Pressure Washing FAQ

We use a commercial Honda GX390 petrol pressure washer with an Italian Interpump pump - 200 BAR working pressure at 21 litres per minute. The main attachment is a 20-inch rotary surface cleaner for streak-free drives and patios, plus a 5.4 metre telescopic lance for first-floor render and walls. It's a serious step up from the prosumer Kärcher K7s most local cleaners use.

A small path or BBQ patio is around an hour. A small driveway is 1.5-2 hours. An average two-car driveway is around 3 hours. A full property package (drive + patio + paths) is typically a full day. We give a clear time estimate with every quote.

No. We work entirely from outside. We just need access to your outdoor tap (or we can bring a buffer tank if there isn't one) and to the surfaces being cleaned.

Once a year is a sensible rhythm for most properties. Heavily shaded patios and drives under trees may need a top-up clean every 6-9 months. With proper pre-treatment and re-sanding, our results last longer than a quick DIY blast.

Yes - that's actually one of the most popular reasons people book us. A clean driveway and patio can dramatically improve estate agent photos and viewings. Time it 1-2 weeks before listing for maximum impact. See our before-selling guide for details.

Block paving, concrete, tarmac, resin bound drives, Indian sandstone, slabs, natural stone patios, garden paths, steps, timber and composite decking, fences, render walls, brick and stone. Pretty much anything outside that's dirty - we adjust the pressure and approach to suit each material.

No. Soft natural stones need lower working pressures (around 150 BAR rather than full power) and we always test a small hidden patch first. The Interpump system lets us dial pressure precisely - you can't do that on a domestic kit.

Yes. Decking needs the lowest pressure of any surface and we always work with the grain, never against it. We'll never close-up the lance to a timber board. Done right, pressure washing extends the life of decking by removing the slippery algae and biofilm that rot the surface.

Yes - it's included on driveway packages. Block paving needs kiln-dried sand brushed back into the joints after washing, otherwise the paving becomes loose and weeds grow through. Skipping this step is one of the most common mistakes DIY washers make.

Yes - that's exactly what the 5.4 metre telescopic lance is for. Render needs a soft-wash approach (never blast it or you damage the finish) and we can reach first and lower second-floor walls without ladders.

We charge time-based: £60 for the first hour, £50 per hour after. So a path is £60, a small patio £85, a small drive £110, an average two-car drive £160, a large drive £210, and a full-property package from £300. Send us a photo and we'll quote within an hour.

No. The price you're quoted is the price you pay - travel within our 30-mile coverage area is included.

We're not VAT registered, so the price quoted is the price you pay. No extra 20% on top.

Yes. Multi-property discounts are 10% for 2-4 properties, 15% for 5-10, and custom rates for 10+. Annual maintenance contracts also get a discount. See our landlord page for details.

Yes - and it's the most efficient way to refresh the whole exterior in one visit. Combine your driveway/patio clean with our ground-level gutter vacuum and save on call-out costs.

Yes. £2 million public liability insurance covers all pressure washing work. Proof of insurance available on request.

Three things: we test a small hidden patch first, we adjust working pressure per surface (200 BAR for concrete, 80-100 BAR for decking), and we use the right attachment for the job. The 20-inch surface cleaner spreads pressure evenly so there's no hand-held lance damage.

Tell us before we start - we'll cover or move plants, garden furniture, lights, or any sensitive items. We're careful with windows and won't blast pressure directly at glass or rendered walls without adjusting the lance and angle.

It's about as loud as a powerful lawnmower. We try to be considerate with start/finish times and won't fire up before 8am or after 6pm without your say-so. For commercial sites we offer out-of-hours work.

Yes - every job. It's satisfying to see the difference and useful evidence for landlords, commercial customers, or anyone selling soon. We'll send them by WhatsApp or email.

Not for ages, because we pre-treat with biocide before washing. That kills the spores rather than just stripping the visible green. Without pre-treatment you'd see regrowth in months - with it, you should be looking at 12-18 months before any noticeable return.

Yes - we offer block paving and patio sealing as an add-on. A sealer locks in the clean appearance, makes future cleaning easier, and gives your surfaces a subtle wet-look enhancement. Best applied a few days after washing once everything's fully dry.

Talk to us. We're an Exeter local business and reputation matters. If something hasn't come up the way you expected, we'll come back and address it. Honest answers, no fuss.

Two reasons: flow rate and the surface cleaner. Commercial kit runs at 21 LPM versus 10 LPM for prosumer Kärchers - that's twice the volume of water moving across the surface, which is what actually lifts dirt. And the 20-inch enclosed rotary surface cleaner gives an even, streak-free finish that no hand-held lance can match.

No mains lead trailing across your garden, no tripping breakers, no extension reels. Petrol commercial kit is the standard for outdoor contractors because it's reliable, portable, and doesn't need a 16A outdoor socket near every job.

Locally from SWCE Ltd (the Kärcher Center) in Marsh Barton, Exeter. We like supporting local supply chains, and it means parts and servicing are 10 minutes down the road when we need them.