How to Power Wash / Pressure Wash Your Cement Patio or Driveway

It's a good idea to clean your cement patio and driveway at least once a year with a quality pressure washer. Learning to use one properly makes this annual chore go a little easier, and a lot safer.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pressure washer with at least 3000 PSI and 3.0 GPM
• Turbo nozzle for cement cleaning
• Ear plugs
• Eye protection
• Tall rubber boots (optional)

1. Please read the warnings before proceeding.

2. Start by removing any items that are on or near the area to be cleaned. The water pressure generated is extremely high and will knock over potted plants or anything else close by. Flying mud and debris, like loosened cement chips, will also require you do low power washing once the cement is cleaned.

3. To make the pressure washing start a little more easily, make sure to wet down the area to be cleaned with a hose and let sit about 5 minutes before firing up the pressure washer.

4. Start the pressure washer, and if it's a gas model, let it warm up at idle for a minute or so before pulling the trigger.

5. Always start by aiming the wand in the air away from all people, pets and valuables. Hold the wand with both hands at all times: one hand on the hand grip, the other about half way down the wand, then pull the trigger. Do this a couple times to get the feel for the recoil as the pressurized water first starts flowing, similar to that of a rifle.

6. Holding the tip of the cement cleaning nozzle about 8"-12" above the cement, and at a 45-60 degree angle, draw a rectangular box about 3'-4' wide the entire length of the area to be cleaned. This is the initial area you'll be cleaning. I usually do the entire perimeter of the area when starting out.

7. Starting at one narrow end of your rectangle and facing towards the other, slowly start moving the wand back and forth and overlap the previous pass by about an inch. For consistency, try to stay within the outlined area, but no harm done if you stray outside.

8. Slowly sway forward as each back and forth pass is completed. You'll get the feel for it after a few passes.

9. Once you reach the far end, repeat from Step 6 until you have a beautifully clean patio.

10. It's best to clean any mud from the sprayer off the surrounding items while they're still wet. Once dry, it may take a little more elbow grease.

Tips & Warnings

• Cleaning cement works best with a higher power gas unit.
• Keep your pressure washer throttle turned up to the maximum setting for best results.
• If you have cracks in your cement, clean them out first by following the direction of the crack with the nozzle, and keeping the crack in the middle of the "clean" line.
• Always wear eye protection. Preferably shatter resistant glasses that close tightly around your eyes. Debris will be flying.
• Always wear ear protection. The gas motor is extremely loud, and depending on the size of your patio, you could be at this for an hour or more.
• Never point the nozzle at a person or pet. It could harm or kill.
• Never use the cement nozzle to clean anything other than cement. If used on wood or plastics, it will gouge holes.

[ideasbydesign]

on 9/9/2009 Excellent step by step instructions. Please write more articles. Thanks

[jenbeth]

on 9/3/2009 Great tips to keeping your patio or driveway clean, thanks!