"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."
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.
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.
Yes. You can pressure wash pavers. However, you risk damaging them if you use too much pressure or get too close. Use a PSI of 1,500 and spray the water at least 24 inches away from the surface.
You can whiten concrete for unsealed and unfinished concrete with a solution or either muriatic acid or bleach and water—but never both. However, if your concrete does have a stain, finish, or polish, keep in mind that these hard chemicals could damage the topcoat. Your best bet otherwise is to power wash outdoor concrete slabs or clean indoor ones with a gentle cleaner such as laundry or dish detergent.
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 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.
