What Are Some Common Driveway Cleaning Mistakes?

When it comes to driveway cleaning, even the most experienced of homeowners can make mistakes. After all, those surface areas are often overlooked and with the harsh elements they endure on a day-to-day basis, you may assume there’s no way for them to get any dirtier - but that couldn’t be farther from the truth! 

Whether you simply don’t have enough time in your schedule or just aren't sure how best to tackle this chore, today we’re here to help. Our Residential Pressure Washing utilises specially formulated cleaning agents applied at low-pressure to clean your home.

Keep reading for a comprehensive guide of common driveway cleaning mistakes so that you can keep yours looking beautiful all year long!

Careless About Patio Safety

The most common oversight is not sealing the patio. A patio that has been sealed not only has an extra layer of protection over wood or stone but also retains its lustre all year long.

It is recommended that sealing be performed every two years to make cleaning the patio less of a chore. Sealing your patio may be necessary based on the wood or stone used, so make sure you do your homework.

Lack of Understanding

Is this your first time operating a pressure washer? Nothing improper about that. Assuming you study up on the right way to employ it. Alternatively, you might conduct a trial run before really using the machinery. Pressure washing is a somewhat abstract idea.

You can save yourself a lot of hassle and money by avoiding the pitfalls that ignorance might lead you to. For example, if you don't know how to operate the tool properly, you could scratch the paint or crack the furniture.

Careless Use of a Cleaning Service

This may seem common sense, but there are quite a few stupid and unskilled operators out there who think that all it takes to make some quick cash is to buy a cheap twin-lance pressure washer & aim it at your nice driveway. The public tends to believe that a driveway's surface is nearly impervious to water because cars drive over it. Alas, no. Unfortunately, permanent harm is easily done to these surfaces without the proper training and tools, as they are frequently highly delicate and detailed.

Do-it-yourself and Wrong Tools

Upon deciding that their patio or driveway could use some sprucing up, many folks immediately go for the pressure washer. Everyone makes use of it, right? Yes, but a regular pressure washer is the worst thing you need on a driveway or patio. They are best suited for washing cars.

To answer your question, why? If you aim a standard pressure washer's jet at the spaces between paving blocks, you'll blow out all the fine sand sandwiched in there. Furthermore, if the jet is strong enough, water will seep under the blocks, displacing the sand foundations about which they rest, resulting in an unstable and uneven surface. High-pressure water may penetrate tiny holes in the toughest materials, like tarmac or concrete. Water can pool for months below the surface, develop into ice in the winter, and cause the surface to crack and rise like a tiny earthquake.

Incorrect Chemical Use

Some people believe that harsh chemicals such as bleach, caustic soda, or brick acid can remove deeply ingrained stains from a concrete driveway or patio; Although at the same time, this may be true in extremely unusual circumstances, in most cases, the surface will end up looking very patchy as well as generally even worse so because stains have been diluted and spread further.

Common household cleaners, such as those found at big box stores and sold under names like "driveway cleaner" or "patio cleaner," can do serious damage if used improperly. What can be effective on one surface may be quite harmful to another. Stains can be pushed deeper into a surface with repeated DIY pressure cleaning.

Breaking Windows

Windows don't need to be washed in a power washer. If you spray water at your windows at too high a pressure, the glass will shatter. A problem with the glass or the seals could occur. Also, you may find some leaks or rot later on.

Remember that you're not cleaning your windows to ruin them but rather to keep them in good condition. The use of high-pressure water might lead to costly maintenance or replacement.

So, keep things straightforward when washing windows. First, clean the windows by brushing, washing, squeezing out the excess water, and letting them dry.

Splashing Walls With High-Pressure Water

Using a high-powered pressure washer in these locations is not recommended. However, sidings are not impervious to water and suffer significant damage from improper pressure washing. Carelessness quickly leads to visible damage on vinyl siding. You may end up having to pay for expensive repairs as a result of this. Pressure Washing Melbourne’s high-pressure steam cleaning equipment is perfect for removing algae, weed growth and inhibiting regrowth without the use of chemicals.

