Driveway Pressure Washing in Melbourne

Why driveways get so dirty in Melbourne

Concrete is porous. Every winter, Melbourne's damp, cool weather lets dirt, leaf litter and spores settle into the surface, and in shaded spots — under trees, beside fences, down the side of the house — moss and black mould take hold. Add tyre marks, oil drips from the car and the odd spill, and a driveway that started out pale grey slowly turns patchy and dark.

Sweeping and a garden hose only move the loose dirt around. Pressure washing gets into the surface itself, which is why a properly cleaned driveway can look close to new even when it's years old.

Concrete, exposed aggregate and pavers each need a different approach

Plain concrete is the most forgiving surface: it handles a strong clean well, and most of the visible difference comes from lifting the grime out of its pores. Exposed aggregate cleaning needs more care — the decorative stones are held in by a thin layer of cement, and too much pressure too close can loosen them. The right pressure and distance clean the surface without stripping it.

Pavers and brick paths have joints filled with sand. Pressure washing pavers clears out moss and weeds from those joints, but some of the joint sand inevitably goes with it, so re-sanding afterwards is worth considering for paved driveways. Path cleaning along the side of the house is usually the shadiest, greenest part of the job — and the most satisfying.

Oil stain removal, rust and tyre marks: what to expect

Oil soaks into concrete, so how well it comes out depends on how old and how deep it is. Fresh and light oil stains usually lift well. Old, deep stains often fade a lot but may not disappear completely, and we'll tell you honestly what to expect before we start rather than promise a miracle.

Tyre marks generally clean up well. Rust stains — from metal furniture, gates or fertiliser — don't respond to water alone and may need a different treatment, so mention them when you ask for a quote.

Why it's worth cleaning your driveway

The driveway is the first thing anyone sees, so it does a lot for how the whole property looks — especially before selling, leasing or an inspection. Driveway cleaning is one of the cheapest ways to lift a home's street appeal.

It's also a safety issue. Moss and slime on concrete are slippery when wet, particularly on sloping driveways and shaded paths. Removing the growth also stops roots working into cracks and joints, and gives you a clean surface if you plan to seal the driveway afterwards.

Keeping it looking good afterwards

A few habits stretch out the time between cleans: sweep away leaf litter before it rots into the surface, deal with oil drips while they're fresh, and trim back plants that keep the concrete shaded and damp.

Many sunny, open driveways only need a clean every couple of years. Shaded driveways and paths that grow moss every winter often benefit from a yearly clean.

What affects the price

Every quote is based on the size of the area, how dirty it is, access, and whether stains need extra treatment. Adding the front path, nature strip or a side path in the same visit is usually much cheaper than booking them separately. For a quick and accurate quote, send a few photos — a wide shot plus close-ups of any stains is ideal.