Exterior surfaces collect dirt, pollen and algae faster than most owners expect. Pressure washing restores a house, driveway, patio, deck or fence without the cost of refinishing or repainting, and it is the usual first step before a repaint, because paint does not hold on a dirty surface.
The method matters as much as the machine. The wrong pressure scars wood or pushes water behind siding, and washwater that runs into a storm drain is a legal and environmental problem. This service is planned around both.
What can be washed
House washing covers siding, trim and soffits. Driveway and patio cleaning covers concrete, pavers and stone. Deck and fence cleaning covers wood and composite boards. Each surface gets a different nozzle, pressure and distance, and the order is top to bottom so rinse water never runs over a finished area.
Commercial properties are washed on the same principle. Sidewalks, entrances and the exterior of a building are often the first part of a business that customers see, so clean walkways and building fronts matter for a storefront or an office.
Matching pressure to the surface
Concrete tolerates high pressure. Painted siding, wood decks and older fences do not. Higher pressure can gouge soft wood, strip paint and force water behind siding where it sits against sheathing. For soft surfaces the crew uses lower pressure, wider nozzles and a cleaning solution that loosens algae and mildew so the water does not have to do all the work.
Tell us the age and material of the surface. If a wooden deck has been stained recently or the siding has loose paint, the approach changes.
Washwater and Georgia storm drains
Washwater carries detergents, sediment, oil and grease, and it can harm streams. City of Atlanta Watershed Management states that discharging polluted water into any storm drain, catch basin, ditch, stream or manhole is banned in the city. Neighboring Brookhaven’s guidance describes pressure washing in the city causing fish kills along entire reaches of streams and sets penalties of up to $1,000 per violation per day.
The practical rules are the same across the metro area. Sweep and brush first where you can, wash in dry weather, block storm drains near the work, direct the water to grass or planted areas that can absorb it, and collect it with a wet and dry vacuum when it cannot be diverted. Plain water is preferred, and products with hazardous ingredients such as bleach are avoided where possible.
Washing before you paint or seal
A wash is the first step of most exterior projects. Mildew, chalking paint and pollen film keep a new coat from bonding, so the surface is washed and left to dry before painting or sealing. Plan the wash several days before the finish goes on, longer for wood.
Words you will hear on this job
- PSI
- Nozzle tip
- Soft wash
- Washwater
- Storm drain inlet
- Efflorescence
- Mildew
How a visit runs
Describe the surfaces
Tell us what is being washed, its material and age, and any recent finish or damage.
Site plan and quote
We note where the water will go, which drains need protecting and what is needed to collect or divert the washwater.
Wash top to bottom
Surfaces are pre-wet, treated where needed and rinsed from the highest point down at the pressure that suits each material.
Rinse, check and clean up
Debris is swept up, drains are checked and the area is left clear.
Questions about pressure washing
What can be pressure washed?
House siding, driveways, patios, decks and fences are the common jobs. Each uses a different method, and delicate surfaces such as painted siding and older wood are washed at lower pressure.
Is pressure washing before painting necessary?
In most cases, yes. Dirt, mildew and pollen film keep new paint from bonding, so a wash is the usual first step. Allow the surface to dry before painting.
Where does the washwater go?
It is kept out of storm drains. Georgia cities, including Atlanta and Brookhaven, prohibit discharging washwater into the storm system. The crew diverts it to planted or grassy areas or collects it.
Can pressure washing damage my house?
It can if the pressure is too high. Gouged wood, stripped paint and water driven behind siding are the usual problems. The crew sets pressure for each material.
Do you wash commercial properties?
Yes. Sidewalks, entrances and building exteriors are quoted along with the rest of the site.
When is the best time to pressure wash in Georgia?
In dry weather. Rain complicates controlling the washwater, and surfaces dry slowly in humid weather if they are being prepared for paint or sealer.
Where this service is quoted
Pressure Washing is quoted across the north side of metro Atlanta. Pick your town to see the buildings, districts and local notes that shape a cleaning schedule there.
Related services: House Cleaning, Deep Cleaning, Move-In and Move-Out Cleaning, Office Cleaning, Medical Office Cleaning, Gym Cleaning, Electrostatic Disinfecting.