There’s no argument to the fact the pressure washer is the most effective technique to clean concrete floors; be it the floor or sidewalk. Pressure washing can easily tackle annoying mess and let you have a clean and sparkling concrete surface again. But how much PSI to clean concrete? That’s one of the most common question I being asked on my meeting with clients.
For cleaning concrete surfaces, you need to buy a powerful pressure washer that can deliver high pressure levels to about 3000 PSI. For cleaning stubborn stains or for faster cleaning on concrete surface, the recommended pressure range is between 3000 PSI up to 4000 psi.
But that’s not enough; your actual pressure for using pressure washer depends on the type of surface as well as the purpose of use. The pressure for application on driveways will be different in comparison to that on the patio or walkways.
So, I recommend you to read my entire article as I’ve explained in detail about the exact PSI requirement of pressure washer.
Let’s delve in:
Why pressure washer?
Here’re some of the applications; where you can use pressure washer:
- Maintaining concrete surfaces and floors
- Clearing commercial property floors
- Removing remains of spray paint on concrete surface
- Cleaning sidewalks and driveways for removing oil stains, dirt, and other debris.
- Cleaning pool side concrete surfaces including diving boards and other concrete surface.
- Removing built-up dirt, mold, and mildew from concrete patio.
Pro tip: Pressure washers can result in accumulation of large volume or water around 4 to 5 Gallons per Minute during cleaning. So, to ensure smooth progress and to avoid flooding your house, make sure the drainage system is clear and unobstructed.
Also Read: Tips for pressure washer – Type of nozzle & get perfect spray
Why PSI is important to consider?
That’s because the PSI rating is the only thing that decides if the pressure washer unit can be effective or not against stubborn stains. A low PSI pressure washer might not be able to deliver the desired results and so you’ll end up fighting an uphill battle.
But that doesn’t mean you can use as high as 5000 psi. The rating in excess of 4,000 PSI might damage the concrete surface and so, it’s important to follow the recommended PSI range of 3000 PSI to 4000 PSI.
Also Read: How to Get Carpet Glue Off Concrete? (6+ Methods Step by Step Guide)
Preparation for pressure cleaning
Here’re some preparations you need to do before cleaning concrete with pressure washers:
- Clear the area and remove all types of debris and stuff like vehicles, toys, or other obstructions.
- Close all doors and windows to make sure the water won’t enter your house.
- Make sure to wear protect gear like mask, gloves, boots, and proper clothing with full sleeves.
Does pressure washer remove oil, rust or other deposits?
No, pressure washer won’t eliminate stubborn deposits like oil, rust, or graffiti. It can only remove dirt or some surface stains that won’t have any roots inside the porous concrete surface.
Also Read: Is crushed Concrete Better than a gravel driveway?
What do with fungus or moss?
The best thing you can do for moss or fungus is to use disinfectants. So, the next time you want to use pressure washer for fungus or moss; just add disinfectant into the detergent chamber and this will help you eliminate the fungal development.
What would be the ideal PSI range for cleaning concrete surface with pressure washer?
Now that you know having too low or too high PSI range is never beneficial for your purpose. So, it’s best that you find out the specific PSI value that’ll be best to serve your purpose.
The ideal value of PSI depends on factors like:
- Type of pressure washer
Hot water pressure washer delivers best results against grime and muck while cold water is generally less effective.
- Type of concrete surface
Stamped concrete or other decorative type of concrete is generally more porous and prone to damages. So, different type of concrete surfaces have different durability and porous nature. Make sure to consider less PSI for such a decorative concrete.
- Type of mess in question
If you’re dealing with light dirt or dust; only PSI range of 1,600 to 2,000 would be sufficient. But if you’re dealing with thick layer of oil or grease; you might need to have a PSI range of 3,600 or even high.
Will a 2000 psi pressure washer clean concrete?
Yes, a 2000 PSI pressure washer is in a medium-duty pressure washer range that works best on many surfaces including concrete, brick, and wood. Still, it is recommended to use a pressure washer with capacity more than 2,800 PSI for best results.
Is 4000 psi too much for cleaning concrete?
No, it’s not too much; in fact, it’s in the ideal range of pressure for cleaning concrete i.e. 3000 to 4000 PSI. These high pressure washers can easily get rid of old deteriorated concrete surface as well as for green cutting concrete surface and making it rough.
Will 1500 psi clean concrete?
No, a pressure washer with 1500 PSI pressure will not be able to deliver best results. Although, it will help you clean driveways, sidewalks, and patio but with 1500 or less pressure you might have to work slowly with repeated applications.
Will 1600 psi clean concrete?
Yes, a 1600 PSI pressure washer can clean concrete but still I recommend to have a washer with pressure in excess of 2000 PSI. Because for low-pressure washers, you need to work hard and ultimately it will take more time to clean your patio, sidewalks, or driveways.
The Bottom line of Our Guide on What PSI to Pressure Wash Concrete
For best results in cleaning concrete surface, 3000 PSI is the recommended value of pressure washer rating. But the exact value of PSI depends on the type of surface and the type of spots you’re trying to remove.
