One of the first tasks you may have after hiring or purchasing a pressure washer is cleaning your driveway or pathways.

We understand here at Britclean, that is every driveway and pathway is unique and finding the right cleaning method will ultimately save you time and money – plus the results will speak for themselves.

For this blog, we will talk you through cleaning concrete using pressure washers.

6 Considerations When Using Pressure Washers

1. Know Where the Water is Going – Befoe you start, consider how you are going to deal with the plentiful of muddy water coming your way when cleaning. Work with it and not against and start with your pathway leading to your front door. When cleaning this section push the water to your driveway.

2. Apply Chemicals – Before you start using your unit, apply your chemicals to the concrete using the downstream injector. Whatever chemical you choose, ensure it is right for your machine and the concrete itself. Also, avoid over-spray on plants as they will die or turn yellow as a result.

3. Begin with Borders – Once you start using your pressure washer, create a border around your driveway. Cleaning the edge first will allow you to get a crisp edge and avoid missing any spots. The edge is also the dirtiest part as your water hits the soil that surrounds your driveway. It is best to deal with this first rather than when you are rinsing later on.

4. Clean Your Driveway from Top to Bottom – Regardless of where you start cleaning, your driveway will need to be split into sections. If you use a lance, work in vertical sections that are roughly 3 feet wide and keep your lance 6 inches to a foot away from the surface.

5. Rinse and Spot Clean – Once your driveway is clean, Britclean would recommend going from the top and rinsing it at high pressure. This is necessary to remove all the dirt lifted while cleaning, plus you can ensure no part was missed the first time around.

6. Post Treatments – The difference between a good job and a great job can be a post-treatment. Post treating your driveway reduces the appearance of any tiger striping left from the lance. Using a bleach post-treatment helps to whiten concrete and remove tannin stains.

Get in Touch With Any Questions

If you have any questions about cleaning concrete using pressure washers, please contact Britclean now.

Winter is a great time to schedule some thorough cleaning using a pressure washer from Britclean. This time of year is a prime time to increase your curb appeal and sanitise your property.

Britclean is going to share the top three benefits of pressure washing your business this winter.

3 Ways Pressure Washers Benefit Your Business

Less Down Time During Busy Months – The main reason for scheduling power washing projects during winter is that you will have less downtime in busier months. Pressure washing first thing in the morning before your business opens means you can get the task out the way for the day. This will also aid your customer experience and get your exteriors and pathways looking great for the day ahead.

Restore Curb Appeal – During winter the moisture of humidity can lead to damage to your businesses structure. Grime and mould can also build-up, which if allowed to sit for a long period of time will cause permanent damage. This, in turn, could cause structural issues with costly repairs.

Get rid of dirt, grime, mould and any other unsightly messes before a busy shopping period will give your customers a more pleasant experience.

Sanitise Your Property – Power washing does not just improve your curb appeal, it also reduces the risk of spreading diseases. Harmful diseases can spread on building’s exteriors when they are not properly cleaned or sanitised. A pressure washer from Britclean will properly sanitise outdoor exteriors such as car parks, pathways as well as building fronts.

Britclean is equipped with the highest quality of pressure washing equipment, including leading brands such as Karcher and Nilfisk plus our own in-house models. Our goal is to give you a clean property, which is safe to work in and pleasant for visitors too.

Get In Touch for More Information

If you have any questions about any of Britclean’s pressure washers, please do not hesitate to contact us today.

Keeping your driveway clean is an essential part of home maintenance, with the best method being the use of pressure washers from Britclean.

For our latest blog, we are going to share three reasons why pressure washing your driveway is the best cleaning method.

3 Reasons to Use Pressure Washers on Your Drive

Driveway Damage Prevention – Every time dust, dirt, oil residue, bird droppings and other substances find their way into the cracks of your driveway, the expansion joints will start to expand, little by little.

A bit of dirt and a bit of seed is all your driveway needs to become your next weed garden!
This will look awful plus weeds setting up roots in the soil underneath your concrete or asphalt, the more they will damage your driveway until pores become cracks and cracks become gaps.

