Power Washing & Concrete Surface Restoration
High pressure is a precision tool, not a default. We reserve industrial power washing strictly for concrete flatwork—driveways, patios, and pool decks. We never apply high pressure to siding or roofing, where it voids manufacturer warranties and forces moisture behind panels.
Clean Town & Country restores the hardscape assets of West County driveways and St. Louis County patios using calibrated high-pressure extraction to remove embedded grime, organic bio-load, oil stains, and winter salt accumulation—contaminants that erode concrete surfaces from the inside out. From stamped concrete estates in Chesterfield to exposed aggregate pool decks in Ladue and Metro East flatwork, every surface is inspected and assigned a pressure protocol before water touches it. The Portland Cement Association documents how de-icing salts and organic acids accelerate concrete degradation—annual cleaning is asset preservation, not cosmetics.
Material-Specific Protocols: What We Power Wash vs. Soft Wash
The single most common mistake in exterior cleaning is using the wrong pressure for the wrong surface. We don't make it.
Power Wash (High-Pressure)
Correct for:
- Concrete driveways and aprons
- Poured concrete patios
- Stamped concrete (calibrated PSI)
- Pool decks and coping
- Concrete sidewalks and walkways
- Exposed aggregate surfaces
- Brick and paver patios
- Garage floors and concrete pads
PSI range: 1,200–3,500 PSI, calibrated per surface
Correct for:
- Vinyl siding (high-pressure voids warranty)
- Wood siding (raises grain, strips stain)
- Fiber cement (HardiePlank, etc.)
- Stucco (chips and cracks under pressure)
- Painted surfaces (strips paint)
- Roofing shingles (never power-washed)
- Exterior trim and fascia
- Window frames and soffits
PSI range: 40–100 PSI — garden hose equivalent
Need siding cleaned? See our soft wash siding service →
What's Degrading Your Concrete
Concrete is porous. Without annual extraction, contaminants don't just sit on the surface—they migrate into the slab and begin structural damage.
Oil & Grease Stains
Motor oil from vehicles penetrates concrete pores within hours of contact. Without degreaser pre-treatment and high-pressure extraction, surface washing only spreads the stain. St. Louis County garage aprons and driveways accumulate years of vehicle fluid deposits.
Algae & Biological Growth
St. Louis humidity sustains algae, moss, and lichen colonies on shaded concrete surfaces. Beyond aesthetics, biological growth secretes organic acids that etch the cement matrix and accelerate surface spalling—particularly on patios and pool decks.
Winter Salt Accumulation
Road salt and de-icing chemicals from St. Louis County streets deposit on driveways and walkways each winter. During freeze-thaw cycles, salt crystals expand inside concrete pores—a process called salt scaling—that causes surface flaking and long-term structural weakening.
Embedded Silt & Grime
West County driveways accumulate silica-rich clay silt tracked in from surrounding soil and carried by runoff. This particulate abrades the concrete surface with every footfall and vehicle pass, progressively dulling finish and exposing aggregate.
Flatwork Surfaces We Restore
Every surface type receives a calibrated PSI protocol during pre-inspection. No single pressure setting for all concrete.
Driveways & Aprons
2,500–3,500 PSI
Standard and exposed aggregate concrete. Oil stain pre-treatment included. Garage apron edges and expansion joint detail included.
Concrete Patios
2,000–3,000 PSI
Poured and formed concrete patio slabs. Furniture and plant container areas receive special attention for organic staining and bird debris.
Stamped Concrete
1,200–1,500 PSI
Decorative flatwork requires reduced PSI to protect sealant and surface texture. We assess sealant condition and recommend resealing after cleaning if needed.
Pool Decks
1,500–2,500 PSI
Concrete and paver pool surrounds. Algae and slip-hazard bio-growth removal. Chemical pre-treatment for algae colonies before extraction.
Brick & Paver Patios
1,500–2,000 PSI
Clay brick and concrete pavers. Mortar-joint-safe pressure settings. Efflorescence removal and joint sand preservation protocols.
Sidewalks & Walkways
2,500–3,000 PSI
Entry walks, side yard paths, and utility pads. High-traffic surface cleaning that removes biological slip hazards and tracked-in silt deposits.
Our Concrete Restoration Protocol
A systematic process that removes contaminants without damaging surface structure or neighboring materials.
Surface Assessment
Identify surface type, sealant presence, and contaminant classification. Assign PSI protocol. Identify areas requiring chemical pre-treatment.
Pre-Treatment
Apply degreaser to oil zones, biodegradable algae treatment to biological growth areas. Allow dwell time for chemistry to break contaminant bonds before pressure is applied.
Calibrated Extraction
Systematic high-pressure extraction at surface-appropriate PSI. Consistent overlapping passes to prevent streaking. Edge and joint detail work included.
