How to Efficiently Pressure Wash Your Driveway in Florida

Cleanliness neighbors godliness, as the adage goes. While keeping your home clean is crucial, one area you can easily forget is the driveway.

In Florida, where the hot and humid climate can cause damage to outdoor surfaces, grow mold, and otherwise muddle up your driveway, it is crucial to keep your driveway clear. Pressure washing is just the way to do it.

This guide will outline the steps to pressure wash your driveway in Florida, something I just got soaked doing myself on our first netzero home renovation.

I’ll discuss selecting the appropriate equipment and cleaning solutions, preparing the area, and following safe and effective pressure-washing practices.

There are also some affiliate links below. The prices don’t change, and you can choose to use them to make purchases or rentals if you like. If you do use them, it helps support the team here, and so we can keep creating similar (hopefully good) content.

How to Efficiently Pressure Wash Your Driveway in Florida?

Achieving the perfect wash of your driveway requires the following simple steps:

● Clear the area

● Set up the pressure washer

● Test the pressure

● Begin pressure washing

● Rinse the driveway

● Let the driveway dry

● Once your driveway is dry, consider sealing

● Maintain the driveway

The Benefits of Pressure Washing Your Driveway

Before we dive into the step-by-step process of pressure washing your driveway, let’s go over some of the benefits and necessary precautions.

Fundamentally, investing in a modern pressure washer is a brilliant idea rather than operating with age-old models that consume more energy.

So, as you clean your Florida driveway, think of purchasing a new pressure washer (it’ll save you at least 20 percent of the energy you’d have incurred with an old model).

Let’s explore the key upsides of pressure washing your driveway.

Improves Overall Appeal

A clean driveway can make a big difference in the overall appearance of your home. It’s one of the first things visitors see when they approach your property, so making it look its best can enhance the overall look of your home.

Increases Home Value

Your home is as valuable as it looks. A clean and well-maintained driveway can increase the value of your home.

If you want to make your house look more attractive, especially if you plan to sell it, consider pressure washing the exterior.

Reduces Time and Effort

Cleaning your driveway by hand takes a lot of time and energy.

On the other hand, pressure washing is significantly more efficient, requires lesser time, and is much less physically demanding.

Protects Against Damage

Dirt, grime, and algae can cause surface erosion on your driveway, leading to cracks and other damage. Pressure washing removes these substances, protecting your driveway from further harm.

Remove Stains

Your driveway is prone to accumulating substances like oil, mud, and dirt daily. It’s not uncommon for one of your cars to leak fluids or for parked service vehicles to drip and leave stains.

These stains can be hard to get rid of and often require more than just a simple hose-down to remove them effectively.

If you ignore these blemishes, they will be harder to eradicate. If you hire a professional pressure washer, they can get into every crevice and dismantle oil and dirt, making your driveway dazzlingly clean.

An Economic Approach

You can avoid expensive repairs by pressure washing away the dirt and grime that would otherwise cause erosion on your driveway.

However, not taking care of those pesky pits and cracks can cost you a lot of money in the long run.

So, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of pressure washing your driveway to keep it in good shape and save yourself money.

Restricts Weeds

You’ll always find weeds sneaking through driveway cracks, especially during the spring. And as they grow, their roots can make the cracks even bigger.

So, to keep the weeds at bay, pressure wash your driveway yearly, especially in the spring. This will eliminate the weeds and the dirt that helps them grow.

If you want to keep your cracks weed-free for the rest of the year, consider applying a coat of sealant after pressure washing.

Improves Safety

The surface of your driveway needs to have some texture because a rough surface provides more traction.

A buildup of oils, mildew, and mold on the driveway can make the surface more slippery by reducing friction.

You can remove these deposits and restore the surface to its original state by pressure washing the driveway.

Eco-Friendly

Other ways to clean your driveway involve using expensive, harsh cleaners and chemicals that could cause harm.

However, pressure washing is akin to using dryer balls in your heat pump dryer. It can typically get your driveway clean without the use of any chemicals at all.

Inhibits Harmful Fungi Like Mold and Mildew

Pressure washing your driveway can prevent the development of destructive growths such as moss, mildew, algae, and mold.

These types of growths can eventually erode the surface of your driveway, leading to unsafe conditions and costly repairs in the future.

