Pressure washing cleans surfaces with a high-pressure stream of water. It’s useful for outdoor concrete like driveways and patios, and for cleaning a slab before new work begins. Too much pressure or a narrow nozzle held too close can wear down sealers and etch softer surfaces. On sealed or coated floors, a gentler setting or a regular mop is usually the safer choice.
Pressure Washing Concrete Without Damaging It
A pressure washer is like a garden hose with a much stronger push. The narrower the spray, the harder it hits. Narrow tips put all the pressure in a very small area, and the wrong tip, too much pressure, or both can etch concrete. A wider fan spray held farther back cleans without scarring the surface.
Should You Pressure Wash a Basement Floor After a Flood?
Usually not. A pressure washer puts a lot more water into a space you’re trying to dry out, and wet areas need to be dried within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold growth. On hard surfaces, mold can be scrubbed off with detergent and water and then dried completely. A coated or polished concrete floor makes that cleanup a mop-and-squeegee job.
If you’re choosing a basement floor that can take the next flood, our guide to basement flooring after a flood compares options that can be cleaned in place.
Pressure Washing FAQ
What should you not pressure wash?
Be careful with anything soft or coated, like sealed concrete, painted surfaces, wood, and window screens. High pressure can strip a sealer or scar the surface. Indoors, a mop or floor scrubber is usually the better tool.
What is the difference between pressure washing and power washing?
The terms are often used the same way. When people do split them, power washing means using heated water and pressure washing means cold water. For homeowners, the bigger choice is how much pressure and which nozzle to use.