Concrete is an incredibly useful and popular building material. Because of this, it has a presence at almost every property in the Houston, TX community, and there is probably some sort of concrete at your home or business, too. For example, you may have a sidewalk, driveway, patio, or parking lot made of concrete. If you want these surfaces to stay in the best possible condition, you’ll have to take care of them—so read below, learn how to pressure wash concrete, and discover the benefits, too!
We are Larry’s Pressure Washing, your area’s first choice for professional pressure washing. Don’t want to do DIY concrete cleaning? Then give us a call. We’ll happily provide you with a full-service appointment.
Why Concrete Needs to Be Cleaned
So, what makes concrete pressure washing so important? Does concrete really need to be cleaned? The answer is yes. If concrete isn’t cleaned, it will continuously gather debris, negatively affecting its appearance. Which do you think looks better? Recently pressure washed concrete, or concrete that is coated with debris? The answer is obvious. Dirty concrete is darker, duller, and negatively affects the curb appeal of your entire property.
Did you know that dirty concrete is more likely to become damaged, too? Debris rubs against concrete and gradually erodes it, and the longer this is allowed to happen, the more severe the damage will be. It’s expensive to repair this damage, too. Avoid costly repair fees and save money in the long run with concrete pressure washing. It’s an investment that pays off.
Other Benefits of Concrete Cleaning
Still not convinced? There are many other reasons to learn how to pressure wash concrete. We’ve included a list of the additional benefits below.
- Reduce slipperiness. Concrete that is coated with debris is more slippery. Pressure wash concrete, remove this slick layer of grime, and protect yourself and your guests from tripping, falling, and sustaining injuries.
- Prevent the spread of organic debris. Have you discovered moss, mold, or algae on your concrete? If so, it will eventually spread if left to its own devices. Remove it with pressure washing to prevent this from happening.
- Ward off pests. Pests can use any debris on your concrete for shelter. Instead of giving ants, termites, and spiders a place to live on your property, pressure wash your concrete and send pests somewhere else.
Should You Try DIY Concrete Pressure Washing?
Is it worth it to learn how to pressure wash concrete? If you do, you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits that were outlined above. Not only that, but you won’t have to pay a professional business to do the work for you. This allows you to save hundreds of dollars, which you’ll be able to use for anything else.
However, bear in mind that DIY pressure washing is hard work. It will cost you time and energy, and you will also have to purchase the necessary equipment for the work. If you don’t mind this, then there’s no harm in giving DIY concrete cleaning a shot!
Tools Needed For Concrete Cleaning
If you want to learn how to pressure wash concrete, you’ll need to purchase the correct equipment. The question is, what does this equipment include? We’ve provided a list of the tools we use to clean concrete each and every day at Larry’s Pressure Washing.
- Pressure Washer. This piece of machinery pressurizes water, making it strong enough to remove unwanted debris from concrete surfaces.
- Hose and Nozzle. Using a hose and nozzle, you’ll be able to aim jets of pressurized water at concrete, allowing for precise cleaning.
- Cleaning Solutions. A gentle pressure washing detergent goes a long way. We also recommend having sodium hypochlorite on hand for stubborn grime.
- Safety Equipment. Protect yourself during your concrete cleaning job by wearing goggles, gloves, full-length pants, and closed-toe shoes.
Preparing Concrete For Cleaning
Before learning how to pressure wash concrete, take a few simple steps to prepare the area for cleaning. For example, are there any items on the concrete surface? If so, you’ll want to temporarily move them to another area. Move furniture and decorations off your concrete patio, and park your cars somewhere other than your driveway. That way, the concrete surface you plan to wash will be free of obstacles.
We also recommend sweeping your concrete before pressure washing it. This allows you to eliminate larger particles of debris, such as pebbles. That way, these objects aren’t launched everywhere by jets of pressurized water. This can actually prevent a cracked window or windshield, saving you hundreds of dollars in repair fees.
The Concrete Pressure Washing Process
At long last, it’s time to discover how to pressure wash concrete. Begin by adding detergent to your pressure washer’s soap tank and setting the machine’s pressure level to 3,000-3,500 PSI. Put on your safety gear, hold the hose, and begin pressure washing your concrete. We suggest using one of the corners as a starting point and cleaning the surface one row after another. This makes it easy to keep track of what you’ve already pressure washed and what still needs your attention.
If you come across any stubborn stains that won’t wash out, use sodium hypochlorite to weaken them. Simply apply a thin layer of this cleaning solution to the area afflicted with tough grime. Then, wait fifteen minutes for it to work its magic. Finally, rinse the area, and you should find that stains that were once stubborn wash away with ease.
Consider Professional Concrete Cleaning
If learning how to pressure wash concrete is too much work for you, you can always schedule an appointment with a professional business instead. At Larry’s Pressure Washing, it would be our pleasure to restore your concrete, and for a fair price, too.
Contact us online, let us know about your concrete, and get a free cost estimate today. Then, choose a time and date for your appointment. We will be there in the near future to make your concrete spotless again.
