Why Should You Power Wash Your Driveway

If you’re a homeowner, you may have noticed increased damage to your driveway over the years: cracks, stains, grime, weeds, and more. This is understandable. Driveways take a lot of wear and tear, so it makes sense that over time, they would start to deteriorate.

But you definitely don’t want your driveway to stay that way. A cracked, stained, or otherwise damaged driveway can have a massive effect on the overall appeal or health of your home.

So, how do you fix it? The solution is simple: power washing.

Power washing your driveway is a quick and easy solution to the problems that many homeowners face. It effectively gets rid of weeds, stains, dirt, and more, and adds a bright, fresh look to your property that you’ll admire for years to come.

What Is Power Washing?

Power washing, or high-pressure washing, is the act of using pressurized water spray to clean dirt and other contaminants off of surfaces like buildings, vehicles, and, yes, driveways. It is a touchless wash technique, meaning that it’s both effective and efficient.

Because concrete is so porous, you’re going to need a lot of power to remove all the contaminants that tend to sink into it. A simple garden hose or a quick scrub with elbow grease won’t get you the deep clean that you need. That’s where power washing comes in.

A power washer uses high-powered water streams that are designed to strip away layers and layers of grime, driving deep to remove any excess dirt from cracks and capillaries in the surface . The result is a clean, shining driveway that is both beautiful and long-lasting.

Your days spent on your knees, scrubbing away at driveway stains, are over. Power washing will get rid of all manner of filth and contaminants that have built up over the years. Better yet, it will leave you with a gorgeous finish that can withstand all kinds of weather, and make your home stand out.

One thing to keep in mind when learning how to power wash your driveway is that power washing streams are very pressurized. Because of that, they can cause damage or injury if not used properly.

But never fear! When done professionally, power washing your driveway has countless advantages.

Keep reading to learn some power washing tips, as well as lots of benefits of power washing your driveway!

It’s Efficient

Power washing is hands down the quickest and easiest way to keep your driveway looking incredible. It’s way faster than elbow grease and does a much better job of cleaning.

Skip the hassle and expenses that come with a driveway replacement or a hands-on clean. Power washing gets the job done much faster and more thoroughly, burrowing deep into the concrete to remove particles that could never be reached otherwise.

Power washing also saves you time, money, and effort when it comes to other parts of your house as well. There’s no point in trying to find other methods of cleaning when power washing works on all kinds of surfaces, including:

  • Walkways
  • Patios
  • Pool decks
  • Walls
  • Pavers
  • Travertine
  • Natural stone

Roof and house washing is also an effective way to give your entire property a deep clean. It’s not just your driveway!

On a variety of surfaces, power washing strips away layers of dirt and grime that you might not have even known were there. The results are astounding every time, and the method is as efficient as it gets.

It Prevents Harm

An uncared-for driveway can cause more harm than most people think. Cracks in the pavement allow for weeds to grow, which not only looks unappealing but also harms your land and other plants. Not to mention that removing weeds can be a painstaking and difficult process.

If you don’t take steps to address this, it can only grow worse. As dirt and debris build up over time, they can fall into cracks in your driveway, causing the cracks to get even bigger. And the bigger the crack, the more weeds will make their home there.

Power washing can get rid of this problem entirely. A regular power wash will penetrate the cracks and eradicate both the weeds and the dirt that they need to grow. It’s far easier than spending hours digging and pulling out countless weeds and will keep your property looking great and healthy.

But weed growth isn’t the only issue. Left unattended, driveways can grow mold, mildew, and algae that settle deep within the pores in the pavers or concrete. This is especially a problem in the warmer months, with the addition of allergy-inducing pollen.

Don’t worry! This, too, is something that can be solved through power washing. It can help prevent the buildup of things like pollen and mold, which helps with allergy symptoms and puts a lid on any harmful toxins that might be in the air.

