27
Jan
2020

The Best Way to Pressure Wash a Concrete Driveway

January 27th, 2020 in Power and Pressure Washing
The Best Way to Pressure Wash a Concrete Driveway

Pressure washing is an excellent way to clean a concrete driveway, and transform an old, worn out surface into a new-looking, clean, and pristine driveway. Whether it is residential or commercial pressure washing, it is important to take care to pressure wash the right way, to avoid damaging the concrete.

What is the best way to pressure wash a concrete driveway?

So what steps do we take to properly and safely pressure wash a concrete driveway?

The Best Way to Pressure Wash a Concrete Driveway - step-by-step.
Cleaning Stage

Procedure

Step 1: Preparation
  1. Remove large debris and dirt clumps.
  2. Cover nearby structures, walls and painted surfaces.
  3. You will also want to prepare the concrete by degreasing it.
 
Step 2: Pressure Washing
  1. Make sur to choose the correct tip for concrete.
  2. Do a first wash at low pressure and using a detergent
  3. Overlap each pass by a few inches to make sure it is covered
  4. Use higher pressure and pure water to finish.
 
Step 3: Sealant
  1. Seal your concrete driveway
  2. Do not use for 24 hours
 

Step 1: Preparations

While it may be tempting to jump right in and start blasting away, it is important to first properly prepare your driveway, and any surrounding areas. Large debris and dirt clumps should be swept and cleaned up first, as pressure washing is not an ideal way to remove these, and they will quickly be in the way. Any structures such as walls or painted surfaces should also be covered, as the water pressure could damage and chip them. A tarp is a great choice for covering more sensitive surroundings.

You will also want to prepare the concrete by degreasing it. Special degreasers are available that workwell to remove stains and other imperfections. Use a stiff brush to give the concrete a good scrubbing.

Step 2: Pressure Washing

Now that the concrete has been prepared, it is time to actually pressure wash. Choose the correct tip for your pressure washer for concrete. Doing a first wash at low pressure and using a detergent is the best way to really clean the surface. Starting at low pressure helps to make sure that you do not chip or damage the concrete. Overlap each pass by a few inches to make sure it is covered, and go over the entire driveway with detergent. Once you have done this, use a higher pressure and pure water to do even passes over the driveway to rinse detergent, and finish cleaning the surface.

Step 3: Sealant

The final step is to seal your concrete driveway. Sealant helps to protect against future stains, and some also are water resistant, making water clump and run off easier, rather then sit and pool. After the concrete has been sealed, it should not be used for at least 24 hours.

These are the basic steps to the best way to pressure wash your commercial or residential concrete driveway. Of course, if this sounds like too much work, Always Clean is here for all of your pressure washing needs.