If you see orange or brown stains along your sidewalk, at the base of your siding or across part of your driveway, look at your sprinklers. In parts of Chesapeake like Hickory and Grassfield, and in Virginia Beach's Princess Anne and Pungo areas, irrigation systems often run on well water that's high in iron.
Why irrigation leaves rust stains
When iron-rich well water dries on concrete or siding, the iron oxidizes and leaves an orange stain. Every watering adds a little more, so the stains build up over a season, usually in a spray pattern that matches your sprinkler heads.
What pressure washing can (and can't) do
We want to be upfront: rust is a mineral stain, not dirt. Pressure washing removes dirt, mildew, algae and grime beautifully, but it doesn't remove rust the same way. When you request a quote, tell us about any rust stains and we'll tell you honestly what we can do for your concrete or siding.
Stop the stains at the source
- Adjust sprinkler heads so they don't spray onto concrete or siding.
- Ask an irrigation company about filters or treatment for well water.
- Water less often, but longer, which can reduce how often concrete gets wet.
Everything else on your driveway
The gray-black film on most Hampton Roads driveways is dirt, mildew and pollen, and that we remove completely. Our rotary surface cleaner gives an even, streak-free finish without the "zebra stripes" a wand leaves. Driveway cleaning is $0.20/sq ft under 1,000 sq ft and $0.15/sq ft over. See driveway & concrete cleaning.
Book driveway cleaning in Chesapeake or Virginia Beach. Pungo and other rural properties with long driveways are welcome.
Frequently asked questions
What causes orange stains on my driveway?
Usually irrigation with iron-rich well water. When the water dries, the iron oxidizes and leaves orange stains.
Will pressure washing remove rust stains?
Not the way it removes dirt and mildew, because rust is a mineral stain. Mention it in your quote request and we'll tell you honestly what's possible.
How do I stop irrigation rust stains?
Adjust sprinkler heads away from concrete and siding, and ask an irrigation company about filtering or treating your well water.
Rick Monceaux is the owner of All In One Power Washing in Virginia Beach. He has been cleaning homes and businesses across Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk and the rest of Hampton Roads since 2010. Licensed & insured. More about Rick.