And it doesn’t end there. Power washing helps prevent physical harm to you and your family as well.

A buildup of grime on your driveway reduces traction and can cause slipping and falling. But a regular power wash can strip away all that grime and keep you and your loved ones from getting injured. All in all, power washing is essential for the health of both you and your home.

It Improves Curb Appeal

Curb appeal is one of the most important aspects of your home. If you ever decide to sell, having a house that looks great is invaluable.

Driveways in particular are a massive aspect of curb appeal. It’s often one of the first things people see when they look at your house, and so it should look flawless.

The problem, though, is that driveways often don’t look flawless. Because so many people park on their driveways, a lot of issues can arise. The pavers or concrete can suffer from oil drips, wear and tear from constant traffic, and other car-related damages.

All of these problems affect the quality of your driveway. If left unattended,  it may eventually require repairs or replacement, which eat up a lot of time, money, and effort.

But if you make the right moves now, you won’t have to worry. A simple power wash is far more convenient than a full-scale replacement and can prevent any of the above problems from getting out of hand. Not only that, but it also makes your home look much more attractive.

When you finish a long day at work, you want to come back to a place that feels like home. You certainly don’t want the first thing you see to be a dirty, grimy driveway.

Power washing your driveway can go a long way to make your home feel brighter, fresher, and more welcoming. It’s a quick and easy way to improve your property value and make your house feel even more like home.

It’s Eco-Friendly

One of the biggest benefits of power washing your driveway is how environmentally friendly it is. It’s a great way to keep your lawn safe while also maintaining your driveway.

The efficiency of power washing lends to its eco-friendliness. Because it’s so quick and highly pressurized, it uses far less water than a garden hose. This means that you can save all the water that you would otherwise use trying to scrub off the dirt and stains.

Not only that but because of how highly pressurized power washing is, it can also remove contaminants from your driveway and other surfaces while only using water. The blasts are so strong, it gets rid of the grime and dirt buildup without needing harmful chemicals.

The lack of toxic chemicals means that your plants, garden, and lawn are safe. Any children or pets that you might have can also roam free without fear of toxins or odors. Power washing is the superior choice for both you and the environment.

It’s Long-Lasting

Once you’ve power washed your driveway, the amount of maintenance needed to keep it in shape goes way down. Power washing is such a thorough process that you don’t need to worry about taking care of your driveway for years afterward. It’s durable and can withstand lots of deterioration.

It’s also a great way to prepare your driveway or surface for sealing, which will protect against all kinds of weather and both car and foot traffic.

Power washing also is easy on your wallet, as it takes almost no effort to maintain your driveway once it’s washed. You’ll save tons of money on repairs that would crop up otherwise.

You’ll never have to worry again about wasting energy on pulling weeds or scrubbing stains out of the concrete. Power washing will take care of those problems for years to come!

Get Your Driveway Power Washed Today

Power washing is the best way to keep your driveway looking incredible. It prevents any problems from getting out of hand and is easy on both your wallet and your mind.

If you’re looking for an efficient and effective way to give your driveway some TLC, power washing is the solution for you.

Contact us to get a free estimate today!

How Paver Sealing and Washing Preserves the Beauty and Value of Your Home

You invested a lot of time and money to find the right pavers and install them. They look stunning and your home’s curb appeal is the envy of your block. But what are you going to do to make sure it stays that way?

Paver sealing and washing is a cost-effective way to preserve the beauty of your home. Many people are unaware of the benefits that paver maintenance offers, but these two practices will keep your pavers looking great for years to come. The art of paver maintenance can be broken down into four easy steps:

  • 1. Washing — wash away any dirt, mold, or mildew, using a detergent along with a power washer and then rinsing the weeds and debris from the paver joints.
  • 2. Sanding — sweep polymeric sand into the joints of the pavers to secure them in place, preventing weeds from growing and minimizing ant infestation 
  • 3. Sealing — seal the surface of between each the pavers with a water-based sealer to prevent surface staining, erosion, and fading from the sun. dirt from getting in.
  • Maintaining — maintain appearance by sweeping and washing off the debris left on top of pavers weekly or as needed.”

