How To Powerwash a Walkway

Power washing is a great way to remove dirt, grime, and stains from walkways and other outdoor areas. It’s an efficient and eco-friendly solution that can restore the appearance of concrete, brick, and stone surfaces and prevent the growth of mold and mildew. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of power washing a walkway to achieve professional-level results. This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook demonstrates how to power wash a walkway in the video above.

When To Power Wash Your Walkway

As a general rule, power washing your walkway once or twice a year is enough for most homeowners. However, you may need to clean your walkway more frequently if it’s exposed to heavy foot traffic or located in an area prone to mold and algae growth. How often you should powerwash your walkway depends on several factors:

• Amount of foot traffic: Walkways with high foot traffic may accumulate dirt, mud, and debris more quickly, requiring more frequent power washing.
• Climate and weather conditions: In areas with frequent rain, snow, or high humidity, moss and algae can build up on the walkway, making it slippery and unsightly.
• Proximity to sources of pollution: Walkways near roads or industrial areas may accumulate grime, oil, and pollutants faster, necessitating more regular cleaning.
• Surrounding vegetation: Nearby trees, shrubs, and plants can drop leaves, sap, pollen, and other debris onto the walkway. If your walkway is under dense foliage, you may need to power wash more frequently to keep it clean.

Preparing for Power Washing

To power wash your walkway, you’ll need the following items:

• Pressure washer
• Garden hose
• Low-pressure and high-pressure nozzles
• Safety glasses
• Closed-toe shoes
• Scrub brush
• Cleaning solution (9 parts water, 1 part chlorine bleach)
• Bucket

Safety Precautions

Power washing can be dangerous if not done correctly. Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from debris and closed-toe shoes to protect your feet. Keep the spray nozzle pointed away from yourself and others. Never use a pressure washer on a ladder or elevated surface. Also, be cautious of electrical outlets and fixtures near the cleaning area.

Step-by-Step Guide to Power Washing a Walkway

Follow these steps to power wash your walkway:

1. Attach a garden hose to the inlet port on the power washer.
2. Connect the spray-wand hose to the power washer.
3. Attach a low-pressure nozzle to the spray wand.
4. Start the power washer and hold the nozzle a few inches from the walkway’s surface.
5. Squeeze the trigger and direct the spray of water at an angle to the walkway, away from yourself. Use smooth, sweeping motions and overlap each pass slightly for uniform cleaning.
6. If the surface doesn’t become clean, turn off the power washer and replace the low-pressure nozzle with a more aggressive nozzle.
7. Continue spraying the remainder of the walkway, maintaining a consistent distance and angle.

Adjusting Pressure and Nozzles

Different surfaces may require different pressure levels and nozzle types. Start with a low-pressure nozzle and gradually increase the pressure or switch to a more aggressive nozzle if needed. Be cautious not to use too much pressure, as it can damage the surface of your walkway.

Dealing With Stubborn Stains

For particularly stubborn stains, you may need to pre-treat the area or use a specialized cleaning solution. Test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area first to check that it won’t damage or discolor your walkway. You can also use a rotating scrub brush attachment for your pressure washer. This can provide the added scrubbing power needed to lift tough grime.

Maintenance and Algae Prevention

After power washing your walkway, implement a maintenance routine to keep it clean and prevent future buildup of dirt and algae.

Regular Cleaning

Maintain your walkway between power washing sessions by sweeping it regularly to remove debris and rinsing it with a garden hose to prevent dirt accumulation. Spot clean spills and stains promptly. Consider investing in a leaf blower to quickly remove leaves and other debris in the fall.

Preventing Algae Growth

Algae can make your walkway slippery and unsightly. Cook suggests this maintenance routine to keep algae at bay and maintain a clean walkway between power washing sessions.:

1. In a bucket, mix a cleaning solution of nine parts water and one part chlorine bleach.
2. Using a coarse-bristle brush, scrub the walkway with the bleach cleaning solution.
3. Repeat this process once a month to kill algae and prevent regrowth.

Sealing Your Walkway

You may want to seal your walkway after power washing to protect it from stains and weather damage. Sealing can enhance the color and appearance of your walkway, prevent water penetration and freeze-thaw damage, and make future cleaning easier. Choose a sealer that’s compatible with your walkway material and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with the right technique, you may run into challenges when power washing your walkway. Here are some common issues and how to address them.

Uneven Cleaning

If you notice streaks or uneven cleaning, it may be due to inconsistent distance between the nozzle and the surface, varying pressure or water flow, or nozzle clogging. To resolve this issue, maintain a consistent distance and pressure, and clean your nozzle regularly during use. Also, try to overlap each pass slightly to ensure even coverage.

Surface Damage

If you notice any surface damage, such as etching or chipping, immediately stop power washing. Reduce the pressure or switch to a lower-pressure nozzle. Use a surface cleaner attachment for more even pressure distribution.

Persistent Stains

For stains that won’t budge with power washing alone, try using a specialized cleaning solution designed for your walkway material. Allow the solution to sit on the stain before power washing. Consider hiring a professional for stubborn stains or delicate surfaces.

Persistent stains might indicate underlying issues, such as oil or grease spills that require specific treatments. It’s important to address stains early to prevent long-term damage to your walkway.

Additional Tips for Power Washing Walkways

To make sure you get the best power washing results, here are some additional tips:

• Check for cracks: Before starting, inspect your walkway for cracks or damaged areas. Power washing can worsen these issues, so make necessary repairs first.
• Choose the right nozzle: The power washer’s nozzle size and type affect cleaning efficiency. Start with a nozzle with a wider spray pattern and move to narrower patterns for tougher stains.
• Mind the weather: Power wash on a calm, dry day to prevent water from scattering due to wind and to ensure the walkway dries quickly.
• Protect surrounding vegetation: Plants and grass around your walkway can be harmed by the pressure washer or cleaning solutions. Cover them with plastic sheeting or water them thoroughly before you start to dilute any runoff.
• Use cold water: Cold water works in most cases. However, heated water can be more effective for oily or greasy stains, so consider a hot water pressure washer if those are common problems.