Pressure washing thoroughly cleans every surface of your driveway, eliminating these harmful growths and helping to prevent their return.

Where Can You Buy (or Rent) Affordable Pressure Washing Equipment?

If you’d like to DIY, and also use the most heavy-duty type of pressure washing equipment, your best bet would be to rent from Home Depot or Lowes.

You can rent them for only a few hours (usually up to four) for a flat rate. If you only have one driveway to do every once in awhile, this may be your best best.

If you’re looking to buy a pressure washer to keep longterm (or if it’s more economical), Home Depot and Lowes also have some great purchase options.

For the sprayer-type pressure washers, here are the links to Home Depot and Lowes. You can choose between gas or electric as well. There are pros and cons to each, which we’ll possibly cover in a future article.

The Electric Pressure Washer I Bought

In the picture above, you can see the gas-powered one we used for this driveway, but I wanted to give a shoutout to electric pressure washers as well.

If you want to buy these online, Amazon is always a great option. I bought this electric pressure washer about 1.5 years ago and it’s still going strong. It’s great for car washes as well as heavier-duty jobs, and is pretty quiet as well:

No products found.

There have been many more options to come to market though. Here are the three bestselling pressure washers on Amazon right now also:

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Without further ado, here’s how we did it:

How to Pressure Wash Your Dirty Driveway

Read below to have your driveway looking new again (like after we finished ours below):

Step 1: Clear the Area

Before you start pressure washing, make sure to clear the area of any debris or obstacles.

Move any vehicles, plants, or outdoor furniture out of the way to give yourself plenty of room to work.

Step 2: Set Up Your Pressure Washer

Next, set up your pressure washer according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure to fill it with water and any cleaning solution or detergent that you’ll use.

If you need help, check with the manufacturer or a professional for recommendations.

Step 3: Test the Pressure

Before you start pressure washing, test the pressure on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it’s not too strong.

The force should be powerful enough to remove dirt and grime but not so strong that it damages the surface.

Step 4: Begin Pressure Washing

Once you’ve tested the pressure and are satisfied with the results, you can begin pressure washing your driveway.

Start at the top of the driveway and work your way down in a back-and-forth motion, overlapping each pass to ensure that you cover the entire surface.

Where is The Surface Pressure Washer?

Now, I already know what some of you are thinking: “There’s a better tool to get this done, Erin.”

And that’s the pressure washer surfacer cleaner attachment. And yes, I wish I had one at the time. But we didn’t. It would have gone a lot faster, but sometimes you use what you have.

For the surface-cleaner types of pressure washing equipment, here are the links to Home Depot and Lowes on those (faster at surface cleaning), if you want to grab one before your job. It’ll really help if you have a really big surface to cover as well.

Here are the top three surface pressure washers on Amazon for reference also:

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What is a Pressure Washer Surface Cleaner?

It’s essentially a round-shaped attachment or separate unit that specifically pressure washes flat ground surfaces. The benefit of using these is that they can cover a lot more ground than you can do with a hand spray/nozel type of pressure washer.

To get an idea of how much more time you could save, this is a pretty good video from Southeast Softwash starting about about twelve and a half minutes:

So either method and machine will work, we’re just giving some different options here.

Step 5: Rinse the Driveway

After finishing washing, use the pressure washer to rinse the driveway thoroughly.

This will remove any remaining dirt and cleaning solution. Make sure to rinse the entire surface to avoid any streaks or spots.

Step 6: Let the Driveway Dry

Once your driveway dries, consider sealing it to protect it from future dirt and grime buildup.

You can choose from several driveway sealers: asphalt, coal tar-based, and acrylic.

● Asphalt-based sealers are the most commonly used and provide reasonable protection for your driveway. They’re also the most affordable option.

● Coal tar-based sealers are a bit more expensive but provide even better protection and are more resistant to oil and gas spills.

● Acrylic sealers are the most expensive option, but they provide the best protection and have the most extended lifespan.

To seal your driveway, clean the surface thoroughly and let it dry fully. Then, apply the sealer according to the manufacturer’s instructions, using a roller or brush to spread it evenly.

Make sure to cover the entire surface and pay special attention to any cracks or holes.

Step 7: Driveway Maintenance

Practice regular maintenance to keep your pressure-washed driveway looking its best all year round. This may include sweeping it regularly to remove debris and re-sealing it every few years, depending on the type of sealer you use.