Brick houses are susceptible to the same problems. Old brick and mortar are softer than modern produced brick and mortar, despite popular belief. The conclusion is, therefore, obvious. If your walls or sidings are brick, stone, or wood, you should never point a pressure washer at them.

Extreme Stress

One of the most typical blunders is using an excessive amount of force. If you own or have leased a machine, you can put it through its paces before using it in a cleaning capacity. There is a way to keep tabs on the water pressure and other options.

Keep the wand of your pressure washer well away from the surface, especially if the PSI is high. Just use the correct amount of pressure to keep the ground in good shape and to keep dirt and debris at bay.

Cracks in the Walls Caused by Paint Chipping

Make sure to wash any painted surface gently to prevent the paint from flaking. You can determine whether or not your home's paint will peel if exposed to water before you start cleaning it. That it is so easily damaged by high-pressure water shows how susceptible it is.

Intense pressure applied with the wand pointed in the same direction for several seconds will cause some paint to flake off. Careful handling is required unless starting over with a new coat of paint or leaving the surface unfinished is desired.

Simply Water

Don't just use water when you're pressure washing the house. No amount of water will make your house shine. You'll need more if you want to get the task done right.

Make sure to use suitable chemical cleaners when pressure washing your home. Without the aid of chemical cleansers, you may use far too much water to wash away the years' worth of grime and filth that have been collected in some areas, even more so if you apply force beyond the surface. To remove impurities from between surfaces and soften the water, chemical cleaners are used.

Ignoring The Need For A Cover

Climate change and other environmental factors are major contributors to patio surface deterioration. A patio can get ruined by the sun, rain, and morning frost. Our driveway and patio cleaning for Melbourne experts use the latest in concrete and high pressure washing technology to clean your driveway, patio, and pathways. No job is too big or too small for us – we’ll take care of everything for you.

Invest in a cover to keep your patio in pristine condition when it isn't in use. While there will be some out-of-pocket expenses initially, you will save money because of fewer repairs and maintenance needs.

Conclusion

When it comes to washing the driveway, not even the most seasoned homeowners are immune to making blunders. Most people forget about waterproofing the patio. You can damage the walls and the furnishings with a pressure washer if you don't know what you're doing. When a patio is sealed, it not only protects the underlying wood or stone from the elements, but also keeps its sheen throughout the year. You may remove the fine sand that has been compressed in between your paving stones by directing the jet of your pressure washer at the crevices between the stones.

Even the most sturdy materials, like asphalt or concrete, may have microscopic cracks that high-pressure water can exploit. Glass can break if water is sprayed at it at too high of a pressure. Some paint flaking off is to be expected when applying intense pressure with the pressure washer directed in the same direction for several seconds. Handling with care unless refinishing or keeping the surface unpainted is a preferred option. The house will not be made to sparkle by the addition of water. For a successful completion of the project, additional resources will be required.

