Pressure Washing Your Driveway
A driveway will get dusty and worn out over time. When left unattended, you might see a lot of tire marks and thick layers of mud, oil and grime. That doesn’t sound enticing, isn’t it? Before you panic, there’s a way to resolve this problem: pressure washing your driveway. This is a cost-effective way to restore your driveway’s pristine condition while enhancing your curb appeal. The problem is, not all homeowners know how to pressure wash a driveway. Or, at the very least, they have no idea how pressure washing works. We got you covered. It’s fairly easy to understand the basics through this guide. Here are top tips for pressure washing your driveway.
Time it Right
Perfect timing is the key. Why? Because pressure washers require a lot of water. If your supply comes from a well, it’s recommended to pressure wash whenever there’s less water usage. You surely don’t want to do it during your laundry day, or whenever there’s a bunch of guests at home. During drought, you may consider postponing it until there’s enough water supply for you to pressure wash.
Wear Safety Gear
Before you begin the pressure driveway washing, make sure you are appropriately dressed and have the required equipment. Pressure washers are very noisy, and debris might spill back into your face. It’s a brilliant idea to wear safety glasses, hearing aid, and shoes with at least a good grip. Pressure washers should be used with caution since they can cause damage if not treated properly. Remember that children should not be able to touch or come into contact with pressure washers.
This is a no-brainer if you’ll use the pressure washer. But if you’ll hire a house washing company, make sure that the technicians wear proper safety gear before they get to work. That’s the right thing to do.
Bigger is Faster
If you want to clean your driveway quickly and efficiently, use a pressure washer of at least 3100 PSI. Using pressure washers with pressures ranging from 1000 to 2300 PSI will also help you clean your driveway, but it will take a long time. Small pressure washers are cheap but inefficient for house washing. If your driveway is made of asphalt, a pressure washer with a higher PSI value is the way to go.
Purge the Hose
You must thoroughly read the user manual for your pressure washer. Not all pressure washers are turned on as soon as they’re connected to hoses. It’s still a good idea to squeeze the button for a few seconds before you get a nice steady stream. This releases the air, preparing the system for a more powerful blast. This is the way to go if you want a better idea for pressure washer upkeep.
Choose the Proper Nozzle
Using the correct nozzle is essential if you choose to use a pressure washer effectively. The most effective punches are usually delivered from the smallest angles. If you’re cleaning around the driveway, a 25-degree nozzle will suffice. If you want to remove concrete with detergent, a 65 or 45-degree nozzle will suffice. Before using the machine, always ensure that the nozzle tip is completely attached.
Spot-Treat Stains
Yes, pressure washing your entire driveway is a must, but there are surely some areas that need more of your attention. This is where spot treatment comes into play. It’s suggested that you apply the cleaning solution on certain parts of the driveway to loosen accumulated stains and marks. This makes the cleaning process easier and more straightforward. After that, you can use a pressure washer to clean the driveway.
Follow an Order
So you want to start at the top and work your way down. This prevents the dirty water from dripping over the places you just cleaned. Then move towards the edges. Sweep the water back and forth. It’s also recommended to work in smaller sections. Meaning, apply the cleaning solution in 10 x 10-ft. sections.
Lastly, don’t forget to extend your reach. You or your technician should use an extension hose when cleaning your driveway. This makes the job faster and easier.
DIY or Hire the Pros?
Pressure washing your driveway on your own can be a hit or miss. If you know how to operate a pressure washer and use the proper cleaning solution, everything will be fine. With the perfect timing to do the task, you can clean your driveway in no time. First-timers are expected to adjust and probably make some mistakes. With practice, you can eventually learn how to use a pressure washer correctly.
But if you’re a busy person and uninterested in pressure washing your home’s exterior, let the technicians handle it. There are house washing companies that offer different services, which include driveway cleaning. So aside from this job, they can provide you an all-in-one package that cleans the rest of your exteriors. All you have to do is find the right company and schedule an appointment with them.
Either way, it’s all up to you. Are you after affordability and resourcefulness? Or are you looking for convenience? The decision is for you to make.
Work with Brisbane’s Top Exterior House Washing Team
If you choose to work with a house washing company instead, House Washing Experts are here to help you out. We have a trained and skilled team of technicians who are experts in driveway cleaning. We use safety gear and equipment in every work we do. And you can guarantee great results with us. We’ve cleaned thousands of houses in Brisbane for years, and our customers can easily spot the difference with their fresh and clean driveway.
Get your FREE quote here or call us at 1300 927 433 for more information!