Erasing the grime...

After fourteen years of use our patio was not looking its best. Dingy, dirty, ugly...Here's what it looked like back when it was all brand new. So bright! (photo circa 2008).
And this, from 2009. I was showing off what a mess an afternoon of wind could make, but of course now it's all about that cute face that I still miss soo much. She was so good at knowing when the camera was aimed at her.
Anyway, back to the present. I'd wanted to power wash the patio a couple years ago, but Andrew talked me out of it. It only got worse. So when he casually mentioned that maybe we should borrow the neighbor's power washer so he could clean the patio I didn't let the idea pass without acting on it! Oh and he's masked in the photo below because the neighbor had just brought the machine over. COVID protocol you know...
Once he got started the difference was remarkable. 
I went to get lunch while he worked and came back to this...
Of course there was no way to wash the individual squares without also removing the sand (a grout, of sorts) between the pavers. So while this job took an afternoon, I spent several hours over the next few days sweeping sand back into the cracks.
But to have a clean, bright patio again... it was worth it.
Before...
After... it was still wet in this photo, it's even better when dry.
And yes... the patio looks so much larger when it's empty! Our weather went from record low overnight temperatures to record high daytime temperatures—with non-stop sun— within a week. Once things return to some version with clouds I'll get serious about bringing out the container plants. Oh, and we sold our patio furniture! The new pieces are still in boxes in the garage. We need to do a little building...an empty patio awaits!