Cleaning a driveway of your house on your own is always possible when you follow the right steps. This starts with removing loose waste, treating oil stains, and using the right pressure to clean the dull appearance of the driveway.
Whether the surface on your driveway features concrete, asphalt shingles, paver, or brick, cleaning them becomes a challenge. Particularly when you are clueless of the specific cleaning solutions and right techniques. And to prevent potential problems, you should realise the surface-specific driveway washing tips.
In this blog, you will walk through the expert-driven step-by-step process of cleaning various driveway materials. This will help you weigh when to choose DIY and when to call a professional driveway washing in Melbourne. So, continue reading it till the end.
Concrete is a porous building material which shows stains from vehicle leaks, chemical spill, hard water, or decomposed leaves. Tire marks, mold growth on shaded areas, and efflorescence residue also look unattractive on these driveways. Here is how to get rid of these signs.
1. Sweep your driveway daily to blow out the loose leaves, metal objects, and mud buildup.
2. Use a degreaser for deep oil stains and allow it to dry completely. Also, you must use vinegar acid for rust and efflorescence. The mix of baking soda and dish soap works well for treating mild organic stains. Allow any of these cleaners some time before scrubbing.
3. Wet the surface area using a garden hose with high-pressure nozzle.
4. Apply dish soap or DIY baking soda and vinegar mix to the entire surface. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, rinse with clean water, and let it dry.
5. Use concrete sealer to protect against future stains.
If a problem persists, it is best to call in professional experts for concrete driveway washing in Melbourne.
Asphalt is a delicate black material with heat retention properties. Yet still, it is possible to notice signs of oil stains, tire streaks, or fertilizer spills after lawn maintenance. Here is how to clean an asphalt driveway.
1. Sweep or blow away leaves, dirt, and debris. Rinse the surface wet.
2. Mix warm water, dish soap, or mild detergent well enough to pour on the surface. Scrub gently and rinse well after 10 minutes.
3. For tire marks, use a degreaser while a mixture of baking soda and water breaks down the fresh oil spills.
While high-pressure washers can be unsafe for asphalt surfaces, you can still use a pressure washer at low-pressure settings. It is best to have services of a professional driveway washing in Melbourne for even cleaning.
Brick driveways displace sand over time with no proper maintenance. This happens due to weed growth, prolonged exposure to UV rays, and hard stains.
1. Sweep dust, leaves, and loose particles between the bricks.
2. Mix vinegar and boiling water, pour on the weed spots, and remove weeds using weed remover kit.
3. Apply brick cleaning detergents all over the surface, scrub over gently, and rinse with clean water thoroughly.
4. Use vinegar or baking soda with water to treat the tough and difficult spots.
5. Finally, wash away everything with clean water and let the driveway dry for 24 hours before sealing or sanding.
Experts of driveway washing in Melbourne use pressure washers at low settings which prevents brick or sand from shifting during the cleaning process. Consult about one of their cleaning measures to clean sensitive brick surfaces efficiently.
Gravel driveways also show similar signs of damage but require a thoughtful cleaning procedure for long-term maintenance.
1. Rake the gravel prevents ruts, low spots and clear the debris.
2. Use weed barriers and apply weed killer to prevent their growth.
3. Spray the surface lightly to settle the dust, however you must use calcium or magnesium chloride for heavy dirt buildup. Remove gravel stones from blocked drainage areas.
4. Add more gravel in a fine line to keep the driveway in good condition.
While gravel driveways require less intensive cleaning, a professional driveway washing in Melbourne helps with the weed control and gravel raking process.
Paver driveways are another common type of surface which requires cleaning to remove tough stains, moss, and weed growth.
1. Sweep the dirt and debris carefully.
2. Pressure wash the weed roots to remove them completely.
3. Pre-treat black, green, and brown patches with warm water mixed in vinegar, degreaser, or baking soda.
3. Apply a sealant to protect the pavers from stains and weather damage.
Professional driveway cleaners use the right pressure settings and cleaning solutions. They can also apply sealants to protect the surface and keep it in excellent condition for years.
Professionals have the knowledge and experience to handle the composition of stains and bacteria on different driveway materials. As a result, they use appropriate techniques to avoid damage.
Professional cleaning services use advanced equipment for a deeper clean which is sometimes not possible with regular household tools.
Many professional cleaners use eco-friendly solutions that are effective yet safe for the environment.
Hiring professionals saves your time and effort. Cleaning a driveway with DIY approaches can be labour-intensive but professionals do it conveniently.
A neat and stain-free driveway creates a positive first impression and increases the value of your home.
We hope you found this blog useful. As you see, DIY cleaning is effective for routine maintenance. However, you must consider professional driveway washing in Melbourne when DIY solutions fail to work consistently.
Whether you have a concrete, asphalt, brick, gravel, or paver driveway, professional cleaners have the expertise, equipment, and solutions to keep your driveway in the best condition. Consider professional driveway cleaning from Exterior Clean Melbourne, an Australian-owned company with over a decade of experience complying with the Australian safety standards.
