How Often Should You Pressure Wash Your House?

Many people wonder, how often should you pressure wash your house? Unfortunately, the answer is more complicated than you may think. Knowing how often you should pressure wash your home is essential to keep it beautiful and strong.

This article will dive deeper into how often you should pressure wash based on various factors, but the quick answer is that you should pressure wash your home at least once a year, if not more frequently. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know.

Factors Influencing Pressure Washing Frequency

Many people can pressure wash once a year to keep their home in excellent condition, but you may need to pressure wash more often, depending on where you live and the materials used in your home.

Climate and Weather Conditions

The climate of your area might be the number one contributing factor to how often you should pressure wash. The weather around you has a massive impact on the exterior of your home. Humid regions and coastal regions often require the most pressure washing.

If you live in a place with high and frequent humidity, you should pressure wash a few times a year. The moisture leads to mold and mildew growth, which can eventually cause rot, compromising the integrity of your home’s structure and foundation.

Coastal regions should also be cleaned more than once a year, as the salt from the ocean air has a corrosive impact on the outside of houses. The moist ocean air will also lead to mold, mildew, and, eventually, rot.

On the other hand, homes in arid climates will not require as frequent pressure washing to prevent rot, but they may get dirtier and look dirtier without frequent power washing.

Surrounding Environment

The climate and weather are not the only environmental factors influencing how often you should pressure wash. If you live near a large city, many factories, or other industrial locations, pollution may make your house dirtier faster, requiring more frequent pressure washing.

If a lot of trees surround your home, the foliage can also cause buildup on your home. Sap, bird droppings, and leaves can accumulate on your exterior, so people surrounded by vegetation should clean more often.

Type of Siding and Materials

Another major factor in how often you clean your house is what type of siding your home has. Some roofing and siding materials cling to dirt, debris, and grime more easily, so consider this when settling on a pressure washing schedule. Metal and asphalt shingle roofs will not get as dirty as fast as tile or clay.

Brick, wood, and vinyl siding require the most frequent exterior cleaning, while stucco is more resistant to buildup and does not need as much attention.

The type of siding will also influence how you should pressure wash, as wood is more delicate and requires a more gentle approach. Knowing how and how often to power wash various types of siding can be difficult, so it’s usually best to hire a professional.

Maintenance History

Interestingly, your maintenance history will also influence how often you clean. If your home is relatively new or you have been taking excellent care of it, you can space out your pressure washing more.

On the other hand, if your house has been neglected for several years, you will need to pressure wash more frequently to keep up with the buildup. A consistent cleaning schedule and thoughtful maintenance will also prevent damage and save you from costly repairs.

Recommended Pressure Washing Schedule

How often should you pressure wash your house? To help you create an effective pressure cleaning schedule, refer to the recommended frequency below, based on your region. Consider your siding and roof materials, maintenance history, and surrounding environment, and add to the schedule as needed.

• New England: Wash once per year in the late spring after the snow melts
• Mid-Atlantic: Clean twice a year, once in spring and once in fall
• Great Lakes: Wash once per year, in late spring or early summer
• The Plains: Clean once per year during spring
• Southeast: Wash twice a year, once in spring and once in fall
• Southwest: Clean once a year in the spring or summer
• Pacific Northwest: Wash one to two times a year according to environment

DIY vs. Professional Pressure Washing

If you’re considering pressure washing your home on your own, there are some things to know. Below are the factors to consider when hiring a professional pressure washer or cleaning your home yourself.

Cost

For many people, the cost of hiring a pressure washer is a commanding factor in their decision. Hiring a pressure washer can feel expensive, but it’s often worth the effort you save. Also, you need to rent a pressure washing machine to do it yourself, which can be pretty costly.

Safety and Risk

Many don’t realize how dangerous using a pressure washer can be. The powerful spray can cause severe wounds, and if you plan to power wash your roof, you may even need to climb a ladder. To avoid these risks, it’s best to hire a professional.

Equipment

As mentioned, you need the right equipment to pressure wash your home. Finding, renting, and transporting this equipment can be a significant hassle. It’s often easier to hire a pro who already has all the necessary equipment and knows how to use it.

Experience and Knowledge

One of the top reasons to hire a professional pressure washing service instead of doing it yourself is because professionals have the experience and knowledge to get the job done correctly and efficiently. Even if you have all the right equipment and drive to do it, the results will likely not be as good or thorough as if you hire an experienced power washing service.

Maintaining Your Home’s Appearance

As mentioned, pressure washing your home can prevent rot and other structural issues, saving you from expensive repairs. However, power washing keeps the exterior surface of your home looking lovely and clean, increasing curb appeal and making you feel comfortable.

And pressure cleaning isn’t just for your siding. You can also use a professional power washing service to do other exterior cleaning, like concrete surfaces. Pressure washing is essential for keeping your home sparkling and beautiful