What does it cost to pressure wash a driveway and what impacts it?

If your driveway looks a little rough, it may be time to clean it! But how much does it cost to pressure wash a driveway? This article will break down the price factors involved in having your driveway pressure washed. But the quick answer is that the cost to pressure wash a driveway is between $100 and $500, averaging just over $250.

Factors Impacting the Cost of Driveway Pressure Washing

Below are the top factors that will impact the cost of pressure washing a driveway. When budgeting for your driveway cleaning, make sure that you keep the following factors in mind. Even so, determining the pressure washing cost will still be difficult until you have a professional inspect the driveway and give you an estimate.

Pressure washing the driveway yourself can be more expensive in some cases, especially if you require additional materials for stains and other issues.

Driveway Size and Surface Area

The size of your driveway will play a substantial role in the price. Most professional pressure-washing companies charge between $0.20 and $0.40 per square foot. Some companies may have a base charge for a typical driveway size and then charge more per square foot over that size.

Companies may also have a minimum charge, so even if you don’t have a large area to clean, it may cost you the same as a typical concrete driveway. Driveway size is typically the most influential factor in the cost of pressure washing a driveway. A massive driveway can cost over $500, while a tiny one may only cost $50 to $75 to have cleaned.

Driveway Material

The material your driveway is made of will also influence the final cost. Certain materials are more difficult to clean or require specific techniques for which companies may charge extra. The easiest driveway materials to clean are typically concrete and asphalt, but even those smooth, durable surfaces sometimes require a specific technique.

For example, pressure washing asphalt with extreme force can destroy the seal on it, which weakens the driveway and can lead to cracks and other damage. On the other hand, gravel and paver driveways are often the most difficult driveway materials to clean and, therefore, the most expensive.

Removing the dirt and debris from the stones used for gravel and paver takes significantly more effort. High pressure can easily damage paver driveways, so cleaning often takes longer because you have to use a gentler pressure level.

Driveway Condition

The condition of your driveway is the last major cost factor to consider when budgeting. If your driveway is in poor condition, extra materials and equipment may be required to clean it thoroughly.

These additional materials could be special cleaning solutions, surface repair products, extra-strength degreasers, fuel emission solvents, mold removers, and weed removers, to name a few. Driveways with many deep cracks, weeds growing out of the cracks, stains, mold, mildew, and other major issues will have a higher washing cost.

In some severe cases, professional pressure washers may not even agree to power wash your driveway because it needs so many repairs. At the very least, these kinds of issues and damage will result in much higher costs to clean. If your driveway is in rough shape, expect to pay more.

Average Cost Ranges for Driveway Pressure Washing

To help you estimate how much you’ll pay to have your driveway cleaned, below is a brief explanation of the average cost associated with different driveway sizes. These averages vary based on the material of your driveway and the condition it is in. The measurements given are in standard feet.

• Single-Car Driveway: A single-car driveway is typically 10 x 40 and will cost between $120 and $260.
• Two-Car Driveway: A two-car driveway is usually around 20 x 40 and will cost between $240 and $390 to be cleaned.
• Four Car Driveway: Fur-car driveways are around 30 x 60, costing between $260 and $520. This is the high end of the price spectrum.
• 20′ Sidewalk: If you’re having your sidewalk cleaned, the typical size is 20 x 5 and costs between $60 and $110.
• Concrete Patio: For a typical 12 x 12 concrete patio or deck, expect to pay between $75 and $125.

You can use these averages to try and determine how much cleaning your driveway will cost. Remember that the numbers will vary based on the company you choose to hire or if you decide to do it yourself. However, cleaning your driveway alone can be extremely difficult and taxing and may even cost you more after all the equipment rentals and materials.

Additional Considerations for Budgeting

Below are a couple more considerations to remember when budgeting for your driveway cleaning and maintenance.

Frequency of Driveway Cleaning

Remember, cleaning your driveway is not a one-and-done kind of thing. It must be washed regularly to keep your driveway clean and in excellent condition. When budgeting for your driveway cleaning, make sure you take into account how frequently it will need to be cleaned. On average, you should clean your driveway at least once a year.

Environmental Considerations

Some driveways may need to be cleaned more frequently and require additional materials and equipment every time. For example, if you have drastic cracks where weeds grow, you’ll likely need weed removal for every cleaning. Driveways with consistent wear and tear should be cleaned every few months.

Maintaining a Clean and Appealing Driveway

You may wonder if you should hire a professional driveway power washing service or tackle it yourself. You can rent a power washer and clean it yourself, but it can be a complex task. In most cases, hiring a professional pressure washing service is best because they have all the correct equipment and will get the pressure washing job done right the first time!

Pressure cleaning your driveway is an important part of driveway maintenance, as it can prevent damage that leads to costly repairs. Hopefully, this article will help you budget properly for driveway power washing so it can stay in excellent shape. And don’t forget to consider pressure washing prices for other jobs, too, like vinyl siding washing, gutter cleaning, or window cleaning.