"These guys are the best, Had my house on the market 2 months, could not sell it had this hideous hideous original laminate tile. These guys painted the walls and replacing the vinyl to match original cabinets. They made the kitchen sell my house. Well they're absolutely amazing I got to work with Tom, very knowledgeable. A++ absolute pleasure to work with. They definitely do a good work."
"A huge shout out to Fred Cameron and his crew. They did a fabulous job paving my driveway. Fred was super to meet and talk with, he came out and met with me gave me a quote right on the spot. He gave me some great input on what he thought was best for our project. Fred had great ideas and you could tell years of experience as he explained things. Fred and his crew came when he said they would and had the project wrapped in the time he said it would take. Fred's crew were extremely pleasant and professional about the job they all worked hard and very efficiently. I would highly recommend BlackTop Paving to anyone looking to get their driveway done. Thank you Fred for a wonderful experience. Thank you to Fred's crew for all their hard work. I am a very happy customer. 😊 Rusty L"
"Pleasant and customer focused; requested a short notice (4 day) upgrade of driveway before Thanksgiving... at first he was not able to fit us in. He then showed up and completed the work before the holiday. We expect to have additional work done in the spring. Highly recommend!"
"We had a great experience working with G.A. Doughty Construction. From the start, their team was communicative, responsive, and collaborative—making sure we were involved and informed at every step. They helped us navigate and recover from a difficult prior experience, stepping in with professionalism and integrity to get the work done right. Their commitment to quality and transparency gave us real peace of mind, and we’re grateful for their expertise and support throughout the project."
"The gentlemen with D&M Earthworks were very responsive. I hired them to repair my driveway, the work was done ahead of schedule, on budget and with outstanding quality. All of their employees were pleasant, knowledgeable and willing to help. I could not recommend them highly enough. It is so refreshing to work with a local business with integrity, and be thoroughly pleased too."
You can use a pressure washer to clean a whole host of surfaces. The exterior siding of your house is one of the most popular spots, as well as your driveway, garage floor, patio or deck, and even your outdoor furniture. Just be mindful about the amount of pressure you apply to different materials—concrete can handle a lot more than wood, for example.
The ideal frequency for pressure washing depends on the surface being cleaned and your local environmental conditions. For a home's exterior with siding that is safe to wash (such as vinyl, cement, or aluminum), a full wash once or twice a year is a good guideline to remove accumulated dirt, grime, mold, and mildew. You may need to wash more frequently if you live in an area with heavy rain or snow, near a dirt road, or if you notice excessive buildup. Other surfaces have different schedules; for example, a frequently used driveway may need cleaning more often, while outdoor patio furniture might only need to be washed every few years. Use your discretion based on how dirty the area gets.
You should avoid using a pressure washer on any surface or item that could be damaged by the high-pressure spray, as some materials are too delicate to withstand the force.
Key items and surfaces to avoid include:
Electrical Components: Never pressure wash electrical systems, as water can cause short-circuits and create a safety hazard. This includes utility meters, breaker boxes, electrical outlets, generators, and HVAC or air conditioner units.
Delicate and Fragile Materials: Fragile items can crack, shatter, or be stripped by the pressure. Avoid pressure washing windows, glass, light fixtures, shingled roofs (especially asphalt), and stucco.
Painted, Stained, or Sealed Surfaces: Unless your goal is to strip the finish, do not pressure wash painted surfaces, stained wood (like decks), or anything with a protective seal that could be stripped away. Be especially cautious with older surfaces that may contain lead paint.
Soft Woods and Certain Decking: Delicate surfaces like softwood, composite decking, and antique or wooden patio furniture can be etched or damaged. If you must wash wood, use a lower-powered pressure washer with a wide-angle nozzle to prevent damage.
Living Things: Never use a pressure washer on people, pets, or plants. The force can cause serious injury and will destroy landscaping.
You should always hook up your pressure washer to the water supply before turning it on and ensure there’s a good water flow. If you try to turn the machine on without water in the system, it overworks and overheats the unlubricated pump. This can quickly lead to irreversible damage.
The best cleaning solution for stamped concrete is a combination of water and mild soap. Dish soap and laundry detergent are good options. For more stubborn stains, you can use an alkaline cleaner that removes oil and grease. In either case, you’ll want to steer clear of abrasive cleaners and harsh chemicals which can damage the concrete.
The Cushing, ME 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.
Thinking about a new concrete driveway? Learn about installation costs, design options, and how to hire the right local pro for your home's exterior upgrade.
