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You should always power wash your driveway before applying a sealant. At any given time, your driveway could be covered with algae and moss, tire residue, oil and rust stains, and any combination of leaves, twigs, and dirt. If you skip power washing, you’ll be trapping the dirt and grime beneath the sealant and lowering its chance of cementing itself to your driveway. While you can expect the cost to pressure wash your driveway to average between $100 and $350, the few hundred dollars beats an unattractive driveway or paying extra to reapply your driveway sealer.

Always begin by removing large debris, leaves, and branches from your lawn to make room for the rest of your lawn maintenance checklist. Move on to mowing, weeding, and edging in the spaces between your lawn and garden. Lastly, clean off all hardscapes, porches, and patios for a fresh and tidy appearance.

You should wait until your pavers have completely dried and cured before pressure washing them. Wait at least three to five days, though some sealants may need up to an entire week. Rushing that timeline can mess with the finish, weaken the seal, or leave streaks that are tough to fix. Once the sealant has fully set, stick to a gentle approach. Keep the pressure under 1,500 PSI and hold the nozzle at least two feet from the surface. Anything stronger or closer can blast the joint sand loose or wear down the sealant you just applied.

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.