLove says
Such a great tip! I wonder if your power washer was higher pressure? Or if it was older wood? So glad you can sand it to fix it though :)
xo,
s
leila says
Great results–and nice that you were able to get a head start on the new house, too!
For some reason I skipped right over the title so when I clicked to the PowerWheels video I totally didn’t get the connection.. In fact I was thinking that we’re about the same age and I’m pretty sure that we were too big for PowerWheels when they came out (sad day) and that John has finally stretched himself too thin and gone off the deep end. Glad it was only my dumb fault for reading too quickly!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahahahaha! I wouldn’t put a random not-related-in-any-way reference past us. I bet we have a bunch of those in our archives! Haha! During book shoots we weren’t even sure we were typing real words anymore…
xo
s
Jen says
Random question: Does the title of this post have anything to do with a certain Apple computer prank? :)
YoungHouseLove says
It’s just a play on that old Powerwheels jingle (Pow-Pow-Powerwheels) – hence John’s weird link to them in the first paragraph. Haha!
xo
s
Erin says
Looks good! Do you think it would help remove the paint on the concrete at the bottom of my house? Someone did it years before we bought and it looks kinda gross!
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, I’m not sure if it’s strong enough for that. Maybe try a paint stripper? Anyone ever tackled that?
xo
s
chris says
This post cracked me up. My husband power washed our deck a couple years ago and we totally loved it. Our neighbors were cracking up because we just kept yelling, Wow, that’s so cool. Look at that. The dirt just disappears. I can definitely see where you would go nuts and power wash everything you can get your hands on, so fun!
YoungHouseLove says
Hahah! That was completely like John! I’d hear him saying “this thing is amazing!” and “I could do this all day!” to no one in particular. Haha!
xo
s
emily says
This post totally made me actually laugh-out-loud. Pressure washing is incredibly satisfying! I totally identify with wanting to get your money’s worth and not being able to stop…:)
Steven @ CleanFast USA says
I completely agree with the sentiment of instant gratification… I play with pressure washers for a living (my business), nothing better than watching the dirt and grime wash away! If you want to do larger flat areas, you can use a ‘surface cleaner’ that has a spinning spray bar underneath – makes light work of driveways and paths.
Sarah says
Sorry to bother you. I can’t view your video posted today;in fact, there have been many before I couldn’t view. It says to get update on plugin. I tried, but don’t know which Plugin you use. I went to Mozilla; all my Plugins are up to date. There were several that said “Research” out beside them and one that said they would not download because of security issues. I really want to see this video because it is your new house. Any idea how to get it, and why I can’t?
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm I don’t know. It’s just a YouTube.com video. Maybe click the title of the video and try to watch it over on their site? Anyone have ideas for Sarah? Perhaps YouTube is blocked on that computer?
xo,
s
Rachel Mabry 4 The Home Depot says
That looks great! I have pinned this project to one of our Pinterest boards. Check them out at pinterest.com/homedepot
Mary says
Sorry guys, but I have to say this. I hate power washers. Living next to a power washing maniac is a living hell. They are noisy, noisy, noisy! Can’t enjoy my property because of noisy power tools. I am on a crusade. All things in moderation!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh no! I don’t know how to solve that. Hmm. Can you sweetly request that they use their power tools one weekend a month or something instead of all the time? Is that a crazy request? I’m not sure! What about planting more trees for more of a buffer and getting storm windows and thick lined curtains (another few sound-blocking tricks)? Hope it helps!
xo
s
Jp says
Hi guys, I recently bought a lot of crapy pressure washer, but I believe I found on of the best pressure washer. It’s called MS Gregson. They got a great product, and a great service. It’s a little more expensive but you really pay for what you got.
Meghan says
My name is Meghan. I am addicted to my power washer. I own one. Okay, I should say that WE own one, as my husband purchased it, but it’s kinda mine now. I am currently halfway through powerwashing my deck. I love it. I love seeing the dramatic difference. My husband and 12 yr old daughter want a turn but I love it so much that I’m not willing to give them much of a turn. Seriously, I think I have a problem.
Karen says
I’ve been wondering why you never mentioned a pressure washer! They are absolutely addicting! And count me among the disfigured who stupidly ran over her foot with it. Huge scar.
Melissa Parker says
John….you’re welcome.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinchack/strangely-satisfying-examples-of-power-washing-porn?s=mobile
YoungHouseLove says
Dude is overcome with excitement. He can’t even type words he loves it so much.
xo
s
Tricia says
You would love this! It’s totally SFW power washing porn. haha! http://www.buzzfeed.com/erinchack/strangely-satisfying-examples-of-power-washing-porn
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, John is obsessed. Haha!
xo
s
Pressure cleaning says
John, you did a spectacular job showing off the “before/after” effects of your power washing. Love the pictures and the commentary sprinkled throughout! Renting a power washer does make you want to just clean everything in sight. Other good things to wash while you’re at it are outdoor patio furniture, tire rims on your car, bikes, and even your garage floor (where those icky oil stains seep in). It’s definitely a tool with pizazz and power!