How to Power Wash Your Patio
To power wash your patio, clear all furniture and debris, sweep loose dirt, pre-treat any stains with detergent, then use a pressure washer with a 25-degree nozzle at 2500-3000 PSI. Work in slow, overlapping passes from the highest point toward the drain.
- Time
- 60 min
- Frequency
- once a year (spring)
- Difficulty
- medium
- Cost
- Free
What you'll need
- Pressure washer (1500-3000 PSI)
- 25-degree nozzle tip
- Garden hose
- Broom
- Safety glasses
The steps
- 1
Clear furniture and debris
Move all furniture, planters, grills, and anything else off the patio surface. Pick up loose items like toys, cushions, and rugs. You need an unobstructed surface to clean evenly and avoid damaging your belongings.
- 2
Sweep loose dirt
Use a stiff broom to sweep away leaves, sand, and loose grit. This keeps your pressure washer from blasting debris into the air and grinding it into the concrete. It also prevents the nozzle from clogging with chunks.
- 3
Pre-treat stains with detergent
Apply a concrete-safe detergent like Simple Green Concrete Cleaner to oil spots, mildew patches, and heavy discoloration. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes so it can break down the stain. Do not let the detergent dry on the surface.
- 4
Connect the pressure washer with a 25-degree tip
Attach your garden hose to the pressure washer and let water flow through before starting the engine. Install the 25-degree (green) nozzle tip. This fan pattern is wide enough to cover ground efficiently without gouging the concrete. Avoid the 0-degree (red) tip entirely on patio surfaces.
- 5
Work in overlapping passes
Hold the wand 6-12 inches from the surface at a consistent angle. Move in straight, overlapping passes like mowing a lawn. Go slowly enough that one pass removes the grime. Rushing creates stripes where dirty and clean sections alternate.
- 6
Rinse from the high point toward the drain
Start at the highest edge of the patio and work downhill so dirty water flows away from cleaned areas. If your patio is flat, pick one end and work toward the other. This final rinse removes any remaining detergent and loosened dirt.
- 7
Let the patio dry completely
Allow 24-48 hours of drying time before moving furniture back. Walking on a wet, freshly cleaned patio tracks dirt back onto the surface. If you plan to seal the concrete, it must be fully dry first.
Why spring power washing matters
Winter leaves a layer of grime on your patio that you stop noticing because it builds up gradually. Dirt, pollen, leaf tannins, and moisture create the conditions for moss and algae to take hold. Once algae gets established, it traps more moisture against the concrete, which accelerates surface breakdown through freeze-thaw cycles the following winter.
Power washing once a year in spring removes all of that buildup before it causes permanent discoloration or surface damage. A clean patio also dries faster after rain, which means less slip hazard and less hospitable conditions for mold growth in the cracks and joints.
The job takes about an hour and costs nothing if you already own or rent a pressure washer. Skipping it year after year leads to staining that no amount of scrubbing will remove and a surface that looks decades older than it is.
PSI and nozzle selection
The two variables that matter are pressure (PSI) and nozzle angle. Get them wrong and you either waste time or damage the surface.
PSI: Standard poured concrete handles 2500-3000 PSI without issue. Pavers, flagstone, and stamped concrete are softer or have joints that can blow out, so drop to 1500-2000 PSI. If your machine only goes to 1500 PSI, you can still get the job done; it just takes more passes.
Nozzle tip: Use the 25-degree (green) tip for patio surfaces. It produces a wide fan that covers ground efficiently. The 15-degree (yellow) tip works for stubborn stains on plain concrete but requires more care. Never use the 0-degree (red) tip on a patio. It concentrates all the force into a pinpoint stream that will gouge lines into the surface.
Distance: Hold the wand 6-12 inches from the surface. Closer increases effective pressure; farther reduces it. Find the distance where grime comes off in one pass without the concrete turning white or fuzzy at the edges.
Common mistakes
Standing too close. The most common mistake. At 2 inches away, a 3000 PSI washer will etch permanent lines into concrete. Start at 12 inches and move closer only if the surface is not coming clean.
Wrong angle. Hold the wand at roughly 30-45 degrees to the surface, not straight down. A perpendicular angle drives water and debris straight into the pores of the concrete instead of sweeping it off. An angled spray lifts and pushes grime away.
Inconsistent passes. Moving too fast or skipping sections leaves visible stripes where clean and dirty concrete alternate. These stripes are surprisingly hard to fix after the surface dries. Overlap each pass by a few inches and maintain a steady speed, the way you would mow a lawn.
Skipping the sweep. Pressure washing over loose sand and gravel turns them into projectiles. They scratch windows, chip paint on siding, and can injure you or anyone nearby. Two minutes with a broom prevents this.
Safety
Pressure washers are not garden hoses. A 3000 PSI stream will cut skin, and the injuries are prone to infection because the water drives bacteria deep into the wound.
- Wear safety glasses. Debris ricochets off concrete at high speed.
- Wear closed-toe shoes. Flip-flops and sandals offer zero protection.
- Never point the wand at yourself, other people, or pets.
- Keep children and animals off the patio while you work.
- If using a gas-powered washer, run it outdoors only. Carbon monoxide buildup in enclosed spaces is lethal.
- Plug electric washers into a GFCI-protected outlet. You are working with water and electricity.
Take these precautions seriously. The job is straightforward, but the tool demands respect.
Frequently asked questions
- What PSI should I use for a concrete patio?
- Use 2500-3000 PSI for standard concrete. Anything below 2000 PSI will work but takes much longer and may not remove set-in stains. Stay under 3000 PSI to avoid surface damage. For pavers or flagstone, drop to 1500-2000 PSI since the material and joints are softer.
- Can you damage concrete with a pressure washer?
- Yes. Holding the nozzle too close, using a zero-degree tip, or lingering in one spot can etch lines into the surface, blast away the top layer, or widen existing cracks. Keep the nozzle 6-12 inches from the surface, use a 25-degree tip, and keep the wand moving.
- Should I rent or buy a pressure washer?
- Rent if you only use it once or twice a year. A 3000 PSI gas pressure washer rents for $50-$100 per day at most home improvement stores. Buying makes sense if you also wash siding, driveways, fencing, or vehicles. Entry-level electric models start around $150 and handle most residential jobs.
- How do I remove oil stains from a concrete patio?
- Apply a concrete degreaser or detergent directly to the oil stain and scrub it with a stiff brush. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then hit it with the pressure washer at 3000 PSI from 6 inches away. Old, deep oil stains may need two or three rounds. For stains that will not budge, try a poultice made from cat litter and acetone left overnight.
Products you'll need
This section contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Simple Green Concrete Cleaner (1 gal)
Pressure washer detergent for concrete surfaces
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