How to Pressure Wash Your Driveway
Erase years of wear and tear from your driveway in just a few simple steps with a pressure washer.
Refresh Your Driveway With a Power Wash
Erase years of wear and tear from your driveway in just a few simple steps with a pressure washer. Power washing can remove stubborn stains and make an older driveway's concrete sparkle.
Tools and Materials:
- broom
- stiff brush
- pressure washer
- pressure-washer detergent
- bottle of spray degreaser
- safety manual
- safety gloves
- plastic sheeting
- painter's tape
- 50-ft. garden hose
- paint tray
- waterproof sealer
- extender pole
- roller cover
- roller handle
1. Sweep Surface
Clear debris and excess dirt or dust from surface using a broom.
Nothing Says Worse for Wear Like a Dirty Driveway
First impressions run deep especially when it comes to your home's curb appeal. Thus, over time, a driveway can begin to look dirty, dingy and worn. Consider pressure washing it for a fresh, clean look.
Sweep Debris from the Driveway Before Power Washing
The first step in power washing a driveway is to clear debris and excess dirt or dust from its surface using a broom. This also prevents any loose material, such as small stones, to interfere with the pressure washer.
2. Protect Exterior Walls and Doors
Cover nearby exterior walls and doors with plastic sheeting and painter’s tape. This will protect doors and walls from loose debris as well as any accidental paint or stain removal from the pressure washer.
Protect Home's Exterior with Plastic Before Power Washing Driveway
After clearing away debris, Step 2 in power washing a driveway is to cover nearby exterior walls and doors with plastic sheeting and painter’s tape. This will protect doors and walls from loose debris as well as any accidental paint or stain removal that could occur from pressure washing.
3. Read Safety Manual
Thoroughly read the proper steps pertinent to your specific pressure washer. Each is different and may require special preparation, assembly or attachments.
4. Degrease Surface
Ensure proper cleaning by spraying concrete with a bottle of spray degreaser, keeping a distance of 6 inches from the surface. Scrub degreaser into the concrete using a stiff brush or pressure-washer attachment tool.
Brian Patrick Flynn
5. Attach Spray Wand Tip for Detergent
First, select a tip designated for washing often labeled “soap.” Then snap it into place at the head of the spray wand.
Brian Patrick Flynn
6. Attach Hoses
Connect supplied pressure-washer hose and wand to pressure washer. Next, attach a 50-foot garden hose to the pressure washer’s water supply, then turn on the water.
7. Prepare Pressure Washer for Detergent
Place detergent siphon tube, usually supplied with and attached to pressure washer, directly into detergent container. Once the pressure washer is crank-started, the tube will immediately bring detergent into the water stream of the spray wand.
Brian Patrick Flynn
8. Spray Detergent
Protect hands with safety gloves, then apply the detergent by holding down the spray handle, keeping a consistent distance of 8 to 18 inches from concrete. Work your way back and forth in a smooth, controlled manner, overlapping each stroke by 6 to 8 inches. Let the sprayed detergent sit on the surface for 5 minutes.
Brian Patrick Flynn
9. Pressure-Wash Concrete
Change the tip labeled “soap” to the tip labeled “25 degrees.” Pressure-wash concrete by holding down the spray handle, working your way back and forth from one side of the concrete surface to the other, overlapping each stroke by 6 to 8 inches. For tougher stains such as paint, hold the tip 3 to 4 inches from the concrete surface, moving with slower, nearly still strokes to ensure removal.
Brian Patrick Flynn
Brian Patrick Flynn
Brian Patrick Flynn
Brian Patrick Flynn
Brian Patrick Flynn
10. Seal Concrete
Pour waterproof sealer into paint pan, add roller cover to roller handle, and attach extender pole. Next, starting in the middle of the area, roller waterproof sealer out from the middle to all edges of concrete. Allow 24 hours before parking on the surface.
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. Pour waterproof sealer into a paint pan, add a roller cover to a roller handle, and attach an extender pole. Next, starting in the middle of area, roll waterproof sealer out from the middle to all edges of the concrete. Allow 24 hours before parking on the driveway's surface.
How to Pressure Wash Almost Everything Around Your House 21 Photos
Get tips on how to power wash a variety of outdoor items including siding, decks, patios and kids' playsets. Plus, find information on buying a pressure washer, when to pressure wash and FAQs about how they work.
