The most efficient way to clean your patio is by using a pressure washer, it does not waste as much water as you would when using a normal hosepipe and it gets the job done in half the amount of time. You can use a pressure washer on wooden decking, stones or brick paved patios which are bound together with concrete.
Yes, a pressure washer can damage a patio by degrading the surface of the slabs. This in turn can allow more dirt to work its way into marks and pits in the stone in the future. When you clean a patio with a pressure washer, it is best not to use a super-high pressure and instead go more gently.
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.
Damage From Power Washing
A pressure washer delivers water 30 to 80 times stronger than your garden hose. You know you've damaged your concrete due to a bad power washing job if it looks etched, creating an uneven surface and an unappealing driveway or surface.
If you don't have detergent, a simple solution of washing up liquid with warm water should do the trick. Starting from the top corner, hold your pressure washer at a 30-degree angle and spray diagonally across your patio.
Before you power wash your patio, clear it completely by removing all furniture, ornaments and pots. Using a broom, brush away any loose debris – such as leaves and dirt. Connect your power hose and ensure that water is running freely before you begin. Allow water to flow through the machine to remove any air locks.
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.
Spring and summer are the best seasons to pressure wash patios. The beginning of spring is a great time to jet wash your patio – the temperatures started to rise slightly, so there will not be any unpleasantness of pressure washing in the cold and you won't run the risk of water freezing.
If you're looking to eliminate dirt or dust buildup on your patio or balcony, pressure washer soap is not required. It can still be used if you'd prefer, but it won't be the end of all days if you don't use it.
An effective pressure wash cleans the pores of your concrete. Make sure to apply concrete sealer after pressure washing.
The downside to using pressure washers is that they tend to cause damage to surfaces that are too delicate. In addition, the high pressure of the water spray can cause damage to surfaces you don't intend for it to reach, such as brick or stone surfaces.
Negatives – Using a pressure washer to clean your home may not be all that it is cracked up to be. The pressure can blast through wood, asphalt and even concrete if close enough. So, you're forcing water behind the siding which could cause problems within your walls and you wouldn't even know until it's too late.
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.
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.
But with power washing, homeowners can remove these stains from the garage, concrete driveway, and walkway. You will need a degreasing detergent and a power washer that delivers at least 1700 psi. For tough stains use a high-pressure nozzle and pretreat the area by scrubbing it with liquid dish soap and a brush.
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.
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.
To maintain the lighter color of a concrete driveway, many homeowners turn to cleaning with bleach, but you should not power wash with bleach because it can damage your pressure washer.
Bleach. If your concrete is dull and sprouting weeds or mold, bleach is your best option for cleaning and brightening concrete. Mix a cup of bleach into a 5-gallon bucket of warm water, then spray or pour over concrete. Rinse thoroughly with water.
Experts say they can do the trick for the patio as well. 'You can remove black spots easily from patios in an eco-friendly, low-cost way, with white vinegar,' says Laura Harnett, Founder, Seep. 'It has antifungal and antibacterial properties and will also stop the mould or lichen growing back.