Can Power Washing Damage Concrete?

Power washing has a reputation for its strength, hence the name. It can effortlessly blast away even the toughest dirt, grime, and residue from multiple surfaces. But is there such a thing as too much power? And can power washing be so vigorous that it actually damages concrete surfaces? 

Here are the cold, hard facts about the relationship between concrete and power washing.

Too Much Power in the Wrong Hands

First and foremost, let’s get the question out of the way. The answer, unfortunately, is yes. Power washing can indeed break and damage concrete. However, such an outcome only really happens if the person power washing isn’t familiar with how to do so correctly. 

Booking a professional to power wash your concrete surfaces makes the chances of damaged concrete a complete non-issue, which is why hiring experts with the proper training and tools to keep your driveway or other concrete surface healthy is crucial.

Where Things Can Go Wrong

There are a few ways that power washing can go awry if you aren’t careful. And sometimes, the damage can be irreversible, meaning you’ll need to have a contractor fix the concrete for you. 

With that said, some common ways power washing can harm your concrete if you aren’t careful are as follows:

Excessive Pressure

While power (or pressure) washing’s appeal lies in how strong the water stream is and how it helps loosen up dirt, too much pressure applied all at once will likely damage any surfaces you clean, including concrete. As a precaution, it’s always best to start with the lowest pressure setting, regardless of the surface you’re cleaning.

Cleaning Newer Concrete

Concrete that is less than a year old is considerably more vulnerable to damage from power washing. You need to ensure your concrete has passed the year mark before undergoing any intense cleaning processes. Even if you call a professional for help, there’s still a chance that their washing could damage your concrete at this stage.

Damage to More Than Just Concrete

From accidentally blowing off shingles or siding to even hurting yourself from being thrown off balance, power-washing devices can be dangerously unwieldy in the hands of a novice. Only experts know how to use the equipment to prevent frustrating situations from unfolding.

Cleaning an Unprepared Surface

It’s tempting to power wash your concrete and send every bit and piece flying into oblivion, but that can easily backfire. Unprepared surfaces are much more likely to incur damage from power washing. On top of that, larger pieces of loose debris can cause concrete to crack under pressure once you start washing, so it’s important not to ignore them and sweep any concrete surfaces in advance.

Too Much Power Washing

Over-exposure to power washing will weaken your concrete’s stability over time. Therefore, it’s important to keep your driveways and sidewalks clean through proper maintenance. 

Maintenance reduces the amount of dirt, algae, and stains building up on your surfaces, meaning it’ll require less power washing overall. And that, in turn, will further improve your concrete’s constitution.

DIY Power Washing

If you aren’t used to power washing yourself, you’re exponentially increasing the chance of having issues with your concrete over time. Renting power washing equipment isn’t necessarily difficult. But that doesn’t mean it’s safe to use if you aren’t careful, as we’ve discussed. Renting the equipment is often expensive, too, so you’re better off spending the money on having a professional take care of it for you.

Should You Power Wash Your Concrete?

If you’re going to power wash your concrete surfaces on your own, you must ensure you take the proper safety measures, both for yourself and your concrete surfaces. The notion that power washing is entirely safe for concrete is a myth. 

Ideally, however, you can prevent your concrete’s demise by outsourcing such a cleaning project to industry professionals. The only thing you’ll be left with is spotless and stain-free concrete instead of potential damage.

Alleviate the Pressure from Washing With Viking Concrete

Power washing concrete properly requires years of experience with the material, and that’s precisely what our team can deliver in spades! Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive concrete power washing services and book an appointment.