An additional section on costs and considerations was added with information on insurance, engraving, gutter cleaning and inlet sealing after washing. Yes, a mixture of three parts vinegar to seven parts water is often used to help kill mold or algae in the coating. Similarly, if you live on a main road or in a densely populated urban area, your home accumulates dust and debris much faster and you'll need to pressure wash it at least twice a year to maintain appearances. Many people choose to pressure wash their homes in spring, but there's no better time than another if the house is dirty.
Many roofing materials should never be pressure washed, as this can remove the protective layers of the material and cause leaks in the future. Gentle washing is another type of cleaning that uses environmentally friendly cleaning products and low pressure water. After pressure washing the house, you may decide that it's a good idea to repaint the entire structure. Pressure washing uses hot water or hot steam and may include the same cleaners as pressure washing, depending on the application.
This is because commercial pressure washing requires a much stronger machine that can handle larger surfaces and tough debris. On the other hand, homes in suburban areas that experience mild weather patterns and pleasant temperatures probably only need to be pressure washed once a year. From the homeowner's point of view, it's not cost-effective to wash a house just before winter sets in; the combination of moisture, weaker sunlight, and longer nights can mean that mold or mildew takes hold before the patio is reopened the following spring, and the house will have to be washed again. Concrete detergent breaks up dirt, grease and oil and makes pressure washing easier and faster.
However, make sure that if your concrete is a special material or has delicate details, use a gentle or low-pressure wash to avoid causing damage. This method involves using a heavy-duty pressure washer to remove dirt, debris, and more from surfaces with high-pressure hot water. Power washing equipment isn't cheap, and for something you'll only use once or twice a year, it's usually more than most homeowners want to pay. Pressure washing ceilings requires specialized service and includes an additional risk due to the nature of the work.
In general, it is both preferable and less expensive to pressure wash a home during the warmer months of the year. Pressure washing can remove dirt that wasn't necessarily obvious and improve the look of the house without making any real changes.
