How to Clean Concrete Driveway? Step-by-Step Guide on Cleaning Concrete

When freshly constructed, a driveway compliments the home, enhances its curb appeal, and welcomes visitors with elegance. However, as time passes, dust, leaves, tyre marks, and other forms of grime begin to settle on its surface, making it look grey and faded. Apart from looking unpleasant, the persistent dirt can also make the place slippery, thereby dangerous for vehicles and pedestrians alike. Thus, it becomes imperative to regularly maintain and clean the driveway to ensure its aesthetic charm and the well-being of all who traverse its path. So, here we are with a comprehensive blog outlining the step-by-step process of cleaning your concrete driveway on your own.

Why Is Cleaning Concrete Important?

Concrete is among the most durable materials used widely for installing patios, paths and driveways. Though it is a low-maintenance material, it requires regular upkeep to maintain its allure and longevity. Otherwise, the driveway will lose appeal and incur cracks that will eventually break it apart. Below are a few reasons why concrete driveway cleaning is crucial:

• Presentation of your home & street frontage will greatly improve.
• Removal of grime, sticks and rocks, makes the driveway a safer place
• A well-maintained driveway enhances the curb appeal of the place by reflecting light into and around the house and thus generates higher resale value
• RPrevents pollutants and contaminants from washing into storm drains and local waterways
• Regular cleaning protects your concrete driveway from water damage, stains, and cracks, extending its lifespan.

How to Clean Concrete Driveway?

If you want to indulge in DIY and are up for a challenge, then tackling your driveway yourself is certainly an option! However, you must be prepared to invest some time and effort in the task. Once you gather the right tools and follow the step-by-step guide, you can achieve a clean, bright look for your driveway. But remember to take care of all the safety measures so you don’t harm yourself or the property.

Clear the Surface

The concrete driveway cleaning procedure starts by removing all the debris from the surface. There will be leaves, sticks, tiny rocks, and sometimes loose dirt in the driveway, which you can clean either by using a broom or a leaf blower. Once you have a clean surface, it’s easier to recognise stains and use dedicated products that will help to easily and efficiently dislodge them.

Secure the Cleaning Zone

Apart from clearing the driveway, you must also remove the surrounding items so that you do not harm them in the process. Chemical cleaners can be corrosive, so ensure that your outdoor metal furniture or anything near the driveway is either removed or secured well. You must also water any grass or plants around the area.

Treat Stubborn Stains

Concrete is often the preferred material for driveway construction because you can use different colours to enhance its beauty. However, it is also quite porous, as leaves and rocks, when left on the surface for a long time, will stain the surface. There are different ways to eliminate these stains depending on the severity and type of stain. You can use degreasers or a chemical cleaners to tackle all these stains.

Take the required amount of cleaner and spread it evenly over the surface. Each package will state the appropriate way of using the product, so follow it properly to achieve the best results. You need to leave the cleaner on the surface for the recommended time so it can penetrate and loosen and efficiently remove the stains. Using a little elbow grease to scrub the area will enhance the results.

Power up the Pressure Cleaner

After using concrete cleaners, you can power wash the area. It is an effective process to clean the concrete driveway and get rid of stains, tyre marks, and other stubborn marks that ruin the aesthetics of your concrete driveway. This technique uses a high-power water pump to propel a stream of water to the intended area. The pressure removes grime from the surface, thus leaving it looking fresh and renewed. It’s also essential to understand that concrete can etch and crack if the pressure is too high.

Therefore, it’s vital to:

• Use a pressure washer between 2,000 and 3,000 PSI.
• Use the right nozzle to clean it and hold the nozzle 50-150mm away from the concrete surface to avoid damaging the surface.
• Use a turbo nozzle or a 40 degree wash nozzle for cleaning large areas
• If you have a surface cleaner attachment, you can also apply this and cover more area.j
• Gradually increase pressure as needed to remove grime effectively without damaging the concrete.

