Power washing a driveway

[bobg03]

I have a Honda powered simpson power washer, 3400 PSI, 2.5 gpms. Similar to the John Deere washer I left to my brother up north 10 years ago when I relocated here to the south.

I currently have a concrete driveway out front and a large concrete patio out back, never had concrete in this quantity before, out back is fine to power wash once a year no trees and plenty of sun.

The driveway on the other hand especially closer to the house with shade and trees becomes a greenish tint that is hard to make presentable with a wand. I see the circular rotating brushes that are sold, but the reviews are less than stellar.

Are these worth the money or am I better to hire a professional to complete this task? I am disabled and it would take me multiple days with a brush due to the pain I live with daily.

 

[rust in the eye]

A large expanse of concrete will be a bunch easier with something like this. Otherwise you'll be leaving clean lines/dirty spots and chasing the later seemingly forever.

https://www.northerntool.com/products/powerhorse-pressure-washer-surface-cleaner-12in-dia-3000-psi-4-0-gpm-49433?cm_mmc=Google-LIA&utm_source=Google_LIA&utm_medium=Pressure%20Washers%20%3E%20Pressure%20Washer%20Accessories%20%3E%20Pressure%20Washer%20Surface%20Cleaners&utm_campaign=Powerhorse&utm_content=49433&ogmap=SHP%7cLIA%7cGOOG%7cSTND%7cc%7cSITEWIDE%7c%7c%7c%7c%7c2076951023%7c78255573002&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsa2Uh_PH_gIVgCyzAB3KqAYEEAQYASABEgKGEfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[shoot summ]

Surface cleaners work great, not sure why it took me so long to get one.

Just watch your pressure and make certain you don't blow the top layer off.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

A large expanse of concrete will be a bunch easier with something like this. Otherwise you'll be leaving clean lines/dirty spots and chasing the later seemingly forever.

https://www.northerntool.com/products/powerhorse-pressure-washer-surface-cleaner-12in-dia-3000-psi-4-0-gpm-49433?cm_mmc=Google-LIA&utm_source=Google_LIA&utm_medium=Pressure%20Washers%20%3E%20Pressure%20Washer%20Accessories%20%3E%20Pressure%20Washer%20Surface%20Cleaners&utm_campaign=Powerhorse&utm_content=49433&ogmap=SHP%7cLIA%7cGOOG%7cSTND%7cc%7cSITEWIDE%7c%7c%7c%7c%7c2076951023%7c78255573002&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsa2Uh_PH_gIVgCyzAB3KqAYEEAQYASABEgKGEfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

We have a similar one and it works great.

You need a decent amount of pressure and flow so a gas PW (what we use) is probably in order.

 

[RTM]

I've seen someone using what he called a pressure washer "broom". How would those work in his application? Are they power hogs also?

 

[minke]

Caution anecdote: while getting a new roof, the roofers ate lunch on our porch and spilled something that stained the concrete. The roofing company's "fixer" power washed the porch with some kind of cleaner and caused a high contrast texture difference on the surface. The concrete was ~30 years old. The fix required three coats of epoxy paint and sand.

Try to avoid spending too much time on spots.

 

[bobg03]

I have no stains as no cars leak, just a greenish hue from where the sprinklers and rain never see as much sun as the the rest of the driveway does.

Caution anecdote: while getting a new roof, the roofers ate lunch on our porch and spilled something that stained the concrete. The roofing company's "fixer" power washed the porch with some kind of cleaner and caused a high contrast texture difference on the surface. The concrete was ~30 years old. The fix required three coats of epoxy paint and sand.

Try to avoid spending too much time on spots.

 

[Mike S.]

