Paver cleaning Central Coast: what the water rules allow before you book

What the Water Wise Rules say about paved areas

Central Coast Council's Water Wise Rules are blunt about hosing: no hosing of hard surfaces such as concrete, paths and driveways. A plain hose rinse of your pavers is therefore out.

A high pressure cleaner is treated differently. The Rules say driveways, paths and paved areas may be cleaned using a high pressure cleaner in limited circumstances, and the examples they list include preparing a surface for painting or resealing, cleaning surfaces before the sale or lease of a property, removing a build-up of mould or moss, surface discoloration, removing graffiti, removing oil stains and removing a build-up of rust. A green, slippery patio is on that list. A clean done only because the pavers look tired is not named, so if your reason is not there, ask Council before you book.

The machine matters as much as the reason

The Rules define the cleaner as well. A high pressure, low volume water cleaner is a device fitted with a trigger nozzle that runs at a flow rate of less than 9 litres per minute (the Rules write it as nine). Ask the cleaner for their machine's flow rate and confirm it sits under that line.

The Rules apply to all water users who use water sourced from Central Coast Council's water supply, which takes in households and businesses alike, and they always apply unless water restrictions are in place. Check whether a restriction is in force in the week you want the work done.

Where the wash water ends up

Council's Love Water pages explain that water running off a hard surface into the nearest storm water drain enters the waterways, and can finish up in rivers, lakes and possibly the ocean. Look at which way your pavers fall and where the closest drain or pit sits, and ask the cleaner how the wash water will be kept on your block and out of the street.

Council also says it and the Environment Protection Authority investigate water pollution incidents under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. That is the reason to raise runoff at the quote stage rather than on the day.

Council says property owners must keep their roof water drainage in good condition, and that includes stormwater inlet pits. After a paver clean, check any pits on your block and make sure they have not been left with sludge or debris.

Before you say yes to a quote

Fair Trading NSW says you have 10 business days to reconsider an unsolicited consumer agreement. If you agreed to a clean after someone approached you first, read that page and see whether it applies to you.

Whoever quotes, ask for the scope in writing: which areas are included, how the wash water will be managed, and what happens at the joints. Ask them to confirm their insurance details directly, rather than taking it for granted.