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.
Can power washing damage your house? The short answer is yes. You must take several safety measures in order to power wash a house successfully and leave it undamaged. In fact, you can cause irreversible damage if you don't have proper experience and knowledge of how to power wash a house.
Experts agree that spring or fall is the best time to pressure or power wash your house. The goal is to avoid cleaning when the temperature is too cold or hot. The best practice is to ensure that you pressure wash your home once per year between March and November when the temperatures are not extreme.
Cleaning your roof, siding and gutters in the spring after the rainy season protects your surfaces from growing mold and mildew. Enjoy comfortable outdoor weather: Pleasant temperatures make power washing easier. You'll clean more efficiently with better weather in spring when you aren't too cold or hot.
Done effectively, pressure washing can be done year-round. No matter what the weather, you may need your pressure washer for your cleaning and maintenance needs. However, pressure washing during winter can present some unique challenges. Snow-covered roads may coat your fleet vehicles with dirt, ice, sand, and salt.
Generally, you can pressure wash your home any time of the day from dawn until dusk. But, the best time to pressure wash a house is when there is still sunlight.
Pressure washing typically costs between $60 to $100 an hour, according to Fixr.com. For example, a 1,200-square-foot home takes about six hours to pressure wash and costs between $360 to $600.
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.
Most homes should be power washed a minimum of once a year. Power Washing your siding will actually extend the life of it so it won't need repairs and you won't need to replace it as often. It also makes your home look as good as new when it's tidy and clean on the exterior.
For example, a 2,000 square foot home can take anywhere from one to three hours to power wash.
It's not the best idea to power wash when the outside temperature is below 40 degrees.
Preparing to Pressure Wash
It's not a good idea to stand on a ladder while pressure washing, so be sure to get an extension wand if you have a multi-story home. You'll also need to prepare your home to be pressure washed by removing or covering your light fixtures, AC compressor, shrubs, and outlets.
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.
The National Association of Realtors claims that a pressure wash can add $10,000-$15,000 value to your home, should you decide to sell. Regularly scheduled soft roof washing or roof shampoo, which is about every 5 years, can net you significant home value gains on the housing market.
The main difference is that power washing uses highly pressurized steam to do the cleaning while pressure washing just uses unheated tap water, without the help of a heating element.
The high-pressure water stream dislodges dirt, grime, or paint from surfaces and then washes it away into a drain or onto the ground.
While pressure washing is the best option in most cases, it can jeopardize the health of nearby shrubs, plants, grass, and other foliage if they aren't protected during any type of cleaning process.
Applying a concrete sealer post-pressure washing is a critical step. This sealer acts as a protective barrier against moisture, stains, and UV damage, preserving the concrete's appearance and extending its life.
POWER WASHING INCREASES YOUR HOME'S VALUE
Not only does power washing increase your home's curb appeal, but it does so in a quantifiable way. The National Association of Realtors suggests that a power washed home can add up to $15,000 to the sale price. You simply cannot afford to not power wash your home.
You may be surprised to learn that pressure washers actually use less money than regular garden hoses! Therefore, by hiring a professional power cleaning service instead of trying to do it yourself with your hose, you're actually saving money on your water bill.
The summer months are actually the ideal time to have the various surfaces of your home power washed for a number of different reasons. With summer barbecues, family get-togethers, and many other social activities on the horizon, now is the time to put in the effort to beautify your home.
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.