Can You Use A Pressure Washer To Clean Your Driveway?

Can You Use A Pressure Washer To Clean Your Driveway?

If cleaned and carefully maintained, a robust driveway installed by professionals can last for years whilst maintaining a high-quality look free of streaking and fading.

For some materials such as resin, cleaning can simply be a matter of sweeping away debris, gentle washing and using a sealant to maintain a like-new glossy look.

However, many people like to use a pressure washer or jet washer to clean their garden and will often use the same equipment to clean their driveway as well.

Given that a pressure washer has a reputation for being powerful enough to quickly scrub away stains and stubborn debris, it is understandable that many would like to use the same approach to easily wash their drive clean.

The answer is that you can, but how you use the washer will depend on what your driveway is made of.

A concrete drive is ideal for use with a pressure washer, but sandstone and other natural stone surfaces can be seriously damaged using a jet washer, so it is important to check with an expert before your drive requires costly repairs.

As well as this, it is best to start with a light pressure setting and a somewhat wide-angle nozzle such as 25 degrees, which will provide enough cleaning pressure without damaging the surface. Only switch to a narrower nozzle for short blasts to tackle stubborn stains.

Hold the nozzle wand at least 30 cm away from the surface and at a slight angle to avoid putting too much pressure on the drive surface.

Finally, once you are done cleaning, let the driveway air dry if possible, avoiding putting any cars onto the driveway until then. This is also why the best day to use a pressure washer is a warm and sunny day with little chance of rain.

Ultimately, a pressure washer is an option to clean many driveways but it pays to check to make sure your surface will benefit from it.