How to Use a Pressure Washer to Prepare Your Driveway for Sealing
Sealing your driveway has a long list of advantages, from helping it last much longer than it may otherwise last, to ensuring that it looks its best. That said, if you do not seal it correctly then you will not get the results you want. This is why we recommend using a pressure washer to prepare your driveway for sealing. Read on to learn more about how to use a pressure washer to get your driveway ready for sealing and then reach out to Geyser Equipment at 951-509-9269 if you are ready to get started.
First and foremost: Do not use chemicals
You may be tempted to use chemicals – especially those chemicals that are often advertised for use with pressure washers. While they can help to get the driveway clean, there is one serious issue they can cause: They can in fact make it difficult for the sealant to adhere to the driveway. If you are going to use a chemical cleaner, then we recommend cleaning it at least a month before you plan to seal it.
Use a hot water pressure washer
Your best bet is to use a hot water pressure washer that has a surface cleaner. If you use water that is at least 200 degrees F it will kill any organic matter. It will also be hot enough to degrease the surface. The surface cleaner includes a rotating pressurized tip. This works to knock dirt and debris free from the side of your home or business very quickly. Just follow it up with a high heat rinse and you will end up with a very clean surface.
Let it dry for at least a day before sealing it
You do not want to pressure wash the concrete and then immediately seal it. Instead, wait a day so that it is complete dry. Then get rid of any loose contaminants that are on the surface of the concrete. The best way to do this is via a leaf blower but if you do not have one then you can simply sweep off the driveway.
When to seal your driveway
You want to make sure that your driveway is sealed during a warm week. You want at least two days in a row of both warm weather and no rain. If the sealant gets wet after it has been applied, then it will blotch. You also want to prevent foot traffic, which can be done by coning and blocking off the area.
If you need assistance getting your driveway ready for sealing, then we recommend contacting Geyser Equipment at 951-509-9269 right now. We can help you get exactly what you want and make sure that your needs are met. Whether you know the make and model that would work best for you or you have just the vaguest idea of what you want to do with a pressure washer, we are here to help!
