"Rock Landscaping tackled a big project for us by shoring up sloped areas with retaining walls ranging in height from 2 to six feet. Additionally, they masterfully installed a beautiful large stone staircase up a steep grade (21 steps) to the upper portion of my property and surfaced my long driveway (.12 mile) with a good thick coating of D1. Russ Enz the owner gave me great pricing on this $50k plus monster sized project. His guys are true professionals, who are easy to work with, understand your vision, work hard and have a knack for turning raw land into a gorgeous landscape. Thanks Rock Landscaping for the great experience!"
"Very good. They showed up when they said they were going to, they finished when they said they were going to, the quality and everything is good as expected."
Professional power washing removes built-up dirt, mold, and mildew, which preserves exterior surfaces and improves curb appeal. Hiring a professional ensures the cleaning is done effectively and without damaging surfaces.
Combined with a cleaning agent, pressure washers and power washers are highly effective at removing driveway stains. However, these machines are not gentle, putting your driveway at risk of damage. Instead of renting a power washer yourself, ask a professional pressure washer for a consultation.
Maintaining a driveway depends on its material. For concrete and asphalt, it's best to clean the surface thoroughly twice a year with a stiff broom and a pressure washer to remove accumulated dirt and debris. Sealing the driveway is crucial to protect it from water damage and freeze-thaw cycles. Before applying a sealant, pressure wash the surface to remove any loose sealant, dirt, or stains, as sealing over them will trap them. Any cracks or expansion joints should be filled with a flexible polyurethane caulk or asphalt sealer. In colder climates, use sand instead of salt for de-icing. Sand helps melt snow and ice without accelerating the freeze-thaw process, which can cause cracks.
Whether you need to winterize your pressure washer depends on where you store it. If you can keep it in a relatively warm place with no risk of freezing, you won't need to add antifreeze. However, if the machine will be stored in freezing temperatures, any liquid left in the water pump can freeze, expand, and cause severe damage. To prevent this, add antifreeze to keep it in good condition. While some suggest emptying the machine with compressed air, this can be a tedious process that may not fully drain the liquid. Regardless of storage conditions, it is also good practice to empty the gas chamber and refresh the oil before winter storage.
The ideal PSI (pounds per square inch) for a pressure washer depends on the surface you are cleaning. For general home use, a pressure washer with a range of 2,000 to 3,000 PSI is recommended and powerful enough for most residential projects.
The specific PSI you should use varies by task:
High-Pressure Tasks (2,500-3,000 PSI): Tough materials like concrete, stone, masonry, and brick can handle higher pressures. This is suitable for removing stubborn stains from driveways or cleaning graffiti.
Low-Pressure Tasks (around 600-1,300 PSI): Softer surfaces require a gentler touch to avoid damage. Use a low PSI setting for cleaning wood decks (especially softwoods like pine and cedar), vinyl siding, outdoor furniture, and stucco.
For best results, choose the right nozzle for your surface, such as a 15-degree nozzle for siding or a surface cleaner attachment for driveways. Using an extendable wand can also make the work easier and more ergonomic.
The Wrangell, AK homeowners’ guide to concrete driveway services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Between the endless customizations and decades of strength, the cost of a concrete driveway may be worth the investment. Let's break down your bottom line.
Before you hire a pro to pour a new concrete driveway, you should have a good idea of what you need. Discuss these concrete driveway installation questions with a pro.
