A pressure washer makes outdoor cleaning look easy, and that is part of the problem. The force that lifts years of grime from a driveway can also etch concrete, wash out the sand between pavers or push water where it should not go. Most damage comes from a handful of avoidable mistakes.

This guide explains them so you know what to watch for and what to ask, whether you hire someone or own a machine. It is not a how-to: it gives no pressures, nozzle settings or product advice. If you use your own pressure washer, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

1. Treating every surface the same

Concrete, pavers, natural stone, timber, render and paint all react differently. A newer concrete driveway copes with treatment that can roughen weathered concrete, mark some natural stone or leave timber decking rough and furry. Paint can lift and render can be damaged.

Our pressure washing does not include roofs, render or painted surfaces. If your surface is fragile, or you are not sure what it is made of, send photos and ask for a custom quote rather than booking through the calculator.

2. Too much force in one place

Holding the spray too close, or lingering on one spot, can etch the surface. The result is lines, swirls or patches that look lighter than the rest, and on some surfaces they do not fade. Uneven cleaning can also leave the driveway striped, with clean bands next to dirty ones.

3. Washing out the paver joints

The sand or mortar between pavers helps hold them in place. Aiming at the joints, or using too much force, can wash it out, loosening pavers and leaving gaps for weeds. Point out any loose or lifting pavers before the clean. Re-sanding is a separate job for a paving specialist and is not part of our service.

4. Driving water into the building

Spray aimed at walls, window frames, door sills, garage door seals or wall vents can push water into places that are meant to stay dry. Outdoor power points, lights, meter boxes and pool equipment at ground level need the same care.

5. Forgetting what is nearby

Direct spray can damage plants and flyscreens, and grit kicked up from the surface can splatter walls, windows, cars and outdoor furniture. Light items get blown around. Clearing and protecting the area first prevents most of this; preparing your driveway or patio for pressure washing has a checklist.

6. Guessing with cleaning products

It is tempting to reach for a strong product when a stain will not shift. Without knowing how the product and the surface react, it is easy to cause marks or patchy colour, or to harm the plants beside the path. Do not experiment. Tell whoever does the clean what caused the stain and what has already been tried.

7. Chasing stains that will not come out

Some marks are not dirt. Old oil soaked deep into concrete, rust marks, efflorescence (the white, powdery deposit on pavers and concrete), cracks, chips and wear will not wash away, and going over them again and again is how surfaces get damaged. Old oil stains soaked deep into concrete are not part of our service, and we do not promise to remove rust or efflorescence.

8. Ignoring the water rules

Victoria’s Permanent Water Saving Rules apply every day of the year. Drinking water can only be used to clean hard surfaces such as driveways, paths, concrete, tiles and timber decking where cleaning is needed as a result of an accident, fire, health hazard, safety hazard or other emergency; once staining has developed, and then only once a season; or in the course of construction or renovation. The cleaning must then be done with a high-pressure water cleaning device, meaning an electric or petrol-powered device that connects to a hose and delivers 9 litres per minute or less, or, if one is not available, a hand-held hose or a bucket.

Mistakes to avoid include washing the driveway as a routine rinse, hosing down a path that only needed sweeping, and using a machine with a higher delivery rate. Breaches can result in fines. Our guide to booking driveway pressure washing sets out the rules in full with the official sources; your water corporation can confirm how they apply to you.

9. Sending the dirt down the drain

EPA Victoria explains that stormwater travels through gutters and drains into our waterways, and lists oil, washing detergents, leaves and garden clippings among the things that pollute it. It also explains that, under the general environmental duty, everyone must prevent waste from entering stormwater drains so far as reasonably practicable. Sweep up and bin loose debris before the clean, and ask any provider what they add to the water and how they deal with runoff.

10. Rushing the safety basics

High-pressure water and wet, slippery paving do not mix well with people and pets nearby. Keep children and animals inside or well away until the job is finished, and take care walking on the surface while it is wet.

Questions to ask any provider

  • Which surfaces do you not clean?
  • Do you check the surface first and point out loose pavers or existing damage?
  • What is the delivery rate of your machine?
  • Do you add anything to the water, and how do you handle runoff?
  • Which stains are unlikely to come out?

When you want it done for you

Our pressure washing service covers concrete and paved driveways, paths, courtyards, patios and garage floors, with a rinse-down of the surrounding area. It is priced at $2.70 per square metre plus GST, so a 40 m² driveway comes to $109 + GST; the instant quote calculator shows the price for your area. For timing, see how often outdoor paving should be cleaned.

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Sources

Rules change. Check the official source for your situation; this guide is general information, not legal advice.