Pressure washing is everywhere in Central Florida. Between the pollen, the algae that grows on anything shaded, and the sand that blows in from every direction, a pressure washer feels like the obvious answer for a dirty driveway. On concrete it usually is. On asphalt, the answer is "it depends," and getting it wrong can do real damage.
What asphalt can and cannot take
Asphalt is aggregate held together by a binder that is softer than the stone in it. High-pressure water aimed at close range can cut through that binder and blast the fine aggregate out of the surface, especially on older pavement where the binder has already oxidised and lost some of its grip. The result is a surface that looks clean but has been made rougher and more porous than it was, which lets water in faster and accelerates wear.
Sealcoated surfaces are more vulnerable still. Sealcoat is a thin film, and a pressure washer that is set for concrete can strip it in stripes, leaving a driveway in Winter Park or Maitland looking patchier than before it was cleaned.
When it makes sense
- Removing algae, mildew and organic growth from shaded areas before sealcoating, where a broom will not do the job.
- Cleaning off pollen, dust and light staining that is affecting appearance.
- Preparing a surface for crack sealing or patching so that repair materials bond to clean asphalt.
In each case the technique matters more than the machine. Lower pressure, a wide fan tip, a nozzle held well back from the surface and kept moving, and water flow rather than pressure doing the work. A surface cleaner attachment spreads the force and is usually a safer choice than a wand on asphalt.
On asphalt the goal is to lift dirt off the surface, not to lift the surface off the driveway.
When to avoid it
Do not pressure wash new asphalt in its first year while the binder is still curing. Do not aim a narrow-tip wand at cracks, edges or areas that are already raveling, because the water will widen them. Do not use it on a surface that has just been sealcoated. And be cautious on any pavement that is already showing loose aggregate, because washing will take more of it with the dirt.
Oil stains are a separate case. Pressure alone spreads oil rather than removing it. Oil needs a degreaser and time to work before any rinsing. Our post on oil stains on asphalt covers that.
How we prep for sealcoating
Cleaning is the foundation of a sealcoat job, so we take it seriously. Most surfaces get blown and swept first, which removes the bulk of the loose material without any water. Where organic growth or stubborn grime remains, a controlled low-pressure wash follows, and then the surface is allowed to dry completely before any sealer goes down. Sealing a damp surface is one of the mistakes covered in our post on sealcoating mistakes, and pressure washing the day of the job is a reliable way to make it.
If you hire a pressure washing company for the house and they offer to do the driveway, tell them it is asphalt and ask what pressure and tip they intend to use. Many crews are set up for concrete pool decks and stucco, and a driveway is an afterthought done at whatever setting the machine was left on. A minute of conversation avoids a stripped surface.
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Iron Ridge Pavement gives upfront, no-obligation pricing on paving, sealcoating, striping and repairs across Florida.
Iron Ridge Pavement LLC handles surface preparation as part of every sealcoating and maintenance job across Orlando, Oviedo, Lake Mary and Central Florida. Ask us about your driveway.
