See what a proper clean can reveal
Driveways, paths, patios and other outdoor hard surfaces slowly take on the dirt, grime and growth of everyday life outside. We clean them with an approach matched to the surface, so you can see what's underneath without risking the surface itself.
Water, pressure and a surface
Pressure cleaning, also called pressure washing or high pressure cleaning, directs a focused flow of water at a hard surface. The force of the water lifts dirt, grime and organic growth out of the surface texture and rinses it away, without scrubbing by hand.
Outdoor surfaces build up differently from anything inside. Concrete and pavers are porous, they sit in the rain and sun, and they're walked and driven on every day. Soil washes across them, leaves break down on them, and damp, shaded corners let moss and algae take hold. Over months and years, a surface that started out light and even becomes dull, patchy and darker.
Pressure cleaning makes sense when that build-up is on a surface that can handle it: sound concrete, most pavers, paths, patios and driveways. What you can expect is a noticeably cleaner, more even-looking surface. What you shouldn't expect is a repaired or brand-new one; more on that further down.
Surface by surface
Every outdoor surface has its own texture, weak points and way of collecting dirt. Choose one to see what we look out for.
Plain concrete is porous, so dirt and organic growth work their way into the surface rather than just sitting on top. That's why it can look grey-brown and blotchy long before it's actually damaged.
Driveways take vehicle weight, tyre marks and everything that's walked or driven in from the street. They're often the largest single area on a property, and the first surface visitors see.
With pavers, the joints matter as much as the faces. Dirt, weeds and moss settle into the gaps, while the paver surface itself weathers and dulls.
Paths see the most foot traffic of any outdoor surface. Shaded sections stay damp for longer, which is where slippery-looking organic build-up tends to appear first.
Patios collect food and drink spills, barbecue residue, leaf litter and the marks left by furniture and pot plants, often under a roof or pergola that limits how quickly they dry.
The strip in front of a garage door gets tyre marks, dripping water and dirt tracked in by vehicles, and it's often where a driveway looks most worn.
Some other hard outdoor surfaces, like courtyards, pool surrounds or steps, may also be suitable. It depends entirely on the material, its condition and what's around it.
Swatches are illustrations of the surface types, not photos of real jobs.
What settles outside
It isn't one kind of dirt. Outdoor surfaces gather several different layers, and each responds a little differently to cleaning. Some lift easily; some, like old staining, may only lighten.
Soil washed or tracked onto hard surfaces, which dries into a dull film.
Sun, rain and time slowly change how a surface looks, and not all of it is dirt.
A general grey layer from dust, pollution and everyday outdoor use.
Moss, algae and mould-like growth, especially in shaded or damp areas.
Tyre marks, scuffs, bins, furniture feet and pot-plant rings.
Leaf staining, spilt drinks, barbecue grease and other residue.
Driveway cleaning
A driveway sits in full sun and rain, takes the weight of vehicles every day, and is often the lowest point where water and soil drain to. Over time that combination leaves it darker, patchier and more tired-looking than the rest of the property.
Tyres carry dirt from the road and leave rubber marks where they turn and stop. Parked cars can drip oil, coolant or water, leaving marks in the same place day after day.
Build-up gathers in the textured surface, along expansion joints, at the kerb and beside garden beds. These edges and joints often need more attention than the open middle of the driveway.
Plain concrete, exposed aggregate, coloured concrete, pavers and asphalt all respond differently. The approach is chosen for the surface in front of us, not for driveways in general.
A cleaned driveway usually looks brighter and more even, with less growth along the edges and joints. Oil, rust and deeply set tyre marks may lighten without disappearing, and cracks or uneven slabs stay as they are, because cleaning doesn't change the structure of a driveway.
Outdoor living spaces take a different kind of wear. Food and drink get spilt, barbecues spit grease, leaves collect in corners, and furniture and pot plants leave rings and marks. Covered patios can stay damp for longer, which gives growth a chance to settle in.
Cleaning lifts that everyday build-up so the space looks brighter and more inviting to use again. Because patios sit right beside the house, we also consider walls, doors, glass and garden beds that spray or runoff could reach.
Paths carry the most footfall on a property. Dirt is tracked along the same line every day, edges beside lawns collect soil, and joints and textured finishes hold grime in their grooves. Shaded paths often develop the green, slippery-looking build-up people notice first.
Cleaning can reduce that build-up and make a path look cleaner and more even. It doesn't level uneven sections or guarantee a non-slip surface. If a path is lifting or damaged, we'll point it out.
Pressure washing vs soft washing
Too much force on the wrong surface can etch concrete, dislodge joints, damage finishes or mark softer materials. The right approach is the gentlest one that does the job for that material, its condition and the build-up on it.
Uses lower pressure, often with a suitable cleaning solution, for surfaces and materials that could be marked or damaged by a stronger flow.
Often suits
Uses a focused flow of water at higher pressure to lift dirt and build-up from hard, durable surfaces such as sound concrete.
Often suits
Which approach suits your surface is decided on site, after looking at the material and its condition.
Surface inspection
Checked before any water goes on the surface.
The difference between a good result and a damaged surface usually comes down to what happens before cleaning starts. We look at nine things.
Concrete, pavers, stone and other surfaces each have a safe range of approaches.
Whether the surface is sound, or has weak, flaking or crumbling areas.
Older surfaces are often more porous and can mark more easily.
Cracks, chips, loose pavers and lifting sections, noted before any water goes on.
Sealers, paint and decorative finishes that could be affected by pressure.
Dirt, organic growth, oil and other marks each respond differently.
Garden beds, walls, doors, windows, vehicles and anything that could be splashed.
