Weekend Project: Using a pressure washer for easy spruce-ups

This item is the first in a new series on weekend projects, simple, quick jobs you can do to improve your home and save yourself some money. We'll post them early in the week so you have time to assemble the gear and supplies to get the job done. Send in an e-mail to tell us what kinds of chores and repairs you'd like us to cover.

Living in a newer home has its perks. I don't have to worry about any of these five major home repairs you shouldn't ignore—at least for now.

In the yard, however, it's a different story. Over the course of the last few years, a steady stream of pollen, sap, and leaves had morphed into a messy green layer on the roof of my tool shed and on my daughter's playground set.

Following the savvy advice in our June 2009 story on simple home projects, I successfully cleaned the asphalt roofing shingles on the shed using a soft brush and a bleach solution to avoid damaging the shingles.

But using a stiffer-bristled brush and a bleach solution (as we recommend to clean outdoor decking) didn't make much of an impression on the playground set. I knew I'd have to haul out my pressure washer. But first I watched our video (right) on safe, effective pressure washing; check out this video whether you own or are thinking of renting one of these powerful machines.

Before firing up the machine, I donned, gloves, sturdy shoes, and hearing protection, then started cleaning. I held the sprayer about 2 feet away from the lumber, bringing it no closer than 6 inches so as to not damage the wood. If you notice that the spray is damaging wood fibers, either pull back the sprayer or widen the spray pattern.

And be careful where you point the stream so as to avoid the kind of serious injury detailed in the video—a gasoline-powered pressure washer emits a stream of water much more powerful than a regular garden hose.—Gian Trotta | e-mail | Twitter | Forums

Essential information: See our pressure washers buying advice and ratings (available to subscribers).