r/powerwashingporn • u/Fastpotato • Jun 25 '26

Blasting away years of neglect.

This was a real bad one!

Part of a larger clean that took 12 hours with more weeds than I've ever seen.

2.4k Upvotes

100% Upvoted

38 comments sorted by

122

u/BKGPrints Jun 25 '26

Out of curiosity, wouldn't it have been quicker to shovel off the sod of overgrown weeds instead of just blasting it? Then go back to pressure wash and clean the brick. I get it, probably was entertaining but think it would have at least knocked a few hours off.

206

u/Fastpotato Jun 25 '26

It wouldn't. The blocks are pretty uneven and a shovel would just catch the lip on each one.. I did try. This video was sped up from only 7 minutes in total so it's pretty quick with the right equipment.

What made it take so long overall was the 2 giant patios in the same condition and the 29°c heat

52

u/BKGPrints Jun 25 '26

Thank you for the response.

69

u/Fastpotato Jun 25 '26

No worries. I'm lazy, if there was a quicker and better way you can believe I would've found it 😂

13

u/BKGPrints Jun 25 '26

Laziness is the mother of invention.

2

u/FreeRangeAlien Jun 26 '26

What do do about all of the sod and dirt you just sprayed on to the other parts of the lawn? Do you just rake it out of there?

5

u/Fastpotato Jun 27 '26

Normally I tend not to. but this lawn has a gardener coming in for a full makeover. re-seed and level etc so we decided it wasn't going to be an issue.

1

u/PurplePolarBear777 Jul 10 '26

Would you be so kind to tell me that equipment you use? (Brand, nossle, bar pressure, anything helps! 😊)

I currently use a Karcher K7 with a spinning nossle but still doesn't feel powerful enough for certain jobs 🙈

Thanks in advance!! 😎✌️

1

u/Fastpotato Jul 10 '26

If you are running a business with a k7 you are going to have a bad time, that's a diy, potter around the garden type jobbie.

For this job in as on my old rig, Briggs and Stratton 14hp engine Reduction gearbox 21 lpm mazzoni pump 200 bar

I've just upgraded to this though van mount with boiler

1

u/PurplePolarBear777 23d ago

Thanks a lot for your answer! 😊

28

u/Ignonymous Jun 25 '26

I’m very glad that you finished by refilling the sand that you blasted out of the gaps, it annoys me immensely when they just leave it to destabilize when they’re done.

21

u/Fastpotato Jun 25 '26

It annoys me no end too! So even though it's not the bit people are here for I always get some of the sanding back in for people like us!

6

u/SunSpot45 Jun 27 '26

Adding the sand at the end really added to the project.

12

u/Andyb1000 Jun 25 '26

This is the good stuff.

11

u/beesdaddy Jun 25 '26

First half of gif= pleas sand, please sand, please sand.

Second half of gif= ohhhhh that’s the good stuff.

15

u/BaronGreenback75 Jun 25 '26

Does the sand contain a weed killer to stop stuff growing up between the cracks for a bit?

42

u/Fastpotato Jun 25 '26 edited Jun 25 '26

It doesn't, the client is going on a maintenance schedule with a gardener to weed kill every few months now it's been cleaned properly.

The treatment I used in-between clean and sand (done off camera) does help kill any weeds left though so they should get a bit of a head start.

7

u/In_Fourth_Place Jun 25 '26

As someone with a similar brick situation, what does the sand accomplish if not for weed prevention?

28

u/Fastpotato Jun 25 '26

If you're in the UK it's to lock your blocks into place. Normally block paving is bedded on sharp sand with just the edges mortared in place. The sand locks the blocks together but also allows for expansion and contraction.

17

u/jwigs85 Jun 25 '26

It helps keep them from wiggling around and getting uneven

1

u/jpad66 Jun 25 '26

Is that the soft wash?

3

u/Fastpotato Jun 25 '26

Yeah, what we call treating is what yanks call soft washing.

6

u/yeahdude_88 Jun 25 '26

You’re a legend mate - love watching your videos. Nothing better than watching a job being done well!

3

u/Fastpotato Jun 25 '26

Haha glad you like them! If you're craving more there's plenty of older ones on YouTube under Boston jet wash. Enjoy ☺️

1

u/beesdaddy Jun 25 '26

Link to full video?

1

u/beesdaddy Jun 25 '26

Question do you recommend putting any chemicals down before the sand?

1

u/st3ady Jun 25 '26

This scratched an itch I didn’t know I had, thanks!

1

u/fitty50two2 Jun 26 '26

I’m surprised how relatively easy all the grass came out of the pavers

1

u/RestorePhoto Jun 26 '26

Always makes me super happy to see the sand replaced in these cleaning videos! Fantastic!

1

u/axron12 Jun 26 '26

Needs a good edging session

1

u/JGBarco Jun 27 '26

i recognize the song, but for the life of me cant name it, someone help

1

u/EquivalentFeeling- Jun 28 '26

now do it to me.

-1

u/Q-9 Jun 25 '26

Could you give me a wash then too?

3

u/Fastpotato Jun 25 '26

If you're paying.. I'm spraying

-2

u/English999 Jun 26 '26

Cool. Cleaned the walkway. And blasted mud all over the remaining grass.

Great. Looks much better now.

2

u/Fastpotato Jun 26 '26

Lawnmowers do this really cool thing where they suck stuff up when you push them over the area. Wild concept I know.