Water blasting starts from approximately $3 per square metre plus GST, or $3.45 per square metre including GST.
The minimum standalone charge is $190 plus GST, or $218.50 including GST.
Final pricing depends on surface type, area size, access, staining severity, and whether specialist treatment is required.
Commercial areas, pavers, sealed concrete, and sites requiring wastewater control are normally quoted after site assessment.
Prices shown exclude and include GST. Final quotes to residential customers include GST at 15%.
Water Blasting Price Examples
These examples show what you are likely to pay, including GST.
| Area | Rate calculation | Likely standalone price |
|---|---|---|
| 50 sqm | $150 + GST | $190 + GST ($218.50 incl. GST) — minimum charge applies |
| 70 sqm | $210 + GST | $210 + GST ($241.50 incl. GST) |
| 100 sqm | $300 + GST | $300 + GST ($345 incl. GST) |
| 150 sqm | $450 + GST | $450 + GST ($517.50 incl. GST) |
For smaller areas, the minimum charge of $190 plus GST applies. A standalone 50 sqm job is charged at the minimum rather than at the square-metre rate.
If water blasting is bundled with house washing, gutter cleaning, or another service, the minimum charge may not apply separately to the water blasting component.
Water Blasting Costs for Different Surfaces
1. Standard Residential Driveways
Concrete driveways in sound condition start from approximately $3 per sqm plus GST.
A 100 sqm driveway starts from approximately $345 including GST.
2. Patios and Courtyards
Concrete or sealed patio areas start from approximately $3 per sqm plus GST, subject to surface condition and access.
3. Paths and Walkways
Concrete pathways typically fall under the minimum charge for standalone jobs (under approximately 64 sqm) or start from $3 per sqm for larger areas.
4. Paving
Standard paver areas may be priced using the same approximate square-metre starting point. However, loose joints, weeds, surface coatings, difficult access, or required re-sanding may affect the final quote.
The technician adjusts pressure, nozzle distance, cleaning pattern, and treatment according to paver material, joint condition, coating, and existing damage.
Pressure cleaning can disturb loose jointing sand. Re-sanding is not included in the standard water-blasting price unless it is specifically listed in the quote.
5. Commercial Concrete
Smaller, straightforward commercial concrete areas may use the standard square-metre rate as an initial guide.
Final commercial pricing is confirmed after assessing the area, access, contamination, scheduling, safety, and wastewater requirements.
Larger properties, loading areas, car parks, sites with oil or heavy traffic staining, or areas requiring traffic or wastewater controls receive site-specific quotes.
6. Shared Accessways
Shared residential or commercial accessways are normally quoted based on area and condition assessment.
What Can Change the Final Cost?
1. Area Size
The $3 per sqm rate applies to areas above the minimum threshold. Below approximately 64 sqm, the minimum charge of $190 plus GST applies instead.
2. Surface Type and Condition
Plain concrete in sound condition is generally straightforward. Sealed, cracked, damaged, porous, or deteriorated concrete requires individual assessment. Pressure and method may be adjusted accordingly.
Exposed aggregate, pavers, and asphalt require assessment before pricing and method are confirmed. Some surfaces may not be suitable for standard water blasting.
3. Access and Layout
Easy access to the cleaning area keeps costs standard. Difficult access, obstacles, narrow pathways, or complex equipment positioning may increase the final quote.
4. Staining Type and Depth
Light dirt and surface grime generally fit the standard rate.
Moss and algae are pre-treated to break down organic growth before controlled pressure cleaning.
Fresh oil should be assessed and normally treated with an appropriate degreasing product. Runoff may also require additional control. Complete removal is not guaranteed because concrete can absorb oil quickly.
Rust staining normally requires stain-specific treatment. Pressure cleaning may remove loose surface contamination, but embedded rust discolouration is unlikely to disappear by pressure alone.
Heavy or deeply embedded staining may require multiple cleaning stages, specialist treatment, or realistic expectations about improvement rather than complete removal. These may increase the quote.
5. Drainage and Runoff Management
Standard residential driveways with normal drainage fit the base rate. Commercial sites, areas with oil contamination, or properties requiring wastewater containment may incur additional setup costs.
Hamilton City Council identifies contaminated runoff from commercial and industrial sites as an environmental risk.
Stormwater networks are designed for clean rainwater; where washwater contains oil, sediment, paint residue, or other contaminants, additional containment or treatment may be required.
6. Bundling with Other Services
Water blasting bundled with house washing, gutter cleaning, or other services may reduce the per-service cost. Discuss bundling options when requesting your quote.
What Results Can You Expect?
Not every stain disappears completely. Results depend on stain type, age, concrete porosity, depth, and previous sealing.
| Stain type | Realistic expectation |
|---|---|
| Dirt and surface grime | Usually strong improvement |
| Algae and moss | Generally respond well to pre-treatment and cleaning |
| Clay and soil staining | May improve noticeably; deep or porous staining may remain partially visible |
| Tyre marks | Often improve significantly |
| Fresh oil spill | Requires degreasing treatment; complete removal cannot be guaranteed |
| Old oil penetration | Specialist assessment required; absorbed oil may remain visible |
| Rust staining | Normally requires specialist treatment; results vary by rust depth |
| Paint or coating | May require a separate removal process; standard water blasting not typically effective |
Set realistic expectations. Water blasting removes surface buildup effectively. Staining that has penetrated porous concrete or absorbed into the material may not disappear entirely, even with specialist treatment.
