Generally, you'll want your concrete driveway pressure washed at least once a year. This lets you treat sunbaked dirt, grime buildup, and stubborn oil stains, making regular cleaning in between professional washes much more manageable. Of course, you can always schedule extra pressure washing services as needed.
Most people believe that concrete is solid and almost invincible. However, using a pressure washer with the incorrect tip or using too much pressure or a combination of the two can etch concrete.
Concrete needs at least a year to bond in a way that can handle this type of pressure. If you need to clean concrete without using so much pressure, you can try mixing water with dishwashing detergent and scrubbing off the stain or discoloration yourself.
The most ideal time to pressure wash, however, is during the spring and summer months. During the warmer wetter months algae and mold will begin to grow. This is also a great time pressure wash because this is when pollen is usually at it's highest. Power washing can improve your allergy symptoms.
Selecting the appropriate nozzle and properly holding the wand can prevent damage to your driveway. Use a wide nozzle for cleaning concrete that covers more surface area. The narrow nozzles are designed for removing tough stains in cramped spaces, but the stream can etch into the concrete if used on a driveway.
Use Concrete Sealer After Power Washing
Think of your driveway like one big sponge. It soaks up everything! An effective pressure wash cleans the pores of your concrete. Make sure to apply concrete sealer after pressure washing.
The Time of Day
If you can, you want to pressure wash your house in direct, bright sunlight for the best visibility. If there is cloud cover or it is later in the day, shadows can disguise dirty spots, resulting in an uneven clean. Direct, bright sunlight can also help the water you use, dry faster.
There are several good reasons to pressure wash your concrete on a regular basis: Reduce or eliminate dirt, sand, salt, or corrosive chemicals to extend the life of your concrete. Improve your home or business' curb appeal. Reduce or remove pollens collecting near and around your home.
Our recommendation ranges from as low as 3,000 PSI to as high as 4,000 PSI. But, there are quite a few factors at play influencing your ideal PSI rating.
In fact, vinegar removes mold from concrete better than bleach. Bleach will only remove the top layer of mold, causing the mold to return.
After the concrete has dried for at least 24 hours, you can effectively apply a concrete sealer. A sealer helps prevent future stains and potential damage from products like ice salts.
Once the pressure washing is complete, it is important to wait until the surface is completely dry before applying any sealant. Depending on temperature and humidity levels, this process can take anywhere from 24-48 hours.
Dish soap and water: Dish soap is a degreaser, and it works well to clean oily and grimy concrete. Create a cleaning solution of warm water and few drops of dish soap and apply it to the surface. Let it sit for a while, then mop the patio and rinse it with fresh water. Repeat the process as many times as needed.
Concrete cleaning calls for powerful pressure washers featuring high pressure levels of 3000 PSI. However, if you will be using the power cleaner to maintain a range of surfaces in addition to concrete, choose one with adjustable pressure levels and set it to about 3000 PSI when you need to clean concrete.
Experts agree that spring or fall is the best time to pressure or power wash your house. The goal is to avoid cleaning when the temperature is too cold or hot. The best practice is to ensure that you pressure wash your home once per year between March and November when the temperatures are not extreme.
Clean From the Bottom Up
Using the cleaning solution, start power washing at the bottom of the house and work your way up. Working from the top down can cause water and suds to run down the side of the house, making it more likely you'll miss a section.
Properly curing your concrete improves strength, durability, water tightness, and resistance for many years. The first 7 days after installation you should spray the slab with water 5-10 times per day, or as often as possible. Once the concrete is poured the curing process begins immediately.
Oil leaks, blood, and sticky residues can absorb and result in stubborn stains. However, using a driveway sealant after pressure washing can help prevent these stains from becoming permanent features in your driveway.