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What Pressure Washing Can and Cannot Clean
Heat, rain and shade make South Florida ideal for algae and mildew. The green and black film on driveways, patios and walls is alive, and it comes back. Pressure washing is the fastest way to remove it, as long as the pressure matches the surface.
Surfaces it suits
- Concrete driveways, sidewalks and walkways
- Pavers, with care around the joints
- Pool decks and patios
- Block and stucco walls, at lower pressure
- Vinyl and metal fences
- Wood fences and decks, gently, usually before staining or sealing
- Outdoor furniture made of plastic, metal or resin
Surfaces that need a gentle approach
- Stucco: high pressure can cut into it and push water into cracks.
- Painted surfaces: pressure lifts paint that is already weak. Useful before repainting, unwelcome otherwise.
- Wood: too much pressure raises the grain and leaves stripes.
- Windows, screens and seals: water gets forced past them.
- Paver joints: the sand washes out and may need replacing.
For these, lower pressure combined with a cleaning solution does the work. This is often called soft washing.
Where it does not belong
- Roofs. Pressure damages shingles and tiles. We do not clean roofs of any kind.
- Anything electrical: outlets, panels, light fixtures, AC equipment.
- Old paint on older homes that may contain lead.
What it will not fix
- Oil and rust stains often need specific cleaners and may only fade.
- Cracks, sunken pavers and worn sealer are still there afterwards.
- Algae returns. In shaded, damp areas, plan to wash again.
- Mold inside the house is a different problem. That goes to our sister company DryMiami.
Before a wash
- Move cars, furniture, planters and door mats.
- Close windows and doors.
- Point out outdoor outlets and anything delicate.
- Check your local watering and runoff rules if you live near a canal or the bay.
How often
It depends on shade, sprinklers and how much traffic the surface gets. Many homes do well with one wash after the rainy season. Entries and pool decks, where slipping is a risk, may need it more often.
See what we cover on our pressure washing page.
Rather have someone do it?
Send us your list with a few photos and get one written quote for all of it.
