Driveway cleaning is an important part of house maintenance. Keeping the exteriors clean is as important as cleaning the interiors. One of the most effective ways of cleaning driveways is high pressure cleaning. Pressure cleaning removes stubborn stains and keeps the driveway sparkling clean. However, since the process involves use of high pressure water jets and chemicals, extreme care has to be taken while pressure cleaning. A very important factor to consider is the regulations of your region. Check if there are limitations regarding water use and regulate the amount of water you use for high pressure cleaning accordingly.

Safety precautions

It is important to wear protective gear like anti-skid boots, gloves, eye protection, long pants and long sleeved shirts. These things protect you from the harmful effects of strong detergents and chemicals that may have to be mixed with water. Further, since detergents are used in driveway cleaning, the surface tends to get slippery due to soap. If you suffer from asthma or other respiratory problems, you should take extra precautions and use a respiratory mask.

The pressure of water emanating from high pressure jets is sufficient to cause serious injury if the nozzle is directly pointed at a person. So, be very careful about keeping people, especially small children and pets away from the driveway while cleaning it. Another very important safety precaution is to insulate all electric wiring that is near the driveway.

Clear drains before driveway cleaning

Drains are provided on either sides of the driveway in order to prevent water logging. However, these drains tend to be accumulated with dried leaves, stones and other debris. Before cleaning your driveway, make sure that the drains are clear. Further, begin cleaning from the highest point on the slope of your driveway. Water will then, follow its natural downward course and cleaning will be simplified. Clear any kind of debris that may be lying on the driveway like toys and stones. If there are vehicles parked on the driveway, shift them out so that you get a clear path for cleaning.

Learn the correct use of equipments and solutions

Learning the correct method of using high pressure cleaning equipment is very essential in order to clean perfectly. Pressure cleaning is used for cleaning different surfaces and so, the equipment is provided with different nozzles to use for different functions. You can study pressure cleaning manuals and guidebooks in order to learn the correct method of handling the equipment.

You should also be familiar with the type and ratio of chemicals and detergents that need to be mixed with water. Many pre-washing solutions are available that help in getting rid of stubborn stains. These solutions have to be applied on the stains about fifteen minutes prior to washing, so that the stain comes off easily when washed. The angle at which you hold the nozzle and the pressure you use for spraying water are other important considerations. For driveway cleaning, the ideal pressure is 3000psi to 10,000psi.

By keeping these factors in mind, you can clean your driveway effectively. A clean and sparkling driveway is the best facelift that you can give your house.