Paver Sealing

Choosing a proper water-based sealer like the SEK SureBond environmentally safe sealer we use at Pro Seal, is crucial to ensuring your pavers stay clean and looking their best.

A sealer can protect the surface of the paver from dirt, oil, moisture, salt spray, or any other nasty substances that can make their way in between those cracks. In addition, it also provides an extra layer of protection for absorbent surfaces like stone by blocking out water and other liquids.

If you use a good sealer like SEK SureBond, then it will repel water at least 90% of the time. A higher-quality sealer means less maintenance and more protection for your pavers.

There are three main types of sealant: acrylic-based, two-part polyurethane, or a silane/siloxane sealer.  All three need to be reapplied from time to time and have a different finish and protective features. 

All three require periodic washing to remove contaminants or residue that may have built up over time.

If you already have a sealant on the pavers in your home but are noticing some wear or fading then it’s important to re-seal them right away! If not sealed properly, moss mold and mildew can grow in the joints and capillaries of the paving stones and cause further damage that is not easy to repair.

Using environmentally suitable materials that dry quickly for your sealant is always best. The last thing you want is for the wrong chemicals to seep into the ground and harm your lawn or other plants.

Things to keep in mind when choosing your sealant:

  • Are you looking for enhancement, stain blocking, or both?  What type of substrate are you sealing and is it porous or dense, is it smooth or textured. 
  • Where is the area you are sealing, is it in direct sun, is it mostly shady, is it around a pool or a driveway.
  • Because they are outside, all types of paver sealing will require periodic washing to remove contaminants

A sealant should be applied about every three years or so (depending on climate and frequency of foot traffic) to keep the pavers looking their very best!

Some people may prefer a dry look acrylic-based sealer that will not darken over time while others may like a wet look, satin, semi-gloss look.

The key is a quality sealer that will protect the pavers and provide an even, long-lasting finish for many years!

Paver Washing

Washing your pavers with a detergent every few months will significantly reduce the build-up of dirt, grime, mold, algae, and moss that can accumulate on them over time. If you allow this to happen then it will eventually ruin the appearance of your patio areas! Simply wash down any heavily soiled paver with a pressure washer and then follow up with an application of sealant to keep them clean and vibrant longer.

The best method for removing dirt from pavers requires a rotary surface washer. This maintains a consistent, even pressure with two stationary rotating nozzles that will allow you to cover more ground without having to go back and reapply power over an area that’s already been washed.

  • Pressure wash the heavily soiled areas first, using soap or detergent to cut through any built-up dirt that has accumulated over time.  
  • Apply paver sealer afterward for best results!

Paver Maintenance

There are simple ways to keep up the maintenance of your pavers between washings and sealings. Simply using a garden hose and a spray nozzle on their paver installation can help keep dirt buildup at bay.  For more stubborn stains a small handheld pump sprayer with a concrete detergent or even just household bleach can be sprayed on and then scrubbed or just rinsed off.

For those who prefer not to wash their pavers with water, you could always use a leaf blower or broom to remove debris from your paver installation.

The quality of sealant combined with the proper maintenance can lengthen the time between sealings to five years!

The Result

The curb appeal of your home is the first thing people notice when they pull up to it. A well-kept, beautiful property can truly make a difference in how you feel about yourself and others perceive you as an individual or homeowner.

We’ve established that using quality, environmentally safe cleaners and sealants combined with proper washing and maintenance will preserve the value and beauty of your home’s curb appeal for years to come. Please don’t hesitate to call our team at 201-632-1945 or email us at info@prosealnj.com today for more information on paver maintenance services and a free estimate!

How Paver Sealing and Washing Preserves the Beauty and Value of Your Home