Pressure washer?

[Gardenarian]

So I need to clean my redwood deck and am going to use a pressure washer for the first time.
Any hints?
I also have some really grubby siding, gutters, cement steps, and stonework that need cleaning - can I use it for those too?
I'm a bit apprehensive.
Thanks!

[goldensmom]

Depends on the pressure washer's psi. We have a 3500 psi washer that we use on machinary and concrete but it takes paint off of siding, wood and vehicles. We have a smaller one, psi 1200 that would work on the materials you noted. You also have a choice of nozzles, the wider the less penetration.

[SteveinMN]

Did you buy or rent the PW? If you rented, they (or the manufacturer's Web site) may be able to fill you in on cleaning agents which will make the job easier. We pressure-washed DW's house before we put it on the market. Siding, gutters, steps, hot tub area (not the tub itself); it all worked. Just respect the pressure the tool generates. And don't stick your hand in front of the stream. rrrrr

[ToomuchStuff]

Could you all be more specific on gutters?

I know I have seen it used on siding and I have also seen someone step closer to their home and pressure wash their name, INTO the concrete of the outside basement wall. I would think if your trying to wash off the gutters you would be fine, but I wouldn't want to be up on a ladder, directly spraying into the gutters to clean them out (could force them away from the house, while getting backsprayed).

[fidgiegirl]

We scrubbed our deck with deck wash first (it's made from the same stuff as Oxyclean, we got it one of the big box hardware stores) and that made a huge difference - then power washed. I'd be nervous with gutters that the force of the spray might be too much and knock them off? Of course now I read and realize others basically said the same thing. :)

[SteveinMN]

It is possible to modulate the pressure on these things, at least a little on the one we rented. Distance also serves to modulate the pressure; aim farther away rather than deploy at point-blank range. Pre-treating (as Kelli mentioned) also is useful. You just have to be careful -- and maybe practice on a less-visible piece first. :)

[Gardenarian]

I got it used on craigslist, but I do have the manual (hard to make sense of.)
The gutters look grey and grimy, so it is the outside of the gutters I want to clean.
Steve, thanks for the warning!
I've watched some youtube videos but I get the sense that this is something you need to try out and practice for a while to get the hang of it.

I will try on less visible areas first, and also try the pre-treating. I saw that Oxy-deck-wash stuff at our hardware store, and will pick some up.

Thanks!

[frugal-one]

Perhaps try on your cement steps first. That way you could practice gauging the pressure and it would be harder to damage anything. DH did our front steps and it improved the esthetics of the house immensely! Our pressure washing was purchased at a yard sale for $5. One of the best $5 ever spent!!!! Did the house (even took off the green mold) and garage, front cement steps, deck and even cleaned walnuts we picked.