I pressure washed my driveway, sidewalk and back patio last spring after we purchased our house. I don't think the previous owner ever bothered with it. We had several areas that were stained green with some sort of algea and I've found that this stuff works pretty well.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/30-SECONDS-Outdoor-Cleaner-2-5-Gallon-Algae-Mold-and-Mildew-Cleaner/5013224279?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-lwn-_-ggl-_-LIA_LWN_127_Cleaning-_-5013224279-_-local-_-0-_-0&gclid=CjwKCAjwl6OiBhA2EiwAuUwWZVgsa-USLv28BA6R57x9d9pxSThdxpONwq1RiLeqrCGLR4JDnN4JPBoCgDQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

For tougher spots, I used diluted muriatic acid.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I tried a surface cleaner with my pressure washer (may be 3300 PSI). The multiple nozzels didn't seem to have enough pressure to cut through the dirt.
I do have a turbo nozzle that does a great job.

 

[Az Scooter]

Nozzle sizes vary. You need to make sure your nozzles match your pressure washer, otherwise a surface cleaner wont work. With a very small pressure washer, which 2.3 gpm is, you realistically will not be able to use a surface cleaner. You will also spend a ton of time power washing it.
If it was me, I would test a spot with some bleach or chlorine. Spray it on, let it dwell, and you might be surprised. Then you can rinse it with your pressure washer. There may be other chemicals that could be used, depending on what the stain truly is.
If you dont want to spend the money on a machine suited for that level of work, it might be worth it to spend a couple hundred dollars on a professional.
For the record, this is what I have done for a living for the last 30 years, so I may be biased.

 

[BowFisher]

Buy some liquid pool shock. Take a 2 gallon pump up sprayer and fill half way with water and some dish detergent (Gain works the best), and fill the pump sprayer the rest of the way with the pool shock. Spray the drive way really good, multiple times of needed. This will instantly kill the algae and will allowit to come off very easy with a pressure washer wand. This also works great for siding and even roofs. But don't use a pressure washer on a roof, just coat it well with this mixture and let it sit. The wain and wind will do the rest and a roof will look brand new.

Lowes sells a cheap 12 or 16" surface cleaner that works decently if your power washer will handle it. I use 8gpm machines and large surface cleaners. But I also do gigantic parking lots, drives, etc. at times.

I own a pressure washing business.

 

[bobg03]

I tried a surface cleaner with my pressure washer (may be 3300 PSI). The multiple nozzels didn't seem to have enough pressure to cut through the dirt.
I do have a turbo nozzle that does a great job.

Those were my thoughts too..It's not the whole driveway that's green.

Nozzle sizes vary. You need to make sure your nozzles match your pressure washer, otherwise a surface cleaner wont work. With a very small pressure washer, which 2.3 gpm is, you realistically will not be able to use a surface cleaner. You will also spend a ton of time power washing it.
If it was me, I would test a spot with some bleach or chlorine. Spray it on, let it dwell, and you might be surprised. Then you can rinse it with your pressure washer. There may be other chemicals that could be used, depending on what the stain truly is.
If you dont want to spend the money on a machine suited for that level of work, it might be worth it to spend a couple hundred dollars on a professional.
For the record, this is what I have done for a living for the last 30 years, so I may be biased.

Thanks for a realistic answer, I'm going to try a turbo nozzle that matches my washer for pressure and see who it works with spraying bleach or chlorine to at least get the heavy spots off. If it fails I'll get the professional with bigger equipment to do it.

It seems that doing it every year was ez with the washer, but it got neglected for 2 years while my wife was sick.

 

[supratreo]

i have this one but it was about $30 cheaper when i got it years ago.
still using it and it cut my washing time by about 75%. it doesn't clean as good as maybe a 25 degree nozzle but i'd say its about 90% and thats fine with me for the amount of time i'm saving.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H5BJ3VR/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Az Scooter]

The post right above yours gave an even more detailed description.

 

[shoot summ]

Those were my thoughts too..It's not the whole driveway that's green.

Thanks for a realistic answer, I'm going to try a turbo nozzle that matches my washer for pressure and see who it works with spraying bleach or chlorine to at least get the heavy spots off. If it fails I'll get the professional with bigger equipment to do it.

