Pressure washing services

The industry name is misleading. The best contractors spend most of their time soft washing: applying a cleaning solution at low pressure, letting it dwell, then rinsing gently. Pressure is used where the surface can take it — concrete, some masonry — and avoided where it cannot. Fixr prices soft washing a house at $0.25 to $0.35 per square foot, or roughly $375 to $525, which is generally cheaper than pressure washing the same house.

Different surfaces have completely different pressure tolerances. Fixr's fence data alone spans 500 to 600 PSI for softwoods like pine and cedar, 1,200 to 1,500 for hardwoods, under 1,500 for composite, under 1,800 for aluminum, and 1,800 to 2,000 for steel. Its house washing data notes recommended PSI ranges from 500 for brick up to 3,500 for concrete. A company using one setting for the whole property is going to damage something.

Roofs are the clearest line. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association is explicit: "Never use a pressure washer to clean an asphalt shingle roof as this will cause granule loss and very likely premature failure." ARMA's recommended method is a 50:50 mix of laundry-strength liquid chlorine bleach and water, applied with a sprayer, left to dwell 15 to 20 minutes, then rinsed thoroughly with low pressure water. Fixr's house washing guidance agrees that most roofing materials should never be pressure washed.

Pricing is usually by square foot with an hourly floor. Fixr puts professional rates at $50 to $150 per hour with most house jobs running two to four hours, and notes fence work may carry a travel fee of $25 or more. Ask whether you're being quoted by area or by time, and what happens if the job runs long.

How to choose

Ask which surfaces they'll soft wash

A company that answers 'roof, siding, anything painted, anything wood' understands the work. One that says they pressure wash everything is telling you they'll damage something.

Ask what PSI they'll use on each surface

There should be a different answer for concrete, siding, wood and painted metal. A single number for the whole house is the wrong answer.

Get the roof excluded — or get it soft washed

ARMA says never pressure wash an asphalt shingle roof. If a company offers to pressure wash yours, that alone should end the conversation.

Ask about plant protection

ARMA advises protecting landscaping from the bleach solution. Reputable crews pre-wet and rinse plants. Ask what their process is before they start spraying.

Confirm insurance in writing

Water forced behind siding, etched stone or a stripped deck are expensive mistakes. Ask for a certificate of insurance sent by the insurer, not a photo of one.