Power washing
Power washing for decks, siding and walkways
Green mildew on the north side, a gray deck, a dirty walkway. We match the pressure to the surface, so it comes out clean without gouges or streaks.
- Fully insured
How power washing goes wrong
More pressure isn't better. Most of the damage we see comes from treating every surface the same.
-
Fuzzy, gouged deck boards
Too much pressure tears up the soft grain of the wood and leaves wand marks you can see from the yard.
We use lower pressure and a wide tip on wood, and let the cleaner do the work.
-
Water behind the siding
Spraying up at vinyl siding pushes water under the laps and into the wall.
We spray down and along the siding, never up under it.
-
Stripes and blotches
Uneven passes leave clean lines next to dirty ones on siding, concrete and pavers.
We work in overlapping passes, one section at a time, top to bottom.
-
Mildew back in a month
Blasting off the green without killing it means it grows right back.
We apply a cleaner that treats the mildew, then rinse it off.
How we power wash
Walk it first, protect what needs protecting, clean it right. Written price and start date up front.
-
Walk the property
We look at what's getting washed, what it's made of, and anything fragile nearby like outlets, lights, windows and plants.
-
Protect and prep
We cover outlets and fixtures, wet down plants, and move what can be moved.
-
Clean
Cleaner on first for mildew and dirt, then the right pressure and tip for each surface.
-
Rinse and check
We rinse everything, including the plants and windows, then walk it with you and touch up any spots.
When people call us to power wash
Some of it is upkeep. Some of it is getting ready for something.
- Spring cleanup after a long winter
- Before staining or sealing a deck
- Before listing the house for sale
- Mildew on the north or shady side
- Before a party or family event
- Pollen and dirt on patio furniture areas
- After deck repairs, to even out the color
- Rentals between tenants
Power washing around Long Island homes
If you live under the oaks and pines that fill a lot of yards around Medford, Coram and Middle Island, you know the look: green film on the north side of the house, a deck gone gray and slick, a walkway stained dark. Houses closer to the Great South Bay in Sayville, Blue Point and Bayport pick up salt and moisture too. A good wash brings all of it back without damaging the surface.
Why we don’t just crank the pressure
A power washer can cut wood, strip paint and crack vinyl if it’s pointed the wrong way at the wrong pressure. Each surface gets treated differently. On wood decks, we keep the pressure low, use a wide spray tip, and let a deck cleaner loosen the gray first. That keeps the wood smooth instead of fuzzy. On vinyl siding, we use what’s called a soft wash: a cleaner that kills mildew, applied at low pressure, then rinsed from the top down. On concrete walkways, patios and pavers, higher pressure is fine, and that’s where we use it.
We also watch where the water goes. We cover outdoor outlets and light fixtures, keep the spray off window seals and dryer vents, and never aim up under the siding laps, where water can get into the wall.
Deck cleaning and deck repair together
Washing a deck is a good time to really see it. Once the gray is off, loose boards, popped nails, soft spots and wobbly railings are easy to spot. Because we also build and repair decks, we can point out what needs fixing and take care of it in the same visit, instead of you finding it the next time you’re out there with a hose. If you want the deck stained or sealed, we’ll plan that once the wood has dried out.
What to expect on the day
Power washing is wet, loud work, so we plan around you. We’ll need the outside spigots working and the hose runs clear. Close the windows on the side we’re washing, and bring in anything you don’t want soaked, like cushions, rugs and grills. Afterward, the deck and walkways stay wet for a while, so keep kids and pets off until they dry. If we find anything along the way, like a loose deck board or a cracked piece of siding, we’ll point it out before we leave.
Getting a house ready to sell
Clean siding, a bright walkway and a fresh-looking deck show up in listing photos. If you’re getting ready to list, we can wash the outside and handle the patching, painting and small repairs inside, so the house is ready at the same time.
Before we come out
- What needs washing, and roughly how big each area is
- Where your outside spigots are
- Anything delicate nearby: plantings, outdoor furniture, lighting
- Whether you also want the deck stained or repaired
Power washing questions
How much does power washing cost?
It depends on what's getting washed, how big it is, how dirty it is, and how hard it is to reach. A two-story side of a house takes more setup than a ground-level patio. We give you a written price before we start.
Can power washing damage my siding?
It can if it's done wrong. High pressure can crack vinyl, force water behind it, or strip paint. We use low pressure and a cleaner on siding so the dirt and mildew come off without harming it.
Will it hurt my plants?
We wet down plants before and rinse them after, and we use cleaners meant for outdoor use. Let us know about any plants you're especially careful with.
Do I need to be home?
Not always. We need access to an outside water spigot and to the areas being cleaned. We'll go over it with you when we set the date.
Can you stain my deck after washing it?
Yes. The wood needs to dry out fully first, and we'll plan the staining for after it has. We can also replace any rotted boards we find while we're there.
How long does it take?
It depends on how much there is to wash and how dirty it is. Your written price includes a start date and how long the job will take.
Get a price on power washing.
Tell us what needs cleaning: deck, siding, fence, walkway or all of it. A few photos help us plan the setup.
631-745-9982- Price in writing before any work starts.
- One crew from start to finish.
- Fully insured