Pressure Washing for Driveways, Patios and Prep

The right pressure for each surface

Pressure washing is not one setting applied to everything. Concrete driveways and walkways can take high pressure and a rotary surface cleaner that removes embedded dirt evenly without leaving stripes. Pavers need enough pressure to clean but not so much that it blasts out the joint sand. Softer materials such as wood, painted surfaces and stucco can be damaged by high pressure, so those are cleaned at low pressure or with a softwash method instead. We assess each surface before starting and adjust the pressure, nozzle and cleaning solution so the result is clean without etching, gouging or forcing water where it should not go.

Washing before painting

Paint bonds to a clean surface and fails on a dirty one. Before an exterior repaint, walls, trim and eaves are washed to remove dirt, chalking from old paint, cobwebs and mildew. In the North Bay, that wash also removes the smoke and soot residue that settles on homes during fire season, which would otherwise sit between the old paint and the new. Loose, flaking paint often comes away during the wash, which shows where scraping is needed. The house is then left to dry fully before any primer or paint goes on, which in the dry season is usually a short wait.

Oil, rust and stain treatment

Some stains do not come out with water alone. Oil drips on driveways and garage aprons are pre-treated with a degreaser before washing. Rust stains from sprinklers, patio furniture or metal fixtures need a rust remover that is safe for concrete. Organic stains from leaves, algae and mildew in shaded areas respond to a cleaning solution applied before the rinse. Some old stains lighten considerably without disappearing completely, and we will tell you before starting which ones are likely to remain. Runoff is directed away from planting beds where possible, and nearby plants are rinsed to protect them.