Introduce the Rotary Surface Cleaner

Another quick, efficient, and least physically demanding procedure for eliminating stains from the concrete driveway is using a rotary surface cleaner attachment. It works by spinning rapidly and agitating the surface, providing a thorough cleaning without the risk of streaking or damage. It works by spinning rapidly and agitating the surface, providing a thorough cleaning without the risk of streaking or damage.

Rinse and Repeat (if Necessary)

Once you’ve covered the entire driveway with the pressure cleaner and rotary cleaner, give it a final rinse to wash away any remaining debris. If there are still stubborn stains lingering, don’t hesitate to go back and repeat the process until you achieve the desired results.

What Safety Tips to Follow When Cleaning Concrete Driveways?

When venturing to clean the concrete driveway all by yourself, you will need multiple tools and cleaning products to achieve results. Each of the products needs careful handling so you do not harm the property or yourself. So, it becomes quintessential to follow safety standards.

Below are a few so you can confidently manage the driveway cleaning without worrying about safety:

• Gear up (mask, gloves, goggles, gum boots) for safety.
• Read product info before use
• Test cleaner in a small area.
• Store unused products safely.
• Dilute concentrates as directed.
• Dispose of cleaners responsibly.
• Keep kids & pets away during cleaning.
• Wash your hands well after cleaning.

These safety tips will ensure a successful and hazard-free cleaning experience while maintaining the integrity and longevity of your concrete driveway.

When Do You Need to Hire a Concrete Driveway Cleaner?

While you can manage regular cleaning of your concrete driveway, it’s also crucial to approach the experts for periodic maintenance; only then will you be able to ensure that it lasts a lifetime. Contacting cleaning services for driveway cleaning at least once a year is essential for maintaining the longevity and appeal of your property’s exterior. If you are thinking about when you should contact professionals, here are a few signs to look for:

Stubborn Stains

Sometimes, professional-grade cleaning materials and expertise are required to get rid of stains on the driveway. If your driveway also has such stubborn stains, you must approach professional driveway cleaners who have ample experience and can use specialised tools to expel the deep-seated tint and give you a renewed driveway.

Limited Time

Driveway cleaning can consume a lot of your precious time. However, with professional driveway cleaners onboard, you can expect the work to be completed in a relatively shorter timeframe. It’s because they have ample experience that allows them to generate a clear plan of action that allows them to deliver excellent results in a limited time.

Expansive Driveway

If your home or office boasts of a driveway that covers a large area, it can be difficult for you to efficiently clean it by yourself. This is when professional cleaners can help as they own advanced equipment that can cover large areas in less time.

Lack of Knowledge

The usage of chemical cleaners requires you to have accurate knowledge of application, dwell time, safety measures, and other crucial information that enables you to use them effectively. If you have limited or no knowledge about it, you may end up harming yourself and the property. In such scenarios, it’s better to approach driveway cleaning services with extensive experience using specialised products so they can achieve flawless results without causing harm.

Expert Maintainance

Cleaning the driveway isn’t enough because it will again be the same after some time. Therefore, you need tips to ensure that your driveways stay clean and bright for a long time. Here is when a professional driveway cleaner becomes your best asset. They will inform you of multiple ways in which you can maintain the cleanliness of the driveway and ensure it stays in the best condition for a long time. As an example, a mould & mildew treatment works very well at removing all spores of mould and will give you a longer lasting result.

By recognising these scenarios, you can determine when it’s appropriate to enlist the services of a concrete driveway cleaner, ensuring your property maintains its pristine appearance and durability over time.

Wrapping Up

We hope this detailed guide about how to clean concrete driveways has been informative to you. Following these tips will assist you in cleaning your driveway effectively and ensuring that it lasts. If you have more questions, contact Exterior Clean Melbourne, one of the most reliable cleaning services that uses cutting-edge tools to achieve the best results. We are a licensed, trained, and well-experienced team that can undertake exterior cleaning of residential and commercial buildings and deliver desirable results. So, give us a call, and one of our representatives will be in touch with you to understand your needs and walk you through the following procedures.