Walkway Cleaning Cost

How Much Does Professional Walkway or Driveway Cleaning Cost?

If you’re glancing out at your walkway or driveway and wondering just how it got so filthy, you might want to look into professional cleaning services. This area is one of the first things your friends or family will see when they come for a visit, so you’ll want to make sure it’s clean and therefore primed to make a good first impression of your home. Plus, a quick cleaning of your driveway or walkway can boost your property value: a true win-win scenario!

Nevertheless, given the current state of the world, you’re probably concerned about cost. We get it—times are tough!

Depending on several factors including size, material, location, and more, the cost of cleaning services will vary. Just to give you an idea, the national average for driveway and walkway cleaning services is just $225 for a 600-square-foot space. That’s less than most people spend on their monthly car payment!

Cost Factors to Consider

Many factors help determine walkway or driveway cleaning service costs. We’ll discuss several of these below and explain why each one significantly impacts the final price.

Size is the most important determining factor. Most pressure washing services cost around $0.20 to $0.40 per square foot. So, if you have a massive driveway, expect service costs to rise significantly. At the same time, if you have a smaller driveway, you can expect to pay less as it will take less time to clean. Some professionals charge a flat fee for the most popular sizes, while others charge per square foot no matter the size. We recommend having a contractor come out to provide an estimate before you agree to services. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re on the hook for with no surprise bills at the end of the project.
Material is another important factor. Various materials will dictate different cleaning methods, techniques, and solutions—all of which can affect total service costs. For example, if your driveway or walkway is made from gravel or asphalt, you can expect to pay a slightly higher cost because these surfaces are slightly more delicate and thus require lower pressures and slower cleaning techniques. On the flip side, surfaces made from hardy materials such as concrete, paver, or brick mean professionals can use higher pressure and a quicker cleaning method. Keep in mind that any loose materials will require extra care to ensure everything stays in place.
Location is always a consideration for any type of goods or services, as the cost of living varies drastically in different parts of the country. So, if you live in California (for example) where the cost of living is higher, you can expect to pay a higher cost than someone living in, let’s say, Florida or Texas—where the cost of living is significantly lower. Furthermore, expect to see a higher water bill if you have metered water, as the cleaning process requires a large amount of pressurized water. Finally, your specific climate may impact the condition of your driveway, which can further impact costs. For example, driveways or walkways located in an especially rainy or snowy climate are often subject to additional dirt and stains that require additional steps to achieve a full clean.
Condition, as mentioned above, is another determining factor for cleaning service costs. A driveway or walkway in poor condition may require additional cleaning solutions or more labor to clean. The most common conditions that increase costs include oil stain, mold, and vegetation removal. Oil and mold removal, specifically, require special chemicals to rid your space of stains and bacteria. If you want professional cleaners to remove vegetation growing in any cracks, this will require additional labor time—in turn boosting service costs.

So, as you can see, there are many factors to consider before final driveway or walkway cleaning service costs are determined. You can always request a service quote up front to avoid any unwanted surprises.

Cleaning Methods: Pressure vs. Power Washing

Now that you have an idea of how cost is calculated, you’re probably wondering which specific methods effectively and efficiently clean your driveway or walkway. The two most common are power washing and pressure washing—but what is the difference? And is one better than the other?

Pressure Washing

Pressure and power washing might sound like one in the same; however, there are a few key differences.

Pressure washing uses high amounts of pressurized water to spray your driveway or walkway, removing any signs of dust, dirt, and debris. Most professionals will combine pressure washing with a cleaning solution for optimal results.

Power Washing

Power washing is very similar to pressure washing but instead uses high heat as well as highly pressured water to clean surfaces. It also removes any signs of dust, dirt, and debris and is a fairly quick process. Power washing is great for walkways and driveways that see an excessive amount of grime build up over time.

While both methods are effective, your cleaning professional may recommend one over the other depending on the condition and material of your space.

Why Should I Have My Driveway or Walkway Professionally Cleaned?

There are many benefits associated with having your driveway or walkway professionally cleaned and specific situations warranting this investment. We’ll cover a few of the most common reasons/benefits below.

Rid Your Home of a Dirty Appearance

Nobody wants their home to look filthy and worn! A space that hasn’t been cleaned in a while will build up excessive amounts of dirt, debris, and stains over time and thus become an eyesore. By removing grime on a regular basis, your driveway or walkway is less likely to experience weed growth and material cracks. Plus, removing large stains will make your space look shiny and new!

Remove Excessive Amounts of Mold or Mildew

Mold and mildew are very common on driveways and walkways. Not only is this unsightly, but it also can become hazardous for you and your family. These substances can cause your space to become slippery when wet. Plus, mold is incredibly dangerous to inhale or touch. Nobody wants their children playing outside if the ground is covered in mold, making it that much more important to rectify this detrimental problem!

