So you’re currently wondering how to pressure wash a house, right?

Today we will cover just that. There are many components involved that we will discuss in an attempt to help you gain the exact specifics you will need.

Our goal is to help you recognize whether or not it is pressure washing job you can do, or is something you need a professional like Bright Exterior Cleaning NOVA to help you with. We will share how to pressure wash a house the right way so you can avoid causing more harm than good! 

Pressure washing is not the most sexy thing to do, but there’s no doubt it is important to do to not only maintain the quality of your house’s exterior, but save you time and money in the long term.

Life’s all in the doing and the same applies for pressure washing, let’s get at it!  

Note: Please keep in mind that what most people are looking for typically is pressure washing advice, but often you don’t pressure wash your house, you “Soft Wash.” A soft wash is exactly what is in the name, soft wash.

How to Pressure Wash a House (Made Simple) 

When you think of pressure washing, it’s easy to overcomplicate the matter, but is pretty simple! Follow these steps and you’ll be in the clear:

1. Gather Materials! 

Like any DIY project, and similar to what our team does when we pressure wash a house, it starts with first getting your supplies ready!

• Pressure washer (Extension Pole/Telescoping Wand ~Optional)
• Soap/Solution
• 10-20 gallon Bucket 
• Spray Nozzle w/Spray tips and Syphon tube (for soap/solution)
• Garden hose and access to a water faucet
• Eye Goggles
• Plastic covering

2. Set the stage!

• Use plastic covering on any light fixtures, outdoor furniture, shrubbery/flowers, or any outdoor items in the surrounding area to avoid impact damage
• Close all windows and doors tightly 
• Pour soap/solution in the 10-20 gallon bucket, placing the syphon tube in it afterward
• Hook up pressure washer w/garden hose connected to a water faucet 
• Prepare Nozzle w/necessary spray tip, categorized by angle and/or width.
• Wear your Goggles!

3. Pressure Wash! 

• Turn on the faucet!
• Spray vertically/horizontally in a steady motion top to bottom on only the surface intended to be washed typically 1-2 feet away. Never attempt to spray anyone! Cleaning higher stories may require additional investment of an extension pole/telescoping wand. 
• Let the solution sit for 5-10 min, avoid direct sunlight! 
• Remove syphon tube, press button on nozzle to remove excess soap/solution, spray cleaned surface down again. 

What to Pressure Wash

The purpose of a pressure wash is to use high pressure to remove caked on algae, mold, mildew, lose paint, grime, etc., you otherwise couldn’t remove. 

That being said, there are obviously different surfaces that can handle so much pressure before resulting in costly damage. 

CAN be pressure washed:

• Garage floors/driveways/sidewalks/stairways
• Fencing
• Wood decks
• Cars/trucks/boats (*Be mindful of windows/loose objects; generally can’t sustain prolonged pressure*)
• Vinyl/brick exteriors 

CAN’T be pressure washed:

• Painted Surfaces 
• Aged Surfaces 
• Roofs
• Stained Wood surfaces 

Never Pressure Wash Your Roof! 

This can’t be stated enough! Don’t be that guy. Pressure washing your roof is not only a serious safety hazard due to its ability to recoil powerfully and cause an accident, but it also can loosen roof shingles that may make the foundation of the roof vulnerable to the elements. 

What you do to clean your roof is laid out here, but cleaning your roof is actually a process called “Soft Roof Washing.”

You should never use pressure washing on your roof!

Be Smart. Roof cleaning is not a DIY job. Hire a professional roof cleaning team.

How to Find a Local Pressure Washing Company

If you just read everything and realized that pressure washing is more of a task than you might have initially thought, it might be worth considering having a pressure washing company do it.

Typically, we can do it very quickly and very affordably. In fact you can look at pressure washing prices here (they’re really not bad).

A simple “near me” search will allow you to compare prices and services in your area. May vary on where you live.

Finding a local pressure washing company is a smart choice to ensure proper cleaning and maintenance of your home’s exterior. You get what you pay for, so Cost-effectiveness is key! Cheapest doesn’t always mean the best. 

Save yourself some time, money, and unneeded hassle like I mentioned by doing your  research and investing with a long-term mindset! 

Final Word on Pressure Washing:

Pressure Washing is probably the last item on the to-do list, but it should be more of a top priority. Built on grime, mildew, mold, etc., can cause exterior damage and be costly to repair if overlooked and/or not treated correctly. 

Plus, on a serious note, power washing is a very dangerous form of cleaning as it can cause blindness and inflict serious damage such as removal of skin or accidents/falls due to heavy recoiling from time to time. 

Honestly, for the amount of times you do it, and the risk/reward involved, contact a professional to get the job done.

Don’t try to save the day, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing. Use your Brain. Hire someone.

To reach out to Bright Exterior Cleaning and schedule a time to learn about pressure washing just use the button below! We proudly serve all of Northern Virginia!