Clean It Up

UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Richard iSparkle on January 27, 2013, 09:54:45 pm

Title: dangers of pressure washing driveways
Post by: Richard iSparkle on January 27, 2013, 09:54:45 pm
I am about to invest in pressure washing equipment and was speaking to my dad today saying that we would clean his drive for free when i got kitted out.

he said he didn't want us to because the sand would come out when it was pressure washed, and he this would effect the bed of sand underneath and leave his driveway uneven.

can this happen, and how can you prevent it happening when you are cleaning driveways professionally?
Title: Re: dangers of pressure washing driveways
Post by: johnny bravo on January 27, 2013, 10:04:53 pm
dont turbo on the same spot for long,   let him buy some kiln sand to resand it with a brush when done  and all dry,   the guys on here will advise you. clean at an angle have you used a electric washer b4,  same way but more power.   practise.  i will be.  no one on here would be cleaning drives if customers all thought like dad.   all depends on power of washer also,
Title: Re: dangers of pressure washing driveways
Post by: Richard iSparkle on January 27, 2013, 10:12:14 pm
dont turbo on the same spot for long,   let him buy some kiln sand to resand it with a brush when done  and all dry,   the guys on here will advise you. clean at an angle have you used a electric washer b4,  same way but more power.   practise.  i will be.  no one on here would be cleaning drives if customers all thought like dad.   all depends on power of washer also,

hey turbo,

thanks for your reply.

i was just interested if what he says is accurate or not.  is it just a question of skills then?  he reckons he washed it himself with a small karcher he has and the sand came up?
Title: Re: dangers of pressure washing driveways
Post by: BDCS on January 27, 2013, 10:35:00 pm
Some sand will come out of which some will flow back, I say it will remove about 20mm which will be replaced by sterile kiln dried sand which will in itself inhibit weed growth. Less sand is removed by using a FSC
Title: Re: dangers of pressure washing driveways
Post by: Richard iSparkle on January 27, 2013, 10:46:44 pm
Some sand will come out of which some will flow back, I say it will remove about 20mm which will be replaced by sterile kiln dried sand which will in itself inhibit weed growth. Less sand is removed by using a FSC

thank you BDCS.

as youre on here, you mentioned previously i think that FSC work better with a higher flow rate?  is a 15LPM washer enough to use one effectively?
Title: Re: dangers of pressure washing driveways
Post by: BDCS on January 27, 2013, 11:54:07 pm
Yes thats all I had for years but I would say its the minimum with an 18" FSC. I used the 9" mossie a lot on the more stubborn stuff but always had the turbo. You would learn a lot by having a day with someone with the gear
Title: Re: dangers of pressure washing driveways
Post by: Mike Halliday on January 28, 2013, 07:13:37 am
I remove about 10mm the pressure does not leave the sets loose or get anywhere near the bedding sand.

I tell them you need to remove 10mm to get out the root system of the moss and weeds, it can be replaced when finished or can be left, after all its only 10mm (try lifting a set after cleaning to see how loose the are) it won't move
Title: Re: dangers of pressure washing driveways
Post by: Roger Oakley on January 28, 2013, 08:03:19 am
Any damage or paver disruption happens when home-owners or the weekend warriors clean there own drives and never think to re-sand the paving. As long as you re-sand when paving is dry, then you won't have a problem.
Title: Re: dangers of pressure washing driveways
Post by: Blast Away on January 28, 2013, 04:00:39 pm
Any damage or paver disruption happens when home-owners or the weekend warriors clean there own drives and never think to re-sand the paving. As long as you re-sand when paving is dry, then you won't have a problem.

Exactly. His dad's concern must only come from his own experience.
Title: Re: dangers of pressure washing driveways
Post by: Richard iSparkle on January 28, 2013, 04:25:44 pm
Any damage or paver disruption happens when home-owners or the weekend warriors clean there own drives and never think to re-sand the paving. As long as you re-sand when paving is dry, then you won't have a problem.

Exactly. His dad's concern must only come from his own experience.

my dad did it with his little karcher last time  :)
Title: Re: dangers of pressure washing driveways
Post by: Blast Away on January 28, 2013, 04:43:17 pm
Any damage or paver disruption happens when home-owners or the weekend warriors clean there own drives and never think to re-sand the paving. As long as you re-sand when paving is dry, then you won't have a problem.

Exactly. His dad's concern must only come from his own experience.

my dad did it with his little karcher last time  :)

Well there you go. As it wouldn't have been as effective as a pro machine, he would have spent longer on joints to rid them of moss and weeds and in the process blow excessive amounts of sand out.
Title: Re: dangers of pressure washing driveways
Post by: Richy L on January 28, 2013, 06:07:45 pm
these water water pistols karchers are sometimes used on pencil jet to clean block paving which will take up a lot of sand.
Cleaning block paving with a turbo is fine as long as you resand afterwards when it is completely dry.
Title: Re: dangers of pressure washing driveways
Post by: Simon@Pristine Pathways on January 28, 2013, 06:16:33 pm
Your dad is right I wouldnt risk it , stick to window cleaning!   ;)
Title: Re: dangers of pressure washing driveways
Post by: Ian101 on January 28, 2013, 11:27:09 pm
Your dad is right I wouldnt risk it , stick to window cleaning!   ;)

 ;D
Title: Re: dangers of pressure washing driveways
Post by: Simon@Pristine Pathways on January 28, 2013, 11:32:48 pm
Have you done any yet ian? You better be quick before richard takes all your customers! £££££££!!
Title: Re: dangers of pressure washing driveways
Post by: Ian101 on January 29, 2013, 06:18:45 pm
haha Richard only does the posh end .......... Chester ... im more scally north wales :D