Driveway Safety – When moss, algae, mould and other natural debris collects on your driveway, it will rapidly fill in the cracks to make the surface smoother. Your driveway was built porous, with friction to help it be good for tyre traction.

The more natural debris that builds up, the slicker your driveway gets, which is bad for your tyres plus it can become a fall hazard too. Pressure washing the natural debris regularly will keep your driveway rough, the way it was initially designed.

Driveway Cleanliness – Driveways are dirty by nature as they are constantly used by cars. There is a difference between dirty driveways and a neglected driveway. Dirty ones are likely to have bird faeces, mould and other disgusting residues on the surface.

Dirty driveways can also lead to mould and fungus, which can find its way into your house via open doors and cracked windows. This can cause negative health effects such as allergic reactions, sneezing, coughing, shortness of breath, sinus infection, bronchitis, fever, headache and other issues.

Contact Us For More Information

If you are looking for high-quality pressure washers to clean your driveway, please get in touch with Britclean today.

As the leading provider of pressure washers for customers across Staffordshire and Cheshire, Britclean knows all the different scenarios where they can be used.

For this post, we are going to share seven different ways you can use a power washer.

7 Ways to Use Pressure Washers

1. Washing Commercial Properties – Power washers are an excellent method for cleaning commercial buildings. The exterior of your building has a big impact on how customers view your business. Making a great first impression and having your building look impeccable will help to do this.

2. Cleaning Fences – Pressure washing a vinyl fence is quite simple when using a safe pressure rate. Wooden fences require more expertise, as they can be damaged if you get the pressure rate wrong. A power washer will help to speed up the process as long as you use the right cleansers.

3. Wash Patios and Walkways – A pressure washer is also the best way to clean patios and walkways as grime and other contaminants can amass over time and put a heavy toll on the surfaces. By using a pressure washer you will be able to thoroughly clean these surfaces in a more efficient way than hand scrubbing them.

4. Washing Decking – If you are considering repainting or staining your decking, power washing will remove general dirt, grime, algae, sunspots and any other contaminants. Once you have cleaned your decking it could require sanding or replacing boards.

A routine maintenance wash will help to keep your decking protected from the elements and looking great. Having your deck washed annually will also lengthen the time between repainting and staining.

5. Treating Roofs – While you may think using a pressure washer on a roof could be risky, if you use a soft wash technique it will rinse dirt away. This helps to treat for algae and other harmful living organisms.

As algae colonies accumulate on and inhabit the surface of your roof, they can dine on the limestone filler and cause deterioration of shingles. Roof treatments help to remove algae, moss and lichens from your roof which allows it to achieve its full lifespan.

6. Clean Concrete – Concrete is porous like a sponge. Dirt, grime and a number of other contaminants permeate the surface which causes unattractive stains. While power washing is ineffective for oil and rust stains, it will work well for the contaminants we have already mentioned.

Britclean would advise sealing your driveway and other concrete surfaces after the wash. Moisture can be problematic for concrete during the winter as the water expands when it freezes. This causes strain underneath a concrete surface and will lead to cracking, chipping and pitting. A penetrating sealer soaks into the concrete, strengthening it from within and creates an invisible layer of defence against excess moisture.

7. Wash House Siding – Washing your house is one of the best uses of a pressure washer, as with commercial properties this is the most cost-effective way to clean the exterior surface.

Airborne algae can find its way to the sun-deprived north side of a property. Algae feed on organic material, leaving behind an unpleasant green-brown residue. If this is left untreated, algae can become embedded within the siding which causes permanent stains. Algae will migrate underneath the siding if it is allowed to colonize long enough and it will eventually soil and damage the underlying plywood.

Britclean would recommend using a pressure washer on your home once per year.

Get in Touch for More Information

If you have any questions about pressure washers, please feel free to contact Britclean today.

One of the common myths surrounding pressure washers is that the more pressure they have, the better they will wash.

The fact is, according to technical washer experts at Britclean, the pressure will only get you so far and that water flow rate plays a larger role in determining how your washer performs.

