What Is Driveway Power Washing?
Driveway power washing is the high-pressure branch of power washing built for the flat, hard surfaces around your home. Concrete, pavers, and stone take on years of oil drips, tire marks, and a creeping film of mold and algae that a garden hose simply can't touch. We combine commercial-grade pressure with a flat-surface cleaner to strip all of it away and restore an even, like-new finish.
The key to a great result is a rotary surface cleaner rather than a bare wand. It spins two jets under a shroud so the whole slab is cleaned at one consistent distance and angle — no “zebra striping,” no gouged lines, and no missed patches. Stubborn oil and rust get a targeted pre-treatment first.
This page covers everything specific to driveways, walkways, and concrete. If your home's siding needs attention too, that calls for a gentler approach — see our house soft washing service, or the full power washing service for combined pricing.
Surface Cleaner vs. Bare Wand
Anyone can point a pressure washer at concrete. Getting an even, professional finish is another matter — here's the difference.
Rotary Surface Cleaner
How we clean driveways- Even, uniform clean across the whole slab
- No wand marks, streaks, or zebra striping
- Targeted pre-treatment on oil, rust & grease
- Faster, so more square footage per visit
- Post-treatment slows mold & algae regrowth
DIY / Bare Wand
Common pitfalls- Leaves visible stripes and swirl marks
- Too much pressure can etch and pit concrete
- Blows sand out of paver joints
- Rarely removes deep oil or rust stains
- Growth returns fast without a treatment
Surfaces We Clean
Every material calls for the right pressure and technique. We match the method to your surface — never the other way around.
- Poured concrete — driveways, sidewalks, and garage floors cleaned to an even, bright finish.
- Exposed aggregate — grime lifted from between the stones without dislodging them.
- Brick & concrete pavers — cleaned at the right pressure, with joint sand re-sanding available.
- Stamped & decorative concrete — cleaned gently to protect the color and sealer.
- Asphalt driveways — lower-pressure cleaning that removes grime without tearing the surface.
- Stone & flagstone walkways — moss and algae removed while preserving natural texture.
What We Remove From Your Concrete
Chicagoland driveways collect a familiar mix of stains and growth from cars, weather, and shade. We clear all of it.
- Oil & grease stains
- Tire marks & rubber
- Mold & algae
- Moss & weeds in joints
- Rust & sprinkler staining
- Leaf tannin & organic stains
- Efflorescence
- Salt & road grime
Driveway Power Washing Pricing
| Surface | Standard | + Sidewalk | Heavy Stains |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 car driveway | $120 | $160 | +$40 |
| 3 car driveway | $180 | $220 | +$60 |
| Extended / long drive | $240 | $290 | +$80 |
| Paver patio (per 500 sq ft) | $150 | — | +$50 |
Pricing covers standard residential driveways; we provide an on-site estimate for oversized or heavily stained surfaces. Cleaning the house siding or decks at the same visit? See the complete rate card on our power washing services page.
Example Estimate
- 3 car driveway + sidewalk$220
- Heavy oil & rust treatment+$60
Estimated total~$280
Every driveway is different — call for a precise estimate at no charge.
Get a free estimateHow Our Driveway Cleaning Works
A consistent, no-surprises routine on every job — from the first knock to the final rinse.
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1
Free assessment & quote
We measure the surface, identify the material and the toughest stains, and give you a written price before any work begins.
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2
Pre-treat the stains
Oil, grease, rust, and organic growth get a targeted degreaser or cleaning solution so they break down before the wash.
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3
Surface-clean the slab
A rotary surface cleaner passes over the concrete at a steady distance for an even, stripe-free finish end to end.
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4
Detail the edges
We hand-wash borders, expansion joints, and steps the surface cleaner can't reach, then rinse everything clean.
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5
Post-treat & walkthrough
An optional post-treatment slows regrowth, and we walk the driveway with you to confirm you're thrilled with the result.
Ready for a fresh, like-new driveway?
Tell us your driveway size and the stains you're dealing with and we'll send a fast, no-obligation quote for a professional power wash. Most jobs are scheduled within a few days.
Get My Free QuoteWhat others think about us
Our goal at Property Refresh is exceptional service at a reasonable price. Read what our Chicagoland neighbors say before you call.
More ReviewsFind Us at Our Offices
Five Chicagoland offices serve the metro and suburbs — visit us, call ahead, or book online.
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Driveway Power Washing FAQs
Not when it's done correctly. We use a rotary surface cleaner and dial the pressure to the material, which cleans evenly without the etching, pitting, or striping that comes from a bare wand held too close. Older or crumbling concrete is treated more gently, and delicate surfaces like siding get our low-pressure soft washing instead.
Most of them, yes. We pre-treat oil, grease, and rust with targeted cleaners before washing so they break down rather than just getting rinsed over. Very old or deeply soaked-in stains may lighten rather than vanish completely — we'll always tell you honestly what to expect during the free assessment.
For most Chicagoland homes, once a year keeps concrete looking its best. Shaded, tree-lined, or north-facing driveways collect mold and algae faster and may benefit from a wash each spring. A post-treatment at the end of the job helps slow regrowth so the clean lasts longer between visits.
Yes. Pavers, stamped concrete, and decorative finishes all need a lighter touch to protect the joint sand, color, and sealer. We adjust the pressure and technique accordingly, and can re-sand paver joints after cleaning on request to keep them stable.
Sealing is optional but worthwhile on many surfaces. A clean driveway is the perfect time to seal, since it locks out new stains and helps the finish resist oil and de-icing salt. Ask us during your estimate and we'll let you know whether your concrete or pavers are a good candidate.
Absolutely, and it often saves money. Many homeowners combine driveway power washing with a house soft wash, window washing, and gutter cleaning for a complete exterior refresh in a single visit. Call us at (224) 386-4836 or contact us to build a package that fits your home. Schedule Your Driveway Cleaning →
Need more than just the driveway?
Driveway power washing is one part of what we do. For siding, decks, patios, fences, and full-property exterior cleaning — with complete pricing — visit our main power washing services page. Call (224) 386-4836 or request a free estimate to get started.