Do You Need Chemicals to Clean a Driveway? Let's Find Out!
What is up, everybody? My name is Justin, and welcome to Forever Self-Employed. In today’s video, we’re going to answer one of the most frequently asked questions on the channel: do you need chemicals to clean a driveway? But before we dive into that, if you’re interested in starting or scaling up your pressure washing business, check out the first link in the comments and the description. It’s our top-selling pressure washing business course, a game-changer for many. Now, let’s jump into today’s topic!
Do You Really Need Chemicals?
Short answer: no, you don’t need chemicals to clean a driveway. If you’ve watched any of my videos, you know I never use chemicals. I prefer to avoid chemicals for personal reasons, but if you’re open to using them, they can significantly speed up the job.
When and How to Use Chemicals
If you decide to use chemicals, here’s what you’ll typically use:
-
Sodium Hypochlorite: Effective for killing organic matter.
-
Surfactant: Helps the solution stick to surfaces.
-
Water: Dilutes the mixture.
The ratio depends on the surface and the level of dirt. For concrete, a strong mixture is safe as it won’t damage the surface. You can apply chemicals before (pre-treatment) or after (post-treatment) washing, or both. Keep in mind, chemicals cost money, but they can save you time, balancing out the costs.
My Chemical-Free Method
For those who prefer not to use chemicals, like me, here’s my method to ensure a clean driveway:
-
First Pass: Clean the driveway vertically.
-
Second Pass: Clean the driveway horizontally.
This cross-hitting technique removes more dirt and organic matter, even though it takes more time. Initially, I only washed vertically, but I found it left lines and wasn’t thorough. Cross-hitting has improved my results significantly.
Your Choice: Chemicals or No Chemicals?
Both methods work, so choose what suits you best. If you want faster results, use chemicals. If you prefer not to, follow my cross-hitting method.
If you made it this far, comment “driveway” below, and I’ll hashtag you a real one. Leave any pressure washing questions in the comments, and I’ll answer them in future videos.
For those looking to elevate their pressure washing skills, check out the SESW Softwash 101 Class. It’s packed with expert knowledge and will help you master the craft.
That’s it for today! Hit the thumbs up if you liked the video, subscribe for more, and until next time, hustle hard and get that money, baby. Peace!
