Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Home Maintenance

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Why a pressure washer should be your next home maintenance purchase

Julie Scagell
By

Spring is right around the corner. The sun will be shining, the birds will be chirping, and you’ll finally be able to sit outside comfortably and enjoy your backyard. Of course, as you look around after the doldrums of winter, you may notice your house, patio, garage, deck, and surrounding areas need a little pick-me-up. This is where a pressure washer comes in clutch.

Your home’s exterior is the first impression people have of your home. It’s important to take care of the outside of your home, so it not only looks good but shows you take care of your home—inside and out. This is critical, especially if you are looking to sell your home, and it’s also preventative, so things don’t break down over time.

Recommended Videos

What does it do?

Pressure washers use a high-pressure water spray to remove dirt, grime, algae, gum, debris, and even caked-on bird poop (ask us how we know) quickly and effectively. A pressure washer allows you to clean all the surfaces outside your property (including hard-to-reach cracks and crevices), get to the mold and mildew that can settle on the surfaces outside your home, and keep your home’s exterior looking in tip-top shape. They allow tough stains to be removed the way standard garden hoses and elbow grease cannot.

Related

Why buy?

Besides committing to keeping your home presentable and looking pristine, pressure washing your home can also help you avoid problems down the line. Getting mold and mildew off your roof, near your foundation, and in the cracks of your deck can help alleviate issues that may result if it builds up over time. Not to mention, they can be inflammatories for those who suffer from asthma and allergies, so being diligent about cleaning them is key. That way, everyone can enjoy your outdoor areas.

How to choose?

A typical pressure washer has either a gas-fueled engine or an electrically powered motor that powers the water pump. Overall cleaning performance is determined by the PSI (pounds per square inch) and GPM (gallons per minute) and how these work together. The higher the numbers, the faster you can clean, so do your homework and compare these numbers across several models. To offer perspective, the average garden hose emits water at around 40 psi. Pressure washers deliver water at an average of 1,000 to 3,000 psi, depending on the model.

If you don’t want to do the work yourself, hiring a professional, mobile pressure washing service is a great route to go as they often carry their own water and get the job done quickly and efficiently. But, if you’re deciding whether to rent or buy, know that renting a pressure washer can cost 50 to 150 dollars per day (depending on where you live). Buying a pressure washer, depending on the model and motor, runs around 300 dollars, so if you know you’ll be using it even once or twice a year, it makes sense to invest and purchase.

Our top picks

There are a few pressure washers that rate highly and offer reliability, powerful cleaning, and accessories depending on what area you are washing. The Simpson Cleaning MSH3125 MegaShot Gas Pressure Washer Powered by Honda comes with five stainless steel, quick-connect nozzles to use for different projects. It’s also highly rated by verified customers on Amazon.

If you don’t have that much space, consider the Ryobi Electric Pressure Washer on Amazon. “At just 16 pounds, this 1,600 psi unit is compact enough to store in your crowded garage or tool shed,” the description reads. Another bonus is that it’s light, so it’s easy to transport.

In terms of how often you should pressure wash, the answer depends on where in the country you live. If you live in a harsher climate, you should pressure wash your home at least twice a year. Late springtime is usually when most people get out their pressure washers because the weather starts to get warmer, pollen has usually been washed away by then, and you can enjoy the fruits of your labor sitting outdoors.

Pressure washers are perfect for cleaning your garage floor after a harsh winter, getting in between all the concrete or brick on your patio, getting a deck ready to be refinished, and getting the dirt and grime off your home’s exterior. You can also use separate settings to wash your car and clean lawn equipment. It may not be the most exciting thing to spend your money on, but the benefits definitely add up.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Julie Scagell
Julie Scagell
Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
11 bad ideas for your front yard that will kill your curb appeal
Avoid these mistakes for your front yard
A front yard with xeriscape landscaping

