Tuesday 6 August 2013

How To Clean Your Driveway Without Ruining The Concrete

Most of us buy a power washer from our local hardware superstore. These machines are also known as jet washers or pressure washers. They basically send a high powered stream of water out of the nozzle to blast away dirt. The problem with using these machines on a concrete driveway or patio is that they will take the face off the surface.

Most concrete driveways have a top layer which is different to the inside. On pattern imprinted driveways this has a protective coating and coloured dye. Ornamental paving slabs also have a coloured outer layer. Repeated use of a power washer will wear this layer away.

If you are cleaning your concrete regularly the surface will become rougher which means dirt will stick easier. The finish will also deteriorate meaning loss of colour and eventually the inner aggregate stone will show.

Dan from Sale Exterior Restoration is a driveway cleaning specialist and he recommends either letting a professional company like his do the job, or follow the steps below. He says;

“a company like us will only need to do this job every 5-10 years, depending on the surface type and location. Using a cheap power washer twice a year or so will just ruin your surface.”

If you want to do the job yourself follow these steps:

1. Hire a good quality power washer instead of buying one. The top of the range machines omit a much stronger jet of water. This makes the job much faster and eliminates “streaks” from areas missed or rushed.

2. Once cleaned, sweep off any dirt which has gathered in puddles. Then leave the surface until it is bone dry. Whilst waiting purchase a suitable sealant for your driveway. Be aware than some sealants have a subtle matt finish and others have a glossy finish which can be very shiny.

3. Brush the surface with a medium brush. Then apply the sealer. Follow the instructions on the packaging. Usually 2 coats is required. Once applied you can sit back and relax for the next 5-10 years because the sealant will protect the concrete from the elements and from attracting dirt. Using a sealant will help prevent cracks in concrete which are most common in areas which freeze up in winter.

Note: if you decide to DIY check that your black waterproofing damp prevention sheet is at least 2 bricks above your paving. If not I recommend speaking to waterproofing companies to check if the water could cause damp.