Concrete & Driveway Cleaning
Heavy-duty pressure washing that strips oil, tire marks, moss, and grime from driveways, walkways, and patios — restoring a bright, like-new finish.
What Is Concrete & Driveway Cleaning?
Concrete is one of the most durable surfaces on your property, but it's also one of the most porous — which means it acts like a sponge for oil, tire residue, rust, organic growth, and whatever the Carolina weather deposits on it. Over months and years, a bright new driveway slowly turns grey, then dark, then black in spots. The good news is that almost all of that discoloration is removable, and the transformation is dramatic.
Unlike siding and roofing, concrete can handle real pressure — and it usually needs it. Oil stains that have baked into the surface in 90-degree summer heat, tire marks from a hot car sitting in the same spot, and moss that's rooted itself into the pores of the concrete all require a combination of the right pressure, the right cleaners, and the right technique. We use commercial surface cleaners — spinning, flat-plane nozzles that clean evenly without the zebra-stripe pattern you get from a wand — followed by targeted pre-treatment for stubborn stains.
For homeowners across North Carolina and South Carolina, a clean driveway and walkway does more than improve curb appeal. It removes slip hazards from algae and moss, extends the life of the concrete by removing organic growth that can widen cracks, and gives you a clean, safe surface for kids, guests, and vehicles. It's also the essential first step if you're planning to seal your concrete — a sealer locks in whatever's on the surface, so you want that surface spotless.
Why It Matters
Removes Oil & Tire Marks
Lift stubborn oil stains, tire marks, and rust spots that ordinary cleaning and household products can't touch.
Kills Moss & Algae
Eliminate slippery moss, algae, and mildew that make walkways and driveways dangerous — especially when wet.
Restores Color
Bring back the bright, clean, like-new look of your concrete — often a dramatic before-and-after difference.
Improves Safety
Slip-free walkways and driveways protect your family, guests, and anyone who visits your property.
Prep for Sealing
A perfectly clean surface is the essential base for a fresh concrete sealer that locks in the clean and blocks future stains.
Boosts Curb Appeal
A clean driveway is one of the first things people notice — it instantly upgrades your home's first impression.
How We Get It Done
A proven, step-by-step approach that protects your property and delivers spotless results — every time.
Inspection & Quote
We walk the surface, identify stains, cracks, and organic growth, and give you a fair, upfront quote with no obligation.
Pre-Treat Stains
We apply targeted degreasers and cleaners to oil spots, tire marks, rust, and heavy organic growth, giving them time to break down before we pressure wash.
Surface Clean
Our commercial surface cleaners use spinning flat-plane nozzles to clean the concrete evenly and deeply — no zebra stripes, no wand marks, just a uniform clean.
Edge & Detail
We hand-clean edges, corners, expansion joints, and tight spots the surface cleaner can't reach, and we clear out weeds and debris from cracks.
Rinse & Recover
A thorough rinse washes away all loosened grime and residue, leaving a bright, spotless surface and a tidy surrounding area.
Optional Sealing
If you've requested sealing, we apply a high-quality concrete sealer once the surface is fully dry — locking in the clean and protecting against future stains.
Surfaces We Clean Safely
We match the method and pressure to the surface — protecting your property while delivering a deep, lasting clean.
Safe For
- Poured concrete (driveways, walkways, patios)
- Stamped and colored concrete
- Exposed aggregate surfaces
- Brick pavers and flagstone
- Concrete pool decks
- Retaining walls and concrete steps
Clean With Care
- Newly poured concrete — should cure for at least 28 days before pressure washing or sealing
- Concrete with decorative or acrylic coatings — we test a small area to protect the finish
- Cracked or spalling concrete — we reduce pressure and avoid widening existing damage
- Pavers with polymeric sand — we use the right pressure to avoid blowing out the joint sand
- Older, worn stamped concrete — we test before cleaning to protect the surface color
Time to Call Gates?
If you've noticed any of these around your property, it's probably time to schedule a cleaning.
Oil or dark stains under where vehicles are parked
Tire marks or black streaks on the concrete
Green moss or algae growing in shaded areas or along cracks
A dark, grey, or black tint where the concrete used to be light
Slippery surfaces when wet, especially on walkways and patios
Weeds or grass growing through expansion joints and cracks
Rust stains from metal furniture, planters, or fertilizer
You're planning to seal the concrete and need a perfectly clean base
How Often Should You Schedule This?
For most driveways and walkways across the Carolinas, we recommend professional cleaning once a year. Properties with heavy tree cover, significant oil exposure, or shaded north-facing surfaces may benefit from twice-yearly cleaning. If you seal your concrete — which we strongly recommend — the sealer should be reapplied every 2–3 years, and the surface should be professionally cleaned before each sealing. Annual cleaning keeps organic growth from taking hold and extends the life of both the concrete and any sealer.
Concrete & Driveway Cleaning FAQ
Concrete & Driveway Cleaning Across the Carolinas
Book concrete & driveway cleaning in your area — we serve all of North Carolina and parts of South Carolina.
Ready for a Spotless Property?
Join hundreds of NC & SC homeowners and businesses who trust Gates for spotless, guaranteed results. Get your free quote today.