Surface cleaners are attachments for pressure washers that are used to clean large flat surfaces such as concrete driveways and patios. They consist of a spinning nozzle that sprays water in a circular pattern and are designed to evenly distribute the water and cleaning solution across the surface.
However, if the surface cleaner is not used correctly, it can cause lines or streaks in the concrete. This is usually caused by one of the following reasons:
- Overlapping: When the surface cleaner is moved across the concrete, overlapping of the cleaning patterns can cause lines to appear. This is because the water pressure and cleaning solution are concentrated in certain areas, leaving other areas less cleaned.
- Incorrect pressure: If the pressure of the water stream is too high or too low, it can cause lines to appear in the concrete. High pressure can etch the surface of the concrete, leaving marks, and low pressure can leave behind dirt and stains.
- Dirty water: If the water being used is dirty or contains debris, it can leave marks or stains on the concrete surface.
- Improper nozzle angle: If the nozzle is not set at the correct angle, it can cause uneven cleaning, leaving lines and streaks on the surface.
- Worn-out nozzle: A worn-out nozzle can cause uneven water distribution, leading to lines and streaks on the surface.
- Underpowered Pressure Washer: Gallons per min (GPM) a pump produces dictates how large of a surface cleaner you can attach. Good luck trying to use a 2GPM pump on a 20″ surface cleaner which should have a minimum of 4GPM…
To avoid leaving lines and streaks on concrete surfaces, it is important to use the surface cleaner correctly, use the correct pressure (depending on the surface) and nozzle angle, and use clean water. Additionally, it is important to properly maintain the surface cleaner and nozzle, ensuring they are in good working condition.