Professional Driveway Cleaning
Driveways are bound to get dirty. After all, they’re subjected to Mother Nature, your vehicles, and whatever else your family can think to throw at them. But concrete driveways can add curb appeal and value to your home when cared for properly for the long term. And that includes cleaning.
Driveway cleaning does not need to be overly frequent or laborious. What it does need is to be done properly with the right equipment so that your materials are not damaged in the process – that’s where a professional service that not only knows cleaning but also knows concrete is so valuable.
At Concept Concrete, we’re experts in all things driveways and all things concrete. Whether you have dirt and grime creeping up a concrete wall or marks and mildew messing up the aesthetic of your drive, our team can help. We’re Melbourne’s leading provider of concrete services from installation to repair and care – including cleaning. Call us on 1300 366 343 for a free quote today.
If you want to learn more about concrete driveways, check out our resources:
1. How Much Does a Concrete Driveway Cost
2. Asphalt vs Concrete Driveways: Why Concrete Is Often the Better Choice
3. How Long Does It Take for Driveway Sealant to Dry?
4. Concrete Driveway Installation
5. What Are The Most Common Types of Concrete Driveways?
6. Modern Concrete Driveway Ideas
How to know it’s time to clean your driveway
The fact is that you aren’t going to be able to keep your driveway spotless for long. It’s exposed to the unpredictable Melbourne weather of sun, rain, cars, and family members (including any four-legged ones!) who are going to leave their mark. But over time, you’ll be able to see the signs of wear and when it is right to tackle the cleaning.
Here are just a few:
- Stains and streaks of mould or mildew
- Tyre marks
- Dirt in corners and cracks
- Pollen and leaf build up
- Slick patches from oil
What’s the best way to get a driveway clean?
For your concrete, there’s no better substance than plain ol’ water. As experts cleaning commercial concrete driveways as well as residential concrete driveways, we recommend you avoid using any harsh chemicals or cleaners that could actually break down the sealer or surface of the concrete and cause cracking or pitting later down the line.
You can certainly try, and should attempt to keep up with, rinsing your driveway with a garden hose from time to time. This can help keep things like dirt and debris from accumulating and becoming harder to remove later.
But some types of grime are just too stubborn for a simple garden hose. For professional cleaning, you’ll want to turn to a professional concreter that has the right tools to properly power wash your driveway. It’s important not to use too much pressure, over 3000 psi, or you can risk damaging the concrete itself in the process. And going with professionals means no expensive equipment for you to rent or purchase and no weekend lost to a DIY cleaning project.
How much does driveway cleaning cost?
Rates are going to vary depending on the size of your driveway and how much concrete needs to be cleaned. The rate could also be different depending on the condition of the concrete itself and just how big of a mess you are facing.
That said, power washing is usually charged at a per hour rate, between $40 to $60 on average in Melbourne. Driveway cleaning tends to be toward the lower end of that range since the professionals don’t have to climb to extreme heights or contend with other obstacles to access the surface that needs cleaning. That said, travel, equipment, and staff costs are also going to be baked into whatever quote you get.
For the average Aussie driveway, you can expect to pay between $150 to $300 for power washing. The final numbers, of course, should come down to an exact quote from a qualified professional.
For accurate pricing, claim a 100% obligation-free quote online now.
How to choose a company to clean your driveway
There are going to be a lot of fly-by-night companies out there touting power washing and other cleaning services, so choose wisely. Never ever hire anyone who is not licensed and insured to do the work described. Power washers are substantial machines that require know-how to operate safely and correctly. Without insurance, you could be liable if someone is injured or something is damaged.
With insurance out of the way, you’ll want to only look for companies that have credibility. Find out how many years of experience they have performing the exact service that they are promising to deliver on. Again, you want someone who has experience with power washing, specifically concrete, who will be much less likely to damage the surface with improper handling or pressure.
Ultimately, going with a company that works in concrete is a surefire way to make sure that the job is done right. Concreters have a respect for and understanding of the material involved and will be extra cautious when cleaning to be sure that no sealers or materials are blasted away along with the dirt and debris.
More than a cleaning company, explore our full list of services here:
Driveway cleaning services from the experts at Concept Concrete
Ready to get your driveway looking brand new again? Call on Concept Concrete for qualified, insured, and expert cleaning services at a price you can afford. Every one of our technicians is ready and able to provide driveway cleaning no matter the condition of your surface. We also offer hassle-free quotes so you know exactly what to expect to pay with zero gimmicks. Call us on 1300 366 343 or request a quote online today to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions About Driveway Cleaning In Melbourne
What do concrete driveway cleaning services cover?
You should confirm exactly what’s included with the professional you choose. But typically, you can expect a driveway cleaning to remove:
- Stains
- Dirt and debris
- Tyre marks
- Gum
- Oil
- Paint
- Grease
- Mold
Can I power wash decorative concrete?
Yes, but you’ll want to leave it to the experts. They may opt to use even lower pressure settings on the power washer to be sure that the cleaning process does not damage or remove any of the decorative elements in your concrete work. The same also applies for polished and epoxy coated surfaces.
I only see a little bit of dirt. Can I spot clean a driveway?
Absolutely. If you want to get out there and address a little area of dirt or build up, you certainly can. You probably also don’t need a power washer to do so.
- Sweep or vacuum away any lose materials or debris (like leaves or branches)
- Soak the concrete with a garden hose and allow to dry completely.
- Check for any additional or lingering signs of dirt.
- Try spot cleaning with a grease release cleaner as needed.
- Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry naturally.
Can I power wash decorative concrete?
Yes, but you’ll want to leave it to the experts. They may opt to use even lower pressure settings on the power washer to be sure that the cleaning process does not damage or remove any of the decorative elements in your concrete work. The same also applies for polished and epoxy coated surfaces.
Can I just rent a power washer and do it myself?
You can, but you’ll want to be extra careful. Most residential power washers have lower pressure settings, which means homeowners start placing the nozzle super close to the surface in order to see any change or progress in cleaning. What this does is wash away the dirt while also carving lines and gouging out the concrete, too. It’s much more effective and safer to hire a professional who will have all of the proper equipment and the knowledge of how to operate it safely.