Is It Okay To Pressure Wash An Asphalt Driveway?

An asphalt driveway is a dream for many homeowners. This type of driveway can easily last 15 to 30 years and only requires low-level maintenance, like sealcoating. As the seasons change, there are plenty of things to do with your asphalt driveway in September, including cleaning it to remove stains. While you could grab a bucket of soapy water and a brush to make it sparkle, that process would take an awful long time. Many people instead wonder if pressure washers are actually worth it to clean their home's exterior and driveways since it saves time, not to mention a backache. But before grabbing the tool, make sure you do it correctly so you don't ruin the surface.

Thankfully, you can pressure wash your asphalt driveway, as long as you take the proper precautions. Unlike concrete, where you can blast away dirt and grime at higher pressure, you'll need to keep the pressure low, ideally under 1,500 PSI. Higher PSI will damage your asphalt driveway, making repairs inevitable. The spray nozzle you use also matters — for this project, choose the 40-degree wide-fan tip to distribute force evenly across a wide area. A narrower tip concentrates force and can cause severe damage. Finally, to avoid stripping the sealcoat, keep the wand tip at least 12 inches above the driveway surface.

Even though the pressure washer makes this grueling project much easier and saves you from manual scrubbing, you can't rush the process. Using your pressure washer incorrectly on your asphalt driveway can blast away the top layer, leaving the binder exposed. Over time, this can lead to deterioration and moisture beneath the surface, causing severe cracking during freeze-thaw cycles. 

Before heading to your shed and grabbing this power machine, consider how dirty your driveway is. For light dirt, a standard garden hose paired with a push broom is generally safer than the pressure washer. However, if you're preparing for a new sealcoat or your driveway is really messy, the pressure washer is the best option. Before you start, sweep away leaves and twigs with a stiff-bristled broom. You'll also want to dress appropriately: Skip the sandals and wear closed-toe boots and eye protection, since the pressure spray can kick up loose aggregate and pebbles.

If you're dealing with a large mess, like oil spots or grease stains, apply an asphalt-safe degreaser before using the pressure washer. This helps break down stubborn stains, so you don't have to use a higher PSI and can keep the driveway's integrity intact. And, if you are using the pressure washer to prep for maintenance, you might wonder if you really need to seal your driveway in the first place, which the answer is yes, you need to every two to three years. Remember, your asphalt driveway must dry completely before applying sealer so moisture isn't trapped beneath the sealcoat.