With springtime just around the corner, it’s time to refresh your home’s facade and give it a brand-new look. Apart from doing major renovations on your property, a simple and effective way to make your place sparkling clean is to have your house power washed! However, you’re probably wondering how long it takes to power wash your house. 

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about professional power washing services for your home including, what is power washing, how long it takes to power wash a house, and other factors related to the task.

Understanding Power Washing

First things first: you need to know what you’re getting yourself into. What is power washing and how does it benefit you?

What Is Power Washing?

If you’re not familiar with the concept, power washing is a method that uses pressurized water to get rid of algae, mold, mildew, grime, dirt and other contaminants on outdoor surfaces. 

Also known as pressure washing, this process involves the use of a powered machine combined with a specialized cleaning solution to remove dirt from your home’s exterior walls.

5 Benefits of Hiring a Professional to Power Wash Your House

By power washing your home regularly, you can enjoy a wide array of advantages, from enhancing the appearance of your property to extending the lifespan of your walls and everything in between. 

To give you a more concrete idea, here are 5 of the benefits you can expect from hiring a professional power washing company.

1. Maintains Your Property’s Value

The value of your home greatly depends on its condition. If your home is dirty, damaged, or rundown, its value will diminish over time. 

By power washing your home regularly, you can ensure that your home will maintain its value — perhaps even increase it — over time.

2. Improves the Health of Your Family

Due to external factors like changing weather and pollution, harmful particles such as mildew and algae can thrive on the exterior walls of your home.

Not only will they make your home look outdated and rundown, but they will also release allergens that may negatively impact the health of everyone living in the house. 

To avoid unnecessary exposure to these substances, be sure to get professional power washing services that can remove dirt and harmful particles from your home.

3. Increases Your Curb Appeal

Increasing your curb appeal goes hand-in-hand with maintaining the value of your home. To put it simply, hiring a power enhances your property’s aesthetic, which in turn can increase your curb appeal. 

Don’t wait until layers of grime, dirt, and other substances ruin the pristine appearance of your house. Power wash every square foot of your house to elevate its look.

4. Reduces the Number of Home Repairs Needed

Additionally, if your house remains dirty for long periods of time, it may be hard for you to pinpoint damaged areas that may need immediate attention. When left unchecked, the damage can give rise to deterioration and result in costly repairs.

One way to avoid such a predicament is by making sure that your home exterior is clean and tidy. In doing so, you can instantly target areas that need maintenance, thereby preventing costly repairs in the long run.

5. Primes Your Surfaces 

If you ever want to take on a renovation or improvement project like repainting your house, power washing your home can prime your surface so you can repaint it with ease. 

Power washing primes the surfaces by ensuring it is flat and even so the paint can adhere to them better.

What’s more, if you remove all the gunk from the outside, you can see the cracks and holes that you need to fill before applying any paint. 

Taking this step will result in better outcomes for your home improvement projects. 

What factors Affect Power Washing Time

Now that you know the what and the why behind power washing a house, it’s time to move on to the how. In this case: how long does it take to power wash your house?

To answer this question, you need to look at several factors that can impact the duration of the task such as:

Size and Layout of Your Home

Depending on the size and layout of your home, the time it takes to power wash your property may vary. Compared to smaller and simpler homes, larger homes (such as a  2,000 or 4,000-square-foot home) with a complex layout will require more time, costs, and effort to clean.

If you have a big house, the professional washer will need more time to wash all the walls and reach areas that are otherwise difficult to clean.

Level of Dirt and Grime Buildup

Another important factor to consider is the level of dirt and grime build-up. Homes that have accumulated layers of dirt and grime will require more time to clean since the cleaners will likely need to do multiple rounds of power washing to ensure that the surface is thoroughly clean. 

Likewise, if there are holes and cracks on the surface, your power or pressure washer may need a few more hours to repair the exterior damages.

Type of Equipment and Cleaning Solution Used

Along with the other factors, the type of cleaning solution and equipment your professional power washer uses will determine how fast they can get the job done.

For example, high-pressure washers that spray a soap and water mixture directly onto the walls can get the job done much faster than the equivalent of a garden hose with low pressure. 

Make sure you hire a power washing company that utilizes high-quality equipment and cleaning solutions that are safe for the material of your walls.

Estimating the Time for Power Washing

By taking these factors into account, you can already get an idea of how long it takes to power wash a house. But if you want to paint a clearer picture of the time needed to complete the task, here are other ways to estimate power washing time requirements.

What is the Average Time for Power Washing a House 

On average, it takes anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to professionally power or pressure wash a house. However, it will take much longer if you decide to do it yourself.

From gathering all the necessary equipment to prepping the surface for your work and packing up at the end of the day, you can take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours to accomplish this task if you decide to do it yourself. That’s why it’s best to hire professionals to do it for you.

