Pressure washing & sealing
We clean driveways, walkways, patios and brick pavers, then seal them with a clear sealer that keeps water from soaking in. Your concrete looks better, and it’s better protected from the weather.
How we clean and seal
Pre-treat
We wet down the plants around the area, then pre-treat the surface with a mold and mildew cleaner that’s safe for plants and grass, and let it soak in.
Clean
We blast the joints clean with a spray wand first, since that’s the only way to really get dirt and weeds out of them. Then we clean the surface with an orbital surface scrubber, which cleans evenly without gouging, and rinse away the muck wherever it collects.
Dry
We blow off the standing water and debris and let the surface get mostly dry.
Seal
We spray on a clear, water-repelling sealer, starting along the lawn edges and working section by section. It isn’t a stain, so your concrete keeps its natural color.
Keep water out, and your concrete lasts longer
After sealing, water beads up and rolls off instead of soaking in. That matters because water expands up to about 9% when it freezes and pushes against the concrete around it. Water that gets into concrete opens small cracks, the cracks take in more water, and over the years the surface can crack, chip and flake (called spalling).
Sealing also helps protect against ice melt and road salt, lawn fertilizer, oil, gas, antifreeze, sun and acid rain, and it cuts down on the mold and mildew that make concrete look dingy.
What to expect
- You can walk and drive on it within about an hour after sealing.
- Sealer lasts about 3 to 4 years, then it needs to be reapplied to keep protecting your concrete.
- On older or badly stained concrete, some areas, especially edges next to the lawn, may not lighten as much as the rest.
- Oil and grease spots won’t come out completely.
Before and after
BeforeAfter
Before
AfterCleaning & sealing FAQ
How long does the sealer last?
About 3 to 4 years. After that it needs to be reapplied to keep protecting your concrete.
When can I use it again?
You can walk and drive on it within about an hour after we seal it.
Will the sealer change the color of my concrete?
No. It’s a clear sealer, not a stain.
Will it get rid of oil stains?
Not completely. Oil and grease spots usually lighten but won’t come all the way out.
Is the cleaner safe for my plants?
Yes. The mold and mildew pre-treatment we use is safe for plants and grass, and we wet down the plants around the area before we start.
Can you fix cracks while you’re there?
Yes. We can grind out and seal cracks and shave down small raised edges before we seal the surface. Sealed cracks need about 24 hours to cure before you drive on them. See crack repair.
What about rust or red clay stains?
Those get their own treatment before we wash. Let us know about them when you ask for an estimate.