Frequent cleaning of concrete helps to maintain the value, beauty and extent service life of the surface.. There are wide varieties of cleaners currently available in the market that is designed to clean and remove contamination from concrete surface. Understanding what these varieties of cleaners do and how they work help you choose the most suitable, and can save you time and money. A pressure washer is essential equipment for cleaning and sanitizing large concrete surfaces. Concrete power washing helps in removing tough contaminants such as paints and heavy tire-skid marks. Here are steps that should be followed when pressure washing concrete.

· Choose appropriate equipment and settings

Choose a power washer with a pressure-rating of at least 3000 psi with a flow rate of 4 gallons per minute. It will effectively clean exterior concrete. Make sure you set the spray nozzle to high-pressure and use a 40 inch spray tip.

· Prepare the concrete surface

After choosing the appropriate equipment, the next step is to prepare the surface. Preparation is the key to any successful concrete power washing. How to do this involves removing any obstacles or any other large debris from the cleaning area. You can relocate the patio furniture and planters temporarily. It is also good to dampen and cover nearby plants to protect them from high pressure spray and chemicals used. Covering all the exposed outlets and electrical wires is necessary too. Ensure you also remove dense areas of oil and grease with appropriate substance like tri-sodium phosphate.

· Carry out spray test

It is good to first test the effectiveness of the spray. Test the spray on a small area to get used to its power before power washing the whole concrete. You may increase or decrease the power of the spray to suit your needs. This is done by adjusting the nozzle setting or adjusting the distance between the wand and the concrete.

· Work in a steady manner

An effective concrete power washing involves pressure washing one section at a time before moving to another section. This is to make sure that there are no uneven streaks in the concrete once the process is complete. You should follow the slope of the concrete to maximize proper draining and run-off.

There are other things to consider too. To avoid breakdown of the machine, you should never run the power washer without water because it will cause premature failure of the pump seals. The water source should provide volume of water required by the pump. The power washer should not be run through a bypass for some time. Concrete power washing should be done by a professional who understands all the necessary steps and procedures. Do it yourself may make the process ineffective you might violate some regulations. For instance, depending on power washing chemicals used and contaminants removed from the concrete, water run-off may not be allowed to enter storm sewers. Looking for experienced and skilled service provider will help you power wash your concrete safely and easily without any issues arising after the task.