How Much Does It Cost to Pressure Wash a Driveway? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $100 - $350
Expect to spend between $100
and $500
to pressure wash a driveway, depending on the size. Some materials, such as pavers and gravel, are more delicate and might be more expensive to wash.
The cost to pressure wash a driveway ranges from $100
to $500
, but most people pay around $210
. Factors like your driveway's size and type can impact how much you'll pay for this project. Concrete driveways typically cost less to pressure wash, while gravel driveways are the most expensive. You can expect to spend between $0.30 to $0.55 per square foot on driveway pressure washing costs.
Pressure washing your driveway removes moss and mold, making it a safer surface to walk on. And let’s be honest—giving your driveway a deep clean just makes it look nicer for curb appeal purposes. Learn all about how much it costs to pressure wash a driveway so you can budget accordingly and keep weeds at bay.
Cost Factors to Pressure Wash a Driveway
Several factors can affect the cost of pressure washing a driveway, such as its size and material type. Your driveway's condition can also impact the final price, as well as labor costs. Speak with a power washing pro near you for a personalized quote for your specific job.
Driveway Size
The cost to pressure wash a driveway ranges from $175 to $320 for an average 576-square-foot driveway, plus labor. Your driveway's size is the most significant cost factor. In fact, many pros use square footage to charge for pressure washing. The bigger your driveway, the more you can expect to pay to pressure wash it.
Here’s a breakdown of pressure washing costs by the size of your driveway:
Square Footage of Driveway | Average Cost |
---|---|
200 | $60–$110 |
300 | $90–$165 |
400 | $120–$220 |
576* | $175–$320 |
600 | $180–$330 |
800 | $240–$440 |
1,000 | $300-$550 |
1,200 | $360–$660 |
*Most common driveway size
Minimum Charges
Since most pressure washing companies charge by square foot instead of by hour, you might face an additional minimum charge for your project. This is typically for smaller projects (think one-car driveways) to help cover the company’s cost of travel, overhead, and other operating expenses. If you’re unsure if your project will be charged a standard rate or will have a minimum fee added to the project cost, speak with your local pressure washing company.
Driveway Material
Your driveway's material can also affect costs since certain materials are tougher to clean than others. The relatively smooth surfaces of concrete and asphalt are the easiest and therefore least expensive to clean. Meanwhile, gravel and paver driveways cost the most since removing dirt and grime stuck between the stones is harder. We’ll cover more on the cost to pressure wash your driveway by material below.
Driveway Condition
If your driveway is severely damaged or has several deep cracks, you might need to pay to repair it before pressure washing since pressure washing these areas can potentially create more damage. And if you have quite a few stains, mold, or weeds, you'll likely need to pay for extra cleaning solutions and mold/weed removal in addition to pressure washing.
Labor
If you hire a local pressure washing company to clean your driveway, you can expect to pay between $0.30 and $0.55 per square foot. Occasionally, pros will charge by the hour, ranging from $60 to $125 per hour for labor costs. The job only takes one to two hours to complete, but it can take longer if your driveway is very large or in poor condition.
Cost to Pressure Wash a Driveway by Material
It costs the most to pressure wash gravel and paver driveways, while concrete and asphalt cost the least thanks to their smooth surfaces. Brick driveways fall right in the middle of the cost spectrum.
Driveway Material | Average Cost |
---|---|
Concrete | $120–$190 |
Asphalt | $125–$195 |
Brick | $130–$200 |
Paver | $135–$210 |
Gravel | $135–$210 |
Concrete
Pressure washing a 600-square-foot concrete driveway costs between $120 and $190. The porous nature of concrete often requires a concrete-safe cleaning solution and a high setting on the pressure washer to adequately loosen up all the dirt and debris within it.
Asphalt
A high setting on the pressure washer can damage asphalt, so it needs to be done on a lower setting. For this reason, you need to apply cleaning solutions before pressure washing to break up stains and dirt. This added step can increase costs, but not by much. It costs between $125 and $195 to pressure wash a 600-square-foot asphalt driveway.
Brick
Brick can take a high-pressure setting for a cleaning, but the mortar that holds it together is a magnet for dirt and grime, so it often takes longer to pressure wash than asphalt and concrete. For that reason, it's a bit more expensive, ranging from $130 to $200 for a 600-square-foot driveway.
Paver
The cost to pressure wash paver driveways ranges from $135 to $210. It's more expensive than other types since pavers often form intricate patterns and designs, with lots of cracks that the water needs to work through. If the driveway is sealed, you can usually use a high-pressure setting, but unsealed paver driveways require a low-pressure setting so as not to damage the driveway, which means it might take longer and increase costs.
Gravel
Gravel driveways cost about the same to pressure wash as paver driveways, ranging from $135 to $210. This material requires some finesse to clean since the pressure washer can potentially displace the gravel. So you either need to pressure wash it from relatively far away on a high setting or relatively close on a low setting.
