How Much Does It Cost To Power Wash Driveway?

Driveway power wash cost factors

Determining the cost of power washing a driveway might seem to be a simple matter of either renting a power washer and doing it yourself or hiring a professional, but many other considerations go into the total cost of the task. When trying to figure out how much to pressure wash a driveway, consider these mitigating factors:

Factors in hiring a pro

• Driveway size - The larger the driveway is, the more it will cost to clean it.
• Stains - If stain removal is needed, this raises the cost of the service.
• Filtering - If the dirty water is going to be sent down a storm drain or into a body of water, the contractor needs to use a filter, which changes the overall cost.
• Vegetation - If there are weeds in the cracks that need to be removed before the driveway can be power washed, this takes additional time and results in a greater labor charge.
• Metered water - Power washing uses a lot of water. If your home uses municipal water, expect a much higher water bill for that month, whether you hire a professional or do the job yourself.
• Paving stones - Since the standard method of power washing can’t be used on paving stones due to the damage it can cause, steam and a low-pressure spray must be used. This method takes longer, which results in a greater labor charge.
• Asphalt - Power washing an asphalt driveway could result in removing the seal coat, meaning you’ll end up with the additional cost of replacing it.

Factors in DIY

• Rent or buy - Whether you choose to rent the power washer or buy it, there will be a cost associated with acquiring the machine. Ultimately, choosing to buy a power washer saves you money over time.
• Accessories - You may need to buy a garden hose if you don’t already have one. Most of these machines are fed water this way. You may also need additional detergents or degreasers since the force of the water alone may not be enough to remove everything.

The types of power washing

There are three types of power washing. Each type has its own set of characteristics and is best suited to particular tasks:

• Power washing - “Power washing” is not only the umbrella term for all types of high-powered washing but also its own type. Power washing uses heat and a highly pressurized jet of water to remove contaminants like dirt, mud, mold, or mildew from your paved driveway, walkway, patio, or the exterior of your home.
• Pressure washing - This type uses only a high-pressure jet of water to clean without the added heat. Pressure washing can be used anywhere that power washing is used.
• Soft washing - While this is still a type of power washing, it’s completely different in that it uses chemicals instead of a jet of water. This method is better for paving materials that may be damaged with high-pressure jets and for use on siding, walkways, and decks.

Cost to power wash a driveway by size

One of the biggest factors to inform the overall cost to power wash a driveway is the size of the driveway.

If you consider the size of a single-car driveway to be approximately 10 feet by 40 feet, the cost of power-washing ranges between $120 and $260. A two-car driveway of 20 feet by 40 feet costs between $240 and $390, while a four-car driveway of 30 feet by 60 feet costs between $260 and $520. All these costs include labor.

Equipment costs

The cost of buying a gas-powered residential power washer averages between $250 and $700, without consideration for the additional equipment you may need.

If you don’t intend to hire a professional to do the work for you and buying the necessary equipment isn’t an option, you’ll need to consider the costs associated with renting a power washer.

Some of the equipment listed here isn’t available for rent, so some items must be bought:

• Half-day power washer rental: $26 for an electric machine and $50 for a gas machine.
• Full-day power washer rental: $44 for an electric machine and $80 for a gas machine.
• Half-day surface cleaner rental: $24.
• Full-day surface cleaner rental: $40.
• Wand attachment and handle, to buy: $40 to $60.
• Surface cleaner for gas-powered pressure washers, to buy: $75 to $160.
• Detergent/degreaser, to buy: $14 to $30 a gallon.

DIY or hire a pro

The question of whether you should hire a professional to power wash a driveway or do it yourself is an easy one to answer. A simple cleaning without specialized equipment or detergents can easily be done as a DIY project. All it really requires is a little caution to ensure you don’t damage your driveway or cause harm to yourself by accidentally directing the spray at your body.

If the cleaning project requires stain removal, a gentler spray, or a self-contained water source, then consider hiring a professional. In these instances, trusting the expertise and labor of skilled professionals costs more, but you’ll benefit from their knowledge and experience.