What the job involves
A pressure washer does the hard work, but the result comes down to choosing the right pressure and nozzle for each surface. Concrete driveways and paths can take a strong, close clean that lifts years of grime, moss and black mould. Pavers need more care so we don't blast out the sand between them. Timber decks are washed at a much lower pressure, along the grain, so the surface doesn't fur up or splinter.
Most surfaces only need water. Where there's heavy mould or algae, such as a shady south-side path that stays damp all winter, we may pre-treat with a mild cleaner and tell you before we use it. We rinse runoff away from garden beds and fish ponds, and we keep the spray clear of windows, door seals and anything that could be damaged by water.
House walls are washed from the ground only. Brick and weatherboard walls come up well and are often done before painting or a house sale. Outdoor furniture, bins and garden edging can be added to a visit.
Water rules. Bendigo and Castlemaine are on Coliban Water, whose Permanent Water Saving Rules only allow hard surfaces like driveways and paths to be cleaned with water in set situations. Those include construction or renovation work, removing a hazard, and cleaning staining that has developed, no more than once every three months. We plan driveway and path washes to fit those rules, and we'll talk it through with you when we quote.
How it works, step by step
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Tell us what needs washing
List the surfaces and roughly how big they are, such as a double driveway and the back patio, and add photos. Photos show us the type of surface and how dirty it is.
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Price and plan
We give a fixed price for the job, check it fits the water rules, and agree a day. We'll need an outdoor tap we can connect to.
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Wash
We sweep loose debris first, cover or move anything delicate, then wash each surface at the right pressure, working towards drains and away from garden beds.
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Rinse and finish
A final rinse to clear the runoff, a look over everything together, and the gear packed away. Decks are left to dry before anyone oils them.
What's included
- Concrete driveways, paths, patios and garage aprons
- Pavers and brick paving, at a pressure that protects the joints
- Timber decks and steps, washed along the grain at low pressure
- Brick and weatherboard house walls, from the ground only
- Outdoor furniture, bins and garden edging on request
- Moving pot plants and outdoor furniture out of the way, and back again
Not included
- Re-sanding paver joints, sealing concrete or oiling decks
- Removing old paint or graffiti
- Any surface above ground-level reach
- Guaranteed removal of old oil or rust stains
How pricing works
Pressure washing is quoted as a fixed price for the job. The price depends on the total area, the type of surface, how dirty it is, and whether anything needs pre-treating for mould. A single path is a short job; a long driveway plus a patio and a deck takes most of a day.
Combining surfaces in one visit is usually better value than booking them separately, since setting up is part of every job. We'll confirm the price before we start, along with anything we think won't come up fully clean, such as old oil drips on concrete.
What we don't do
- Roofs, roof tiles or solar panels of any kind
- Fibro or other asbestos cement sheeting, which must never be pressure washed
- Flaking or chalky paint on older homes, which can contain lead
- Walls or windows above ground-level reach, including second-storey walls
Common questions
Is pressure washing allowed under the water rules?
In set situations, yes. Coliban Water's Permanent Water Saving Rules allow hard surfaces to be cleaned with water for construction or renovation, to remove a hazard such as a slippery path, or when staining has developed, no more than once every three months. We check your job fits before we book it, and the rules are linked below.
Will pressure washing damage my deck or pavers?
It can if it's done carelessly, which is why we change the pressure and nozzle for each surface. Decks are washed at low pressure along the grain, and pavers are cleaned without blasting out the joint sand. If a surface is already fragile or crumbling, we'll tell you before we start.
Do you use harsh chemicals?
No harsh chemicals. Most jobs are water only. For heavy mould or algae we may use a mild cleaner, and we'll tell you before we use it so you can move pets and cover anything you're worried about.
Can you clean my roof or solar panels?
No. We don't do any work on roofs, including washing tiles or solar panels. We stick to surfaces we can reach safely from the ground.
Do I need to be home, and what do you need from me?
You don't need to be home, but we do need an outdoor tap that works and access to the areas being washed. Please move cars off the driveway the night before if you won't be around in the morning.
Will it get the oil stains out of my driveway?
It usually makes a big difference, but old oil stains soak deep into concrete and often leave a shadow. We'll be straight with you about what to expect when we see the photos.