Power Wash...Do It Yourself or Hire Done?

[kansasrph]

Just moved here in January. It is time to power wash our home, something that doesn't happen much in 0% humidity Kansas. I never power washed anything in my life. So, my question is, should I buy a power washer and do it myself or hire it done? There are glowing reviews of services that do this for you. While I'm at it, I have read nice reviews of an electric power washer that is economical vs. gas which have more power. I'd prefer to not mess with gas power but if electric is not good, I'd love to hear input. There are other applications I could see to owning a power washer and that interests me. I don't know the chemicals used to wash either, but assume I can read about and purchase grass and environment friendly products. Thanks in advance for advice.

[Mikeod]

Maybe I'm just lazy, but I find the cost of having someone do my home, including lanai and cage, is just so reasonable and not having to wonder about the chemicals used so nice, that I just pay someone. And go play golf while it's done. Perfect.

[Bogie Shooter]

mike is right!

[Maddie2009]

Just bought a house in Polo Ridge. I saw a guy cleaned with citrus base and gently power washed it away. Worked well and he told me like $55, just the siding of the house. I lost his card,.. dawn it! When I find it will let you know.

[bakon]

Not there but here in Pa I gas power wash deck yearly and have done aluminum siding in the past. Be careful as you can strip material off including brick with some washers. I am handy and would never pay if I could do it for same price myself. Also think I would do a better job but most times that is proven to cost me more in long run. But power washing is easy as long as you figure out the equipment.

[ColdNoMore]

Taking the chance of tearing something off/up on my house using a 'power' wash and the relatively low cost of hiring someone...makes the choice really easy for me.

I have had excellent results with Egner's...since they offer low pressure w/chemicals. :thumbup:

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/pressure-washing-339/egners-exterior-cleaning-179235/

You can find lots of posts in this forum on them using the search feature.

[Arlington2]

Recommend No-Pressure House Washing 352-728-2768. They use a low pressure citrus wash. I have it done twice a year and am very pleased with results. Also minimal cost. I have lived in Fl for many years and have seen the damage than can happen with high pressure washes.

[Bogie Shooter]

Not there but here in Pa I gas power wash deck yearly and have done aluminum siding in the past. Be careful as you can strip material off including brick with some washers. I am handy and would never pay if I could do it for same price myself. Also think I would do a better job but most times that is proven to cost me more in long run. But power washing is easy as long as you figure out the equipment.

Not there but here....?

[doran]

Washing the house twice a year is easy and a good work out. Win-Win. For me anyway.

[jnieman]

Tried to power wash our patio once a few years ago. Ended up running the power washer over my foot and cut it open! We hire it done for around $55. Like that they also do the outside of the windows and the bird cage. For extra they did our driveway to remove the tire marks.

[dewilson58]

Maybe I'm just lazy, but I find the cost of having someone do my home, including lanai and cage, is just so reasonable and not having to wonder about the chemicals used so nice, that I just pay someone. And go play golf while it's done. Perfect.

My exact thought.

:BigApplause:

[kcrazorbackfan]

Definitely DIY; I have a Troy-Bilt washer and I've done my home a couple of times in the 2 years I've been here. I'm just one of those people that figures I can do it as well as someone that I could pay my hard earned money to; I even changed the oil in the Escape and the cart today.

Most projects a person can do is not "rocket science"; most are just common sense if you take your time.

[villagetinker]

I have done both. I have power washed the driveway, lanai and birdcage several time myself, and continue to these myself. I use a Ryobi electric power washer which works very well. I have done the house twice, then used a contractor. I was disappointed when I ended up with very noticeable stains after the contractor finished. After I called him back, and he came out to look, it was determined that the staining was due to irrigation water. He recommended SNO WHITE, which I purchased at ACE Hardware. I applied this myself, and just hosed off, and all id good.
My point is this, if you do the job yourself, you can see what is happening, and make adjustments. If you hire a contractor you may end up doing some work yourself anyway.
Now everyone is going to ask who did I use, this was Enger's, and I was very pleased with the job in general, but what happened was the stains that were barely visible prior to cleaned became an eyesore after. I was expecting this to be made correct, but it was explained that this happens some time. While I would tend to use Enger's again in the future, I would have a detailed discussion on my expectations of the final result. For the time being, I will probably do my own, when the water restrictions allow......

