How to Pressure Wash a Driveway
It’s very likely that you have a driveway on your property. For homeowners, a driveway is what greets them at the end of a long day. For business owners, it’s the surface that transforms passersby into customers. For all of these reasons, it’s important to keep your driveway clean—and what better way to do this than pressure washing? Pressure washing is a fantastic way of visually transforming exterior surfaces of all shapes and sizes. What you might be wondering, though, is how to pressure wash a driveway in the first place. With this guide, you’ll learn how it works!
We are All Elite Cleaning, and we are your community’s pressure washing professionals. We have cleaned many driveways in the Port Orange, FL community, and we’re ready to pass some of our knowledge on to you.
Why Driveways Need Cleaning
First and foremost, it’s important to understand why driveways need to be cleaned at all. What’s stopping you from just letting your driveway fend for itself? Over time, your driveway will gather debris, and this unfortunately can’t be prevented. What sorts of debris can you expect to find on your driveway? Dirt and mud are common examples. You may also find pollen, moss, mold, algae, spilled car fluids, bird droppings, and dead insects.
What are the negative effects of letting your driveway become dirty? For one, it will lose its visual appeal, instead becoming darker and duller. Additionally, the dirtier your driveway is, the more prone it will be to surface damage. This is because particles of debris will grind against and erode your surfaces over time. This will result in costly repairs if you aren’t careful, so take preventative measures and have your driveway pressure washed sooner rather than later!
One last thing. Did you know that pressure washing your driveway actually makes it safer? The removal of debris from your driveway does more than improve its appearance; it also makes the surface less slippery. This makes it much less likely that your vehicles will skid or slide when moving across the driveway.
What Will I Need For Driveway Cleaning?
If you choose to do your own driveway cleaning, you’ll have to get all the correct equipment for the work. So, what do you need to put on your shopping list? Most importantly, you’ll need a pressure washer. This specialized piece of machinery pressurizes water, making it powerful enough to remove debris from your property’s exterior. You’ll also need a hose and nozzle so you can spray this water onto dirty surfaces. Don’t forget cleaning solutions such as sodium hypochlorite. These specialized cleaners break down stubborn debris, making it so no grime is left behind on your driveway at the end of your project.
Finally, don’t forget safety equipment. It’s important to protect yourself during your driveway cleaning project because you’re handling pressurized water. If you spray this water onto your bare skin, you could bruise or injure yourself. Because of this, we highly recommend that you wear eye protection, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes whenever handling pressure washing equipment.
Other Preparations
Here are some other important ways to prepare for the project when learning how to pressure wash a driveway. Firstly, make sure your driveway is free from any objects that will get in the way of your work. You will most likely need to move your vehicles off the surface. Be sure to put them in a safe, temporary location. That way, you can pressure wash your driveway without risking any damage to your automobiles. You may also need to move lawn furniture and decorations. Simply put, if it’s in the way, move it!
You also need to give yourself enough time for the work. If it’s your first time pressure washing your driveway, you will need some extra hours to get a better idea of what you’re doing. How many hours specifically? Four is a good bet. Remember, it’s preferable to have too much time for the project than not enough.
Pressure Washing the Driveway
Now that all the preparations are out of the way, let’s discover how to pressure wash a driveway. The first thing you’ll need to do is determine an appropriate amount of water pressure for the project. This is important because every kind of material has its own limits. If you don’t respect those limits, it could result in driveway damage.
- Asphalt: 1000–1300 PSI
- Brick/Paver: 1500–1800 PSI
- Concrete: 2500–3000 PSI
Next, choose a starting point somewhere on your driveway. (A logical place to begin your work is one of the driveway’s corners.) Position yourself 1.5 to 2 feet away from the surface, then begin to spray the surface. As you rinse the area with pressurized water, it will disturb and remove debris, resulting in the improved appearance of the driveway. If you come across any stubborn grime (e.g., moss, mold, and algae), you can use cleaning solutions to get rid of it. For example, by applying a thin layer of sodium hypochlorite to the driveway, you’ll break down debris, making it much easier to remove.
Consider Professional Driveway Cleaning
There are many benefits to be had from pressure washing your driveway. However, you won’t get to enjoy them unless you take action. So, what should you do if the process of pressure washing is too difficult for you? Good news—there’s an easy alternative! Simply reach out to All Elite Cleaning, and our professionals will be happy to do this work for you.
We are a locally owned and operated business, and it’s always our pleasure to serve the Port Orange, FL community. By scheduling an appointment with us, you can sit back and relax while our experts revitalize your driveway. We’ll do the work for a fair price, too. Contact us online and tell us about your driveway to receive a free estimate. Then, you can choose a time and date for your appointment. We look forward to hearing from you.