Other Factors That Affect Power Washing Time

Besides the main factors mentioned above, other factors can contribute to the amount of time needed to finish the job. These include the following:

• Current weather conditions
• The cleaner’s level of experience
• Type of surface being cleaned

Is it raining or is the sun shining? Does your cleaner have years of experience or is new to the field? Do you have concrete, brick, aluminum, or vinyl surfaces? 

These questions are essential to ask because the most minute details can have an impact on the duration of the project.

How to Estimate Time for Power Washing Your Home

To get a more accurate estimate of the duration, you need to factor in the following:

• Square footage of your home
• The cleanliness of your surfaces
• The number of cleaners doing the job
• The power washing equipment the company uses

In addition, take into consideration the amount of time needed for prep work. This includes:

• Gathering the equipment and the cleaning solution
• inspecting the perimeter of the house
• Donning proper gear. 

While you can take a guess based on these elements, the more appropriate solution is to ask your service provider. They can give you a more precise estimate of how long it will take them to complete the task.

Hiring the Right Power Washing Company

Let’s face it: finding the best power washing company in Florida — whether it be in Tampa, Brandon, or Plant City — can be challenging. With so many options available, it can be difficult to pinpoint which company will work best for you and meet your needs. 

To make the process more manageable for you, here are some things that you can explore to find the right power washing company.

Questions To Ask a Power Washing Company

Besides doing your research and reaching out to potential companies, asking the right questions is a surefire way to get substantial insight into how each company operates. Some of the questions you can ask include:

• Does your company have insurance?
• Do your company’s technicians possess the proper certifications?
• What is your power washing process?
• What power washing equipment does your company use?
• Can you show me examples and reviews of previous work that your company has done?
• Do you offer 100 percent customer satisfaction? 

4 Tips to Finding a Reputable and Experienced Power Washing Company

Besides asking these questions, you also need to do your part and evaluate the competencies of each company. Some of the tips that can help you in this regard are the following.

1. Don’t Settle for the Company With the Lowest Price

The cheapest services don’t always equate to high-quality work. It’s important to look at all of your options — even if some are more expensive than others — and have an open mind. 

Power washing is an investment. No matter how much it costs — if you’re sure the company will get the job done and give you the best results — it will always be worth your money. 

2. Consider Flexibility

You probably live a busy life and sometimes, your free time is limited. If that’s the case, it’s important to find a company that offers maximum flexibility. 

If they’re willing to meet you at a convenient time and adjust to your schedule, then they’re likely a good fit for you.

3. Read Reviews and Testimonials Before Making a Final Decision

Getting to know a company by reading their website is not enough. Make sure you find reviews from their previous clients to gauge whether they can suit your needs or not.

4. Get an Accurate Quote

Once you find a company you’re satisfied with, get a quote for their services. This will help you understand the work required, the time it will take to accomplish, and the manpower involved, which in turn can help you make a more informed decision on whether or not they’re the right fit for you.

Frequently Asked Questions about Power Washing

Need more guidance on the subject? Here are some of the most common questions, answered. 

How often should I get my house power washed?

At the very least, you should power wash your home 1 to 2 times every year. That said, you need to schedule an appointment with your power washing company every 6 months.

Ideally, schedule the service during March and November. These months offer the best weather conditions to allow for a fast and efficient power washing service.

Will power washing damage my home?

When done incorrectly, power washing can damage your home. The high-pressure water can penetrate the surface, create holes in the wall, and damage the siding.

To avoid these negative results, it’s best to hire professionals. Professionals are knowledgeable and experienced in handling a power washer. They know the best practices to enforce and mistakes to avoid to give you the best results.

What is the difference between power washing and pressure washing?

Power washing and pressure washing are often used interchangeably. However, there are slight differences between the two. 

On the one hand, power washing uses highly pressurized steam to clean the house. On the other hand, pressure washing uses unheated water to clean the house. 

But regardless of these nuances, both methods are highly effective in getting rid of dirt and grime lining your exterior walls.

What should I do to prepare my home for power washing?

To prepare your home for this service, you need to secure all openings, including windows and doors. Additionally, you need to cover the electrical outlets outside and remove any potential hazards. 

If you have vehicles, plants, pets, and other obstacles outdoors, make sure to relocate them accordingly to provide a clear and open space for your technicians to work.

What equipment do professional power washing companies use?

While the type of professional equipment used may vary from one company to another, the essentials remain the same.

These include:

• Power washing gear (pumps, power washer, nozzles, surface cleaners, engines, chemicals)
• Vehicle to transport and haul all equipment.

Contact Peach Painting for Your Power Washing Needs

To conclude, power washing is an integral component of maintaining the condition and value of your home. To get the best results, you need to hire professional services. 

Peach Painting offers professional painting and power washing services in Tampa, Valrico, Brandon, Plant City, and the surrounding areas. We have a team of experts who can finish the job in as fast as 30 minutes. 

If you want to get started on refreshing the exterior of your home, contact us today at (813) 798-5074 or fill out our contact form to get a free quote.