You may be thinking about all the projects you want to tackle outdoors thanks to the warmer weather. While you may have grand plans to improve your curb appeal, taking the time and patience to properly land on a front yard design is important. If you want to ensure you're staying on trend and not dating your home, there are some common mistakes to avoid. These will help with the resale value of your home and leave you the envy of all your neighbors.
Landscaping mistakes
These are some common mistakes you'll want to avoid when thinking about landscaping your front yard.
Not having a game plan
One of the biggest mistakes is not having a plan when it comes to the design and layout of your landscaping. This can leave your yard feeling disjointed and your plants at risk of looking overgrown and out of place. Meet with a local garden expert or map out your front yard, including where all plants, trees, rocks, water features, and flowers will live. This will help ensure things don't look too busy or sparse, and it will make your yard feel well thought out.
Using the wrong plants
Understand which plants work for your exact yard. If they need full sun or partial shade, or require a lot of maintenance, it may be a disaster waiting to happen. Not only do you need to consider placement in terms of sunlight, but different flowers and plants have varying schedules of watering, so you want to know exactly what's expected before you plant them.
Too many decorations
Everyone loves a yard that changes with the season in terms of decor, but you can overdo it. You want to avoid garden decor that makes your front yard look tacky or cheap (we're talking to you, plastic deer), so keep decorations to a minimum.

Color pitfalls
We love color, but you need to be careful how and where you use it.
Choosing all one color
We love a monochromatic look as much as the next person, but your home should be welcoming and warm from the first glance. If you prefer having your house the same color as outdoor furniture and plants/flowers, use it as a backdrop. Add one or two pops of color with chair pillows or your front door to breathe a little life into your home.
Choosing too many colors
While it's good to have a little variety, you don't want to overwhelm the outside of your home. Bright colors may work in some parts of the country, but go easy on the rest of your choices. Picking one primary color and one contrasting color that complements it is the safest approach, especially if you're planning to sell your home.

Read more
A polka dot plant adds color and life to your home – here’s how to care for it
Your lovely polka dot plant can thrive indoors with these plant care and maintenance tips
Top view of a polka dot plant

Houseplants have a lot of benefits, like elevating your mood and purifying the air. Arguably their best benefit, though, is that they liven up a room with style and color. That's why the polka dot plant is so popular. It has bright, colorful foliage that comes in a variety of shades, like pink, white, green, and red. That's how this lovely plant adds a splash of color to match any decor.

While they certainly brighten up the room, polka dot plants can be finicky, and they do have a strict care routine. We'll discuss what you need to do to help your polka dot plant thrive indoors.

Read more
10 amazing ways to hide a clunky printer in your home office
The best DIY solutions for hiding a large printer in your home office
Modern home office layout

Printers are a functional and sometimes essential part of any home office. But one thing’s for sure — they don’t exactly blend into the background. A clunky printer may ruin your vision of a simple Scandinavian home office or coastal-themed reading room. If you're unsure where to hide a printer in your home office so it's not an eyesore, try these tips. You don't necessarily need a hidden printer cabinet (though that works, too) — just a little ingenuity.
Invest in an armoire or secretary desk
Traditional desks are practical, but they’re not exactly discreet. An armoire desk keeps your desk supplies and miscellaneous gadgets out of view while saving you much-needed space. This white and natural oak-colored armoire has an overall measurement of 67.3 inches in height, 31.5 inches in width, and 20.3 inches in depth. More importantly, the interior cabinet measures 33.1 inches in height, 30.2 inches in width, and 19.7 inches in depth.

If you want a smaller desk, consider a secretary desk like this manufactured wood desk that you can place in any part of the home. It measures 30 inches in height, 31.49 inches in width, and 20.07 inches in depth, while the cabinet interior is 19.55 inches in height, 26.54 inches in width, and 18.98 inches in depth. Note that accurate printer measurements will help determine if it fits inside a specific desk cabinet you’re considering. 
Hide it in a rolling file cabinet
For even greater portability, a rolling file cabinet is an ideal choice. Think about it: You can move the cart with the printer in tow anywhere around the house. If you ever need to make extra space for parties or want to rearrange your workspace on a whim, you’ll find that a wheeled cabinet is a worthy investment. This modern rolling file cabinet comes with a cubby box measuring 15.5 inches long, 12.25 inches wide, and 9.9 inches high. The whole box measures 16.4 inches long, 14.25 inches wide, and 13.8 inches high.

Read more