Your driveway will inevitably accumulate stains, dirt, and gunk over time, especially if your household is active or always on the go. Aside from heavy traffic, environmental elements like sunlight, rain, ice, and snow can also do a number on your concrete driveway and make it look worn out in no time.
Unkept driveways are more than just a frustrating aesthetic issue. Oil and grease stains left sitting on the surface can permanently damage the exposed aggregate. Untidy pavements can also become prone to algae, mold, and moss growth, ultimately causing irreversible discoloration, slipping hazards, and other problems.
If your driveway hasn’t been looking its best, professional pressure washing is one service you want to take advantage of. It can give your concrete surface a deep clean, giving it a new look and protecting it from damaging elements.
This leads us to the question, how often should you pressure wash your driveway? More importantly, when is the best time to give your concrete surfaces a good wash? We’ll delve into the answers to these and more.
How Often Should I Pressure Wash My Driveway?
Just like how you clean your living spaces regularly, the areas outside your home, like your driveway, need periodic cleaning. This way, they can remain blemish-free, welcoming, functional, and enjoyable for longer.
How often should you pressure wash your driveway? Generally, you’ll want your concrete driveway pressure washed at least once a year. This lets you treat sunbaked dirt, grime buildup, and stubborn oil stains, making regular cleaning in between professional washes much more manageable.
Of course, you can always schedule extra pressure washing services as needed. For example, if you’re living in a place with high humidity, bi-annual pressure washing can prevent mold and mildew from taking over your concrete.
Here are some factors that can help you decide when to pressure wash your driveway:
Traffic
If your driveway is often subject to heavy traffic from vehicles and pedestrians, you’ll want to schedule more frequent surface cleaning services.
The Location
Exterior surfaces like driveways are regularly exposed to sunlight, rain, ice, snow, and wind, which can cause them to deteriorate faster. While interior spaces like garage floors only need to be washed at least once in two years, your driveway may have to be cleaned more often.
Sealing
While sealing effectively protects concrete surfaces from different kinds of damage, it does not eliminate the need for pressure washing. Instead, it makes cleaning easier and more effective.
Nearby Trees and Shrubs
If trees, shrubs, and plants surround your driveway, you may need to pressure wash it more frequently to keep dead leaves and other debris from leaving permanent damage.
Any Allergies in the Family
If you have family members who are asthmatic or have allergies, frequent surface cleaning may be necessary to prevent mold growth and the buildup of other allergens on your driveway.
Your Needs and Preferences
Whether your preparing for a family gathering or you simply want your driveway neat all year round, it’s always helpful to have an idea of your unique requirements. Your needs and preferences are also crucial factors you can consider when deciding when to hire surface cleaning services.
The Best Time To Pressure Wash Driveway Surfaces
Cleaning driveways is a lot easier when the surface isn’t covered in snow and ice. If you live in an area with harsh winters, spring is an ideal time to bring out your pressure washing equipment or enlist professional pressure washing services. Around this time, you’ll be able to not only clear away the debris left by the colder months but also prepare your driveway for spring and summer activities.
It’s also a good idea to clean concrete driveways near the end of the summer to remove any grease, mold, or moss that has accumulated over the past months.
No matter what season you decide to pressure wash your driveway, mornings are arguably the best time of the day to start the task. This way, the concrete surface will have enough time to dry before everyone comes home from work or school. During winter, performing surface cleaning early keeps the wastewater from freezing on the driveway and creating hazards at night.
The Best Time To Power Wash Driveway Surfaces
Driveway power washing involves clearing stubborn dirt, grime, and mold from surfaces using a high-pressure stream of hot water. The heat makes removing chewing gums, grease stains, and persistent residues on driveways easier. In addition, the blast of hot water effectively controls weeds and mold and keeps them from growing back soon.
Power washing is a heavy-duty option for surface cleaning. As such, the best time to power wash driveway concrete is generally if you need to cover a wide area or deal with stubborn, sunbaked blemishes.
However, keep in mind that the force of hot water can also damage the surface you’re working on. Whether you’re using pressure washing equipment or a power washer, it’s best to let a professional do the job if you are not properly trained to operate these tools.
Keep Your Driveway Beautiful, Safe, and Enjoyable Without Breaking a Sweat
Regular cleaning is necessary to keep your property looking great, but how often should you pressure wash your driveway? Running your pressure washing equipment or enlisting the help of professionals at least once a year can help prevent stains and other blemishes from building up and taking over your driveway. With that said, factors like traffic and activity, your driveway’s sealing, and allergies in the family can also influence how frequently you need your concrete surfaces pressure washed.
If you need advice on your driveway’s upkeep or professional pressure washing, The Driveway Company can help. Our knowledgeable and friendly experts can assist with all your concrete needs and answer any questions you may have about maintaining your concrete paving. The best part? We’re experts in operating pressure and power washing machines, and you can count on us to renew your driveway and prolong its lifespan.
Get in touch with us today for a free inspection. We look forward to breathing new life into your concrete surfaces!