Precautions To Take When Using a Pressure Washer

Remember, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Some of the safety measures you should adhere to when pressure washing your Florida driveway include the following.

Never Aim a Pressure Washer at Someone Else or Yourself

Pressure washers shoot water at exceedingly high pressures.

If you point the pressure washer’s nozzle at yourself, the force of the water can injure your skin or cause damage to your internal organs.

The same happens if you point the pressure washer at others.

You can even knock them off their feet and make them suffer further injuries from falling. The damage might appear minor at first, and it can increase the risk of infection if you delay treating it.

Only Use a Gasoline-Powered Pressure Washer in an Open Area

Engines that contain gasoline emit harmful gases such as carbon monoxide that are dangerous to inhale.

Using a pressure washer with gasoline in an enclosed space can make you feel dizzy or even kill you.

Therefore, always use pressure washers with gasoline engines in open areas to avoid these risks.

Wear Protective Gear

You should wear protective equipment when pressure washing. This includes goggles and gloves to protect you from any chemicals you may use.

In addition, wear shoes that have rubber soles to provide sound insulation, primarily if your pressure washer uses electricity. Rubber soles also prevent you from falling on wet surfaces.

Keep Children a Safe Distance Away When Pressure Washing Your Driveway

We know how vulnerable children are to home safety hazards. For instance, the driveway’s surface can be slippery, resulting in falls and injuries.

Keep children away from the area where the pressure washing is taking place to guarantee their safety.

Tips When Using a Pressure Washer on Your Driveway

Use the Right Nozzle

Different nozzles on your pressure washer produce different spray patterns, which can be more or less effective for various surfaces and stains.

For example, a wide fan nozzle is great for general cleaning. In contrast, a narrow jet nozzle is better for removing stubborn stains.

Experiment with different nozzles to find the one that works best for your needs.

Pre-Treat Stubborn Stains

Suppose you’ve got tough stains on your driveway, like oil or grease.

Before pressure washing, using a degreaser or another specialized cleaner can help loosen and eliminate the stains more efficiently.

Use a Pressure Washer with Adjustable Pressure Settings

The proper settings will allow you to customize the pressure to suit the needs of your driveway.

If you need help deciding what setting to use, start with lower pressure and work your way up until you achieve the desired results.

Don’t Forget to Rinse

Once you’ve finished pressure washing, give the whole area a thorough rinse to remove any leftover dirt and cleaning solution.

Doing this will prevent streaks or spots and ensure that your driveway is spotless.

Consider Hiring a Professional

Still trying to figure out your pressure washing skills, or is your driveway too big or dirty? Then it might be a good idea to hire a professional.

They have the right tools and know-how to take care of the job safely and efficiently.

Some of our favorite places to find professional presser washing companies include:

• Thumbtack
• HomeAdvisor
• Google Maps / “Pressure Washers Near Me”
• TaskRabbit

What to Consider When Purchasing Your Florida Driveway Cleaning Solution

Type of Stains

When selecting a cleaning product, you must consider the kinds of stains you’re trying to remove and the type of surface you’re cleaning.

You could use a pressure-washing detergent. These products can eliminate dirt and grime from various surfaces, including driveways.

In addition, they usually have surfactants, which help lift and remove dirt and grime and are safe to use on most surfaces.

Targeted Cleaning Solutions

Consider trying a more targeted cleaning product, like a concrete cleaner or a degreaser.

Degreasers can be especially effective at eliminating tough stains, like grease and oil, from your driveway.

Concrete cleaners remove stains and discoloration from concrete surfaces, so they may be a good option for you to try on your driveway.

User Instructions

You must carefully read and follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the cleaning solution you decide to use.

Various cleaning products may have different proportions for dilution and unique application methods, so follow the directions to obtain the best outcome.

Right Cleaning Tools

Additionally, you must pick an appropriate cleaning agent and the proper gear.

A pressure washer with adjustable pressure options will enable you to tailor the pressure to meet your driveway’s needs.

Final Thoughts

Effectively pressure washing your Florida driveway requires a combination of the proper cleaning solution, equipment, and technique.

By following the steps outlined in this guide and using the right products and equipment, you can effectively remove dirt, grime, and stains from your driveway and restore it to its former glory.

Also, remember that regular maintenance will make your driveway look clean and beautiful for years to come!

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