Pressure washing matched to every surface.
Pressure washing is for driveways, patios, walkways and decks where the concrete, pavers or boards have darkened with ground-in dirt and algae.
- Concrete
- Pavers
- Decking
How we approach pressure washing.
A concentrated stream of water lifts out what a garden hose can't reach and brings back the color underneath. The skill lies in knowing how much pressure each surface can take. Sound concrete can handle a good deal. A wood deck cannot.
We match the pressure and the tip to the surface in front of us, and the aim is an even result with no stripes or gouge marks. Estimates are free. If you're within 30 minutes of us, we come out to quote in person.
How the job goes.
Request a quote
Contact us by phone, email or social media and we'll reply within 24 hours. We come out to assess the job if you're within 30 minutes of us, or we quote by phone from photos or video you send.
Inspect the surface
Before we begin, we look over what we're cleaning. That means the age and condition of the concrete, any loose pavers or soft boards, and stains that will need more than pressure.
Pre-treat where needed
Oil spots, heavy growth and decking are treated with a cleaning solution first to loosen the buildup. The more work the solution does, the less pressure we need, which is gentler on the surface.
Wash evenly
Flat concrete is cleaned with a rotary surface cleaner for a uniform finish, with a wand for edges and corners. Pavers are washed at lower pressure to protect the joint sand. Decking is washed at low pressure with a wide fan tip, working along the grain.
Rinse and check
We rinse the loosened dirt from the cleaned area and from anything nearby that caught the spray, then check the result. If you're not happy with it, we come back and make it right.
What we clean.
- Concrete
- Concrete is porous, so dirt and algae work down into it and darken the slab. We clean it with a surface cleaner that holds the nozzles at a fixed height, which helps prevent wand stripes. Oil and rust are separate issues, and we'll tell you plainly what is likely to come out.
- Pavers
- Moss and weeds root in the joints while algae coats the faces and dulls the color. We wash at a lower pressure and at an angle that clears the growth while keeping as much joint sand in place as possible. Some sand loss should be expected. Re-sanding low joints isn't on our list of services, so ask us about it.
- Decking
- Decks grow algae and mildew that make the boards slippery when damp, and bare wood grays as it weathers. Wood and composite both mark easily under high pressure, so we rely on a cleaner and a gentle, wide spray along the boards. The aim is a clean deck with the grain intact and no wand marks.
Before and afters.
From real jobs. Drag the handle to see the difference.
Before we arrive.
- Move cars off the driveway before we arrive.
- Clear furniture, planters, grills and mats from the area.
- Close nearby windows and doors.
- Keep children and pets inside while we work.
- Point out oil spots, rust stains, loose pavers and soft boards.
- Make sure the outdoor spigot is on and easy to reach.
Pressure washing questions.
See all 59 questionsWill pressure washing etch or damage my concrete?
It shouldn't when it's done properly. Etching comes from too much pressure through a narrow tip held too close, which strips the smooth top layer and leaves permanent lines.
On flat concrete we use a surface cleaner, a spinning tool that holds the nozzles at a fixed height so the slab gets even treatment. New concrete is softer and marks easily, and a surface that's already flaking can shed loose material, so tell us its age and condition when you ask for a quote.
Can you get oil stains out of concrete?
We can usually lighten them, but we can't promise complete removal. Oil soaks down into the pores of the concrete, and the older the stain, the deeper it sits. Fresh spills respond more readily.
A degreaser applied before washing pulls out what's near the surface, and a faint shadow often stays behind. Show us the stain when we quote and we'll tell you what to expect.
Will pressure washing remove the sand from between my pavers?
Some sand usually comes out. The water that lifts dirt and moss out of the joints takes a little sand with it, which is unavoidable with a thorough cleaning.
We lower the pressure and work at an angle across the joints to keep the loss down. Joints that end up low should be refilled so the pavers stay locked together. Re-sanding isn't on our list of services, so ask us about it when we quote.
Can you pressure wash a wood deck without damaging it?
Yes, as long as the pressure is a fraction of what concrete gets. Wood is soft, and too much pressure or a tip held too close tears the surface fibers. That leaves a fuzzy finish called furring, or gouge marks along each pass.
We reduce the pressure considerably, use a wide fan tip and work with the grain. A deck cleaner goes on first, so the water mostly has to rinse. Very weathered boards can still raise a little grain.
Can you pressure wash composite decking?
Yes, but gently. Many composite boards have a thin outer cap, and high pressure can scar it permanently. Manufacturers generally set a pressure limit and call for a fan tip, and some warn that exceeding it can affect the warranty.
We treat composite more like a soft wash job, with a cleaner to loosen the mold and grime and a low-pressure rinse along the boards. If you know the brand, check its care guide and tell us what it says.
How soon can I use the surface after it's washed?
Concrete and pavers can be walked on, driven on and parked on once we've finished. They're slippery while wet, so take care until they dry. How long that takes depends on sun and shade.
Wood decks hold water longer. Let the boards dry before furniture and rugs go back, and give them longer still before any staining or sealing. The stain or sealer label will say how dry the wood needs to be.
Should I seal my concrete, pavers or deck after it's cleaned?
It's worth considering, and soon after a cleaning is the right time. Sealer needs a clean, dry surface to bond to. Once on, it helps the surface resist stains and can slow the return of algae and moss. Bare wood benefits most, because washing leaves it open to the weather.
Sealing isn't on our list of services, so take this as general advice. Let everything dry fully first and follow the product's instructions. Ask us about it when we quote.