How to pressure wash a patio

Pressure washers are designed to send out pressurised water through a nozzle to clean a wide variety of surfaces quickly and with minimal effort on your part. All you need to work a pressure washer is an power outlet and a water inlet. You might also want to use a few accessories such as a rotating brush head to fit to the end of your pressure washer.

In order to choose the right tool, you will have to make a few decisions starting with picking the right pressure rating (120 to 140 bars) and flow rate (400 to 600 litres per hour). From that point you can think about the types of accessories that might make your job easier such as a telescopic handle or a rotating brush and products such as a special patio cleaner.

Please note that it's not a good idea to use a pressure washer to clean a solid wood deck. Similarly, be sure to keep the pressure washer at a safe distance when cleaning tiles so as not to remove their waterproof coating.

Why use an electric pressure washer?

Electric pressure washers are ideal for cleaning patios and terraces. They are lighter and smaller than petrol models, and less costly to purchase. As patios tend to be fairly small areas, cleaning them does not require a lot of power; 2000 Watts or so and 120 to 140 bars should suffice.

When it comes to flow rate, 400 to 500 litres per hour should do for a small patio while 600 litres per hour will do the job for a larger area. It's worth noting that a pressure with wheels will make your task easier. Similarly a long power cable will make it easier to move around as you clean.

Choosing the best pressure washer accessories

Pressure washers can be equipped with any number of accessories to ensure you can carry out your cleaning tasks efficiently and in comfort. By using the right types of accessories you might even save some money by cutting down on the amount of water and cleaning products you have to use. Here are some of the accessories you might need to clean a patio:

• foam cannons can be fitted to the end of the lance to release just the right amount of cleaning product;

• a straight nozzle allows you to get into small corners; the water jet comes out straight and can vary in size;

• rotary nozzles can be used to send out a rotating spray jet to cover a larger area; 

• rotating brushes are ideal for patios; they feature two rotary nozzles held inside a brush to enhance the performance of your pressure washer.

Choosing the right patio cleaner

The cleaning product you use with your pressure washer must match the type of outdoor flooring you have whether it be stone tile or concrete.It is also possible to find universal cleaners that can be used on pretty much any type of material.

It's important to take a few precautions when using a pressure washer. Don't forget to protect yourself with safety goggles, wellies or waterproof shoes, gloves and a mask if you plan to handle harmful chemicals. Do not place the nozzle too close to the surface at the risk of damaging it. Similarly, avoid directing the water jet towards the grout.

Pick a sunny day and wind-free to clean the patio, and proceed as follows:

1. Start by sweeping the patio to get rid of any loose dirt.

2. For the best results, start at the edge of the patio moving back and forth in a sweeping motion.

3. Spread the cleaning product then leave it to work following the manufacturer's instructions.

4. Brush the patio using the appropriate accessory and rinse.

Once you're done, take the time to empty and store your pressure washer properly.