Erasing years of wear and tear on your driveway is possible if you follow the steps on how to correctly use a pressure washer.
Keeping your driveway clean is more than just aiming for curb appeal. It extends the lifespan of your driveway and gets rid of unwanted moss and algae growth that are potentially hazardous and unsightly. So, how do you exactly keep your driveway stain-free? Well, have you ever thought of using pressure washers? If not, then you should probably at least consider the benefits.
Believe it or not, pressure washing your driveway saves cleaning time and ultimately saves money. What’s more, a pressure washer may also be used to clean other parts of the house or even your car. Convinced enough? Well, we’re not stopping there. This article will guide you by providing a detailed order on pressure washing your driveway, whether it’s made of brick or concrete.
Are you ready to take the first step to a clean and beautiful driveway? Let’s begin.
What You Need
While a pressure washer is the superstar, it needs other members to do their jobs in order to achieve their goal. What are the other things that you need?
- A cleaning agent or cleaning solution
- Personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, and work shoes
- Pressure washer hose
- Broom
- Brush
- Plastic sheets to shield more sensitive materials near the driveway and painter’s tape to secure them
- Garden sprayer in case the pressure washer you have does not have a tank for cleaning solutions
7 Steps in Cleaning a Concrete or Brick Driveway With a Pressure Washer
- Clear things out of the way
There may be objects that block the driveway, such as cars, pottery, and kids’ toys, so you should get them out of the way first. Use the plastic sheets to cover everything you can’t move and clean the dust and other smaller debris with a broom.
- Get the pressure washer ready
Electric pressure washers are usually pretty easy to set up, that’s why they are recommended for household cleaning projects. (A gas pressure washer is more effective on tough stains, but is more expensive, is noisier, and bulkier than their electric counterparts.) Ensure that you follow the instructions in the manufacturer’s manual, and you’ll be good to go. Be careful not to put anything that the manufacturer prohibits.
- Give your driveway a once-over
Assuming you got the electric pressure washer up and running without any hiccups, turn the nozzle to 40 degrees to loosen debris such as pebbles, leaves, or twigs. This is the perfect time to practice your aim or be familiar with the grip and strength of the machine.
- Apply Cleaning Agent
Here’s a word of caution: Different electric pressure washers allow different types of cleaning solutions. Therefore, never fail to follow the manual’s directions. In this stage, a soap nozzle should be used, so that the soap penetrates the driveway. Leave it for a maximum of 15 minutes as the solution disintegrates stains, mold, and dirt.
- Blast Away
Now, here’s the fun part! After letting enough time for the cleaning solution to soften dirt, it’s time to go in hot. There are attachments like a surface cleaner that help you clean faster and more effectively, but you can do without it if you don’t want to invest in one. Just keep in mind that a surface cleaner also helps reduce damage to your driveway, so it lasts longer. Also, be sure to do one final rinse to completely get rid of the cleaning solution.
- Let it Dry
After blasting away dirt and detergent, let it dry for at least 24 hours.
- Reseal
No matter how much you enjoy blowing away dirt using a pressure washer, you don’t want to do it more than you should. Applying a waterproof sealer on your driveway prevents stain and dirt buildup. If done the right way, sealing is so effective that you won’t have to clean your driveway for another 2-3 years!
Which Should I Buy?
I already made my point on the performance of the gas-powered pressure washers. So, if you want to complete your cleaning jobs quicker, you can’t be wrong about purchasing a gas pressure washer.
Electric pressure washers may have less power but are also more affordable and quieter. You’d have plenty of choices from the 2,000 to 3,000 PSI range, which should be enough to render your concrete, brick, or asphalt driveway spotless.
More Things to Consider
- Pressure washers use insane amounts of water to accomplish the task. An average pressure washer blasts water at an average of five gallons per minute, which means you’ll use up 150 gallons or 567 liters in 30 minutes. Be sure that you have a drainage system for the water to flow to. Be extra careful that the water doesn’t go down the drain connected to the streams. The chemicals in the cleaning solutions that you use could potentially harm natural bodies of water.
- Do not underestimate the danger of pressure washers! Three thousand PSI shot out of a 0-degree nozzle can cut your skin (or the eyes and nose), can strip paint off your car, and can shatter glass.
- If you are not yet experienced in handling pressure washers, its strength could surprise you. The best way to adjust to its power is to start from a lower PSI and work your way up.
- Electric pressure washers need to be plugged into an electrical circuit and should not be put anywhere near water. Be sure that the extension cords are as far away from the driveway as possible.
What About a Professional Cleaning Service?
Just because many of our household cleaning chores can be done with the help of technology and stuff, doesn’t mean we should be oblivious to getting help.
If your circumstances have changed that you are physically unable to do things, then you should probably call a professional crew to clean your driveway (or anything that requires rolling sleeves up). They may be pricier, but they use professional-grade products and are probably certified or trained for years in this type of employment.
The Bottom Line
Driveway cleaning was a pretty intense job before, but thanks to pressure washers, it can be done in a fraction of a time. What’s more, pressure washing will make your driveway look pristine and increase your home’s curb appeal. It still requires a little elbow grease and a whole lot of concentration, but if you do it right, you won’t do this chore for years. I surely hope we have done our part in convincing you that pressure washers are excellent cleaning tools manufactured to make our lives easier.