Cleaning

Power washing

Washing driveways, patios, paths and render.

Post a task Power washing by county

Whether this needs a licence in Ireland

Ireland

No licence required

Taken from the statute below; not yet reviewed by a lawyer

Irelandwww.cru.ieChecked 14/10/2026

Power washing: what the job involves

Washing driveways, patios, paths, decking, walls and render to lift moss, algae, grime and stains, by pressure washing or low-pressure soft washing with a biocide. Block paving is usually re-sanded afterwards and can be sealed.

Also asked for as: pressure washing · driveway cleaning · patio cleaning · block paving cleaning · soft washing render

How the job is usually done

Inspect the surface, agree the method, and check where the runoff will go
Clear weeds from joints and pre-treat oil and rust stains
Pressure-wash hard surfaces with a rotary surface cleaner, or soft-wash render and delicate surfaces
Rinse down and clear the slurry from drains and gullies
Apply a biocide to slow regrowth, if agreed
Re-sand block paving joints with kiln-dried sand once dry, and seal if agreed

Power washing: what is included

Usually included

Washing the agreed area
Weed removal from joints
Rinsing and clearing slurry

Usually not included — agree it separately

Re-sanding and sealing, unless agreed
Lifting and relaying sunken blocks or cracked slabs
Removing all oil stains, which can be permanent
Painting or treating render or decking afterwards

Materials and who supplies them

Pressure washer, rotary surface cleaner and soft-wash equipment — the contractor’s
Biocide, stain treatments, kiln-dried sand and sealer — the contractor’s, priced in
A water supply — usually yours, through an outside tap

How long it takes

Half a day to a full day for a typical driveway and patio; re-sanding and sealing add a second visit once the surface has dried.

When to book

Late spring and summer suit power washing and sealing, which need dry days; avoid frost, and avoid booking during a Water Conservation Order.

Power washing: the rules in Ireland

What the official sources say, checked against them on the date shown. A summary, not legal advice — follow the link to read the rule itself.

Cleaning that uses water or an abrasive at high pressure, or substances classified as corrosive or toxic, is construction work under the Construction Regulations. The contractor carries the duties that go with it, and a homeowner hiring them should take reasonable steps to check they are competent.
Applies to: the contractor, and the homeowner as client
Health and Safety Authority — Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 291 of 2013) · irishstatutebook.ie · Checked 9 October 2026
It is an offence to cause or permit polluting matter to enter waters. Street gullies usually run to the surface-water system and straight into a stream or river, so detergents, biocides and sludge from washing should not be washed into them.
Applies to: the contractor and the property owner
Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977, section 3; the county or city council · irishstatutebook.ie · Checked 9 October 2026
Maintenance and repair of a building, including routine cleaning of it, is charged at the reduced rate of VAT (13.5%) by a VAT-registered business, subject to the two-thirds rule on materials.
Applies to: the contractor, if VAT-registered
Revenue — Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010, Schedule 3 · revenue.ie · Checked 9 October 2026

What power washing costs, and why

What jobs on Talqero came to

Not enough comparable jobs yet to publish a range here. Talqero shows a price range only once at least five comparable jobs, agreed prices or offers exist — a range from fewer would describe a handful of jobs, not the market. Post your job and compare the offers you get.

What affects the price

Area in square metres
Surface: block paving, concrete, natural stone, tarmac, timber, render
Re-sanding and sealing afterwards
Oil or rust stains that need treatment
Access to water and somewhere for the runoff to drain

Paperwork to ask for at the end

A note of the biocide and sealer used, and when to reapply

Safety

High-pressure water can cut skin and drive dirt into wounds; keep children and pets well away
Pressure washing can strip pointing, blast sand out of joints and damage soft stone, render and timber
Close windows and doors, and cover outdoor sockets and lights
Wet algae and sealer make surfaces slippery until fully dry
During a Water Conservation Order, check Uisce Éireann’s current restrictions before booking

Power washing: before you hire

Questions to ask a tradesperson

Will you use high pressure or soft washing on my surface?
Is re-sanding included, and when would sealing be done?
Where will the runoff and slurry go?
Are you insured for damage to surfaces, cars and windows?

What you can do yourself

A hired pressure washer is fine for a concrete path or a small patio; block paving, soft stone, render and decking are easy to damage and better left to a professional.

What to put in your task

What needs washing?
What is the surface made of?
Roughly how big is the area?
Would you like re-sanding or sealing afterwards?
Is there an outside tap?

Photos that help

The whole area from one end
Close-ups of the surface and joints
Any oil, rust or tyre stains
The outside tap and the drains or gullies near the area

Cleaning

Need power washing? Describe the job.

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Questions about power washing

Does power washing need a licence in Ireland?

No licence is required for this work in Ireland (source: www.cru.ie). Ask instead for references and photographs of similar jobs.

Will power washing damage my block paving?

It blasts sand out of the joints, which is why re-sanding with kiln-dried sand is part of a proper job. Done at the right pressure with a rotary cleaner, the blocks themselves are not damaged.

Should I seal my driveway after cleaning?

Sealing slows moss and weeds, locks the joint sand in and makes stains easier to clean. It must go on a fully dry surface, usually a day or more after washing.

Can you power wash render?

Render and painted walls are usually soft-washed — low pressure with a biocide — because high pressure can damage the render and force water into the wall.

Often booked with power washing

Cleaners