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Have you thought about buying a pressure washer? If so, you might be thinking how long it takes to pressure wash a driveway. Several things, like the size and shape of your road and the wattage of your pressure washer, should affect how quickly you can finish the job.
Anyone who has ever pressure-washed a sidewalk knows that it can be a long, boring process. If you are not careful, it is easy to spend hours working on a single piece of concrete. And if you do not have a good pressure cleaner, you might not even get the results you want. So, what can you do to speed things up and get better results?
What Are the Six Factors That Impact How Long it Takes to Pressure Wash a Driveway?
How dirty and grimy it is
If you are trying to clean a surface that is very dirty or has a lot of oil marks, it will take longer. If you are starting a particularly hard job, make sure to add extra time.
Also, do not try to clean everything at once. Cleaning a dirty floor can take a long time, and you do not want to be too tired to do a good job.
How big the drive way is
The longer it will take to clean your driveway, the more space it has. This is a simple fact about how things work. Please do not guess how long it will take to clean your yard without taking its size into account.
The kind of ground
Stone or brick surfaces are harder to clean than smooth concrete surfaces. It depends on what you like, but if your road has more texture, it will likely hold more dirt.
The pressure level
A high-powered pressure washer will get the job done faster than one with less power. This is something to keep in mind if you want to get your cleaning done faster.
Your skill
There is both an art and a science to pressure washing. If you know how to do something well, you can work faster and better. Practice makes perfect, so do not give up if it takes you a little while to get the hang of things.
The climate
Believe it or not, the weather can affect how long it takes to pressure wash your driveway. If it is cold, the water will be colder and less useful. When it is hot, evaporation can also cause trouble.
Make sure you take into account the weather when figuring out how long your job will take.
Size VS Time
The most important thing that affects how long it will take is how big the yard is.
As a general rule, it will take about 10 minutes for every 75 square feet. So, if your driveway is 900 square feet, it should take about an hour and twenty minutes.
It is also important to think about any driveway repair that might need to be done before or after the pressure washing. This could take more time, so it is best to be ready for it. With some planning and simple math, you should be able to get a good idea of how long it will take to pressure wash your driveway.
5 Quick Ways to Make Pressure Washing Your Driveway Go Faster
Pick the right type of pressure washer.
Not every pressure washer is the same. The best way to find the right pressure washer is to figure out how much cleaning power you need and then choose a model with that much power. By looking at your driveway, it is easy to figure out how much power you need to clean.
| Driveway Material | Recommended PSI |
|---|---|
| Concrete | 2,500 – 3,000 PSI |
| Stone | 2,500 – 3,000 PSI |
| Brick | 1,500 – 2,500 PSI |
| Tiles | 1,200 – 1,500 PSI |
| Asphalt | 1,500 – 3,000 PSI |
You can also use hot water and soap tanks that come with some pressure washers to speed up the cleaning process even more.
Read our FREE eBook on How to Choose The Right Pressure Washer to make an informed decision before buying.
Don’t underestimate the importance of prep work.
Start with an area that is clean. Sweep or vacuum the driveway to get rid of dirt or other things that might be hiding in cracks or holes. You can use a broom and dustpan, or you can do a better job by attaching a blower to an extension line. When you sweep or vacuum your sidewalk, the dirt and debris hiding in cracks and crevices will be brought to the surface. This will make it easier to wash away.
Use the correct tip.
When you use different nozzles, you will get different effects. For example, a narrow nozzle makes a concentrated stream of water that is great for getting rid of spots that will not come off. A wide nozzle, on the other hand, will make a bigger spray of water that can do more work in less time.
This is just one example. Different valves can be used in many different ways, but you will have to try them out until you find something that works well in your home.
Find out more about how to choose a tip here.
Take your time.
If you rush through the pressure washing process, the effects will probably not be as good as they could be. So, be calm and take your time.
Do not forget to rinse.
After power-washing your driveway, make sure to rinse it with clean water. This will get rid of any soap or chemicals that are still on the concrete and could hurt it.
Conclusion
The time it takes to pressure wash a driveway relies on the size of the driveway, the type of pressure washer being used, and how much dirt and grime is there. In general, it can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours to pressure wash a road. When you rent a machine, it is important to pay attention to the time limit so you do not go over.
Also, make sure to follow safety rules and wear protection gear to keep yourself safe from the strong water. With the right planning and safety precautions, pressure washing your driveway can be a quick and easy way to keep your home looking its best.
(You do not have a power washer? Read our tips on how to clean a driveway without a pressure washer.)