How Pressure Washers Remove Dirt and Debris

Every combination of material and contaminants has a particular pressure which is required to seperate the two. For example, grease on stainless steels requires a different pressure than grease on aluminium, cast iron or Teflon. Similarly, paint will require a different pressure to remove it from stainless steel than say ink, chewing gum or tar.

Once your pressure washer has reached the pressure needed for a given combination of material and contaminant, adding more pressure will not make the job go faster. What could help complete the task quicker is the use of a pressure washer that is capable of a higher flow rate.

Measured in Gallons Per Minute, the flow rate is the key to determining how long a task will take. Use this bit of advice to determine that the best pressure washer would be for your application – multiply the pressure at which a system operates by the flow rate in gallons. The resulting number will help you to understand how one system will work compared to others.

When you are thinking about what size pressure washer to purchase or hire, keep in mind that the name ‘pressure washer’ might actually be a misnomer since both flow rate and pressure need considering. Look at the sort of work you need to do and how much pressure is needed to remove the stains you want to address.

Get in Touch With Any Questions

If you have any more questions about the flow rate of pressure washers, please feel free to contact Britclean today.

We are Staffordshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire’s leading providers of Ehrle, Nilfisk and Karcher pressure washers, available now for hire or purchase.

To choose the best pressure washer it is a worthwhile exercise thinking about what you will be cleaning, how dirty it will be and how often you plan to use it.

For this post, Britclean will share some expert advice to help you find the right one with the power and features for your specific cleaning jobs.

Here we will focus on light, medium and heavy-duty washers and explain where they can be used.

What is a Light Duty Jet Washer?

Cleaning small areas of lightly soiled paving, bicycles, small cars and garden furniture is the best use for light-duty jet washers. These tend to have low powered motors between 1200W and 1600W, with low water pressure and low flow rates. They are split into small hand-carried units and petite trolley-style models with low handles and small wheels with hose lengths between three to five metres.

The Uses of Medium Duty Pressure Washers

Medium duty washers are commonly used for cleaning domestic garden paved areas and decking, cars plus 4x4s. Some of the more well-known models including Nilfisk and mid-powered Karcher (both supplied by Britclean) tend to be quick and easy to use with good cleaning ability. You can expect a medium-powered motor of 1600W to 2000W with mid-range water pressure and medium flow rates. Your hose will be between five or six metres and could also have hose reels.

Explaining Heavy-Duty Jet Washers

Heavy-duty washers are used for cleaning extensive areas of paving, grimy 4-wheel drive vehicles, commercial vehicles and caravans. While they are more expensive than low and medium-duty versions, they come equipped with high-powered motors, the high water pressure of between 130 to 150 bar with high flow rates allowing them to clean quickly and efficiently. It is important to understand how to use this type of washer properly to avoid damage your surfaces. Accessories can also include telescopic handles, multiple lances plus other robust cleaning extras.

Get in Touch with Any Questions

If you have any questions about Britclean’s range of pressure washers, please do not hesitate to contact us today. We offer the leading brands of washers including Nilfisk, Karcher, Ehrle plus our own manufactured in-house ready for purchase or hire.

There are a number of accessories available to help you realise the full potential of your power washers from Britclean.

Sometimes buying accessories in bulk when you purchase a power washer is more cost-effective and it is better to understand how they can help first. This is where we can help, with this handy guide to all of the accessories a pressure washer can use.

Explaining Accessories for Power Washers

Here is a brief breakdown of the accessories that can be used with a power washer –

Lances – Most washers come with a basic lance that is suitable for most tasks, but others are available for specific tasks such as different surfaces.

Detergents – Detergent can be used to shift tough muck or grime. A number of detergents have a specific formula that suits the surface you are cleaning. These will help to penetrate the dirt plus they can also protect and maintain your outdoor living spaces.

Patio Cleaners – Patio cleaners are great for cleaning patios and decking as the rotating nozzles cover a larger surface than a lance alone. They also provide a faster clean than a lance and as the cleaner hovers over the surface you will benefit from a much more even clean.

Foam Nozzles – Foam nozzles are a simple way to apply detergent. The detergent is applied to the surface as a thick foam which clings to surfaces and allows more time for the formulae to work. This can be quite useful for cleaning vertical surfaces like cars.

