Note: This post features a heavy-duty, gas-powered pressure washer we rented. To read about how we now use a $99 electric model we own, see our Getting Started With Pressure Washing post.
I have a new favorite tool. We rented a 2000 PSI gas pressure washer from the Home Depot tool rental department for a day. For about $80 (and thanks to borrowing a car to haul it) we had a powerful machine to tackle seasonal grime.
It was my first time using a pressure washer and I admit I was nervous about breaking something that wasn’t mine, but the rental clerk gave a quick demonstration. The setup was straightforward: attach the spray gun to the high-pressure hose, connect that to the unit, hook up the garden hose for water, start the gas motor, and spray.
Our main objective was the deck. After having the deck built late in the previous season, we’d been advised to let pressure-treated wood dry for a few months before sealing. By the time the wood was ready, temperatures were too cold for staining, so the deck sat through winter and needed a good cleaning. Leaves and acorns had left a stubborn patch that was particularly dingy.
Using the pressure washer felt oddly satisfying — almost like painting — as the grime lifted away with each pass. Cleaning one board at a time made a noticeable difference, though it didn’t remove every single stain perfectly.
After a once-over, the deck looked much closer to its newly-built appearance, though some acorn cap stains remained in one corner. I considered using a cleaner with the pressure washer — you can feed a cleaning solution through the unit — but I ended up going back later and treating those spots by hand without the pressure washer. I’ll cover the staining and sealing process in a separate post.
With the unit rented for 24 hours, I didn’t limit myself to the deck. I cleaned fences, railings, and steps — basically anything wooden that looked tired. The pressure washer also made a dramatic difference on brick surfaces. We rented a moderate-pressure model; higher-pressure machines can damage some bricks, so it’s wise to check what’s appropriate for your material first.
I hadn’t realized how green and dingy some of our brick had become until it was cleaned. The transformation was striking. When we finished at our current house, I was happy to find more dirty brick to blast at our new place.
After hours of spraying, my arms started to feel it, but I kept going to get the most out of the rental. My partner handled supervising our child and taking photos while I got soaked and dirty from backspray. It was a messy, rewarding workout.
At the new house, one particularly bad area above the deck had collected a lot of moisture and shade, producing a thick green buildup. The pressure washer stripped that away and revealed much cleaner brick beneath; it was almost mesmerizing to watch.
We even captured video of the process so you can see the gradual de-greening. By late afternoon it was time to return the rental. I was tired and covered in grime, but satisfied with the results. The pressure washer turned out to be an unexpectedly powerful and useful tool for refreshing exterior surfaces.
Bonus: while cleaning brick I accidentally sprayed a patch of concrete and discovered it looked much better afterward too. Overall, the pressure washer was a beast in the best way — incredibly effective for wood, brick, and concrete when used appropriately.
PS: Next Tuesday we’ll be chatting with Kate Hall about parenting, decorating with family in mind, and Mother’s Day ideas at a local Barnes & Noble. There will be a Q&A and a book signing for anyone who can make it.