Additional Costs to Consider
In many cases, pressure washing is just the beginning step in restoring your driveway to pristine condition. For instance, materials like asphalt require a sealant to retain their appearance, so you should factor in the cost of sealing your driveway when budgeting for pressure washing.
Driveway Sealing
After pressure washing, adding a sealant to your driveway will help it look great for much longer. The cost to seal a driveway ranges from $280 to $860. Your driveway needs to be completely dry before sealing. Once the sealant is applied, you should wait at least 24 hours to drive on it.
Driveway Preparation
Depending on your driveway's condition, you might need to factor preparation costs into your budget. For instance, if your driveway is badly damaged, you'll often need to pay repair costs before pressure washing. The cost to repair an asphalt driveway with significant damage ranges from $1,100 to $4,000, but fixing small cracks or holes might only cost $100 to $300.
Degreaser and Detergent
Grease, oil, and other stains often require the application of a degreaser or detergent before pressure washing. Since this can add time to the job, it can increase labor costs. Your local pressure washing company will provide you with the cost details, including adding any additional charges for detergent to your total cost.
DIY Pressure Washing vs. Hiring a Pro
If you decide to pressure wash the driveway yourself and don't currently own a pressure washer, then adding rental costs to your budget is a good idea. Renting a pressure washer costs between $50 and $100 per day. Or, if you wanted to purchase one to keep on hand, you can buy one anywhere from $100 to $600 on average. And if your driveway has large stains from grease and oil that you want to remove, then you should also budget for cleaning solvents that can help break up those stains before washing them away. Cleaning solvents cost between $10 and $20 per bottle.
If you have a small driveway with minimal prep work needed, taking this project on yourself can save on costs over time. However, if you have a large driveway or need lots of prep work before you can start pressure washing, hiring a pressure washing pro becomes essential to getting the job done right. Regardless of your driveway's size, the best pros know how to pressure wash a driveway with ease and efficiency, so while you might not always save money by hiring one, you can save time (and potential headaches) by doing so.
Cost of Common Pressure Washing Add-Ons
Whether you rent a pressure washer to DIY your cleaning or you hire a pro, you might want to tackle other pressure washing jobs while the pressure washer is at your home. Some common pressure washing add-ons and their prices include:
Siding: $150 to $1,200
Gutters: $50 to $300
Roof: $250 to $700
Fence: $150 to $300
Deck or Patio: $200 to $400
How to Save Money When Pressure Washing a Driveway
If you want to spruce up your driveway without breaking the bank too much, there are several ways to potentially save money on pressure washing a driveway, including:
Getting quotes from multiple pros to find the best price
Pressure washing the driveway yourself, particularly if you have a large driveway
Making your own cleaning solvents with household ingredients, like vinegar and baking soda
Performing regular maintenance to minimize the need for extensive cleaning
Bundling several pressure washing services together for a potential bulk discount
Questions to Ask a Pressure Washing Pro
Choosing a professional to pressure wash your home can make all the difference between a job well done and a job not so well done. The best way to choose a pressure washing pro is by finding at least three contractors or companies and vetting them. To help you find the best pressure washing pro near you, ask the following questions:
How many years of experience do you have?
Do you have any credentials?
What methods do you use to clean driveways?
Do you have a workmanship warranty and insurance?
What availability do you have?
What happens if you damage my property?
How long does it take to complete the job?
How much do you charge to pressure wash a driveway?
What’s the cancellation policy?
Do you offer any additional services?
Do you offer a customer satisfaction guarantee?
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on how often you use your driveway, as well as the degree of dirt and debris on the surrounding roads. However, your driveway will likely look clean for at least a few months to a year after pressure washing it.
Do not use bleach when pressure washing, either in the machine or on the driveway itself. Bleach in a power washer will corrode the seal and nozzles of the machine. Spraying bleach (whether out of the machine or on the driveway itself) blasts bleach into the air. Bleach can be highly dangerous if inhaled, and it can kill plants, flowers, and neighbors' animals that accidentally ingest it.
You don't technically need to seal your driveway after pressure washing, but doing so will help keep your driveway clean for longer. The best driveway sealer depends on the type of driveway you have. To seal asphalt, consider an asphalt emulsion sealer, fast-drying sealer, or latex acrylic sealer. Concrete driveways commonly use acrylic sealers or penetrating sealers.
How often you should pressure wash your driveway really depends on your preferences. But most pressure washing jobs wear off after a few months to a year, so you might consider pressure washing twice per year to keep your driveway looking great all year long. While you’re at it, you can also pressure wash your gutters and brick veneer siding.
The time it takes to pressure wash your driveway is based on size. Typically, small driveways can be pressure washed within an hour, medium within two hours, and large within four hours. However, this does not consider any prep time or time that sealing your driveway would take.