It seems that doing it every year was ez with the washer, but it got neglected for 2 years while my wife was sick.

I have a smaller Troybuilt vertical shaft washer, 3K psi, 2.4GPM iirc, it works just fine with the surface cleaner. A turbo nozzle puts you at risk of blowing the surface off, and you are washing a 4"-6" circle or so. The surface cleaner is doing a 8"-12" circle, much faster, and much easier as you aren't worried about controlling the distance from the concrete.

It may not be the whole driveway, but once you start washing, you wash everything, it is addictive, the results are pretty remarkable.

 

[Bucko]

This little thing will cut your time in half and remove more than the round rotating surface cleaners.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/SurfaceMaxx-3600-Turbo-Nozzle/3117679

It also will not blow out a bunch of dirt when you get close to the edge of the sidewalk and hit the grassy areas. You can get knockoff ones for way cheaper in Amazon, just watch the orifice size because they sell some "soft-wash" tips that won't work as well.

 

[bobg03]

It may not be the whole driveway, but once you start washing, you wash everything, it is addictive, the results are pretty remarkable.

My lawn guy let me try his commercial brand circular washer, my power washer was rated to handle the one he had. While it did do a good job it was harder for a guy who even has a tough time handling even a vacuum cleaner in the house.

I used the inductor on the machine to foam it up with a driveway cleaner and I used the turbo nozzle and found it was easier for me to keep it at a safe distance and clean it up well.
It was addicting but I got the half that was really bad very clean and about a 1/4 more that wasn't too bad, I'll save the final 1/4 of the driveway at the road for another day when I don't hurt so bad. The struggle of pain is real...

Thanx for all the advice...

 

[shoot summ]

My lawn guy let me try his commercial brand circular washer, my power washer was rated to handle the one he had. While it did do a good job it was harder for a guy who even has a tough time handling even a vacuum cleaner in the house.

I used the inductor on the machine to foam it up with a driveway cleaner and I used the turbo nozzle and found it was easier for me to keep it at a safe distance and clean it up well.
It was addicting but I got the half that was really bad very clean and about a 1/4 more that wasn't too bad, I'll save the final 1/4 of the driveway at the road for another day when I don't hurt so bad. The struggle of pain is real...

Thanx for all the advice...

That is interesting. I've probably washed 1000's of sq ft with a turbo nozzle, for me it is a slow and arduous task, your feet get soaked unless you are wearing rubber boots. My first surface cleaner didn't have wheels, stiff brushes around the edges, it took a little getting used to but was way easier for me than the turbo. Surface cleaner #2 has wheels, it is so easy, other than the wheels do sometimes hang in the expansion joints.

 

[mike93lx]

Chemicals! If you hire a pro, they'll treat with sodium hypophosphite (bleach solution) and use a surface cleaner. Turbo nozzle for a driveway will use up a ton of time and won't come out as even as a surface cleaner

 

[bobg03]

Chemicals! If you hire a pro, they'll treat with sodium hypophosphite (bleach solution) and use a surface cleaner. Turbo nozzle for a driveway will use up a ton of time and won't come out as even as a surface cleaner

Part of my next annual budget is a yearly wash of the house and driveway by a pro. For now tho, the green is gone,,

Sometimes life throws one a curve ball and you have to pick your battles. After dealing with a sick spouse for 2 years and her unexpected passing in November, which is why it got out of hand in the first place along with all her mulch and plants. I felt that having my landscaper clean up the yard by removing the dead shrubs and gardens, planting some grass in these areas and cutting/trimming some useless trees and replacing the mulch with river rock was a better investment this year as it really cleaned the place up nicely.

When the household budget gets reduced by $4k a month and two months later a crazy girl T-bones and totals a vehicle that you had no plans to replace you have to pick your battles.

