How much does driveway cleaning cost?

When considering the first impressions of your home, then it goes without saying that a clean driveway is very important. It is important to know ‘How much would it cost to clean my driveway?’ The common answer may differ depending on the size of a driveway, the technique of the cleaning and the high level of dirt or stains. In this post, we’ll consider the choices and costs that you have for driveway cleaning, factors affecting the cost, and strategy to adopt in budgeting for the services to get the best on your property.

Costs For Cleaning The Driveway Depending On The Size

Aspects Affecting the Costs of Driveway Cleaning

• Size of the Driveway:
  The size of your driveway is probably the biggest determinant of the cost of having an interlock system installed. As much as the size of the driveway area, it takes more time and effort to clean it, which will have an implication on the general charges. The average price could vary from $50 to $150 for a standard-sized driveway and more than $300 for wider areas.



• Type of Surface:
  Driveway surfaces range from a concrete surface, an asphalt surface, a paver surface and even a gravel surface. Both types are different and need different methods of cleaning. For instance, where Concrete and asphalt surfaces can be easily cleaned by high pressure then pavers may require a soft touch.



• Level of Staining and Grime:
  Some driveways will have accumulated dirt, oil stains, or algae buildup which will need special cleaning products or methods that are more expensive than ordinary cleaning. The driveway areas that need a more rigorous scrubbing tend to cost between $100 and $300 or even to much higher price depending on the extent of the stain.



• Location:
  Location is also considered. However, in Sydney or Melbourne, you could see slightly higher service rates than in the countryside because such places are generally more expensive, and competitive.

Cleaning Methods And The Associated Costs

• Pressure Washing: This is perhaps the most popular technique in the cleaning of driveways. It incorporates water pressure to wash off filth, soot, and other special discolourations on numerous surfaces. The cost estimates stated vary pressure-wise from $80 to $150 for a typical driveway.



• Chemical Cleaning: In other instances, pressure washing may combine chemical cleaners in dealing with difficult problems. This method can increase the total cost by about $50 to $100 depending on the chemicals involved.



• Steam Cleaning: Another green method is steam cleaning because it does not use chemicals, only hot water and steam. It may be slightly more expensive, going for as low as $100 or as high as $200.



• DIY vs. Professional Services: The more expensive option is to rent a pressure washer which will cost between $40 and $100 a day as opposed to employing the services of a cleaning company.

Costs For Additional Driveway Cleaning Services

Apart from pressure washing most service providers provide other additional driveway cleaning services that can improve the state of your driveway. Here are some of the most common services and their associated costs:

1. Sealing a Driveway

Sealing is a coating process intended to protect structures against water infiltration as well as oil and other materials. It may help you to prolong the life of your driveway for many years.

Cost: Usually costs between $50 and $200 for volume and cost of sealant used in the procedure.

2. Weed Removal and Treatment

Weeds can grow between cracks on the driveways which makes the surface look unpleasant. These plants may be pulled out of the ground by experts or treated in the area to ensure these plants are not a recurrence.

Cost: Most professionals estimate the cost of this service to be about $30 to $100, and this estimate is based on the severity of the weed problem.

3. Paver Restoration

Restoration services for paver driveways involve sweeping, sealing, and re-mortaring the spaces between them and the surface. This is crucial to ensuring that the pavers look great and are well protected from damage as well.

Cost: The pricing of the restoration services can be anything between $200 and $500, depending on the size of the driveway and the extent of the damages.

4. Crack Repair

Sealing cracks in a driveway serves the dual purpose of giving it an improved look, but also seals these regions to prevent water seepage that worsens the surface. These cracks can be best filled and sealed by professionals.

Cost: Seal work price starts from $50 up to $150 and this includes the number and dimensions of cracks.

5. Surface Resurfacing

Where there are lots of fine-grind recycled aggregates that have been deposited within the driveway, resurfacing brings back the surface. This means placing a new coat of fabric on top of another to give a level surface.

Cost: Seal coating is less costly and will cost you anything between $100-$250 while surface resurfacing is a more involved process and will cost you anything between $300 to $800 depending on the type of material used and the size of the driveway.