Post-Rinse & Inspection
Clean water rinse to remove all cleaning agent residue. Final walkthrough with client to confirm results. Resealing recommendations provided if needed.
Transparent Pricing
Professional Power Washing: From $150. Flat-rate estimates provided before any work begins.
Flatwork Restoration Pricing
All pricing includes pre-treatment, extraction, and post-rinse
What Affects Price
- • Contamination level: Heavy oil staining or biological growth requires additional pre-treatment time
- • Surface condition: Cracked or spalled concrete may need lower-PSI to avoid further damage
- • Square footage: Measured on-site for accurate flat-rate pricing
- • Access: Gated entries, slopes, or obstacles that affect equipment positioning
Why St. Louis County Flatwork Needs Annual Restoration
Freeze-Thaw Salt Damage
St. Louis averages 26 days below freezing annually. Road salt applied to West County driveways and sidewalks migrates into concrete pores and causes surface scaling during freeze-thaw cycles. Spring extraction removes salt before summer heat seals it in.
Summer Algae Cycles
St. Louis County's humid summers (average July humidity 70%+) fuel rapid algae and moss growth on shaded patios and pool decks. Biological acids etch concrete chemistry over multiple seasons—creating permanent surface damage if left untreated.
Metro East Flatwork
Metro East flatwork faces additional challenge from Mississippi River basin clay soil—a fine silt that embeds in concrete texture and stains surfaces gray-brown. Annual extraction preserves concrete color and prevents abrasive surface wear.
Power washing available throughout West St. Louis County
The Physics of Exterior Damage
Clogged gutters don't just look bad—water overflow erodes foundations at $10,000+ per repair. Algae on siding isn't cosmetic; it's actively degrading your surfaces. Prevention costs 1% of the repair.
Foundation Water Damage
When gutters overflow, water pools at your foundation. Freeze-thaw cycles crack concrete. Moisture infiltrates basements. A $200 gutter cleaning prevents $10,000+ foundation repairs.
Algae Root Systems
Gloeocapsa magma (the black streaks on your roof and siding) has root-like structures that penetrate surfaces. Pressure washing breaks the surface; soft wash kills the organism.
UV & Oxidation
Dirty windows block natural light and trap moisture. Siding oxidation accelerates under debris. Regular cleaning extends surface life by 20-30% compared to neglected exteriors.
Power Washing FAQs
Common questions about our concrete restoration service
How much does power washing cost in St. Louis?
Professional power washing in St. Louis starts at $150. A standard two-car driveway runs $150–$250, a large patio or pool deck runs $200–$350, and full-property flatwork (driveway + sidewalks + patio) is $350–$600. All pricing is flat-rate and provided before any work begins.
What surfaces should NOT be power washed?
High-pressure power washing should never be used on vinyl siding, wood siding, painted surfaces, roofing materials, or stucco. Industrial pressure (2,000–4,000 PSI) on these surfaces voids manufacturer warranties, forces water behind panels causing moisture damage, strips paint, and raises wood grain. For siding, we exclusively use low-pressure soft washing.
Can you remove oil stains from a concrete driveway?
Yes. Oil and grease stains on concrete require a two-step approach: chemical degreaser pre-treatment to break the hydrocarbon bond, followed by high-pressure hot water extraction. Surface-only power washing without degreaser pre-treatment will not remove embedded oil staining.
How often should driveways be power washed in St. Louis?
St. Louis County driveways benefit from annual power washing. Winter road salt and de-icing chemicals penetrate concrete pores over repeated freeze-thaw cycles, causing surface spalling. Spring power washing removes salt accumulation before summer heat seals it deeper into the slab.
Do you power wash stamped concrete?
Yes, with a modified protocol. Stamped concrete patios and decorative flatwork require lower pressure settings (typically 1,200–1,500 PSI) to protect the sealant and surface texture. We assess each surface during pre-inspection and calibrate PSI accordingly. If the existing sealant is compromised, we'll recommend resealing after cleaning.
Complete Exterior Restoration — One Visit
Power washing pairs naturally with window detailing, gutter clearing, and soft wash siding. Bundle exterior services and save on mobilization.
Related Services
All Exterior Services
Full exterior cleaning menu for St. Louis homes.
Soft Wash Siding
Low-pressure house washing for vinyl, wood, and stucco.
Window Detailing
Interior and exterior window cleaning and track detailing.
Gutter Clearing
Debris removal, downspout flush, drainage inspection.
Interior Detailing
Complete interior reset while we're at your property.
Restore Your Concrete. Protect Your Investment.
Annual power washing prevents the embedded contaminants that degrade St. Louis County driveways and patios from the inside out. Get a flat-rate estimate before any work begins.