[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.

Originally Posted by 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.

[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.

Originally Posted by John_W

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

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by John_W

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

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 2BNTV

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

[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.



Shop Greenworks 2,000-PSI 1.2-GPM Cold Water Electric Pressure Washer at Lowes.com

[thelegges]

got ours at sams. $129 works great