House washing and pressure washing in Naperville, IL

Soft washing versus pressure washing

Most of a house should not be pressure washed. A high-pressure stream can drive water behind vinyl siding and into window frames, raise the grain on wood and strip paint that was still sound. Siding, trim and painted surfaces are washed with low pressure and a cleaner that breaks down mildew and dirt, then rinsed.

Hard surfaces are different. Concrete driveways, walks, patios and pavers take higher pressure and a surface cleaner that keeps the stripes out. We match the method to the surface, and we protect plants, outlets and lights before any water goes on.

What is included in a house wash

• Plants wet down and covered
• Outlets, lights and fixtures protected
• Windows closed and checked
• Low-pressure wash on siding and trim
• Mildew cleaner on shaded walls
• Rinse from top to bottom
• Surface cleaner on concrete
• Walks and patio rinsed clean

Siding Wash Before Painting

Paint does not bond to dirt, chalk or mildew, so every exterior job we do starts with a full wash. Siding, trim and soffits are cleaned with low pressure and a cleaner suited to the surface, then rinsed top to bottom. Chalky aluminum and old paint get extra scrubbing where the chalk is heavy. The house then needs a full dry day before scraping or priming, which is built into the schedule from the start, not squeezed in. Any loose paint the wash lifts is a sign that area needs scraping before primer.

Driveways, Walks and Patios

Concrete and pavers collect tire marks, leaf stains, moss in the joints and the gray film that makes a house look neglected. We clean them with a rotary surface cleaner that gives an even result without the wand stripes, then rinse the joints and edges by hand. Oil stains lighten but rarely disappear entirely. Pavers can be resanded and sealed after cleaning if you want, which we quote as a separate line. Rust and fertilizer stains get a separate treatment where they will lift.

Green Mildew on Shaded Walls

North walls, walls behind shrubs and siding under trees stay damp longer, and green or black mildew grows there first. Pressure alone pushes it around; it needs a cleaner that kills it, enough dwell time and a thorough rinse. We spray the affected walls, let the cleaner work, and rinse with low pressure. Cutting back shrubs that touch the siding slows the regrowth; we can point out which ones are holding moisture against the house. A follow-up rinse a few days later is not usually needed once the cleaner has done its work.

Washing inside the Chicago-area season

Signs the house needs a wash

How we wash a house

1. 1

   Protect

   Plants, outlets, lights and windows checked and covered.

2. 2

   Apply cleaner

   Mildew and dirt cleaner on siding, with dwell time.

3. 3

   Rinse

   Low pressure from top to bottom.

4. 4

   Clean concrete

   Surface cleaner on drives, walks and patios.

5. 5

   Final rinse

   Plants and walks rinsed, covers removed.

What moves the price of washing

Washing is priced by the area and the surfaces, not by the hour.

• Siding area and the number of stories
• Heavy mildew or algae that needs more cleaner
• Driveway, walk and patio square footage
• Plants, decks and outlets to protect
• Washing alone or as prep before painting