How to Clean Concrete Driveways
December 18, 2013Even if you don’t put a great deal of thought into the kind of concrete you use for your driveway, you should always try to take good care of the surface. In future you may want to move and sell your house, and when people come to look at your home the driveway will be a clear indication as to what they can expect inside – with oil spills and a mud coating you’re giving the signal that you don’t care about upkeep or cleanliness.
At Roadmaster Concrete, we have a raft of experience in the concrete industry and want to share with you our tips for getting your concrete driveway as clean as it can possibly be. Common stains and messes on your driveway could include:
- Oil
- Grease
- Mud
- Bird muck
- Moss/mildew/algae
Pressure wash
There are a range of pressure washers available for all manner of purposes including car washing, gutter jetting and patio cleaning. With that in mind, and considering how hardy concrete can be, the pressure washer will be perfect for getting rid of those stubborn stains on your driveway. If you have a machine which also takes chemicals, then be sure to put it to use – though be careful not to overdo it on the chemicals.
Some stains may not come up first time with a pressure washer, but don’t waste water on them, simply take out a tough scrubbing brush and give the troubled spot more careful attention with hot water and a chemical solution. This way you can froth the area up into a lather, let it soak and hopefully lift more of the stain out later.
Treatments
In addition to a chemical wash, there are several ways in which you can treat your concrete driveway. This involves the coating of the surface to protect it from weathering and stains, especially the moss which can cling to the concrete and make it look green after a large rainfall. This is an effective shield which should last for a year or so. When you start to see the coating wear, that is the time to consider a new coat.
Should you have an oil leak, then it needs to be cleaned up as soon as possible. The protective coating will do its job but needs to be aided in order to protect the concrete from permanent staining.
Pull the weeds
It’s a dull job but someone has got to do it, as with any concrete area there are bound to be sprouts of life trying to get a foothold anywhere they can. Cracks, edges and holes in your concrete will be a dream home for weeds blown in on the wind. Being out in the open means your driveway is constantly being dusted with minute seeds and spores which will take a deep root if they can. You’ll need to get down on your knees, pull on a pair of rubber gloves and get scraping those pesky weeds out. If you fail to get the roots, it’s likely they will keep coming back, but if you give up completely then you’ll find your concrete will crack more easily and have a border of ugly looking weeds. A paving weeder or even a simple trowel can help you get those tough-to-reach weeds.
Written by Roadmaster Concrete Mixers, providers of the best volumetric mixing trucks.