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    Emily Fazio

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How to Choose and Use a Pressure Washer

March 13, 2016

This post was originally published on DIY Network’s blog Made + Remade in May 2013.

There’s something undeniably therapeutic about pressure washing, and as a homeowner, it probably constitutes my favorite of all of the home maintenance pastimes. At least, it’s right up there with lawn mowing and mulching, both insta-gratifying. Just check out this tutorial on DIY Network where I demonstrate cleaning my windows – pure excitement, right?

We bought a new pressure washer this season, a 2700 max PSI gas-powered model (an upgrade from the little electric 1200 PSI model that I’ve had and appreciated and actually loved for nearly 5 years). The new washer is one tough cookie and a great addition to our outdoor arsenal. After reading many reviews and actually talking with people who own and appreciate more-powerful pressure washers, I was plenty certain in my decision to buy, and I picked up my own at the store last week for spring cleaning.

Choosing a really, really good pressure washer.

A pressure washer is great for cleaning any number of surfaces (even canvas and outdoor furniture cushions, but I started out by cleaning the unpainted back wall of my cement block garage, a surface prone to growing moss and unidentifiable grime.

Step 1

Start by clearing your working area. I raked free the garden bed that sits at the base of the wall so that the water from the spray would absorb right into the soil instead of soak into piles of leaves.

How to use a pressure washer to clean cinder block.

Step 2

Start your engines. Hook up your pressure washer to the hose. If necessary, load the washer with soap, affix the correct attachment (I used a 15-degree nozzle), and begin to spray down the surface.

How to use a pressure washer to clean cinder block.

Step 3

Work along the entire surface, keeping the spray of water angled at the surface (think of it as a scraper, and let the stream scrape the residue away). Angling the water also helps with backsplash, keeping you dry and clean of debris as you make your way along the wall. You’ll begin to see the transformation immediately, especially if your wall is as filthy as ours was.

How to use a pressure washer to clean cinder block.

Step 4

Stand back, and be thrilled with the improvement. I think you’ll be as happy as I am after taking a pressure washer to troubled areas on your property, whether it be to relieve chipping paint, clean a dirty sidewalk, or clean a hardwood deck.

How to use a pressure washer to clean cinder block.

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DIY  / Garage  / HGTV + DIY Network Projects  / Tools

Emily
I'm a home improvement enthusiast living a very merry, DIY-filled lifestyle. As a freelance writer, you can find my work on many popular home and garden sites, including HGTV.com, Home Living Handbook, a Pursuit Channel for Men's Journal, and other outlets. Follow me on social, or drop me a note.

2 Comments


Véronique Cartier
May 9, 2016 at 3:25 pm
Reply

Awesome, that’s exactely what I need to do. Thank-you Emily!



James Milan
January 10, 2021 at 12:19 pm
Reply

Step 2 & Step 3 is just very helpful and easy to understand.

Thanks for this article Emily



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  • HI, I’m Emily

    Emily Fazio

    I'm a home improvement enthusiast, living a very merry DIY lifestyle. Follow me on facebook and instagram, or drop me a note if you'd like. I love notes.

    You can find me writing for Home Living Handbook, HGTV.com, and a handful of other websites.

    Thanks for visiting!

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