Pressure Wash Stamped Concrete? (Better Not Unless You Reseal!)

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Can You Pressure Wash Stamped Concrete?

A stamped concrete patio or pool deck takes what would have been a boring industrial look gray floor to an enviable unique & luxurious look! Your pool deck could have a stylish slate pattern or the rustic, old-world charm of European streets. Regular cleaning will keep the stamped concrete looking as good as new. But can you pressure wash stamped concrete?

You should not pressure wash stamped concrete unless you plan to reseal it immediately after.

Why? The sealer on stamped concrete protects the colors, but the high pressure water jet erodes it. Without the sealer, the stamped concrete will lose its shine and beauty in no time.

A stamped concrete deck is different from other types of concrete decks such as brushed or honed concrete decks. The difference is not just about the process of stamping but also about the way colors are incorporated and protected.

The process of installing a stamped concrete pool deck or patio involves the following steps:

1. Pour, screed and float the concrete slab
2. Broadcast the hardener & release agent
3. Stamp the desired pattern
4. Wash off the release agent a day later
5. Apply a topical sealer a day after that

In the entire process the final action of applying the sealer enhances the color & gloss of the stamped concrete. The sealer forms the protective layer between the two tone color and the elements.

Can You Pressure Wash Colored Concrete?

Colored concrete is made by staining gray concrete with earth pigments (usually a metallic oxide). The pigment, which can be in powder, liquid or granular form, is added to the wet concrete mix to give earth tones. For lighter tones you need to use white instead of gray cement.

Colored concrete can be placed in situ, but quite often it is precast as pavers. Interesting and attractive decks, patios & driveways can be installed by creative use of patterns & colors.

Colored concrete needs to be sealed too, to protect the pigments from fading. If you pressure wash colored concrete you will remove the protective layer of the topical clear sealer. 

Do not pressure wash colored concrete unless you plan to reseal it. 

How Do You Clean Stamped Concrete?

An outdoor stamped concrete deck or patio will have dust & yard debris, such as dry leaves falling on it all the time. A pool deck or a shaded patio can also have algae, mold & mildew growth. And of course there will be food & beverage stains from time to time, especially after a BBQ party.

So how do you keep your stamped concrete deck clean?

Sweep Regularly (Once a Week)

Sweeping a stamped concrete deck does take some work but it is necessary to protect both the deck and the people using the deck. Sweep when the deck is dry. Dry dust & debris are easier to sweep off. 

Sweeping the deck will also remove any large or sharp objects, such as tree branches or nails that can scratch the surface or hurt bare feet. 

If you have a large deck, do not sweep the entire deck at one go and carry the dust & debris all over. Instead sweep around 40-50 square feet and collect the dust before moving on.

It is also OK to use a shopvac for a large deck. A vacuum cleaner makes the job easier. A heavy duty vacuum cleaner such as CRAFTSMAN 16 Gallon 6.5 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vac is a good investment. Check it out!

A good time to sweep your stamped concrete deck is before the weekend pool party. The deck is still dry. Sweeping it will not just make it more presentable, it will also make it safer.

Wash with Garden Hose (Once a Month)

Sweeping will get the dry dust & debris off the stamped concrete but some of the stickier stuff will not go without a wash. No, do not reach for the power washer. It is not necessary. Just a good rinsing from a garden hose will do the job.

The garden hose water pressure is around 50 psi, which will not damage the sealer on the stamped concrete. (In comparison a pressure washer creates water pressure in the 1000 – 2000 psi range).

Rinse the deck with soap water before the wash to get the greasy stuff out. You can use a soft bristled broom or brush. After the wash, use a squeegee to push away the water. You can then dry the deck with a dry mop or a leaf blower.

How Do You Get Stains Out of Stamped Concrete?

The chances of stains penetrating a well sealed stamped concrete deck is low. Nonetheless, it is best to get rid of stains, even superficial ones, as soon as you spot them. Rust stains from wrought iron furniture, stains from red wine spills, and algae growth are some that you may come across.

There is no universal stain remover. You must use the stain remover and the technique specific to a stain. I have covered the product & the procedure to use, in some detail, in my earlier blog post The Best Way To Clean A Concrete Pool Deck. The same methods will apply to stamped concrete as well.

How Often Do You Need to Reseal Stamped Concrete?

Nothing lasts forever. Even if you do not pressure wash your stamped concrete deck, you will need to reseal it once every 2-3 years, due to normal wear & tear. You may need to do it sooner if your deck has a high traffic, movement of furniture or gets a lot of snow in the winter.

Clean

You must clean the stamped concrete thoroughly before resealing it. Follow all the steps that you would for normal cleaning

1. Sweep, dry mop or vacuum to clear dust and solid debris
2. Wash with soap & garden hose to remove slime & grime
3. Remove stains (rust, red wine, etc.) & biological growth (mold, mildew, etc.)

Pressure Wash

Since you plan to reseal, this is the best time to pressure wash your stamped concrete pool deck or patio for a real thorough cleaning. The pressure wash will remove some of the sealer from the stamped concrete, but that is OK as you will be applying fresh sealer coats anyway.

You can use the pressure washer straight on to the stamped concrete, but you run the risk of damaging the concrete. It is better to use a pressure washer with a surface cleaner attachment. The cleaning is more controlled and less messy.

Karcher K1700 Electric Pressure Washer 1700 PSI with 11″ Surface Cleaner is budget friendly and good enough for occasional use.

You can use the above on patio, driveways, concrete garage floors in addition to the stamped concrete pool deck. Use it with or without attachment on vertical surfaces such as fences and garage doors too!

Reseal

Before you start spraying the sealer make sure that the stamped concrete is completely dry. Give it a day or two after the pressure wash. You must use a good quality solvent based topical sealer for the most durable & best results.

I highly recommend using Foundation Armor AR350, a solvent based acrylic wet look sealer that is designed to seal, enhance, and protect a variety of interior and exterior concrete and concrete paver surfaces.

Foundation Armor AR350 Solvent Based Acrylic Wet Look Concrete Sealer.

The Armor AR350 penetrates deep into the surface where it chemically bonds to the pores of the concrete and pavers, creating a long lasting, non-yellowing, breathable finish that enhances dull or faded surfaces by creating a darkened wet look, and low gloss finish.

Thank you very much for reading the post. I do hope you found it informative and helpful.