Mean and Clean - The Right Way of Pressure Washing Asphalt

Asphalts are one of the top materials when it comes to paving. They can make a road look good even from a mile away all thanks to their blacktop, a feature that adds a well-needed charm towards your curb.

As appealing as they may look at first glance, there’s a tendency for them to accumulate dirt and other unwanted particles over time. It can’t be helped as they are a part of the curb, especially since they’re usually an area where you would usually pass by to park in the garage. In such a case, the process of pressure washing may make it look as good as new.

Is It Actually Safe to Pressure Wash Asphalt?

Yes, it is. There is nothing wrong with pressure washing asphalt as long as you do all the necessary preparation steps before the actual clean-up procedure. In doing so, you’ll be able to make it look as good as new without compromising its overall appearance. 

The following are just some of the common preparations and indicators to look out for before cranking up your pressure washer: 

1. Clearing Your Asphalt

This is simple as taking a broom and a leaf blower and clearing your asphalt off any debris or particles that may have accumulated on it over time. Sweep off any dirt that may turn muddy once when you turn on the water, make sure that none of it will be left on the surface. Make sure to also take away any pots or furniture that could limit your movements during the pressure washing process.

1. Checking Your Asphalt for Any Damages

As with all things, your asphalt may also experience wear and tear. Make sure to check on it before pressure washing the surface. A crack may worsen if you manage to hit it with the washer. 

Mark all the damaged parts with chalk and avoid them while you’re power washing. Better yet, get the help of an asphalt contractor for repair to avoid further damages during the cleaning process. It is better to hit them all in one go instead of zigzagging just to avoid the holes.

1. Cleaning Oil Stains Off Your Asphalt

Using a pressure washer isn’t a magic solution—you’ll still have a hard time cleaning oil stains off the surfaces.  This is because oil is water-resistant, so no matter how hard you try or how long you’d point the nozzle of the washer towards the stain, it may still not come off. 

You can make use of the kitty litter technique for this, wherein you would put sand over the oil stain, waiting for it to absorb the oil until the very last drop. You may just sweep off or scoop up the sand afterwards. Once it’s all clear, you may proceed with pressure washing the asphalt again.

Conclusion

It can be intimidating to pressure wash asphalt on your own, but the thing about asphalt is that, just like other surfaces, you’ll need certain techniques to properly clean them. Familiarizing yourself with these techniques means you no longer have to worry about the end results, as the damages will remain minimal, the accumulated dirt gone, and the blacktop looking good as new. Learn, practice, and improve them over time to effectively tidy up your curb.

With all of that being said, if you are looking for well-trusted pressure washing services near you, look no further than Kingwood All Star Window & Power Washing. We offer window washing services, residential and commercial pressure washing, and other services. Contact us to learn more!

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