Budgeting for Driveway Cleaning

When budgeting for driveway cleaning, consider the following tips:

• Get Multiple Quotes: Call for several cleaning services for a quote and the services they provide. To verify the quality of a product, look for customer's comments and ratings.



• Ask About Packages: Many providers have also given special offers whereby a customer can pay for both driveway cleaning and sealing for a single amount of money.



• Regular Maintenance: Moreover, cleaning your driveway often only allows for heavy staining so, you only need professional cleaning occasionally-which saves you money in the long run.



• Check for Special Offers: You should make sure to look for certain promotions or a certain type of mode of transport that some companies might provide during certain periods of the year such as during off-peak demand.

Professional Cleaning Driveway Process

• Mow the surface and rake off the litter and weeds growing on it.


• Wash the driveway with a combination of water and detergent.


• Wash the area with high water pressure, especially in the joints.


• Loosen and level down the driveway and then leave it open for one to two days to dry.


• That is, spread kiln-dried sand on the surface of the cover concrete film, and then sweep the kiln-dried sand into the joints thereof.


• This is done using vibrating plates to firm the sand compacted and then shell any excess sand.


• Spray with a sealer to shield the surface of the laminate.


• They should then wait for between one to four hours for the area to dry.


• It is now common practice to check the surface and reconstruct a new layer of sand in all the joints that you might have left behind.


• Effectively use another coating of the sealant to enhance it even more.

Pressure Cleaning of the Driveways and Its Significance

Pressure cleaning also referred to as power washing is one of the most effective means of maintaining and rehabilitating driveways. With water pressure and this technique, cleaning involves the removal of dirt, scrubbing over the surface, and eradicating oil stains, mould, and mildew that may have developed with time.

The advantages of pressure cleaning include its effectiveness without the use of strong chemicals, it can clean deeply. The high pressure means that the liquid gets to areas such as the surface crevices where other methods do not reach thus eradicating all the stains. Besides, this also improves the look of the driveway as compared to having an accumulation of build up which can be disastrous since it causes cracks and deterioration of the driveway.

Also, the cleanliness of a driveway significantly improves the appearance of one's house from the exterior. It forms and brings a welcoming theme to the property and can hugely add to the overall value of the property. This element gives the dwellings the mentioned appeal, and therefore pressure washing acts as a wise investment among homeowners.

Furthermore, this can also boost safety since the driveway will be clean. Fungi and algae on a surface make it slippery hence posing a danger of causing falls. All these hazards are eliminated by pressure cleaning – improving both safety and ease of access.

Machines Used By Professionals For Cleaning Driveways

When it comes to driveway cleaning, professionals typically use three main types of machines: pressure washer, power washer and jet washer.

Pressure Washers:

These are cleaning machines that have water at high pressure but the water is cold. They are good for cleaning, scraping grime, and surface mild tough stains on the driveway thus recommended for regular cleaning.

Power Washers:

The technique of power washers focuses on hot water and pressure at the same time. This pairing is advantageous since it optimizes the enamel’s durability plus it excels at removing difficult stains such as oil and grease and providing a better clean of the extra dirty driveways.

Jet Washers:

Jet washers can be compared to power washers, but the equipment used in this type of washing has nozzles intended to provide a tight cone of hot water. These effectively allow for detailed work because they afford a suitable manner of cleaning which can be accurate in order to ensure that all the hard to eradicate stains have been removed adequately.

Every single machine has its special features and conveniences, which enable specialists, focusing on the peculiarities of cleaning a driveway, to select the most effective tool. Through these specialized tools, they can reclaim the look of the driveway in the shortest time possible.

Conclusion

Driveway cleaning is a worthy investment that will enhance the look of your home and also increase its useful life. Even though costs are likely to differ due to various factors, you can consider the given aspects to calculate the estimate. Regardless of whether you hire a professional or do it on your own, a clean driveway will work wonders for the look and value of your home. Therefore, get your hands dirty, or better yet, hire someone to do it, and help your driveway get the attention it needs!