[John_W]

I have done both. I have power washed the driveway, lanai and birdcage several time myself, and continue to these myself. I use a Ryobi electric power washer which works very well...

I was just in Home Depot on Saturday and they had a bunch of these Ryobi 2800 psi models sitting up front for $299 and the 3100 psi model for $399. I didn't want to buy one without reading reviews. That one has 4-1/2 stars out of 5 from 823 people, however if you look at the bad reviews there are 62 people who gave it 1 star. You just can't find one that has flying colors all the way.

The HD Website said they have 34 in stock in Lady Lake.

Ryobi 2800-PSI 2.3-GPM Honda Power Control Gas Pressure Washer-RY802800 - The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-2800-PSI-2-3-GPM-Honda-Power-Control-Gas-Pressure-Washer-RY802800/205566052)

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/1000/c7/c7c2d55d-48b9-4a65-b0d2-d3e0e0a52f2a_1000.jpg

[bagboy]

I started having the power washing done by the company that cleaned the house when it was new. They did fine twice, then did an okay job, then caused damage to an exterior light fixture and poked a hole in the patio door screen. I went back to doing it myself using JoMax (mixed with water and a little bleach). You just spray it on, wait a few minutes, and rinse it off with a hose, no power washer needed. I have a Briggs & Stratton power washer I use for the lanai and patio concrete, the sidewalks and driveway.

[Fred R]

How much to you want to spend on stuff like that. THAT is what the answer boils down too. Many folks down here don't do ANYTHING. It really depends on what you want to spend your money on and how much you have.

[BoatRatKat]

I and/or hubby do it ourselves with an electric power washer. It's easy. Most of the time we don't use anything other than the power of plain water and that removes bugs, webs, dirt and stains. The lanais tend to get dirty and it's nice to be able to hose of the screens and concrete on a more regular basis. Most machines come with different attachments for varying the flow of the water. Weaker for screens and windows and stronger for concrete. Good investment and you'll likely do a better job than someone you hire.

[Carl in Tampa]

1. An amateur can injure himself and/or the surface being cleaned.

2. Do you really have the space in your garage to store some machine that you may use twice a year?

3. Is your house stucco or aluminum siding? I have never had to pressure wash my stucco house. (A wrong setting or nozzle can strip the stucco off before you realize it.)

4. If I really needed it, I would pay somebody.

[biker1]

If you don't have one already, get a surface cleaner attachment for your pressure washer for large areas such as driveways. They save a significant amount of time and produce a better result. You can pick them up at big box stores such as Home Depot or mail order. You do need a pressure washer with a standard quick release fitting.

I started having the power washing done by the company that cleaned the house when it was new. They did fine twice, then did an okay job, then caused damage to an exterior light fixture and poked a hole in the patio door screen. I went back to doing it myself using JoMax (mixed with water and a little bleach). You just spray it on, wait a few minutes, and rinse it off with a hose, no power washer needed. I have a Briggs & Stratton power washer I use for the lanai and patio concrete, the sidewalks and driveway.

[biker1]

The weak spot with the consumer grade pressure washers is the axial pumps. They are built for a relatively low number of hours. The commercial grade pressure washers have much more robust pumps but also cost significantly more. However, most people don't put a lot of hours on their pressure washer. My first one lasted 10 years and I put about 10 hours a year on it. My current 3000 PSI Karcher with a 190 cc Honda engine will probably out live me as I only put a few hours a year on it in The Villages (used it a lot more in my previous home). I think it cost about $450. If you are expecting to put a relatively low number of hours per year on it then anything will probably be fine.

I was just in Home Depot on Saturday and they had a bunch of these Ryobi 2800 psi models sitting up front for $299 and the 3100 psi model for $399. I didn't want to buy one without reading reviews. That one has 4-1/2 stars out of 5 from 823 people, however if you look at the bad reviews there are 62 people who gave it 1 star. You just can't find one that has flying colors all the way.

The HD Website said they have 34 in stock in Lady Lake.

