Determining how often you need to clean your driveway can be tricky. Your driveway may need to be cleaned as often as every 6 months or as infrequently as every year and a half. It all depends on the location of your property and the amount of traffic and activity in the area. If you are hoping to find a definitive time frame to schedule your driveway pressure cleaning service, prepare to do some sleuthing. To learn the right timing, you’ll need to investigate key factors.
Observe Your Location
Where your home or business is located will make an enormous difference when deciding how often to clean your driveway. Factors that
will decrease the timeframe include shade, bodies of water, and weather patterns.
If you experience the full force of a hurricane and live near a beach, your driveway won’t look very good afterward. But even if you live inland, away from the seaside, smaller lakes, ponds, and swamps will provide an abundance of algae.
Algae, mold, and mildew thrive in certain environments and if your driveway provides them with the right amount of moisture and shade, you’ll discover that it needs cleaning much more frequently.
Look around your driveway at various times in the day to decide if your driveway is well shaded by overhanging trees, large shrubs, or awnings.
Do you live near bodies of water? If you are uncertain, pull out a map.
If you are still unsure, receive some neighborly advice. Ask neighbors who maintain their curb appeal how often they pressure clean their driveways.
Consider Traffic and Activity
Frequent vehicle traffic increases dirt, grime, and the risk of fluid spillage. Liquids like battery acid, motor oil, antifreeze, and gasoline will stain the surface of pavers and concrete, creating unsightly spots that are difficult to remove.
We are most often called to remove stains caused by golf carts. When the batteries leak onto pavers or concrete, it causes a stubborn rust stain.
Human traffic can be just as devastating to your driveway. Although you may not notice it right away, the mud and filth on your shoes will rub off as you walk across the rough surface.
Food and drink carried by residents and guests can spill as people travel back and forth over the area. Liquids like wine, greasy fried food, and cooking oil can leave behind stubborn stains.
If not addressed quickly, some of these stains may become permanent.
Keep a Log
If the average time between driveway washing varies, the only way to achieve an accurate estimate is through careful observation. Keep a log of when your last pressure washing service was performed. Take a photo of the results and mark your calendar for 6 months later.
Check your driveway after 6 months and reassess its condition. Compare the current state of your driveway with the photograph you took after its last maintenance. If you feel it hasn’t changed, mark your calendar for another 2 months and repeat the process.
Be sure to record the exact date that you observe your driveway. The current season can significantly influence the growth rate of algae and dirt buildup.
Examples of Driveway Pressure Cleaning Maintenance Schedules
Every property will have unique situations that need to be matched with the appropriate maintenance plan.
For instance, because of a business’ high traffic volumes, their driveways would need to be refreshed with a pressure cleaning after 6 months. Similarly, a large family who has a party or get-together at least once a week should also consider a biannual driveway cleaning maintenance schedule to upkeep their curb appeal.
In contrast, someone who lives alone on a property with little shade and no nearby bodies of water can hold off for up to a year and a half before they receive another pressure cleaning service.
Should You Seal After Cleaning Your Driveway?
Once your driveway is nice and clean, you may want to have a sealer applied. If you hire Premier Pro Wash & Seal to do the job, we will use a professional water-based sealer the next day. It’s a quick process with a fast drying time.
Unlike solvent-based sealers, the product we use is superior in Florida’s subtropical climate. It isn’t negatively affected by moisture and humidity and will never flake, turn yellow, or peel. The travertine and paver sealers we use will not only protect your driveway from damage but also act as a stain guard. By defending your driveway with a coat of sealer, you avoid repairs and lengthen your investment’s overall lifespan. As an added bonus, mold and mildew will decrease substantially meaning you can go long periods of time between cleaning, even years!
Hire Experts to Clean Your Driveway
Say goodbye to dirt, grease, and algae, and hello to a clean property. If you need to wash and seal your driveway around the Tampa Bay area in Florida, contact Premier Pro Wash & Seal for a free quote.