The Best Time to Pressure Wash Your House

Washing a house is all about temperature

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  • Spring is the best time for powerwashing a house, when temperatures stay between 40 and 75 degrees to prevent freezing or heat-related streaking.

  • Expect to pay $200 to $420 for professional pressure washing services, with full-home projects costing $700 or more depending on your home's size.

  • You should pressure wash your home once yearly to remove dirt, mold, and mildew buildup caused by weather and environmental factors like pollen or storms.

  • Hiring a local power washing professional keeps you safe from injury risks and property damage while ensuring every spot gets thoroughly cleaned without missing areas.

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Many homeowners recognize pressure washing as one of the most efficient and effective ways to clean a house's exterior. However, it's not as obvious exactly when to wash, as every season comes with its own unique challenges. The simple answer is that spring is the best time to pressure wash most parts of a house. Even so, there are other factors to weigh, which we break down in this guide.

When to Pressure Wash

A man pressure washing the exterior of a house
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You should pressure wash your house once a year. The best time to wash a house exterior is during spring when temperatures are between 40 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring is ideal because wet winter weather from the previous season may have caused dirt, mold, and mildew to build up in vulnerable areas. This includes roofs, gutters, decks, and siding.

You can also pressure wash during milder temperature days in the fall, but leaves and other debris may fall onto your house right after you've washed it. This can be a good time of year to clean hard surfaces such as driveways, patios, porches, and stone features.

The Best Time of Day to Power Wash

You can pressure wash your home anytime from dawn to dusk, as long as there's enough visibility to see spots that may need to be cleaned. If you avoid extreme wind or rain, washing during any weather is also acceptable.

Factors That Affect Home Exterior Pressure Washing

A senior woman pressure washing the siding of a house
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Several things impact when and how often you should pressure wash your house, including the climate, temperature, and other environmental factors.

Climate

Homes in humid climates may be more susceptible to mold and mildew growth. If you see a visible buildup of grime on your home, it's a good idea to pressure wash at the next safe opportunity, even if you already washed earlier that year.

Outdoor Temperature

When temperatures exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit, heat and direct sunlight can cause stains and streaks to form after pressure washing. On the other extreme, temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit create a freezing risk when washing, which can cause more harm than good.

Local Environment

Environmental factors that can cause excess buildup include leafy trees, sap, pollen, heavy storms, nearby construction, vehicle exhaust, and forest fires. These factors may cause you to pressure wash more frequently than once yearly.

The Worst Time to Pressure Wash Your House

You should not pressure wash your house during periods of extreme high or low temperatures or during any major weather events. Pressure washing when the outdoor temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit can leave ice behind, posing safety risks.

Meanwhile, pressure washing under intense sunlight when temperatures are above 75 degrees Fahrenheit can cause stains and streaks to form and may interfere with the performance of cleaning chemicals.

Cost to Pressure Wash Your House

The cost to pressure wash a house ranges between $200 and $420 on average, depending on the extent of the job. If you're paying to have your entire home pressure washed, it could cost $700 or more.

Pressure washing pros charge $25 to $100 per hour, while renting a pressure washer only costs $35 to $175 per day. You can also purchase your own pressure washer for $100 to $1,000, depending on the quality of the machine. Investing more in a high-quality appliance may be worthwhile since you’ll only have to pay once for a washer that lasts many years.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro to Pressure Wash Your House

Pressure washing can be a relatively easy DIY job if you know how to pressure wash your house safely. Understand the strength of your machine and the limits of your siding, roofing, and decking materials.

Damage from high-pressure water on soft surfaces like wood can inadvertently compromise your home's protection against moisture, pests, mold, mildew, and other dangers. Too much pressure can strip paint and finish, loosen siding to create gaps, leave damaged seals on windows and doors, and crack or splinter wood.

Pressure washing also comes with personal risk, since the strong spray can injure you or others if it touches your skin. To avoid these risks to yourself and your home, hire a local pressure washing pro with the proper training and safety equipment. A pro will also ensure that no spot gets missed.

Frequently Asked Questions

The ideal frequency for pressure washing depends on the surface being cleaned and your local environmental conditions. For a home's exterior with siding that is safe to wash (such as vinyl, cement, or aluminum), a full wash once or twice a year is a good guideline to remove accumulated dirt, grime, mold, and mildew. You may need to wash more frequently if you live in an area with heavy rain or snow, near a dirt road, or if you notice excessive buildup. Other surfaces have different schedules; for example, a frequently used driveway may need cleaning more often, while outdoor patio furniture might only need to be washed every few years. Use your discretion based on how dirty the area gets.

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