Power Washing 101

How-To

Sometimes, the most dramatic exterior transformation comes from restoring what you already have. Want to reduce the likelihood of mildew, mold, and other unwanted damage to your home’s exterior? Read on to learn the fundamentals of power washing.

What is Power Washing?

A two story house with dirty siding that could benefit from power washing.

A power or pressure washer is a machine that exerts water at a force significantly greater than a garden hose. It’s particularly valuable for cleaning outdoor surfaces like siding, driveways, pavers, decks, and hard-to-reach areas.

Regular power washing can help to eliminate harmful growth that can damage your home’s exterior and affect indoor air quality.

Before You Begin

While it may not be inherently difficult, pressure washing takes a fair amount of planning.

Know Your Home

Your exterior type determines whether power washing is appropriate and what pressure level to use:

Surfaces Not Recommended for Power Washing: Windows, bottle-dash stucco, rock-dash stucco, surfaces with lead paint, roof or siding shingles, fiber cement siding
Surfaces Recommended for Low Pressure (1,000-1,500 PSI): Painted surfaces, soft-grain wood, traditional stucco, aluminum siding
Surfaces Recommended for Medium-High Pressure (2,500-3,000 PSI): Vinyl siding, brick, stone, and steel siding

Pro Tip: When cleaning delicate surfaces, use a wide spray nozzle for a gentler water distribution.

Timing is Everything

A green, one-story POWER house with clean siding.

It’s best to power wash your siding when it’s not too hot or cold outside, making spring or autumn the ideal seasons. Hot summer temperatures can cause cleaning solutions to dry too quickly, potentially leaving soap residue or streaks.

Depending on the size of your house, this project could take anywhere from a couple of hours to a full day. Set aside adequate time to complete the job properly.

What You’ll Need

A pressure washer with the appropriate PSI range for your siding type
Extension or telescoping wands for multi-story homes
House and siding-specific cleaning solution (optional)
Protective gear: close-toe shoes, safety goggles, and clothes you don’t mind getting wet
Plastic tarps to cover landscaping, windows, and doors

Safety warning: Never use a ladder while operating a pressure washer. For multi-story homes, invest in extension wands or consider hiring professionals.

Step-by-Step Process for Power Washing Your Siding

Prepare the Area: Cover your landscaping, windows, doors, gaps in siding, and exterior fixtures
Mix Cleaning Solution: Follow the product instructions carefully
Apply Solution: Work from bottom to top to prevent streaking
Let the Solution Sit: Follow the product instructions carefully
Power Wash: Using side-to-side motions, start from the bottom and move upwards. Keep the nozzle at least three feet from the siding and away from your body.

Be intentional about your spraying to prevent damage or injury. If misused, pressure washers can:

Cause exterior materials to chip or break
Cut through skin
Shatter windows and damage frames
Cause leaks

Beyond Cleaning

Throughout this process, inspect your home’s exterior for potential issues. Look for cracks, warping, or gaps in siding. The earlier you address this type of damage, the easier and more affordable it will be to repair.

Be mindful of the frequency of power washing because it could cause fading. However, sometimes, even power washing can’t save your siding.