Reviving Your Driveway: A Complete Professional Guide to Pressure Washing

Your driveway is often the first thing guests see when they visit your home. Over time, it can accumulate mold, dirt, grime, stains, and weathering, leaving it looking worn and unsightly. Fortunately, you can breathe new life into your driveway with a pressure washer, and we're here to guide you through the process.

• Equipment You'll Need: Pressure Washer: Rent or purchase a pressure washer suitable for home use. Opt for a model with adjustable pressure settings to avoid damaging your driveway.
• Safety Gear: Wear safety goggles, closed-toe shoes, and gloves to protect yourself from flying debris and chemicals.
• Detergent: Choose a driveway cleaner or a mixture of dish soap and water.
• Broom and Scrub Brush: Sweep the driveway to remove loose debris and use a scrub brush for stubborn stains. We would highly recommend a commercial surface cleaner attachment instead of using a fan tip.

Steps to Pressure Wash Your Driveway

1. Prepare the Area: Remove any obstacles, like cars or furniture, from the concrete driveway. Cover and/or water nearby plants and grass to protect them from detergent runoff or over-saturation.
2. Apply Detergent: Pre-soak the concrete surface. Mix the detergent with water according to the manufacturer's instructions. Apply it evenly to the entire driveway, paying extra attention to oil stains and heavily soiled areas. Allow it to sit for about 10-15 minutes to loosen the grime.
3. Scrub Stains: Use a scrub brush to work on stubborn stains. For oil stains, you can apply cat litter or baking soda to absorb the oil before scrubbing.
4. Set Up the Pressure Washer: Connect the pressure washer to a water source and plug it in. Attach the appropriate nozzle (usually the 25-degree tip for driveways) or surface cleaner, and slowly row by row power wash the entire driveway surface or work in smaller sections for larger driveways.
5. Rinse the Area: Once a section is complete from pressure washing, go back and rinse all the loose dirt and debris down the driveway and into the yard/cracks.
6. Post-Treatment: This step is optional, but makes your end product, that of a professional pressure washing company. Spray an algaecide treatment on the entire concrete driveway to kill the grime and mold to the root into the pores of the concrete.

Congratulations you now have a clean/brand new looking driveway!