How It Works
Professional Pressure Washing, Explained
The difference between a hire-shop washer and a proper professional clean isn't just power - it's process. Here's exactly how we work, and why your surfaces come out better, last longer, and never get damaged in the process.
The Problem with DIY & Hardware-Shop Hires
DIY pressure washing usually causes as many problems as it solves. Here's what we see most often.
Tiger striping
A spinning lance held by hand leaves alternating clean and dirty stripes - the surface looks worse than it did before.
Surface damage
Going too close or too high a pressure etches Indian stone, scuffs concrete, and shreds the top layer of timber decking.
Joints washed out
Block paving sand gets blasted out and never replaced, leaving paving loose and weeds growing through within weeks.
Algae back in 3 months
Without pre-treatment, you're only stripping the visible green - the spores remain and regrowth is fast.
Our 5-Step Process
From arrival to before/after photos. Most domestic jobs are done in 1-4 hours.
Survey & Test Patch
We arrive, walk the area, and check the surface condition. A small test patch in a hidden corner confirms the right pressure setting before we touch the visible bits.
Pre-Treat Algae & Moss
A biocide pre-treatment kills algae, lichen and biofilm before we wash. This means longer-lasting results - the green doesn't come straight back in 6 months.
Surface Cleaner Pass
The 20" rotary surface cleaner does the bulk of the work. Twin spinning jets in an enclosed disc give an even, streak-free finish across drives and patios. No tiger-stripes.
Detail Lance for Edges
The surface cleaner can't reach right into edges and corners. We follow up with the detail lance to clean joints, edges, steps and pattern lines properly.
Re-Sand & Finish
Block paving has its joints re-filled with kiln-dried sand and brushed in - critical for keeping the paving stable and preventing weed growth. Then before/after photos.
Different Surface, Different Pressure
You can't just blast everything at full power. Part of the job is knowing what setting to use - and we adjust per surface every single time.
Why We Don't Damage Things
More power doesn't mean more aggression. With a commercial pump and surface cleaner, we get clean results at sensible working pressures - because the flow rate (LPM) does the work, not the peak BAR. We turn the pressure down for soft surfaces and rely on volume of water to do the lifting.
And we always test a small hidden patch first. If the surface doesn't respond well, we adjust. If it's genuinely too fragile to clean safely, we'll tell you - we'd rather lose the job than ruin your patio.
See the full kit specs →Ready to See Your Surfaces Transformed?
Driveway, patio, paths, decking or render - get in touch for a free quote. Commercial petrol kit, surface cleaner, fully insured. Exeter and 30 miles around.