Ryobi 2800-PSI 2.3-GPM Honda Power Control Gas Pressure Washer-RY802800 - The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-2800-PSI-2-3-GPM-Honda-Power-Control-Gas-Pressure-Washer-RY802800/205566052)

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/1000/c7/c7c2d55d-48b9-4a65-b0d2-d3e0e0a52f2a_1000.jpg

[Topspinmo]

I was just in Home Depot on Saturday and they had a bunch of these Ryobi 2800 psi models sitting up front for $299 and the 3100 psi model for $399. I didn't want to buy one without reading reviews. That one has 4-1/2 stars out of 5 from 823 people, however if you look at the bad reviews there are 62 people who gave it 1 star. You just can't find one that has flying colors all the way.

The HD Website said they have 34 in stock in Lady Lake.

Ryobi 2800-PSI 2.3-GPM Honda Power Control Gas Pressure Washer-RY802800 - The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-2800-PSI-2-3-GPM-Honda-Power-Control-Gas-Pressure-Washer-RY802800/205566052)

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/1000/c7/c7c2d55d-48b9-4a65-b0d2-d3e0e0a52f2a_1000.jpg

If you buy one don't ever let it run dry, always have the water hose connected and turned on before you start it and shut it off with water pressure still going to the machine. water cools and lubricates the pump.
That is if you want it to last long time.

I brought one down here (wish I hadn't sold the one before I moved) I wanted to paint the house perimeter wall and needs pressure wash before the paint. Saved about 7 grand. But, I still young enough to do it myself. In ten years I'll be paying someone to do it, if I'm around then?

[blueeagle65]

I've used a smaller electric model on our house for years. In fact, I'm on my second one now (less expensive to replace than repair like lots of things). I purchased an extension wand on-line and it works great for the peaks and higher points on our house. I use it for siding as well as pavement. For what a professional job cost I have the unit for whenever I need it.

[bagboy]

If you don't have one already, get a surface cleaner attachment for your pressure washer for large areas such as driveways. They save a significant amount of time and produce a better result. You can pick them up at big box stores such as Home Depot or mail order. You do need a pressure washer with a standard quick release fitting.

Thank you for the tip. My wand works for small areas, but the driveway and sidewalks do take quite awhile. I'll check it out.

[2BNTV]

Maybe I'm just lazy, but I find the cost of having someone do my home, including lanai and cage, is just so reasonable and not having to wonder about the chemicals used so nice, that I just pay someone. And go play golf while it's done. Perfect.

:agree:

I use to use Egner's but one time I called to complain about a couple of issues and the owner was nasty to me. The owner had the attitude of "I don't give a crap because I have so much business". I fired them.

I now use Roberts Home Services. Thordis at 352.321.7033. Nice gentleman and does a great job.

[ellenwelsh]

There's so many things I could do myself but don't want to. Hiring someone (usually young people) helps them support their young families.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[thelegges]

:agree:

I use to use Egner's but one time I called to complain about a couple of issues and the owner was nasty to me. The owner had the attitude of "I don't give a crap because I have so much business". I fired them.

I now use Roberts Home Services. Thordis at 352.321.7033. Nice gentleman and does a great job.

Same with us had to have them come back twice, too busy to make sure it was done right, and the attitude was just as bad. Have an electric I can spray off the lanai anytime, works great, and if I miss an entire section its because I was late for golf:pepper2:

[John_W]

Any of you who had good luck with an electric power washer have a Green Works? Lowes has 3 models in the paper today, the most expensive is this 2000 psi model for $169. Same as the electric, a lot of good reviews, 3-1/2 stars out of 4 from 186 reviewers. However, they have 41 of those giving just 1 star and comments like 'it's a piece of junk'. I have a masonry home, so I only want one to do the patio and sidewalks.

https://mobileimages.lowes.com/product/converted/841821/841821016869.jpg

Shop Greenworks 2,000-PSI 1.2-GPM Cold Water Electric Pressure Washer at Lowes.com (https://www.lowes.com/pd/Greenworks-2-000-PSI-1-2-GPM-Cold-Water-Electric-Pressure-Washer/50353386)

[thelegges]

got ours at sams. $129 works great