Which Surfaces Can Be Water Blasted?
1. Generally Suitable
- Plain concrete driveways in sound condition
- Concrete patios in good condition
- Concrete pathways
- Commercial concrete areas in good condition
2. Require Assessment
- Sealed concrete (depends on sealer condition and bond)
- Exposed aggregate (depends on stone bond and surface condition)
- Pavers (depends on joint stability and material)
- Older concrete (depends on surface strength)
- Concrete with existing coatings
3. May Require Alternative Approach
Asphalt (assessment only; high-pressure water blasting may not be appropriate for older, patched, loose, cracked, or deteriorating asphalt)
4. Require Careful Assessment and May Be Declined
- Cracked, spalling, weak, or dusty concrete
- Concrete with a peeling or failing sealer
- Highly deteriorated or loose surfaces
- Surfaces showing significant efflorescence or salt deposits
These conditions do not automatically prevent cleaning, but they may require reduced pressure, an alternative method, or declining the work where damage risk is too high.
Cleaning Sealed Concrete and Delicate Surfaces
Sealed Concrete
Sealed concrete may be cleaned after inspecting the sealer and surface condition.
It may be suitable when:
- The concrete and coating are sound
- The sealer is well bonded
- There is no peeling, whitening, or delamination
- A test area responds safely
- Pressure and cleaning products can be adjusted appropriately
It should be treated differently or declined when:
- The sealer is peeling, flaking, bubbling, or whitening
- The coating type is unknown and reacts badly
- Concrete beneath the coating is weak or deteriorated
- There are cracks, spalling, or loose material
- The customer expects cleaning to restore a failed sealer
Cleaning does not repair a failed sealer.
Exposed Aggregate
Exposed aggregate must be inspected first. The appropriate method depends on surface condition, stone bond, age, coating, and existing deterioration. If the surface is weak, a lower-pressure or alternative method may be recommended.
How Water Blasting Works and How Long It Takes
Assessment
The technician inspects the surface type, condition, drainage, coatings, cracks, access, and staining before confirming the method.
Pre-Treatment
Surfaces are pre-treated where required. Moss, algae, oil, rust, or heavy staining may need appropriate treatment products and dwell time before pressure cleaning begins.
Controlled Pressure Cleaning
Controlled pressure is selected according to the surface and contamination type. Multiple passes or targeted treatment may be used where appropriate, rather than applying the same pressure or technique across the entire area.
Rinsing and Debris Removal
Thorough rinsing removes loosened material and residue. Debris and contaminated washwater are managed appropriately.
Final Inspection
The surface is reviewed for completion. Remaining marks are assessed and explained.
Typical Timing
- Standard residential driveway (50–100 sqm): 1–2 hours
- Larger property or multiple areas: 2–3 hours
- Commercial site: Varies by size, contamination, and site controls
Surface is usually ready for use within a few hours of completion in normal conditions.
FAQs
What is the minimum charge?
$190 plus GST, or $218.50 including GST, for a single water-blasting service. This applies to areas smaller than approximately 64 sqm.
Is GST included in the price?
Prices shown on this page exclude GST unless stated otherwise. GST (currently 15%) is added to all quotes. Your final invoice includes the full amount including GST.
Can every stain be removed completely?
No. Results depend on stain type, age, concrete porosity, and depth. Clay soil, algae, and surface grime usually improve significantly.
Oil, rust, and deeply embedded staining may not disappear completely, even with specialist treatment.
Can sealed concrete be water blasted?
Sometimes. Sealed concrete must be inspected first. Sound, well-bonded coatings may be cleaned using a carefully controlled method.
Peeling, deteriorated, or incompatible coatings may be damaged or removed unevenly, so a test area, lower-pressure method, or alternative service may be recommended.
Can exposed aggregate be water blasted?
Sometimes. Exposed aggregate must be inspected first. The appropriate method depends on surface condition, aggregate bond, age, coating, and existing deterioration. If the surface is weak, a lower-pressure or alternative method may be recommended.
Does oil treatment cost extra?
Yes, normally. Fresh oil spills should be assessed and usually treated with an appropriate degreasing product rather than pressure alone.
Runoff may also require additional control. Complete removal cannot be guaranteed because concrete can absorb oil quickly.
Do commercial properties cost more?
Yes, usually. Commercial sites often require traffic management, after-hours work, wastewater containment, or specialist stain treatment.
Pricing is confirmed after site assessment. Smaller, straightforward commercial concrete may use the standard rate as an initial guide.
Can water blasting damage concrete?
Professional assessment and controlled pressure significantly reduce the risk of damage.
However, old, cracked, weak, sealed, or deteriorated concrete may require lower pressure or a different cleaning method. Surface inspection before cleaning begins helps avoid damage.
How soon can I use the driveway after cleaning?
The surface dries within a few hours in normal conditions. You can typically use it the same day. Cool or wet weather extends drying time.
Get a Free Water Blasting Quote in Hamilton
Water blasting removes buildup from concrete driveways, patios, paths, and commercial surfaces across Hamilton.
Costs start from approximately $3 per square metre plus GST (or $3.45 including GST), with a minimum of $190 plus GST ($218.50 including GST) for standalone services.
Send photos of the area needing cleaning, the approximate size, and a description of any visible staining. We’ll review the information and respond within 24 hours.
Straightforward jobs may be quoted from photos, while complex or commercial areas may require a site assessment before pricing is confirmed.
Get a free water blasting quote or call 0800 837 372.
For service information, visit our water blasting service page
