Every homeowner wants their driveway to look clean, smooth, and professionally sealed. But before you jump into sealing, there’s one question that matters more than most: should you power wash the driveway before sealing it? The answer depends on the condition of your surface and the type of sealant you’re using. Skip this step, and you could be sealing in problems that will show up in just a few weeks, flaking, peeling, uneven color, or wasted time and money.
At Action Paving, we’ve sealed driveways across Toronto, Mississauga, Burlington, Hamilton, and nearly every corner of the GTA. From brand-new asphalt to 20-year-old surfaces covered in leaf stains and construction dust, we’ve seen how surface prep can make or break the final result.
Let’s break down what really matters when it comes to cleaning, and when power washing your driveway is absolutely necessary before sealing.
The Difference Between DIY Water-Based Sealer and Professional Oil-Based Sealing
Not all sealers are created equal. What kind you use will determine how clean your driveway needs to be before application.
Water-Based Sealing (Often Found in DIY Kits)
If you’re going the DIY route with a water-based sealer, power washing your driveway isn’t optional, it’s non-negotiable. These sealants sit on the surface and rely on perfect adhesion to form a film. Even small patches of dust, driveway sand, or algae will stop the sealer from bonding properly. The result? A patchy job that peels up under your tires in a few weeks.
This is one of the top reasons homeowners call us to redo sealing driveways, because a year after a DIY job, the coating is flaking off like old paint.
Oil-Based Sealing (Our Professional System)
We use a premium oil-based sealer, which penetrates the asphalt instead of just sitting on top. That means it bonds better, lasts longer, and cures deeper, even without a pressure wash. Instead of blasting your driveway with high-pressure water, we clean it properly using:
- Stiff brushes to loosen up dirt, weeds, and debris from cracks
- Heavy-duty brooms to sweep away leftover grit and sand
- Leaf blowers to finish the surface and remove fine dust before we apply sealant
In most cases, this is more than enough prep. We’ve sealed thousands of driveways using this method, even in dusty construction zones, with perfect curing and long-term durability.
So When Is Power Washing Actually Needed On a Driveway?
There are definitely situations where we’ll recommend power washing before sealing, but it’s not for every job. Here’s when it really helps:
After Landscaping or Renovation
If you’ve just had landscaping done, there’s a good chance your driveway is covered in topsoil, mulch stains, or concrete dust. These kinds of contaminants can be stubborn and cling to the surface. A power wash can break it all up so we get a clean surface to work with.
Oil or Fluid Stains
Old oil leaks from parked vehicles can soak into the driveway. While we treat small spots with degreasers, large or deep stains might require a pressure wash to lift the residue. Otherwise, the sealant won’t bond, and you’ll still see shadowy spots once it cures.
Moss, Algae, or Organic Growth
In shaded areas like driveways under big trees or along fences in places like Oakville or Richmond Hill, algae and moss can build up. Power washing in these cases is a smart way to reset the surface and avoid sealing in moisture.
Do You Need to Power Wash Before Sealing the Driveway?
Driveway Condition |
Water-Based Sealer |
Oil-Based Sealer |
| Light dust or debris | Yes | No |
| Post-renovation dirt | Yes | Yes |
| Oil stains or drips | Yes | Spot-clean or power wash |
| Moss, algae, or mold | Yes | Yes |
| Recently rained-on surface | Wait 24–48 hours | Wait 24–48 hours |
| Heavy leaf debris or tree sap | Yes | Usually |
The Risks of Skipping the Cleaning Step
Let’s be real, some companies skip prep to save time. Or they spray right over dust without cleaning thoroughly. The result?
- Peeling and flaking within weeks
- Uneven coloring from dirt spots sealed in place
- Poor curing in humid areas like Toronto during summer
- Shorter seal lifespan, meaning you’ll need to reapply in just 6–12 months
We’ve had homeowners call us in frustration after hiring someone who sealed without proper prep. Some even thought their asphalt was “damaged” when it was really just a poorly bonded sealer job. Others tried to fix the peeling themselves, not realizing it needed a full resurfacing or touch-up. If your driveway is already showing signs of wear or separation, it might be time to look into repairing asphalt driveways before sealing. With Action Paving, we treat every driveway like an investment, and that means doing the prep right, every single time.
Why We Don’t Power Wash by Default
It might sound strange, but high-pressure washing can actually cause damage if done incorrectly. Over-washing can:
- Force water into cracks, delaying sealing and risking moisture entrapment
- Dislodge asphalt grit, especially on older or weathered driveways
- Require longer drying time, especially in humid GTA climates
Instead, our dry prep system protects your surface and keeps the job moving efficiently. We’ll only recommend power washing if it’s truly needed, not just to pad the job or slow you down.
Our Local Advantage: Clean Prep, Done Right
We’ve sealed driveways in high-traffic city cores like Downtown Toronto, where traffic soot coats the surface daily. We’ve cleaned farm property driveways in Milton covered in pollen and tractor mud. And we’ve handled suburban homes in Burlington where trees drop sticky leaves that stain asphalt by fall.
Every surface is different. That’s why we inspect each job in person and choose the right prep, whether that’s brushing, blowing, or pressure washing.
Power Wash Driveway Only When It’s Worth It
If you’re tackling a DIY water-based sealing job, you absolutely need to power wash your driveway. But if you’re working with professionals like us who use high-grade oil-based sealers, a pressure wash isn’t always needed, unless there’s heavy staining or debris buildup.
At Action Paving, we don’t cut corners. We assess every surface first, clean it thoroughly, and only recommend additional steps like power washing when they’ll make a real difference.
Get in touch with us if you want the job done right, clean, sealed, and built to last.