A driveway is one of the more forgiving DIY pressure washing jobs — concrete and pavers can generally handle more pressure than painted surfaces or roofing. That said, there are a few genuine mistakes that can leave you with etched concrete, blasted-out paver joints, or a driveway that looks patchy rather than clean. Here's how to do it properly.

Choose the Right Pressure Setting

Most homeowner pressure washers sit somewhere between 1,500 and 3,000 PSI. On plain concrete, that's usually fine with a fan-tip nozzle (25–40 degrees). Anything narrower, like a pinpoint or zero-degree tip, concentrates far more force into a small area and is a common cause of etching — those visible stripe marks that don't come out.

Test an Inconspicuous Area First

Before working across the whole driveway, test your pressure and distance on a small hidden section — near the edge of the garage, for example. This is especially important on older, weaker concrete or exposed aggregate finishes, which can be more prone to pitting than you'd expect.

Watch Your Distance and Angle

Keep the wand moving in smooth, overlapping passes rather than holding it in one spot. Standing too close concentrates pressure into a small area and increases the risk of etching; working from further back with steady, even passes gives a cleaner, more even result.

Know When to Call a Professional

A few situations are worth handing to a professional rather than DIYing: pavers with sand-filled joints (high pressure can blast the sand straight out, leaving gaps), older or crumbling concrete, stubborn oil staining that needs proper degreasing first, or driveways large enough that doing it properly would eat your whole weekend. If you're weighing it up, our guide to driveway pressure cleaning covers what a professional clean actually involves.

Get a Free Quote

If you'd rather leave it to us, quoting is easy — send a call or a few photos and we'll get back to you with a free, no-obligation quote. We carry $20M public liability insurance and back every job with a workmanship guarantee. Get in touch today.