How Much Does Pressure Cleaning Cost?

Last Updated Oct 11, 2016 · Written by Rob Schneider

Cleaning|Renovation Costs

If you want to clean almost any large surface area outside your house, pressure cleaning is usually the best and most cost-effective way to do it. You can rent pressure cleaning equipment from a local equipment hire shop, but there are many advantages to hiring professional pressure cleaning experts. What are those advantages? How much does professional pressure cleaning cost?

Advantages of Professional Pressure Cleaning

Pressure cleaning involves surface cleaning using water ejected at high pressure. There's a great deal more skill involved in this than meets the eye. Different surfaces require different water pressures and cleaning techniques. What might work fine on a grimy concrete driveway, for instance, may strip the paint off of your house.

In addition to water, cleaning agents are used in pressure cleaning. Here, too, the choice of cleaning agents and the ways they are applied can make a big difference in the effectiveness of the cleaning job and the wrong choice of cleaning agents can do irreparable environmental damage. It's not uncommon, for instance, for a DIY pressure cleaning job to result in a clean footpath, but a brown lawn that's been killed by a harsh detergent.

If your roof needs cleaning, there really is no safe substitute for a professional pressure cleaning company. Whether it's for general cleaning or to remove mould, once the roof becomes wet, it becomes slippery. Add cleaning agents to the mix, even a gently sloping roof becomes dangerously slippery. Only professional roof cleaners have the equipment and experience to clean roofs safely and effectively.

What pressure cleaning equipment do I need?

Whether you DIY or call a pressure cleaning professional, there is some essential equipment used to get the job done properly. The equipment used will depend on the area being cleaned. For instance, cleaning a driveway usually requires:

• Pressure washer machine
• Special detergent or other cleaning product
• Broom and brush
• Gloves
• Protective sheeting, to prevent damage to surrounding items and garden
• Painting tape
• A long garden hose
• Sealer

How do I prepare for pressure cleaning at home?

Once you’ve assembled the required gear, you’ll need to assess the area to clean. Be sure to:

1. Remove items from the area that could get damaged. For example, bicycles and other sports equipment, toys, storage containers and boxes, cars.
2. Use a broom to clear away any dirt and debris, such as loose leaves.
3. Use the plastic sheet and tape to cover doors and windows, so they aren’t sprayed with water or dirt during the clean. This also avoids damage to the paint.
4. For DIY jobs, it’s crucial to know what you’re doing. Read the instructions included with the pressure washing machine, or ask an expert. Of course if you hire a professional, you won’t have to worry about a thing!
5. If the surface is grimy and greasy – such as a concrete driveway – you may need to degrease it. Simply pop the degreasing solution in a bottle and spray it across the surface, before giving it a good scrub with a brush.
6. You’re now ready to start pressure cleaning!

What pressure cleaning techniques are used?

Again, the techniques used depend on the area you’re cleaning. But if we continue with the example of a concrete driveway, you’ll need to:

1. Attach all the hoses and nozzles to the pressure washer, if this hasn’t already been done.
2. Turn on the water supply.
3. Connect the provided tube into the detergent bottle.
4. Switch on the pressure washer. The tube should decant detergent into the spray gun.
5. Pop on a pair of gloves, hold down the spray gun.
6. Stand about 40 cm away from the surface and spray evenly across it until the surface is clean.
7. For concrete, you’ll need to resurface the driveway.

How Much Does Pressure Cleaning Cost?

Like other trade professionals, pressure cleaning companies base their rates on time and materials, adding a profit margin to that. In most cases, they charge by the square metre, with different charges applying to different surfaces. Their experience has taught them that some surfaces require more care and time than others and they charge accordingly.

Pressure cleaning costs can be confusing, because the company may charge as much to clean 10 square metres as it charges for 30 square metres. This is because travel and set-up times are factored into the overall costs. As the job gets larger, the cost of pressure cleaning comes down proportionately. Typical quotes may be:

• $150 for 1-30 square metres.
• $180 for 40 square metres.
• $200 for 50 square metres.
• $325 for 100 square metres.

The price also depends on the area to be cleaned. As a rough guide, a driveway might be around $200, paving around $150 and the exterior for your home around $350.

Note that some cleaners will charge by the hour, with around $40 per hour being the average rate.

To get the best deal on pressure cleaning, always get at least 3 quotes. To get even better value for money, if other services are required, such as resealing your driveway after having it pressure cleaned, choose a company that offers both services.

DIY pressure cleaning costs

Let’s assume you would rather try pressure cleaning for yourself. While it’s recommended to hire a professional to guarantee a safe and proper job, some people do choose to do it themselves.

To hire a pressure washer, you may only need to spend around $40 a day for a basic machine. But bear in mind that it can take a lot of time to clean even a small spot – which is why hiring an expert makes much more sense. And saves you time.