Don't fret tho, I can still handle an unexpected expense with no problem. (More than the $1K thread.. )I just have to think before I spend and seeing as for now I've decided to stay put, it's easier to plan ahead.

 

[mike93lx]

I'm not saying you can't diy it, just noting that a good pro won't just run water and wouldn't use a turbo nozzle

 

[bobg03]

I'm not saying you can't diy it, just noting that a good pro won't just run water and wouldn't use a turbo nozzle

I realize that, that point was made clear in the OP. I just felt that the cleaner I already had (which is what my landscaper recommended 8 years ago) and I was using and keeping keeping up with it til recently along with the turbo nozzle would make it much more presentable than it was.

As i said he let me try his scrubber to see if I could run it, but it's too much for my ravaged body.
Let's say I needed a cheap and reasonable solution for the time being...this was it.

He knows I won't ever be able to mow my lawn or rake leaves, but we thought that I might be able to do this. I'm at the point where I have even had a housecleaner for the last few years. Getting old *****, but the daily pain of that is even worse. Sit on the beach, not a rats *** chance in hell that I'd be able to get up at this point, I bring a lawn chair.

 

[The Critic]

Nozzle sizes vary. You need to make sure your nozzles match your pressure washer, otherwise a surface cleaner wont work. With a very small pressure washer, which 2.3 gpm is, you realistically will not be able to use a surface cleaner. You will also spend a ton of time power washing it.
If it was me, I would test a spot with some bleach or chlorine. Spray it on, let it dwell, and you might be surprised. Then you can rinse it with your pressure washer. There may be other chemicals that could be used, depending on what the stain truly is.
If you dont want to spend the money on a machine suited for that level of work, it might be worth it to spend a couple hundred dollars on a professional.
For the record, this is what I have done for a living for the last 30 years, so I may be biased.

This. Anything less than 4gpm is not going to work well with a surface cleaner, even the smallest 16" pro grade ones will want 4gpm.

 

[BowFisher]

Chemicals! If you hire a pro, they'll treat with sodium hypophosphite (bleach solution) and use a surface cleaner. Turbo nozzle for a driveway will use up a ton of time and won't come out as even as a surface cleaner

Are you sure you don't mean sodium hypochlorite? I have been a professional power washer for almost 30 years now and one of the biggest in my area, and Sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide are the two most used chems for concrete cleaning.. I have never used hypophosphate for it, or know of any others that do..

 

[mike93lx]

Are you sure you don't mean sodium hypochlorite? I have been a professional power washer for almost 30 years now and one of the biggest in my area, and Sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide are the two most used chems for concrete cleaning.. I have never used hypophosphate for it, or know of any others that do..

Yes, my bad. I was going through some inventory at work this morning and had sodium hypophosphite on my mind

 

[dawgn86]

i just finished mine using my Northstar GX 6.5 HP Honda engine and Comet pump at 3000psi. It has been over two years so I just used the 45 degree wand tip and broke it up into sections. Took about 4 days but really looks nice. I have the 12" surface cleaner that works well if it doesnt get too grimy in between washing.

 

[BowFisher]

i just finished mine using my Northstar GX 6.5 HP Honda engine and Comet pump at 3000psi. It has been over two years so I just used the 45 degree wand tip and broke it up into sections. Took about 4 days but really looks nice. I have the 12" surface cleaner that works well if it doesnt get too grimy in between washing.

Wow! You're time has got to be worth something! I could do a 2000sf drive in a matter of minutes and charge probably $75-100.

 

[Az Scooter]

Wow! You're time has got to be worth something! I could do a 2000sf drive in a matter of minutes and charge probably $75-100.

Same. With me, I decide if it is worth paying someone, and if I do, its because I could make more in the time it takes me.

 

[danski0224]

For now tho, the green is gone,,

Try "Wet and Forget".

 

[Munka]

Just got my hands on the Sun Joe electric pressure washer and I'm pumped to give it a spin on my driveway! I'm hoping for some impressive results.