Pressure washing or power washing can absolutely damage you siding and/or roof. It is best practice to use a ‘soft wash’ cleaning method for siding and roof cleaning. 

Soft washing is a cleaning method using low pressure and specialized soaps or chemicals to safely remove mold, algae, mildew, bacteria, and organic spores and elements. Soft washing or to soft wash is the most common and recommended cleaning practice for roofs and home siding. 

Exterior cleanings are very similar to landscaping, almost all homes should be conducting maintenance cleanings on surfaces a minimum of once a year. It is recommended to clean surfaces twice a year, once early spring as the wet seasons begin and once in the fall to ‘winterize’. On rare occasions depending on environmental surroundings that gutters, or surfaces would need to be cleaned 3 to 4 times a year.

This, like all exterior surfaces, is directly related to environmental conditions. House cleaning should be a yearly occurrence as it will clean, protect, and prolong the life of your siding. 

Roof cleaning is commonly misunderstood. When you can see moss and organic spores growing on your roof, you are late to the party! That doesn’t mean it can’t be cleaned but it does mean that damage is actively being done. Surfaces need to be maintained yearly and cleaning should be ongoing. Surfaces are just like landscaping, you can always catch up, you can always replace, or you can continuously maintain. The good news is you don’t have to clean your roof every week!  

Pressure or power washing can absolutely harm certain surfaces. For example, a roof should NEVER be pressure washed or power washed but should be soft washed with low pressure. Pressure washing or power washing should be used for some buildings, vehicles, concrete, pavers, brick, vinyl, and woods. 

Pressure washing or power washing is an extremely effective was to clean moss, mildew, and mold off surfaces. Since moss, mildew, and mold are all organic spores they can and will grow back, the best way to get rid of organic spores is with the appropriate chemicals. 

Pavers and brick are very porous surfaces and the best way to clean them would be to pressure wash or power wash them, then set them with the correct polymeric sand, and a water-resistant sealer.  

Moss can and will damage hard surfaces, roofs, siding, decks, concrete, wooden decks, or fences. Moss can and will shorten the lifespan of driveways, walkways and all exterior surfaces. The main problem with moss and organic spores is that it is spread by wind and water. Moss attaches to the surface with a network of fibrous rhizoids and not grows on top of the surface but will find a way under most surfaces and act almost like a jack to a car. The most common example is when moss is growing on a roof it can quickly damage the shingles and allow water to get under the roofs top layer of protection. 

You sure can! Just remember that not all surfaces can handle pressure washing or power washing and it can cause costly damages to your house, your roof, your car, and any surface including you and your body. To successfully clean a surface, you should be using soaps, chemicals, different nozzles, and sometimes a surface cleaner. 

When surfaces or really anything is not maintained and kept clean then it does not meet expectations, can cause a danger, and will not last or function correctly as you would expect or hope. For example, when a roof is maintained and cleaned it can easily last 10+ years but if the surface is not maintained or cleaned then organic spores will destroy the roof and expose your house or building to expensive water damage. 

The most preferred time of year is spring as it will clean your exterior surfaces like how most people perform a ‘spring cleaning’ on the inside. When the weather gets better, and daylight hours extend it is the best time of year to entertain guests and show off your beautiful home. 

The PNW has a high level of humidity and commonly has consistently wet weather for some seasons like spring, some winters, and fall. For a blanket answer, yes, surfaces in the PNW do need yearly washing and that could mean ‘more washing’ compared to most other climates. 

It is always suggested to call, message, email, request a quote prior to your desired time frame for a cleaning. It is not uncommon to be completely booked for 2 to 4 weeks at a time. Call us today and lets get you scheduled to avoid any concern or issues, and best practice would be to request a yearly contact or follow up appointment to prepare well in advance. Check out our Services to learn more.