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If your garage floor is heavily soiled or stained, then it’s a good idea to powerwash it with a concrete cleaner before sealing. This process will remove dirt and debris to help the new sealer bond to the concrete properly, and it will also improve the look of your sealed garage floor. After power washing your floor, make sure you let the concrete dry completely before applying sealant, usually for 24 to 48 hours.

You can put a gentle cleaner such as distilled white vinegar, dish soap, or a degreaser in your pressure washer in a detergent injector. The attachment will mix your detergent with the water and spray it out. If you have stubborn stains on your driveway, a gentle cleaner in the attachment can help dissolve and remove those stains. Rinse the area with the pressure washer.

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.

Filling small cracks in your driveway with patching material is usually the most affordable fix, costing about $2 to $3 per square foot. For larger damage, however, these repairs won’t last, so it’ll save you more to resurface or replace the driveway, depending on the extent of the issues.