Short Answer: At least once per year.
I personally softwash the front elevation of our home 5 or 6 times per year and the sides and rear elevation at least once. I clean the front multiple times as I can’t stand the bugs that build up around our soffit lights.
If you have ever wondered how often should one pressure wash their home’s exterior well it’s pretty easy to tell without even walking outside. If it’s been one year or longer then it needs it. If you do not know what to look for simply monitor the vinyl soffits around the perimeter of your roof overhang. Your homes vinyl soffits are typically white in color so they easily show dirt, mold, spider web nests, etc… If the vinyl does not look crispy white then it’s time for a cleaning. Another easy way to tell is to look at your exterior door and window trim which is typically white in color. If your trim is showing dirt and mold then your home would benefit from a professional softwash service. To further reinforce why you should have your home professionally soft washed is to look in your home owners operations & maintenance manuals. Most home builders now provide literature recommending that the Owner softwash their home exterior at least once per year!
The average person does not have the knowledge or skill to uniformly and/or safely clean their home without causing damage. Exterior cleaning is in no way rocket science, but unless you have the know how you will cause damage. An in-experienced home Owner with a house hold pressure washer will cause more harm than good.
DIY’ers often times
- Damage/etch or remove paint
- Can gouge and etch stucco or coquina finishes
- Blow off roof shingles, vinyl soffit panels, decorative window louvers, light fixtures, etc…
- Blow out windows
- Rip or tear window screens
- Damage exterior light fixtures
- Spit wood members on your deck or burr the wood.
- Damage or puncture exterior door & window caulk joints, etc…….
Pressure washing a standard driveway (average size is 750 sqft.) or sidewalk with a wand will take about 5 to 6 hours, This is a lot of work, which can easily be accomplished by a professional in under an hour. A lot of people get the satisfaction from doing things themselves and I am one of those types of people. If you are a D.I.Y. personality then the most important factor is having the right tools for the job at hand. A surface cleaner matched up with the proper meg tips for your machines GPM flow will provide a uniform better quality cleaning and reduce cleaning time. Professionals also know the correct chemical/cleaning solutions to use to ensure the end result is as clean as it can possibly get. Cleaning without pre-treating the substrate(s) with chemicals is a waste of time. The chemicals break down the “dirt” allowing the water to wash it away along with providing a longer lasting clean.
Now that you know how often I should pressure wash my home understand this: The average sized house wash, driveway, and back patio slab can be cleaned by a professional in about 2.5 to 3 hours.
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