Driveway & Concrete Cleaning

Concrete in Oregon and Western Washington turns green fast. Moss and algae grow in the pores, especially in shaded areas or anywhere water sits. AWP Exterior Cleaning uses a surface cleaner — a rotating bar with high-pressure jets enclosed under a hood — to clean evenly without the streaking you get from a wand. Pressure runs 3000-3500 PSI for concrete; the crew drops it for pavers or stamped concrete to avoid blowing out joint sand or damaging the surface.

Oil stains don't come out with pressure alone. The crew pre-treats them with a degreaser, lets it sit, then hits it with the surface cleaner. Old stains that have soaked deep into the concrete might lighten but won't disappear completely. Rust stains from patio furniture or planters need an acid-based cleaner, which gets applied separately and rinsed thoroughly to avoid etching the concrete.

“A surface cleaner cleans evenly without the streaking you get from a wand — the rotating jets cover the whole surface at consistent pressure.”

Cleaning takes 1-2 hours for a standard two-car driveway, longer if there's heavy staining or if the crew is working around landscaping. Water rinses toward the street or a drain, not into planting beds. If your concrete hasn't been sealed, cleaning will open up the pores and it'll get dirty again faster. AWP Exterior Cleaning can apply a penetrating sealer after cleaning — it doesn't change the look but slows water and oil absorption.

For driveways with cracks or spalling, cleaning won't fix the underlying issue, but it'll show you exactly where repairs are needed. Chris recommends sealing after cleaning for driveways that see regular oil exposure or heavy traffic. The sealer takes 24-48 hours to cure, so scheduling depends on the weather forecast.

AWP Exterior Cleaning handles driveways, sidewalks, patios, garage floors, and pavers across the service area. The crew adjusts pressure and cleaning method based on the surface type and condition.