Are you concerned about the ugly stains you see on your concrete driveway? Concrete stains, such as oil stains, are unsightly and can degrade the surface of your driveway. Pollen and filth can also adhere to the concrete, just like they can to your home siding, roof and patio furniture.
The concrete can begin to disintegrate if it is not treated. So, if your concrete driveway looks a little forlorn or there are stains on your brick sidewalks, it’s time to stop ignoring them and start cleaning. Besides, a tidy driveway also increases kerb appeal.
The simplest and best way to clean a concrete driveway is with a pressure washer, but it must be done correctly. In this blog, you’ll learn about using water pressure to clean a concrete driveway properly to keep your outdoor space looking great and in excellent condition.
Preparing your driveway for pressure washing
What is the best pressure washer to clean concrete? You can use either electric and gas pressure washers to clean your driveway and other concrete or brick surfaces. These pressure washers use a garden hose to deliver water. The water pump within the pressure washer is powered by the engine, which pressurises the water to come out with more force than a typical garden hose.
But before you start your concrete pressure cleaning task, do the following things first:
- Sweep away any loose dirt and debris with a broom.
- Check your driveway-facing doors, walls, and windows once the road is clear of debris.
- Cover those openings with plastic sheets or a tarp and secure them with painter’s tape.
Taking these preliminary steps will prevent these areas from being mistakenly sprayed. Why? Well, subjecting them to power washing will cause the painted surfaces to start to flake away. Covering them will also protect them against any flying debris that may have been missed during the initial clean-up.
Also, since pressure washers come in a range of models and brands, always consult the device’s instructions and safety manual. The manual will walk you through every step of using your pressure washer safely and effectively.
One last point before you start pressure washing — make sure you know the highest point of your driveway and the direction of the natural flow of water to make cleaning easier and faster.
Steps in pressure washing
Here are the steps to get the best results when you use a high-pressure washer for cleaning a concrete driveway:
- Step 1 — Clear the area of children’s toys, bicycles, cars and anything that could obstruct pressure washing.
- Step 2 — Connect the garden hose to the 25-degree nozzle to get your cleaner ready. Turn it on and sweep your driveway to remove any loose or leftover debris, such as pebbles, grass, twigs, branches, or small tree leaves.
- Step 3 — It is now time to use the detergent. We assume that you’ve read the manual to find out which driveway cleaners and degreasers are approved for your specific brand (or model) of washer. At this point, you should also attach the low-pressure soaping nozzle to your sprayer. Instead of scrubbing the driveway, the soaping nozzle is designed to saturate it.
- Step 4: Allow 5 minutes for the cleaning solution to work its way in to the surface dirt of the driveway before performing the necessary pressure wash.
- Step 5 — With driveway stains, thick filth, mildew and other dirt already broken down by the detergent, you can now start blasting them away. If you have a surface cleaner attachment, use it with the pressure washer. It works by helping to disperse the water over a larger area, so you clean faster and more efficiently. It also lowers the risk of concrete damage from using direct high pressure while also pulsing the water flow to detach the dirt and grime from the surface.
- Step 6 — For tougher stains and filth, use a rotary nozzle. It pulses and rotates the water flow to push and scrape dirt and grime off the surface more effectively.
- Step 7 — The driveway should be free of debris and dirt at this stage. It’s time for the last rinse to obliterate the detergent. With the 25-degree nozzle attached to the spray wand, give your concrete driveway one final rinse.
Get a clean driveway with Jim’s Cleaning today
Cleaning your driveway can give you a sense of satisfaction over a job well done and save you money. However, not everyone knows how much pressure is needed to clean concrete or has the time to perform a thorough driveway pressure clean. And that’s what we’re here for.
At Jim’s Cleaning, we provide all types of pressure cleaning services and home, office, commercial and industrial cleaning, among other things.
So, if you’re ready to get your concrete driveway cleaned, reach out to us and get a quote or book a service today.
FAQs
Is pressure washing good for concrete?
Ideally, concrete should be cleaned at least once a year to keep its beauty and ensure longevity. A pressure washer is an excellent tool for removing stubborn stains quickly.
To clean concrete effectively without damaging it, hire a professional or consult your user manual, follow the proper safety procedures, and use the appropriate concrete detergent and recommended spray nozzles.
What is the best way to pressure wash concrete?
To pressure wash concrete like a pro, make sure you follow the steps mentioned above, including the part where you prepare your driveway or any other concrete surface to be cleaned. Also, always check the user’s manual, use the right detergent or soap, and be thorough with the pressure washing.
What is the best cleaner to use with a pressure washer for concrete?
There are a lot of great pressure washer cleaners and detergents available on the market. Instead of focusing on the brand, however, look for the following features:
- Ability to clean various surfaces and remove stubborn stains effectively
- Compatibility with different pressure washers
- Safety profile or biodegradability for plants and animals and the environment (including information on chemical ingredients)
- Cleaning capacity
- Scent
What water pressure do you need to clean concrete?
Cleaning concrete necessitates a high flow rate and moderate pressure. Almost all cleaning contractors agree that 3000 PSI is sufficient for almost all concrete cleaning activities. However, the recommended gallons per minute may vary.
How much water pressure do you need to clean a driveway?
A significant pressure level and a good water flow rate are required to clean your driveway adequately. The pressure you’ll need to clear your driveway is usually around 3000 PSI. Make sure the pressure washer has a good flow rate (about 3 GPM, if possible), as it should be enough to get your driveway clean. If the driveway has oil stains, use a degreaser.
What is the best thing to use to clean a concrete driveway?
Other than the recommended pressure washer detergents you might find, bleach is your single greatest option for cleaning and whitening concrete that is dingy and sprouting plants or mould. Just mix 1 part warm water with 1 part chlorine bleach, then spray it over the concrete. Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the solution to sit before scrubbing the surface with a stiff bristle brush. Then, using a yard hose, thoroughly rinse the concrete.
