I'm in the market for a pressure washer and don't know what to look for when purchasing. Here's what I need it to do:

- clean the flat (horizontal) surfaces on a ~400 sq. ft. deck so that they are suitable for re-staining
- clean a ~200 sq. ft. concrete patio
- clean two stories worth of mildewed vinyl siding on the back of my in-laws house

Should I go by psi rating, engine HP, or something else?

Gas or electric powered?

Are there any "must have" accessories? I see some have hose reels, cleaning solution tanks, and extended wands built in. How handy are those things?

I would rent one, if you think you'll only use it for a few days a year. If you buy one it sits idle for more time that you use it and they aren't cheap. Plus all your neighbors and friends will want to borrow it.

If you still wnat to buy one, they have some used ones at Home Depot. I think the gas are more powerful but the electric should be fine for what you want to do and they are easier to use and store when you are not using them. Get the highest PSI you can afford. Just make sure it is adjustable so you don't damage anything you are cleaning.

I have a Karcher 1200psi electric, 120 volt, plugs into a regular wall socket. Remember when doing wood deck and vinyl siding, you don't want to use any higher pressure than that. My washer does a great job on the deck and a pretty good job on the vinyl siding. Also spot cleaning cement is very good.

Those big commercial washers should only be used on metal surfaces.

You should be able to pick up a fairly good electric for your needs for under $150 or so. I think I paid $100 for mine several years ago at Big Lots, it's a refurbished model, but I've had it for about 5 years and it works like a champ.

How about the cleaning solutions (concrete, wood, siding) I see they sell to mix in while cleaning? Necessary or will just the pressurized water do the trick?

I have a 5 HP gas, it will do a deck w/o extra cleaning solutions, but a 13 HP rental I had once did it lots faster. An electric wiil take much longer -- psi is not the only thing to look at -- look at flow at a certain PSI. One quart per minute at 1200 psi isn't worth diddly. 5 HP is a decent homeowner compromise, IMO

I sometimes mix up a solution of Top Job or Mr Clean and spread it on with a broom, letting it set for a bit, but mostly, I've found you really don't need cleaning solutions, unless your trying to get rid of grease or oil.

Sman, What ever you get to do the job. Test the pressure on a piece of wood.
So you know how close you need to be to clean it off. You can splinter the wood with to much pressure. Deck cleaner is nothing more then diluted clorox.

What do you think of this one at Home Depot?
Husky 1750psi at 1.6 GPM, 1 year warranty.
It is 1/2 price- ~$160 now $86

I couldn't find any reviews online, but I know Husky is generally a step or two above Fisher Price. But for 1/2 price.......

CPD,
The price sounds good. For what your going to do with it i`m sure it would work ok.
If i needed one i`d buy it .

I had someone with a pressure washer do the outside of my house several years ago. As I am lazy, I thought it would be a good idea to ask him to do the windows also.

He said that the pressure could possibly take out the windows completely.

Oh well, it was a good idea anyway.