The Benefits of Power Washing

A person doing power washing of his garden

If you’re thinking of buying or renting a power washer, you probably already understand that it’s a useful piece of equipment with the ability to clean surfaces quickly and deeply. But if you haven’t already pulled the trigger on this purchase, you may be wondering if it’s useful ENOUGH to justify the cost.

Here are some of the biggest benefits of a power washer.

What is Power Washing?

Power washing uses a highly pressurized stream of water to wash away dirt, debris, mildew, and other buildups from outdoor surfaces. The difference between power washing and the similarly-named pressure washing is that power washing uses hot water, while pressure washing does not.

Power Washing vs. Pressure Washing

Both power washing and pressure washing are used interchangeably, but because pressure washing doesn’t use hot water, it isn’t as effective at removing moss, mold, or other tough stains on concrete. However, it’s still great at removing dirt.

Both types of washing are better in different situations. For regular household use, go for pressure washing, as it isn’t as harsh on surfaces like brick and concrete. For larger projects like driveways and patios, go for power washing, as the heated water helps loosen the dirt.

For the purposes of this article, let’s consider power washing and pressure washing to be one and the same thing.

Benefits

A man doing power washing of concrete pathway
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Prevents Damage

Substances like grime, mildew, and algae can grow and feed on the exterior of your home, causing permanent damage. Crevices are particularly vulnerable, but mildew and mold love shady areas and can grow unchecked for years if not properly treated.

Power washing removes all of these harmful substances from your home, reaching the nooks and crannies of your home that you might otherwise miss. 

Saves Money

A little preventative maintenance goes a long way, and in this case, power washing your home’s exterior is less expensive than repairs. Power washing helps your home retain value while keeping it clean.

Saves Time and Energy

Power washing is the most efficient way to clean the outside of your home. The alternative is to use cleaning solutions, climb ladders, and scrub stains, all of which can take hours. By power washing, you save time and effort that you could be using to focus on other household chores.

Prevents Allergen Buildup

Mold spores, pollen, and dust mites trigger allergies. Power washing keeps all these substances out of your home, protecting your family’s health.

Increases Curb Appeal

A clean house is better than a dirty house, right? Power washing makes your house look good as new by removing stains and dirt from its exterior surfaces. It also justifies spending money on landscaping and decorations, as your home’s cleanliness would complement them well.

Enhances Property Value

If you plan on selling your home, it needs to look spotless, and power washing helps do that. Power washing gives your house the impression that it just got a fresh paint job, making it much more attractive to potential buyers.

Cost

If you have a 2,000-square-foot home, expect to pay between $200 and $300 on average for professional power washing. Power washing generally costs between $.25 and $.75 per square foot. 

DIY

A man doing power washing of concrete driveway
Photo Credit: Backyard Productions / Canva Pro / License

If you feel comfortable with power washing, you can do it yourself. There are several tips you should follow to obtain the best results.

Choosing the Right Power Washer

When picking a power washer, you must understand how large the job is. A less powerful, electric model will work on smaller jobs, like cleaning the siding or walkway. However, larger jobs like paint removal require a more powerful model, like a gas power washer.

Renting a power washer costs $40 and $100 from your local home improvement store. Buying an electric model costs between $100 to $400, while a gas model costs between $300 and $600.

Preparation

Do the following before power washing:

  • Cover plants, furniture, and any other items your power washer could damage
  • Tape over electrical outlets
  • Wear safety goggles, work gloves, and hearing protection to protect yourself from the power washer’s high-pressure stream and noise.

Effective Washing Tips

  1. Start with the siding. Clean off the dirt and grime on your home’s siding, as if left alone, it can spread and permanently damage your home’s exterior.
  2. Wash one section at a time. Not only does this simplify the washing process, but it lets you focus on making each section as clean as possible.
  3. Clean from the bottom up. This keeps drips and suds from running down your house.
  4. Maintenance. After you’re finished washing, clean your machine to prevent rust, corrosion, and other damage. Check for any leaks or damage and store the power washer in a safe and dry location.

Need more help? Check out this complete guide to power washing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Frequently Should You Power Wash Your House?

It’s advisable to power wash your home every 6 to 12 months to keep mold and mildew at bay. It’s also a good idea to break out the power washer before you paint a surface.. 

What Are the Best Products To Use When Power Washing?

You can use almost any liquid soap or detergent with a power washer, although there are types of soap and detergent formulated specifically for siding, driveways, decks, and other surfaces.

What Alternatives Are There to Power Washing?

Soft washing is a good alternative to power washing. Power washers can cause surface damage if the pressure is too high, while soft washing uses a low-pressure wash and rinse system to clean surfaces.

Washing the Dirt Away

Power washing increases your home’s curb appeal, provides health benefits, and saves you money. If you’re ready to give your home a makeover and don’t want to spend the money yourself, contact our pros, who will turn your home from ordinary to extraordinary. 

Main Image Credit: Canva Pro / License

Stuart Kushner

Stuart Kushner

Stuart Kushner is a writer and aspiring product designer based in New York City. When he isn’t doing either, Stuart enjoys heavy metal music, exercise, and trying new food and drinks.