How To Pressure Wash a Concrete Patio

Whether your patio is an elegant space for lounging and entertaining or just a simple getaway for your morning coffee, patios need routine maintenance and care to keep them looking their best.

How To Pressure Wash a Concrete Patio

If your concrete patio is starting to look dingy, mossy, or stained, pressure washing can be an effective solution to get rid of these pesky eyesores. Although dragging your pressure washer out of storage and firing it up might seem like all you need to know, there are a few things you should do to prepare for pressure washing your concrete patio.

Do I have The Right Size Pressure Washer?

Having the right size pressure washer for the type and size of project you are completing is essential. Before we can determine what size pressure washer you need, there are a few questions we must ask. First, how quickly the job can be completed and the quality of the job will largely be determined by the size of the pressure washer used. If you are looking to complete the job quickly and have the concrete looking good as new, it would be wise to use a 3,500PSI - 4,000PSI pressure washer with at least 3.5 gallons per minute. If you do not have access to this size of pressure washer, the cleaning can still be done, but you may want to take a bit more time to complete the job. The next question that must be answered is whether you would like to use accessories such as a surface cleaner to ensure an even clean. If this is the case, you will need at least a 3,000PSI - 4,000PSI pressure washer with at least 3.5GPM. Surface cleaners are unique accessories designed with 2 or more nozzles to increase the surface area of your cleaning, thus speeding up the cleaning process and ensuring an even cleaning path. Whether you have a heavy-duty gas pressure washer or a light-duty electric pressure washer, we will explain how to effectively clean your concrete patio.

Make a Pressure Washing Plan

With most DIY projects, it is critical that you make a plan and be prepared for the job. Pressure washing may seem like a quick and easy task but rushing through it can leave you with unsatisfactory results. Start by assessing the concrete to determine the finish. Concrete is finished in a wide variety of styles, such as broom-finished, stamped finish, pebble finish, or exposed aggregate. The finish of your concrete will help you to decide what nozzles and accessories are appropriate for the job. For example, using a nozzle with too narrow of a spray pattern could etch into the concrete and leave unsightly lines. The type of finish will also help determine whether you should use chemicals to aid the pressure washer in cleaning. For some finishes, using a chemical is critical, for others it could degrade the finish. Once you have determined the proper accessories and chemicals for your type and finish of concrete, we are ready to prep the space for cleaning!

Prep Your Patio

To prep your concrete patio for pressure washing, start by clearing all furniture, toys, potted plants, and any items that you don’t want wet from overspray. Next, clear any loose debris with a broom or a leaf blower. Loose dirt and debris can turn into a muddy mess while pressure washing and can make the cleaning process more difficult. If you are concerned about harming any nearby plants or shrubs, you can cover them with a tarp or cloth to help reduce their exposure to overspray or chemicals. If you don’t have a tarp or a cloth, wetting your plants shortly before pressure washing will lessen harmful exposure and dilute any chemicals that manage to land on them.

Apply Chemical Pretreatment

If you are using chemical, you will need to follow the instructions of the chemical product to determine the best time and quantity to apply. Pretreating with a chemical for longer than suggested could weaken or damage the concrete finish. Using the chemicals instructions, apply your pretreatment using consistent sweeping motions for an even coat, then wait the recommended time for the chemical to penetrate the stains. With your patio prepped for cleaning, you are now ready to pressure wash. If you are unsure of how to use a pressure washer safely, make sure you review our article on pressure washer safety before beginning following our next steps.

Prep Your Pressure Washer

Before starting your pressure washer, ensure your spray gun, hose, and other accessories have been securely connected. Next, connect your garden hose to the machine’s low-pressure connection on the pump, again checking for a secure connection to prevent excess water leaks. If you notice that your pressure washer is missing its garden hose filter, you will need to replace this first before pressure washing. Running a pressure washer without a garden hose filter could cause internal damage to the pressure washer pump. With the garden hose connected to your pump, turn on the water. Squeeze the trigger on the spray gun to verify that the water is flowing through the unit before turning on the washer. With the trigger still pulled, start the machine. This allows the unit to steadily build pressure without overloading the system. Before pressure spraying your patio, test a small inconspicuous area make sure you are getting the desired pressure output. If you need to make adjustment to what nozzle or accessory you are using, we suggest turning off the machine to be safe.

Pressure Washing With A Wand and Nozzle

If you are using a standard pressure washer wand with a nozzle or turbo attachment, start facing the end of the patio, working toward the middle. With the wand out in front of you, make wide horizontal passes back and forth without spraying over the same area twice. As you wash horizontally from side to side, step backward revealing new areas to spray. Keep in mind that smooth, consistent, sweeping motions are the key to an even clean. For most accessories, keeping the nozzle 12-18” above the concrete will provide the best control and results. Depending on the size of your patio, you may want to stop to rinse any residual water to avoid dirt or particles setting back into the concrete.

Pressure Washing With A Surface Cleaner

If you are pressure washing your patio with a surface cleaner, start at the end of the patio facing toward the middle. With the surface cleaner out in front of you, pull the trigger and begin slowing walking forward at a consistent pace. It is extremely important that while the trigger is pulled, that you always be in motion, or this could leave marks or scars in your concrete. Walking at a slow consistent pace allows for the concrete to be sufficiently cleaned while providing an even clean. Use a standard pressure washer wand with a nozzle, or a waterbroom to flush the area clean of any leftover dirt.