Concrete doesn't stay clean on its own here. Central Texas clay dust settles into it, shade grows mildew, and irrigation overspray leaves mineral rings. Most of it comes off with pressure washing - but not all of it, and knowing the difference saves you from paying for a job that can't deliver what you hoped.
What pressure washing removes cleanly
- Clay, dust and general ground-in dirt - the grey film that makes concrete look tired
- Mildew and algae film, especially on shaded north-facing slabs and walks
- Pollen and leaf tannin staining from overhanging trees
- Loose paint and flaking coatings, which is often why someone calls in the first place
- Most tire marks, with the right tip and a bit of patience
What needs more than pressure
- Rust stains - usually from fertilizer or metal furniture. These need a specific treatment, and pressure alone can spread them.
- Oil and grease - a degreaser has to dwell on the stain first; blasting it just pushes it around.
- Efflorescence (the white chalky bloom) - a mineral deposit that needs a different approach, not more pressure.
- Deep organic staining in porous, older concrete, where the stain has soaked in over years.
Why method matters more than machine
The same machine can restore a driveway or etch it. Too much pressure on newer, stamped or already-sealed concrete leaves permanent wand marks - and once the surface is etched, no amount of cleaning fixes it. We use a surface cleaner for even coverage on flatwork, keep the pressure appropriate to the slab, and rinse as we go rather than leaving a streaky half-job.
Should you seal afterward?
On stamped concrete and pavers, sealing after cleaning slows how fast it re-stains and keeps the colour even. On plain grey concrete it's optional - it will simply re-weather, faster in shade than in sun. We'll tell you which yours is and what's worth paying for.
How often does concrete need cleaning here?
Most driveways want it every year or two. Shaded walks and north-facing patios grow mildew back faster - sometimes within a season. If water beads on the surface after a rain, it's still holding up; if it soaks straight in and the slab looks grey, it's due.
Send a couple of photos with your quote request and we'll tell you honestly what will come out and what won't before you book.
Want it done right the first time? We clean, brighten, dry and seal fences and decks across Central Texas.