Why Miami Driveways Go Green So Fast
Concrete is porous, and Miami-Dade and Broward average over 60 inches of rain a year with humidity that never fully breaks. Algae gets a foothold in the pores and spreads. A driveway that might go three years between cleanings in a drier climate starts visibly greening here in four to five months if it's shaded.
Shade is the single biggest factor. A driveway under a tree line or on the north side of the house will always need cleaning sooner than one in full sun with good drainage.
The Surface Cleaner Is the Whole Difference
This is the part most homeowners don't know to ask about.
A handheld wand cleans in a narrow fan, which means overlapping arcs - and those arcs show. You've seen driveways with visible stripes or a zebra pattern after cleaning. That's wand damage, and it's permanent until the whole slab weathers back to even.
A surface cleaner is a round housing with spinning jets inside that rides flat on the concrete. It cleans a wide, even path at consistent distance and pressure. No stripes, no swirls, no etching.
We use one on every flat surface. If a contractor is doing your driveway with a wand alone, that's a reason to stop them.
Surfaces
Poured concrete - the standard. Takes full pressure well.
Brick and concrete pavers - take pressure well, but aggressive work blows out the joint sand. We re-sand pavers afterwards; sand keeps the pavers interlocked and stable, and a contractor who skips it is leaving your driveway worse than they found it.
Stamped and decorative concrete - cleaned at reduced pressure to protect the color layer and any sealer.
Stains
Oil and transmission fluid - pre-treated with a degreaser and given dwell time before washing. Fresh spills usually come out completely. Old, deeply penetrated oil often lightens substantially rather than disappearing, and we will tell you that honestly when we quote rather than promising a miracle.
Rust from irrigation - needs a rust-specific treatment, not pressure. Pressure alone drives it deeper.
Tire marks and traffic grime - come out with hot water and the surface cleaner.
Battery acid and paint - generally permanent. We will say so up front.
How Often
Every 6 to 12 months in South Florida. Shorter if shaded, near a tree line, or if the surface stays damp after rain. A driveway cleaned on schedule returns to near its original color; one left four or five years often won't fully recover no matter what's done to it, because the staining sets deep into the pores.
Pricing
Driveways start at $99. The number depends on square footage, surface type and condition - we quote flat before scheduling. Bundling the driveway with house soft washing or a patio clean in one visit is cheaper than separate trips. Send photos for an exact price.