Pressure washing is a gas. You gotta try it. It’s just water, but when you squeeze it through a tube with a great deal of force, it can perform miracles. It can even cut steel. What’s old becomes new. The oppressing patina of time forgets its name and forfeits its not-very-hard-fought territories.
I pressure washed some patios and sidewalks this weekend. The radish-size knots in my trapezius muscles are happy to tell you all about it. I gripped and held that spray handle like it was my job. I guess it was. My reward for my perseverance? Some of the cleanest masonry and concrete surfaces you’ve ever eaten off of.
Like cutting the grass and seeing the adjacent bladed disparity with each subsequent pass, pressure washing packs a wallop of accomplishment. You see the difference immediately and repeatedly as you wash away your surface’s transgressions. You walk away feeling like you can do anything. I recommend you give it a shot if you need a boost to your prowess.
But pressure washing has a dark side. Just like video games and steroids. What lurks on the ill-illuminated cratored expanse of your lunared achievement landscape? Instant gratification. However, this is not the dark side I wish to speak of now.
Let’s talk about determining the correct pressure.
So, it took me a bit to get the right cocktail of size-of-spray-from-the-nozzle and distance-of-the-nozzle from the surface to be subjugated. If the the spray is too wide and wimpy it doesn’t clean well. If it’s too strong and narrow, it can score certain surfaces. Wood trim on windows may be one of those, but I don’t kiss and tell.
This got me to thinking how important it is that we apply the correct amount of pressure to ourselves and others. Not enough pressure and we just don’t get things done. Too much pressure and we create unrealistic expectations for everyone. Not enough pressure and we look like we’re doing something but we’re justing getting it wet. Too much pressure and we likely are doing damage even if we don’t always see it.
I have goals I’ve set for myself. The pressure I feel from them can be weighty. But the pressure isn’t really from the goals. They’re value neutral. The pressure comes from me. My wife often reminds me when she senses I’m under that stress that nobody is placing those expectations on me but myself. It’s nice to hear that from her. It’s not meant to be a cop-out. It’s just a good way to check your vitals.
Pressure can be good. If it’s applied properly. On yourself. On others. Just make sure your recipe is right.
