For most concrete and other masonry jobs, stick to a 25-degree nozzle to spray and rinse your surfaces. You may want to use a finer nozzle to remove grease stains. A 15-degree nozzle should only be used on materials like iron that can withstand even the most intense pressure from your washer.
Yes, because a pressure washer is 30-80 times stronger than your hose, it can cause damage if used improperly. If your concrete becomes etched during the pressure wash, you should stop before causing further damage and reduce the pressure.
The hazards of ignoring a dirty driveway and the benefits of routine pressure or power washing are numerous. Routine pressure washing doesn't only benefit the current homeowner but can also impact the value of the home and increase the overall curb appeal of the property.
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.
Opt for the Most Basic Route: Soap and Water
Cleaning a concrete driveway does not have to be fancy. The easiest is the trusty soap and water mixture. Use dish soap and add it to a large bucket full of water. Then, get your stiff scrub brush, making sure it is not made of metal.
Use a mild grease-cutting detergent such as Dawn or Ajax dishwashing liquid mixed with water and a natural or synthetic bristle scrub brush to help brighten the patio surface. NOTE: Never use a wire brush as it can leave rust stains and scratch the concrete surface.
An effective pressure wash cleans the pores of your concrete. Make sure to apply concrete sealer after pressure washing.
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.
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.
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.
The strong spray from a pressure washer can cause serious wounds that might first appear minor. Wounds that appear minor can cause a person to delay treatment, increasing risk for infection, disability or amputation. The fast, strong spray can throw objects that strike and injure others who are close by.
1. Best Overall Concrete Cleaner—ZEP Purple Pressure Wash. Zep concrete cleaner has several great products, and the ZEP Purple Pressure Wash outdoor cleaner is no exception. This alkaline cleaner is low foaming and easy to rinse from the concrete surface.
As a gentler cleaner, bleach can't harm concrete's durable material. Aside from being an effective cleaner and stain remover, it also acts as a disinfectant to the concrete surface.
Pressure washing is one of the fastest, most effective ways to get your concrete white again. Concrete can change color over time due to pollen, algae, or dirt buildup, but a good pressure wash can easily remove dirt and stains and make your concrete look new again.
In some cases, yes – it will help blast through tougher messes you'd otherwise be unable to get through. However, it may not always be necessary. The benefits of using pressure washer soap can boast magnificent results, especially when cleaning up surfaces that may need a more intense cleaning.
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.
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.