Six Easy Steps to Power Washing for a Cleaner, Sparkling Area

There’s no better time than the beginning of summer to pressure wash your concrete driveway and patio and there’s no better way to clean stained, dingy concrete than a pressure washer. If you don’t own one, go to your local home store and rent one for the day. It’s fairly cheap. In 2-4 hours, you’ll have a sparkling new area with added home improvement.

Follow these six easy steps to a crisper, cleaner-looking curb appeal:

1. Prepare the Area as Well as Yourself

   Be sure the surface area is free of any loose stone and dirt. If the surface butts up to walls or doors, you may want to cover them with a tarp to protect them from water spots and dirt and debris that flies up. The force of the water will splash back at you so think about wearing long pants and work boots or heavy-duty shoes. 

2. Degrease the Surface

   Apply a cleaner or degreaser before cleaning the oil stains. This allows you to “pressure” them away. Your washer may have an attachment tool for applying a degreaser. If not, scrub the cleaner into the surface with a push broom or stiff-bristled brush. 

3. Get the Pressure Washer Ready

   Connect the spray wand to the power washer pressure hose, and the washer to your outdoor water spigot using a garden hose. 

4. Clean the Concrete

   Determine which way water flows then start at the highest point and work downward. To apply the detergent, be sure to use the low-pressure nozzle. To rinse, use the high-pressure nozzle.* It’s important to remember not to keep the nozzle any closer than 12" from the surface otherwise it could cause damage. Move back and forth across the concrete with a steady, sweeping motion, overlapping each stroke by several inches.

   Once the detergent is applied, let it stand for 15 minutes or so, rewetting if it looks as though it’s drying out. A pressure rating of at least 3000 psi should be used to clean the concrete surface with a flow rate of at least 4 gallons per minute (gpm). Higher pressures may be needed to remove tough stains such as skid marks or paint.

5. Rinse the Concrete

   After 15 minutes, set the pressure washer to rinse mode and switch to the high-pressure nozzle. Repeat the same sweeping pattern as before and rinse the detergent off using the spray to lift any grime or stains. Make tighter sweeps to lift heavier stains. Be sure to rinse the detergent completely. 

6. Sealant

   By applying a sealant, you can prevent future stains. Wait for the concrete to dry completely. Using a roller with an extension poll, coat the surface with a sealant. Allow the surface to set a full day before driving or walking on it. 

For more information on concrete cleaning and sealing, contact the experts at  B & W Custom Concrete.

*Do not use the high-pressure nozzle on brick surfaces.