Pressure washing is a recent form of high-powered cleaning that improves the use of hoses to clean surfaces. This type of cleaning involves the use of a pressure washer surface cleaner, and surface cleaner parts.
There are different types of pressure washers, but they all operate with the same principle; high pressure. The various types of pressure washers are suited for different surfaces, and it is important that we can differentiate them.
One of the common surfaces that are pressure-washed is concrete, but there are concerns regarding the effect it has on this surface. We want to look at how pressure washing can affect concrete surfaces, the best pressure washer for concrete, and the right way to go about it.
Understanding Pressure Washing
To properly explain the effects of pressure washing on concrete, we first need to explain the what and how of pressure washer surface cleaner.
What is Pressure Washing
Oftentimes, we attach our garden hose to a water source and place our fingers over the mouth to increase the water pressure. Pressure washing operates on the same principle, but there’s a machine to generate the pressure instead of our fingers.
Pressure washing is simply washing surfaces with water under a lot of pressure to increase the force of its output. This type of washing system is popular in car washes, industries, and even domestically in homes.
Pressure washers consist of a pump to generate pressure, and a nozzle at the end of the hose to regulate the output and force of the water.
Types of Pressure Washers
There are different types of pressure washers, but we’ll group them based on their application, temperature, and energy source.
Based on Application
Pressure washers can be classified based on their application into domestic and commercial grade surface cleaner.
Domestic pressure washers are common in homes and are used for small-scale cleaning. They are used for cleaning outdoor surfaces like driveways, patios, gutters, vehicles, and other domestic uses.
On the other hand, commercial pressure washers are designed for more intense applications and are commonly used by companies and industries. They are designed to remove tougher stains, oil, grime, and other industrial wastes that stick to surfaces. They often have higher pressure settings than domestic pressure washers.
Most times, these washers come with a commercial surface cleaner for pressure washer to facilitate easy cleaning of large surfaces.
Based on Temperature
Pressure washers can be classified based on the temperature of the water they shoot from the nozzle. They are grouped into cold and hot water pressure washers.
The term “pressure washer” is often used to describe cold water pressure washers. These types of washers can also be domestic or industrial based on their size and application. Some of the best pressure washers for cleaning concrete are cold-water pressure washers.
Cold water pressure washers are suitable for surfaces that can be damaged with heat such as wood, patios, bamboo, plastic, and others.
Meanwhile, hot water pressure washers are often used for more intensive cleaning to remove oil, paint, and other tough stains. Hot water pressure washers are commonly called power washers, and a name used to differentiate them from regular pressure washers.
You can get the best power washer for concrete from our store.
Based on Energy Source
Going by the source of energy, pressure washers can be grouped into electric and gas pressure washers.
Electric pressure washers are more common both for domestic and industrial use. These types of washers need to be plugged into a power source, hence they are restricted in their mobility and portability.
However, gas pressure washers are more portable since they don’t need to be connected to any power source. However, gas pressure washers are not advisable for domestic use because they have dangerously high pressure. This type of washer requires professional expertise and is used by companies and industries.
Pressure washers are often used to clean concrete surfaces like driveways, walkways, curbs, and walls. However, there are concerns about the potential damage that washers pose to these surfaces.
Risks of Pressure Washing on Concrete
Let’s look at some of the risks that can arise when using a pressure washer on concrete.
Erosion of Concrete Surfaces
Without proper knowledge or experience, it is possible to erode the concrete surface when using a pressure washer. Water shoots out of the nozzle at extremely high pressure that can reach up to 30,000 psi, depending on the type of machine. This type of force can have the same effect as chipping away at the surface with a hammer, except it’s water.
The high pressure loosens the bond at the surface of the concrete until that layer falls off, and this will keep repeating for as long as the pressure is applied.
The speed of the erosion can vary based on the amount of pressure, the distance of the nozzle, and the time of exposure.
The higher the pressure the faster the surface will erode. Also, holding the nozzle very close to the concrete surface will increase the erosive effect. And the longer you expose the surface to high pressure, the more profound the effect.
Seepage and Water Damage
The point of pressure washing is to clean the concrete surface. However, under too high pressure, concrete is capable of absorbing water. If this absorption continues for a while, you will start seeing cracks in the concrete surface before it eventually falls apart if care is not taken.
You can prevent this by reducing the pressure and distance from which you hose the surface.
Dislodging of Aggregate Particles
Concrete is made up of cement, sand, and gravel mixed in a designated proportion. The resulting concrete is held together by aggregate particles that act like a type of glue. However, overexposure to high pressure can easily loosen these aggregate particles, as we’ve mentioned in the first point.
The dislodging of these particles is what causes the erosion that is observed, and the development of cracks. Eventually, the concrete structure will break down into crumbs and bits.
How to Safely Pressure Wash Concrete
Is it impossible to pressure wash concrete without damage? Yes, it is very possible to safely use your pressure washer on concrete surfaces.
Use the Appropriate Pressure Setting
The first step to note is the PSI (Pound per Square Inch), which is the unit pressure being released from the nozzle. The best pressure washer PSI for concrete falls within 1500 to 3000 psi depending on the factors around the concrete surface. You need to experiment with the different pressures to get one that is perfect for your surface.
The age of the concrete will determine how much pressure it can withstand. It is best not to pressure wash freshly laid concrete surfaces. Also, much older surfaces are more prone to cracking under high pressure.
Use the Appropriate Nozzle and Distance
There are different types of nozzles and they determine the water pressure to a large extent. The higher the degree, the lower the pressure. Eveage has a wide range of nozzle options ranging from the highest 0-degree nozzle to the lowest 65-degree nozzle.
The wider nozzles, up to 25 degrees, with lower pressure are suitable for domestic use and can be used for washing concrete surfaces. However, the narrow nozzles with higher pressure are for professional application on iron, and they are quite dangerous for domestic use.
It is also important to keep the right distance when washing concrete or any other damageable surface. The closer you are to the concrete surface, the more pressure that will be applied.
It is advisable to maintain at least 10 feet from the surface you’re washing. The distance relative to each person, and you will need to determine one that is best for you.
Advisable Technique when Washing
Once you’ve determined the right PSI, nozzle, and distance you can start washing the surface. Ensure you maintain an even pattern throughout the process to avoid exerting uneven pressure on some parts.
Also, ensure you have a systematic pattern. You can start from the top and work your way to the bottom to avoid missing any spots.
Furthermore, pressure wash your concrete surfaces at regular intervals. Some people don’t wash their surfaces for eons, instead, they do aggressive maintenance once in a while. This is not advisable as it can damage the integrity of the surface.
Other Ways To Wash Concrete Surfaces
Perhaps you don’t want to pressure wash your concrete surfaces, there are other ways you can go about this such as soft washing with your hands and a glove or you can use eco-friendly cleaning solutions.
When to Use Alternative Cleaning Methods
You can use these alternative cleaning methods if you notice damage to the concrete surface and you don’t want to use pressure. You can also use them after using a pressure washer to maintain the integrity of the concrete.
Conclusion
Pressure washing can easily have negative effects on concrete surfaces if proper caution is not applied. We’ve seen the need for a proper PSI, distance, nozzle, and proper technique while using a pressure washer.
We’ve also looked at alternative methods that don’t require as much pressure as the washers. These methods are effective for the long-term maintenance of concrete surfaces and can be used in hand with the washers.
