Will 2000 PSI Clean a Driveway?

If you’re planning to pressure wash your driveway, you’re likely wondering how much power you need to do the job. Tools like the Ryobi 2,000 PSI pressure washer are common at home improvement stores. 

But Will 2000 PSI Clean a Driveway? 

Yes, 2,000 PSI will clean a driveway fully, just not efficiently. Professionals use a 3000 PSI pressure washer or greater to clean concrete and other tough surfaces. With a 2,000 PSI unit, concrete takes longer to clean because you must focus on a smaller area as you clean. 

A 3,000 PSI 4 GPM pressure washer is the standard tool used by professionals today, and some use products even more powerful than that. These units can scour away any dirt, paint, grease, and other substances effectively. The best pressure washer for cleaning concrete will deliver a minimum of 3,000 PSI of power and offer a flow rate of 4 GPM or higher. These pressure washers can be equipped with a surface cleaner and used to clean driveways, concrete pads, and other hard surfaces rapidly. 

Is 2000 PSI Enough to Clean a Driveway?

If you’re wondering how much PSI to clean a driveway is necessary, the answer is that 2,000 is the minimum amount of power you need, and 3,000 is better. The best pressure washer for cleaning concrete delivers enough power in a large area for efficient cleaning. 

If you want to know what PSI pressure washer I need for a driveway? The answer is 2,000 or more. Pressure washing is about directing a stream of water toward concrete or another surface that needs to be cleaned and letting the high pressure of the water clean away the debris. This only works if you have enough water pressure available. When using a low-powered unit, you must use a smaller nozzle to deliver enough pressure. A smaller nozzle will reduce the amount of surface area you can clean at once and make your cleaning process slower. 

Is Pressure Washing a Driveway Illegal?

In some locations, it is illegal to pressure wash a driveway. There are two possible reasons for pressure washing to be illegal in your area. The first is because it’s consuming too much water, and there are local water restrictions due to a drought. The second reason is that pressure washing releases debris, cleaning agents, detergents, and more into the environment. 

Water Must Be Sucked Up and Filtered in Some Locations

If you live in an area where it’s illegal to allow water from a pressure washer to flow into storm drains, the water must be sucked up and filtered immediately after it’s applied to the driveway to clean it. 

Most small companies don’t have the tools to properly reclaim water from a driveway during cleaning. If you live in an area where water must be reclaimed and filtered, you must work with professional pressure washers that can suck up their water and meet local regulations while cleaning. 

You can find a local company that will pressure wash or power wash a driveway near me and get excellent results for a reasonable cost. 

Can You Use Bleach to Clean a Driveway?

If you’re wondering what to spray on concrete before pressure washing, a bleach solution is one of the most common ways to pre-treat. When you pressure wash a driveway with bleach, you lighten the concrete’s surface, and you disinfect and break down stains, mold, and other contaminants growing in the tiny holes of your driveway’s surface. To clean with bleach, create a mixture made from half water and half bleach and apply the mix to your driveway using a mop and bucket or a garden sprayer. 

Allow the bleach solution to sit in place for 15 to 30 minutes, and then clean using your pressure washer. 

Will Pressure Washing with Bleach Kill Plants?

Yes, pressure washing with bleach will kill plants, so take care to shield them during the cleaning process as much as possible. It’s important to note that getting bleach on the plants around your driveway or anywhere else will kill them. Be careful how you apply this cleaner around your home. 

How to Pressure Wash a Driveway with a Surface Cleaner?

One of the ways that a professional company can keep their pressure washing driveway cost down is to use a surface cleaner. By equipping a pressure washer with a surface cleaner, the cleaning process can be increased dramatically. To use a surface cleaner, install it on a compatible pressure washer, and push the cleaner back and forth along your driveway while spraying water using the pressure washer wand. 

The surface cleaner contains a set of water bars that spin rapidly during use, evenly distributing your cleaning spray to a wider area for fast cleaning. Move the surface cleaner at a slow and even pace, being careful to slow down if you have any issues with spots or striping as you clean. Take care to maintain your cleaner over time, and will continue to perform reliably over time. 

Pressure washing your driveway is the best way to maintain it and keep it looking good. If you don’t have the tools to do so yourself, you should hire professionals to clean your driveway for you. Good pros don’t cost too much and clean off all the debris capably. 

Clean Your Property Fully with S&K

S&K Building Services cleans driveways, exterior siding, decks, fencing, and more. Hire our professionals and get your property cleaned fast without any damage or other common issues that come from self-cleaning with a pressure washer. Contact our team for a quote today.