Content Summary

• Even the most diligent homeowner will make a mistake or two when washing their driveway.
• Since those regions are frequently disregarded, and they are subjected to severe weather conditions on a daily basis, you might think there is no chance for them to become dirtier.
• Whether you lack the necessary time or are unsure of how to approach this task, we are here to assist you now.
• If you want your driveway to appear great all year, here's a complete guide to avoiding the most common cleaning blunders.
• Most people forget about waterproofing the patio.
• When a patio is sealed, it not only protects the underlying wood or stone from the elements, but also keeps its sheen throughout the year.
• To make maintenance of the patio easier, experts advise sealing it every two years.
• Before deciding against sealing your patio, consider the wood or stone you've chosen.
• There is no wrong doing there.
• Assuming you educate yourself on proper application.
• It's also possible to perform a dry run before committing to a full production run with the equipment.
• The concept of pressure cleaning is vague.
• By warding off the traps that come with a lack of knowledge, you can save yourself a lot of time and money.
• It's possible to damage the paint or the furniture if you don't know how to use the tool properly.
• Although this may seem obvious, there are a surprising number of incompetent individuals who believe that all it takes to make easy money is to purchase a low-end twin-lance pressure washer and point it at your gorgeous driveway.
• The fact that cars can drive over a driveway leads many to believe that its surface is practically impermeable to water.
• These surfaces are often quite delicate and intricate, making them extremely vulnerable to damage if handled improperly or without the right training and equipment.
• You can use them most effectively when cleaning autos.
• The fine sand that is sandwiched between paving blocks can be easily blown out with a conventional pressure washer's jet.
• To add insult to injury, if the jet is powerful enough, water will seep through the blocks, dislodging the sand foundations about which they rest, resulting in an unstable and uneven surface.
• Even the most sturdy materials, like asphalt or concrete, may have microscopic cracks that high-pressure water can exploit.
• When water collects beneath the ground for an extended period of time, it can freeze during the winter and cause the surface to fracture and rise as though there had been a minor earthquake.
• It is a common misconception that harsh chemicals like bleach, caustic soda, or brick acid can remove embedded stains from a concrete driveway or patio. While this may be the case in extremely rare instances, in most cases, the surface will end up looking very patchy and generally even worse because the stains have been diluted and spread further.
• If not handled appropriately, common household cleaners like those marketed in big-box retailers under titles like "driveway cleaner" or "patio cleanser" can cause extensive harm.
• Not all surfaces are created equal, and a solution that works well on one could cause serious damage to another.
• DIY pressure washing can actually drive stains deeper into a surface with each subsequent attempt.
• A power washer is unnecessary while cleaning windows.
• Glass can break if water is sprayed at it at too high of a pressure.
• It's possible that there will be an issue with the glass or the seals.
• In addition, you might uncover some rot or leaks in the future.
• Don't forget that you're not cleaning your windows to destroy them, but rather to preserve them for future use.
• High-pressure water use could necessitate expensive repairs or replacement.
• When washing windows, keep things simple.
• It's best to start by brushing, cleaning, squeezing out the excess water, and air drying the windows.
• A powerful pressure washer should not be used there.
• Avoid using a pressure washer on brick, stone, or wood walls and sidings.
• Mistakes involving excessive force are extremely common.
• In order to ensure that the machine will perform as expected when it is put to use for cleaning, it can be put through its paces if you own or have leased it.
• Water pressure and other settings can be monitored.
• When using a high PSI pressure washer, make sure to keep the wand at a safe distance from the surface.
• Keeping the ground in good condition and free of dirt and debris is as simple as applying the right amount of pressure.
• The peeling of paint can be avoided by carefully washing painted surfaces.
• Before you start cleaning your house, you can check to see if the paint will peel if exposed to water.
• The fact that high-pressure water may readily break it demonstrates how fragile it is.
• Some paint flaking off is to be expected with prolonged, intense pressure applied with the wand pointed in the same direction.
• Handling with care unless refinishing or keeping the surface unpainted is a preferred option.
• When using a pressure washer, you need more than simply water.
• The house will not be made to sparkle by the addition of water.
• For a successful completion of the project, additional resources will be required.
• When power washing your home, always use the recommended chemical cleaners.
• Without the help of chemical cleansers, you may require excessive amounts of water, especially if you apply force beyond the surface, to wash away the years' worth of grime and filth that have accumulated in some regions.
• Chemical cleaners are used to soften water and remove dirt and grime from in-between surfaces.
• The degradation of patio surfaces is largely caused by climate change and other environmental variables.
• The weather, particularly direct sunlight, heavy downpours, and early-morning frost, can do serious damage to a patio.
• When your patio is not in use, invest in a cover to protect it from the elements.