Is pressure washing a good way to clean my paved driveway?

Paved driveways are pleasing to look at and form a solid surface for parking, playing, or walking. Professional paving contractors in Sylvania assure you the durability and long-lasting strength of paved surfaces so that you can enjoy your sidewalks, patios, and driveway even after years of installation. These driveways can be made by using bricks, stones, or concrete. All these materials have similar methods for cleaning and maintenance but there are some differences seen in repairing these surfaces. These differences depend on the longevity and cost of each material.

Cleaning your driveway with pressure washing

Like any other part of your property or any other area that needs to be aesthetically pleasing, paved driveways also need special attention for cleaning. Different paving contractors in Sylvania offer services for cleaning installed driveways but it is not necessary to hire a professional for the job. You can clean it yourself or assign this task to professional cleaners rather than pavers. We are all familiar with pressure washing, it has been used to wash cars and carpets for years and now many people have started using it to clean the paved driveways as well. Some of the advantages of pressure washing are as follows:

1.     Why should you use pressure washing?

Most people use a broom to clean paved driveways, the broom easily sweeps away all the dirt, leaves, and dust from the hardscape, but, some portions, according to paving contractors in Sylvania,should not be cleaned until they pose a serious threat to health or security. Using a broom works best for regular cleanups and maintenance of driveways, but the problem starts when you have algae, grease, or oil stains on it. These stains are unpleasant and nasty to look at. Every owner would want to get rid of thesewhich is why they start using a pressure wash to remove these stains easily. Some people add soap or detergent to the water to give your driveway a more appealing look without the use of chemicals.

2.     Saves water

Pressure washing is very beneficial in times of drought because it saves water in comparison to a garden hose. A power washer uses less water that is released by high pressure through a nozzle and this pressure efficiently removes all the stains that are absorbed into the tiles.

3.     Easy on your pocket

The pressure washing of the paved driveways is also easy on your pocketand you will notice that the cleaned surfaces stay clean for a long time.

4.     Saves time, money, and labor

It reduces the need for labor so that there is no need to have a team of workers. A single person or two to three workers are sufficient to clean the entire driveway because pressure washing does not require any hard work. The pressure of water is enough to remove any unwanted stain on your driveway.

5.     Maintain the integrity of the driveway

Algae, mold, or any other acidic grime can eventually erode driveways. Regular pressure washing of these driveways is very beneficial for controlling the growth of algae and other unwanted organisms like mold. They grow in the joints that causes these spaces to expand and eventually leads to the opening of these joints.

 

While pressure washing can provide amazing cleaning and maintenance of a paved driveway, it also has some disadvantages that cannot be neglected. Some of the most common disadvantages of pressure washing are as follows:

1.     Damage to stones and bricks

At times when you make excessive use of pressure washing, it might damage the driveway. No matter if the driveway is made up of concrete, bricks, or stones the pressure of the nozzle is hard enough to cause pitting, lines, or surface degradation.

2.     Damage to joints

The water from a pressure washing nozzle can also damage the grouting present in between the tiles and can damage the mortar between the bricks. This water greatly damages the slabs that have been recently installed rather than those that were placed at least one year back.

3.     Miscalculation of time and pressure

Workers might likely get distracted during the washing and forget to change the positioning of the nozzle. Targetting water in one place leads to more damage at a single spot and spoils the look of the driveway. Other than this, placing the nozzle too close to the floor can also damage it leading to costly repairs.

4.     Correct equipment

Another common issue with pressure washing is the incorrect length of pipe and the wrong selection of the nozzle. It is always better to consult paving contractors in Sylvania for the correct length of pipe needed for your area and the correct nozzle pressure that it can stand.

If the driveway is of an office, a shopping mall, or any other important property it is always preferred to hire a professional because the repairs of these driveways are very costly and time-consuming. Hiring professionals might be the best way to avoid damage because these are skilled experts who know what they are doing. But the upfront cost of hiring professionals is something that not everyone can afford. It is due to this reason many people prefer do-it-yourself projects. There are many guides and videos available that can teach you some easy methods of cleaning these hardscapes easily and timely.

Disclaimer: This is a generic Information & post; content about the services can be changed from time to time as per your requirements and contract. To get the latest and updated information, contact us today or visit our website.