Should you pressure wash soffits?

Author: Ms. Oceane Greenholt  |  Last update: Friday, November 7, 2025

Although it's safe to pressure wash soffits, there are few important things to remember: One key point to keep in mind is the water pressure. A high-pressure water blasting can be dangerous for your attic. Water may flow into your attic causing a greater havoc.

What is the best way to clean soffits?

Just done something similar. Use a bucket of hot water, a couple of glugs of Chlorox bleach, and a small squirt of washing up liquid (all amounts approx). Use a long handled softish brush, dunk it in the bucket, then generously brush the liquid along the soffit panels and gutter face.

Can you spray water on soffits?

get a big assed brush and a bucket of water and do it that way. if you spray it then water goes places it shouldn't. water can touch the soffit but not what's a few inches behind the soffit, so no spraying at all.

When should you not power wash your house?

Winter: Although power washing in winter is possible, we don't recommend it in extreme cold or snow. However, we can power wash on warmer days or during breaks in the weather.

What cannot be pressure washed?

Paint: Painted surfaces are prone to chip, peel or discolor with applied water pressure. Roof shingles: Shingles can lose their granules, detach or break if immense pressure is applied. Windows: Glass is fragile to pressure and should not be power washed.

Soft-washing overhangs and soffits

Where should you not use a pressure washer?

Things You Should Never Pressure Wash
  • Electrical Meters and Panels. The high-pressure stream of water from a pressure washer can damage electrical meters and panels. ...
  • Asphalt Shingles. Do you have asphalt shingles as your roofing material? ...
  • Painted Surfaces. ...
  • Brick Surfaces. ...
  • Windows. ...
  • Plants, Flowers & Trees. ...
  • Vehicles. ...
  • Gutters.

What are the cons of pressure washing?

Cons: Potential damage: In inexperienced hands, a pressure washer can cause damage to your car's paint, trim, or delicate parts. High-pressure water can strip away protective coatings and even force water into vulnerable areas, leading to rust or electrical issues.

Should you wash the exterior of your house?

Regular Exterior Washing Maintenance Saves You Money in the Long Run. If you think about it, protecting your home will actually cost you less than having to repair or refinish it. Washing the house exterior is a good way to get the most out of your house paint and siding.

What time of year is best to pressure wash a house?

Spring is the best time to pressure wash since pressure washing in the winter can lead to more ice on the property and pressure washing in the fall can lead to the leaves falling right back into your property and creating new deposits from decomposition.

How much to pressure wash a 2000 sq ft house?

The average cost to pressure wash a house ranges from $500 to $900, with most people spending around $700 to pressure wash a 2,000 sq. ft. vinyl-sided home with normal grime levels, including the cost of all labor, equipment usage, and other materials.

Is it OK to pressure wash soffits?

Although it's safe to pressure wash soffits, there are few important things to remember: One key point to keep in mind is the water pressure. A high-pressure water blasting can be dangerous for your attic. Water may flow into your attic causing a greater havoc.

How often should soffits be cleaned?

You should clean your soffits and fascias once a year to maintain them. However, in bad weather, especially on older houses, your guttering, soffit boards and fascias may need repairing or replacing, even if you work hard to keep them clean.

Why are my soffits dirty?

Soffits and fascia are frequently subject to precipitation, ice, and humidity. Water can collect on surfaces like roofs and gutters if there are leaks or insufficient drainage, which can foster the formation of mold.

What is the best homemade solution for cleaning soffits?

A simple mixture of water and vinegar can work wonders due to vinegar's natural acidity, which helps break down mold and acts as a natural disinfectant. DIY solutions provide a cost-effective and eco-friendly cleaning option for maintaining your soffits in top condition.

What is the best product for soffits?

Fiber Cement Soffit

Fiber cement is a composite material made from sand, cement and cellulose fibers. It's a popular choice for soffit due to its durability, low maintenance and resistance to rot, warping, termites and harsh weather conditions.

Can you pressure clean eaves?

Again, pressure washing can be an effective tool to remove dirt, mildew, and other grime from these surfaces, BUT it's important to weigh up the potential cost of damage that can be caused when you pressure wash under eaves or on and around the fascia and soffits of a building.

Is it better to pressure wash or power wash a house?

It is not that one is better than the other, it is just that soft washing is meant for siding and pressure washing is meant for wood, concrete, brick, and so on. Power washing is ideal for grease stains on your deck or walkway for example. Soft washing is ideal for “Softer” surfaces like your roof or home.

How to get rid of dirt after pressure washing?

Residual Dirt

Pressure washing will remove most of the dirt, however, if the area has not been cleaned in some time it may hold onto some of the dirt. Applying a cleaning agent such as diluted sodium hypochlorite can quickly remove residual dirt and algae staining.

How long should a house dry after pressure washing?

Your house is going to need at least 24 hours to fully dry up. Don't worry — it is not in any way “ruined” or less effective if, after the power washing, there are natural weather occurrences.

What is the best thing to clean the outside of your house with?

To clean any general griminess off your siding, all you need to do is grab a soapy bucket of water, a soft bristle brush, and your garden hose. For the soapy water mixture, dish soap or laundry detergent works well and cuts through dirt and pollen.

What is in 30 seconds outdoor cleaner?

30 Seconds Ready To Use Outdoor Cleaner is made from a combination of ingredients, with the active ingredient being Sodium Hypochlorite. What happens when you apply the product is that it works immediately on any organics by emulsifying the growth.

What is wet and forget?

Moss, Mold, Mildew & Algae Stain Remover

Simply spray and walk away! That's it. Wet & Forget goes to work with the wind and rain to gently clean the surface over time. NO RINSE: Easy Spray & Leave Application. EFFORTLESS CLEAN: No Scrubbing, Rinsing or Pressure Washing.

What is better than pressure washing?

Instead of relying on high pressure to blast away dirt and grime, soft washing uses a combination of low-pressure power washing and cleaning solutions to clean surfaces. These solutions settle in the layers of dirt, eating them away from the inside. The cleaners then use low-pressure power washers to rinse the surface.

What is soft washing a house?

Soft washing is a cleaning technique that uses low-pressure water to safely clean the exterior surfaces of a house. This method also uses cleaning solutions to effectively kill mold, mildew, moss, bacteria, and other microorganisms.

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