Whether you’re buying or renting a pressure washer for your driveway, you must choose a machine with enough pounds per square inch (PSI) of pressure and adequate water flow for the job. But even the best pressure washers can’t restore the appearance and surface quality of a damaged driveway, so every driveway will eventually need to be repaired or replaced. Here’s more about using a pressure washer on a driveway.
Brand Doesn’t Matter
Experts who test pressure washers don’t agree on what brand is best. That may be because pressure washers are simple machines that are mostly similar in design. While models from respected home improvement tool brands like Champion, DeWalt and Ryobi rate well in most tests, you may find a model you like from Simpson, Sun Joe, Karcher or Greenworks, among others. What matters is the amount and pressure of the water they put out.
Pressure and Volume
To quickly clean a driveway, choose a pressure washer that provides 3,000 PSI of water pressure at a flow rate of 3 gallons per minute. A lower PSI number means the unit won’t be powerful enough to wash away the grime. A lower flow rate means you will have to work on each area longer, making the job take two, three or even four times longer. Even with the best pressure washers, you may need to treat oil stains with a degreaser before cleaning.
Cleaning May Not Be Enough
If your driveway still looks bad after cleaning or you damage it with too much pressure, you may need to contact a company that offers concrete repair or asphalt driveway services. Some companies, like GMG General, Inc.know that you should be sure to choose a place with references that can show you pictures of past work. Companies that offer concrete repair can cut out damaged sections and replace them. Companies that provide asphalt driveway services offer patching and seal coatings as well as repaving, extensions, excavation and replacement.
Other Considerations
If you need to wash a driveway with painted markings or unstable repairs, you may want to select a pressure washer with a setting for 1,500 PSI of water pressure and no more than 1.8 gallons of water flow per minute. More pressure and flow could wash away markings and compromise shallow or failing repairs. Additionally, it’s important to adjust the pressure and flow before cleaning other outdoor surfaces. For example, you should not use more than 500 to 600 PSI of pressure on a wooden deck.
When choosing a pressure washer, PSI and flow ratings mean much more than the brand name. For the best results, make sure you check settings before every job to prevent damage and keep from wasting time trying to clean without enough power. Your driveway can look great with minimal effort when you choose a powerful pressure washer and use it correctly.
