If you're simply trying to clean your driveway or walkway, then power washing alone will be sufficient. However, for long-lasting results and to prevent mold and mildew from penetrating the surface, sealing is necessary.
Power Wash Your Driveway: Applying Waterproof Sealer
After the driveway is pressure washed, it helps to eliminate future stains by applying a waterproof sealer to its surface.
After pressure washing your fence, let it dry for at least 48 hours. You want to allow enough time for all of the absorbed water to evaporate from the wood so it doesn't get sealed in. Once your fence is fully dry, it's important to paint or seal it so that it doesn't become damaged by the sun and wind.
And while it may be tempting to apply a new coat of stain immediately after pressure washing, most experts recommend waiting at least 48 hours before applying any new products.
Sealing an outdoor decorative concrete project is the best way, and as far as we know the only way, to minimize color changes from the sun's UV rays. An unsealed, decorative stained concrete surface will show faded colors in a matter of a few months.
This will help the sealer to penetrate and result in a superior bond between the sealer and the surface. Sealing after acid washing provides long lasting durability and enhances or deepens the colour of your blocks, it is important to seal the acid washed area as it offers excellent protection against staining.
Carefully Rinse All Soap and Detergent Residue. After you finish your pressure washing, make sure to rinse your surfaces. It's very important to rinse after pressure washing with soap. Any soap residue left on your patio or deck will dry and become sticky, and attract more dirt and grime.
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.
Your house is going to need at least 24 hours to fully dry up. Don't worry — it is not in any way “ruined” or less effective if, after the power washing, there are natural weather occurrences.
Cleaning concrete with muriatic acid can be a highly effective solution if used correctly, providing ultra-bright white concrete and removal of many types of stains. In one application, you can remove rust stains, oil stains, algae, and paint splatter with a quick chemical application followed by pressure washing.
Sealing concrete increases its longevity.
Typically, a concrete driveway can last anywhere from 25-30 years unless it becomes damaged. In that case, it will likely need to be replaced sooner. Sealing your concrete not only ensures your concrete surface is protected, but that it is long lasting.
An unsealed concrete floor is going to be more reactive and sensitive to changes in temperature. It will freeze in cold climates and expand in warm ones. This can cause crumbling, chipping, and cracking.
It's Never Too Late …
Sealing your garage floor might not be possible if you have moisture in your garage. This is typically the only scenario where we don't recommend sealing right away, mainly because you should deal with the cause of the moisture first. It could be due to a plumbing leak or a drainage issue.
A sealed concrete driveway can last much longer than an unsealed carport. Although a driveway that hasn't been sealed takes time to breakdown, its deterioration is inevitable. The primary reason concrete doesn't last as long without sealer is that it's a porous material.
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.
Another type of concrete damage we come across is when homeowners power wash their concrete too frequently. Concrete should be power washed annually, so if you power wash your concrete once a month (or even more frequently), it's more likely to wear down and be subject to damage.
If the rain begins after 2-4 hours from concrete placement, the surface needs to be covered; otherwise, the concrete surface will suffer damages. If rains pound on concrete 12 hours after placement, the likeliness of any damage is negligible.
In fact, vinegar removes mold from concrete better than bleach. Bleach will only remove the top layer of mold, causing the mold to return.
Best Time of Day to Power Wash
House washing can be performed at basically any time of the day, as long as you have sufficient light needed to safely complete the job. Extreme summer heat can make it difficult to properly wash your house, especially while working with certain chemicals.
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.
Start by saturating the stained concrete surface with a product like ProClean Neutralizer™. This helps neutralize the acid stain and prepares the surface for thorough cleaning. 2. Gently scrub the neutralizer into the concrete using a soft nylon bristle brush, taking care to wear your spiked shoes during this process.
Once clean, allow it to dry for at least 24 hours before applying concrete sealing. Weather conditions can greatly affect the time it takes a slab to dry - if necessary, use fans or dehumidifiers to accelerate the process.
The reason for washing the residue is to neutralize the acid. So long as you properly neutralize and rinse the concrete well a couple of times, it should be fine. Note: If you do not properly neutralize the stain, then the sealer will lose it's bond, which will then have to be stripped and re-applied.