A stamped concrete driveway in Hickory Flatts that had gone years without cleaning — including the curb, which most companies don't touch. Here's the full job walkthrough and what a difference it made.
This was a returning customer in the Hickory Flatts neighborhood in Cookeville — their fifth time booking with us. The homeowner had a stamped concrete driveway and front walkway that had been accumulating algae and surface staining for several years. The pattern in the concrete was barely visible under the dark discoloration. And like almost every driveway we clean, the curb was just as bad — dark with algae and grime, and clearly hadn't been touched in years.
Driveway cleaning job in Hickory Flatts, Cookeville TN — driveway and curb
The Before: Years of Algae on Stamped Concrete
Stamped concrete gets the same biological growth as standard concrete — algae, mold, and organic staining — but the texture of the pattern creates more surface area for growth to cling to. The ridges and grooves trap debris and hold moisture longer, which accelerates the cycle. This driveway was dark across the full surface. The decorative pattern was still there underneath all of it — just not visible anymore.
The Process
- Pre-treat: Applied a surfactant and degreaser to areas with heavy staining and let it dwell before washing.
- Surface clean with commercial equipment: Used a rotating surface cleaner rather than a wand — delivers even, consistent pressure across the full surface with no tiger stripes.
- Edge and transition detail: Hand-wand work along the garage door seam, expansion joints, and the transition to the front walkway.
- Curb cleaning: Cleaned the full curb run along the street — same equipment, same thoroughness as the driveway itself.
- Post-rinse: Full rinse to clear cleaning solution and inspect the surface.
Why We Clean the Curb — and Why Most Companies Skip It
Most pressure washing companies stop at the end of your driveway apron. The curb is city property, it's awkward to clean, and it's not technically part of the job scope — so most crews just don't bother.
I clean it on every driveway job. The curb is the first thing people see when they look at your property from the street, and a clean driveway with a black algae-covered curb in front of it looks unfinished. It takes a few extra minutes but it's the difference between a job that looks complete and one that doesn't.
I've never had a customer ask me to clean the curb. I just do it. A handful of homeowners have noticed and mentioned it — it's one of those things you don't realize was missing until it's done.
The After
The stamped pattern came back completely. The decorative impression the homeowner had essentially lost under years of growth was fully visible again. The curb matched — clean concrete all the way to the street.
Cookeville Driveway Cleaning Pricing
| Standard 2-car driveway | $100 – $200 |
| Large driveway + walkways | $175 – $325 |
| Stamped or decorative concrete | Same range — no surcharge |
| Oil stain pre-treatment | Included when needed |
| Curb cleaning | Always included |
Need driveway cleaning in Cookeville or Hickory Flatts? InstaQuote gives you a real price in under 2 minutes.