Materials and Tools Needed For Pressure Washing a Driveway:
- Broom
- Pressure washer
- Pressure-washer detergent
- Safety glasses
- Protective gloves
- Work boots
- Painter’s tape
- Tarp
- Garden hope
- Waterproof sealer
- Spray bottle of degreaser
- Stiff brush
- Paint roller
- Paint roller extension
Here are a few simple steps that can help you learn how to pressure wash brick driveways and walkways quickly
Step 1: Prepare and Clean the Surface
Using the broom, clear any loose debris and excess dirt from the surface. If your driveway or walkway is connected to any walls or doors, you may want to cover them with a tarp and some painters tape to protect their surfaces from accidents or flying debris.
Step 2: Read Safety Manual
Thoroughly read your specific pressure washer’s safety manual to ensure you have properly assembled the pressure washer. Each one is different and requires its special preparation and steps.
Step 3: Degrease the Surface
To ensure proper cleaning, you need to spray an even coat of degreaser, keeping a distance of 6 inches from the surface. Applying a degreaser will help loosen stains and allow you to easily pressure it away. After successfully spraying the degreaser, using a stiff brush or attachment tool, scrub the degreaser into the surface.
Step 4: Prepare the Pressure Washer
If your pressure washer came with instructions, follow those to the specific model you are using. You’ll need to connect the spray wand to the washer using a pressure hose. Then connect the washer to a water supply using a spare gardening hose. Turn on the water to make sure it is working. Apply the detergent by using the low-pressure nozzle, and for rinsing, use the high-pressure nozzle. The high-pressure nozzle should not be used on brick surfaces because it can damage them.
Step 5: Begin Spraying Detergent
Slip-on protective safety gloves and begin to apply the detergent by handling the spray handle. Keep a consistent 8 to 18 inches of distance from the surface. Work back and forth in smooth and controlled strokes. Overlap each stroke by 6 to 8 inches. After completing, let the sprayed detergent sit on the surface for 30 minutes to an hour.
Step 6: Rinse the Surface
It is time to wash the surface. Switch to the high-pressure nozzle and set to its rinse mode. Start at the higher end of the driveway and work your way down. Point the wand at the surface and squeeze the trigger. Sweep the nozzle back and forth across the surface, like the detergent, and overlap each stroke. For heavier stains, be sure to sweep over them multiple times. Rinse the surface till all the detergent is gone.
Step 7: Seal the Surface
Before you seal, make sure the surface has dried completely. Pour waterproof sealer into a paint pan and assemble the roller to the extender pole. Start in the middle of the area and begin rolling the waterproof sealer out from the middle to all the edges of the surface. The sealant will help protect and keep future stains from appearing. After an even coat to the surface, allow a full 24 hours before using or parking on the surface.
How to Pressure Wash a Brick Driveway
Brick driveways require different and gentler treatment. When pressure cleaning a brick driveway, you want to soak the driveway down with water. After this, use your most delicate spray nozzle and spray the entire brick surface wet. This doesn’t allow any detergent to absorb in the brink. While wet, apply the proper detergent with nozzle and let it soak for 5 minutes. Attach a rinsing nozzle to remove all the dirt, grime, and detergent. Make sure you don’t destroy the mortar to ensure your brick driveway is still staying strong.
The best way to pressure wash your driveway is to call the expert team at HydroClean. Contact us for the highest quality driveway pressure washing in the Asheville area.