Prep Your Space for Sealant Application

Sealants are a great way to ensure your driveway or walkway enjoys a long, healthy life. These solutions will help keep your space cleaner over time and increase your home’s property value. However, as you can’t seal a dirty driveway, you’ll want to clean the surface in great detail before applying a sealant. Plus, you can knock out two birds with one stone by asking your professional cleaners to apply the sealant for you!

Keep You and Your Family Safe

The biggest benefit to having your driveway or walkway professionally cleaned is, by far, safety. Excessive grime build-up can quickly turn hazardous in poor weather conditions. Plus, substances like oil or mold are slippery all year long—with the latter another cause for concern as it emits harmful fumes. Finally, the more vegetation that grows around these areas, the more likely it is that cracking will occur. Large cracks in your walkway or driveway can make your guests trip and potentially suffer injuries. Yikes!

Save Money by Doing it Yourself!

If you’re on a tight budget or perhaps find yourself with lots of free time this weekend, you might be interested in attempting a DIY project. After all, driveway cleaning isn’t always a job best left to the pros!

While DIYing will definitely save you money on labor costs, renting equipment can be just as—if not more—expensive than hiring a professional company. Average daily pressure washer rental costs are around $90. So, if you expect the project to take more than one day, you’re perhaps better off hiring someone to do it for you. However, if you can knock it out in less time than this, this method might save you a few bucks!

Pressure washer rental costs aren’t the only thing you should consider before attempting to DIY. You could also risk damaging your space or, even worse, risk your safety.

If you’ve never used a pressure washer before, it’s important to know that too much pressure or improper techniques can easily damage your driveway or walkway. While you might cut out cleaning costs, this can result in pricey home repairs if you aren’t careful. Furthermore, pressure washing might seem safe because it’s “just water.” Yet, in reality, these machines use extremely high amounts of pressure (and heat, if you opt for power washing), which can become incredibly dangerous if you aren’t confident in your skills. Be sure to wear appropriate protective gear such as goggles, closed-toe shoes, long sleeves, and long pants while keeping your equipment and cleaning solutions away from children and pets.

If you have a small space, you can attempt to hand-wash the area with commercial cleaning products and a brush—knowing this process can require hours of your time along with tons of energy. Plus, the surface will probably not get as clean as it would using pressure or power washing.

With this in mind, you’re probably better off calling in a professional unless you are an experienced pressure washer. Unfortunately, the money you save from attempting to DIY won’t be worth it if you injure yourself or others, fail to achieve a fully clean space, or damage your driveway or walkway. Don’t take any unnecessary risks—call your local cleaning professionals instead!

Can I Bundle Cleaning Services?

Just like DIY, this is another way to get the most bang for your buck—depending on a few factors! Rather than just having your driveway or walkway cleaned, you can inquire about service for multiple areas of your home to save money in the long run. Here are a few popular bundling options for exterior home cleaning services:

Patio or deck. Just like your driveway and walkway, your deck can become hazardous and unsightly if it isn’t properly cleaned and maintained. By pressure washing your deck, you can remove excess dirt, grime, and debris (along with mold, which can quickly build up on your patio as well). Nobody wants to host guests for an outdoor party on a filthy deck! Most deck pressure-washing costs fall between $250 and $400.
Fencing. Believe it or not, your fencing will also become dirty if left unattended over time. You don’t want guests to see a dirty fence upon first arriving to your home, especially if your fence is supposed to be white. Average fence cleaning costs fall between $150 and $300.
Roof. Your roof is another surprisingly dirty area of your home’s exterior. Yet, this area is often more expensive to pressure wash because it requires additional care and time to move equipment to the roof and navigate dangerously sloped surfaces. Plus, you’ll want to make sure the surface of your roof can tolerate pressure washing before you begin as to avoid any damage. Most roof pressure washing service costs fall between $0.50 and $1 per square foot.
Siding. Like your fence and driveway, your home’s siding also makes a first impression on guests and passersby. While siding is made to withstand the elements, it can quickly and easily become stained and dirty over time. If you live in a moist climate, your siding is more likely to need cleaning. While service costs can vary greatly depending on the material, you’ll want to hire a professional for this job—as too much pressure or improper technique can easily damage your siding.

Overall, driveway and walkway cleaning costs are nothing compared to the potential consequences of allowing mold, dirt, debris, and grime to build up over time. You don’t want to put your friends and family at risk. Plus, a clean space will leave your home looking brand new while increasing your property value at the same time. You really can’t go wrong, making these services a true win-win for you—and your home!