Where the water and loosened debris will go, and keeping drains clear.
Getting to the area, water supply and working around gates, steps and tight spaces.
If something means a surface isn't suitable for pressure cleaning, or needs a gentler approach, we'll tell you before starting.
From start to finish
We look over the surface and the space around it, confirm which areas are included, and point out any damage, stains or limitations before starting.
Movable items are cleared or worked around, nearby areas that could be affected are considered, and drainage points are checked.
The surface is cleaned using an approach and pressure suited to the material, working methodically so the finish is as even as the surface allows.
Cleaned areas are checked for missed patches, edges and joints, and any areas that need extra attention are revisited where appropriate.
Loosened debris is rinsed away from the cleaned area and the space is left tidy, with anything we noticed during the clean pointed out to you.
Results vary by surface. Weather, age, previous treatments and the condition of the material all shape what's achievable, and we'd rather tell you that up front.
Melbourne's weather changes often, and outdoor surfaces feel all of it: rain that washes soil across driveways, damp periods that let moss and algae settle into shaded paths, and hot dry spells that bake dirt onto concrete. Add everyday use, from cars and bins to foot traffic and outdoor dining, and even a well-kept property gradually takes on a weathered look.
Whether it's a city courtyard, a suburban driveway or the entrance to a business, we clean outdoor hard surfaces across Melbourne. Include your suburb when you get in touch, and see our service areas for more.
Anyone with an outdoor hard surface that's started to look tired. Businesses may also want to look at commercial cleaning or office cleaning for the inside.
Driveways, paths and outdoor areas that have lost their fresh look.
Refreshing exterior surfaces between tenancies or before an inspection.
Keeping shared paths, entries and outdoor areas presentable.
Entrances and forecourts that customers walk across every day.
Suitable outdoor hard surfaces around business premises, by arrangement.
Before summer, a gathering, or simply using the patio again.
Lifting the outside of a home before photos, a sale or a lease.
A few simple things make the day go smoothly. None of them are hard requirements; just let us know what's possible.
Move outdoor furniture, pot plants, bins, toys and vehicles away from the areas to be cleaned, if you're able to.
Make sure gates can be opened and the area can be reached, and let us know if access is tight or needs a key.
Tell us about delicate garden beds, older fences, recently laid surfaces or anything nearby that needs care.
Cracks, loose pavers or flaking finishes are useful to know about before we arrive.
Oil marks, heavy growth or a particular area you care most about can be discussed up front.
We don't use a fixed price, because a small courtyard and a long driveway with paths and a patio are very different jobs. Quotes are free and based on what you tell us, and photos help.
Request a QuoteQuestions
Looking for help inside the home too? See house cleaning, a deep clean, window cleaning, or post-construction cleaning after building work. Browse all services or read the general FAQ.
Pressure cleaning uses a focused flow of water to lift dirt, grime and build-up from hard outdoor surfaces like concrete, driveways, paths and patios. The pressure and approach are adjusted for each surface, because what suits sound concrete may be too strong for softer or older materials.
Commonly concrete, driveways, pavers, paths and walkways, patios, outdoor entertaining areas and garage entrances, as well as some other exterior hard surfaces. Suitability depends on the material and its condition, so we'll check before starting and let you know if something isn't suitable.
Yes. Driveways are one of the most common requests. We pay particular attention to tyre tracks, parking areas, edges and joints. Oil and fuel marks are a different kind of stain and may only lighten rather than come out fully.
It can if the wrong pressure or technique is used, or if a surface is already weak. That's why the material, condition, existing damage and any coatings are checked first, and the approach is matched to the surface. Existing cracks or loose sections are pointed out before cleaning.
Often, yes, with care. The pressure needs to suit the paver material, and joint sand can be dislodged during cleaning, so the joints may need topping up afterwards. Softer, older or natural-stone pavers may need a gentler approach.
Pressure cleaning uses a stronger, focused flow of water for durable hard surfaces. Soft washing uses lower pressure, often with a suitable cleaning solution, for materials that could be marked or damaged by more force. Higher pressure isn't automatically better; the right method depends on the surface.
Sometimes, but not always. Everyday dirt and organic build-up usually respond well. Old, deep or specialised stains, such as oil, rust, paint or long-term discolouration, may lighten without disappearing completely, and some need a different treatment altogether.
It depends on the size of the area, the surface, how much build-up there is, access and how much preparation is needed. A single path is a very different job from a large driveway plus patio, so timing is discussed when you request a quote.
It helps to move outdoor furniture, pot plants, bins and vehicles if you can, keep gates and access open, and tell us about fragile areas or known damage. If there's something you can't move, let us know and we'll discuss how to work around it.
Where possible, furniture should be moved so the whole surface can be cleaned evenly. If items can't be moved, we can work around them, though the area underneath won't be cleaned and may look different from the rest.
We can clean suitable outdoor hard surfaces around business premises, like entrances and forecourts, by arrangement. Tell us about the site, the surfaces and any access or timing requirements when you get in touch.
There's no single answer. Shaded, damp and high-traffic areas build up faster than open, sunny ones. Many people clean when a surface starts to look dull or slippery-looking, before a gathering, or before presenting a property.
Yes. Patios, outdoor entertaining areas, paths and walkways are all common requests. We'll look at the surface, edges and joints, as well as nearby walls, doors and garden beds that could be affected by spray and runoff.
Use the quote form and choose pressure cleaning, or contact us. Tell us which surfaces need cleaning, the approximate area, your suburb, your preferred timing and anything we should know about, such as damage or stubborn marks. Photos help.
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