Brushes – Brushes that attach to the power washer guns are essential for tackling stubborn dirt on sensitive surfaces like woodwork and vehicles.

Extending Hose – If you are working away from the water supply tap you may need a heavy-duty professional hose which adds length to your water supply hose. They will need to be hooked up to your tap and pressure washer with connectors.

Got any Questions? Get in Touch Now

If you have any questions about power washer accessories, contact Britclean now. We are Staffordshire and Cheshire’s leading supplier of jet washers for domestic and commercial customers.

Adding a patio or decking to your garden creates a fantastic outdoor space for entertaining and dining. Using pressure washers to clean your decking or patio will prevent the build-up of dirt and algae.

Read our latest blog for a simple guide on cleaning decking and patio slabs using a pressure washer.

Jet washers help you to skip the hard work of using a manual scrubbing brush, as their powerful pump and narrow nozzle blast water in a forceful spray. This will remove dirt and grime from paving slabs fast plus it is more efficient than your regular garden hose.

6 Steps to Pressure Washing Your Patio

1.  Clear your patio, removing all furniture, ornaments and pots.
2. Use a broom to brush away any loose debris such as leaves and dirt.
3. Connect your hose and make sure that water is running freely before you start cleaning. Allow water to flow through the washer to remove any airlocks. If you are using a hose reel it needs to be fully unwound and free of kinks to ensure constant water flow. You will need two universal connectors and a tap adaptor for your garden tap to connect your hose.
4. Connect your jet washer to the mains electricity supply then turn it on to pressurise the system.
5. Before you begin cleaning your patio, apply some detergent to the surface to help dissolve dirt and make the patio easier to clean. A number of detergents have special properties that help reduce the build-up of dirt in the future plus it will protect your surfaces from weather damage. You can purchase specific detergents for stone, wood and vehicles, with each specially designed to suit that particular task.
6. Dirt and organisms such as lichens can be difficult to remove using a standard lance or patio cleaner. Most power washers come with a rotary pencil jet nozzle which provides up to 80% more power. Switching this lance will ensure even the most stubborn dirt can be removed. Please note that the increased power of these lances means they should only be used on hard surfaces like stone or brickwork whereas sensitive surfaces such as wood or vehicle paintwork could be damaged when cleaned with this type of lance.

Hire or Buy Pressure Washers from Britclean

If you are looking to hire or purchase a pressure washer for cleaning your patio, get in touch with Britclean today.

We work with the finest range of pressure washers, including renowned brands such as Karcher, Ehrle and Nilfisk and have been working with customers across Staffordshire and Cheshire for over 40 years.

Cleaning is one of the best ways to increase your home’s curb appeal immediately or improve outdoor living spaces without hitting you too much in the pocket.

You will notice a huge difference after using a pressure washer on your concrete, bricks or paving stones; especially if they are dirty from years of neglect or if they have mould or algae growing on them.

Pressure washing is the best way to clean hardscapes, and the good news is that you can clean concrete, paving stones or bricks with a power washer. This is a convenient piece of equipment that is available to purchase or hire from Britclean.

The basics of power washing are easy to pick up, but there are some safety tips you will need to follow to ensure you do not hurt yourself, someone else or your property.

The Dangers of Incorrecting Using Pressure Washers

Some pressure washer horror stories include stripping paint off of houses, ripping off siding and shingles, damaging wood decks, destroying car paint jobs plus causing serious injuries.

The problem does not lie with pressure washing itself, more with inexperienced folks who may choose the wrong nozzle, use higher pressure than needed or simply not understand how powerful a pressurised stream of water can be.

If used incorrectly, power washers can cause significant damage in the form of pitting, lines or general surface degradation. It is also possible to damage the mortar between bricks and disperse the joint sand between paving stones. With regards to concrete, slabs installed less than 12 months ago are more likely to be damaged than older slabs.

This type of damage is often caused by using the wrong nozzle, using a higher pressure than needed, holding the wand too close to the surface of the hardscape or directing the spray at the same place for too long.

Need More Information? Get in Touch with Britclean

If you would like to know more about Britclean’s range of pressure washers, please contact us today.