Pressure washing: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What pressure washing is

Pressure washing cleans driveways, decks, siding, fences and patios with a high-pressure water stream, using nozzles and cleaners suited to each surface. People call to remove grime, oil, mildew and old coatings, or to prepare a surface for sealing or painting.

Signs you need it

  • Oil stains, tire marks or grime on a concrete driveway or garage floor
  • Gray, weathered or green surface growth on a deck, patio or fence boards
  • Dirt and mildew streaks on a paver walkway or patio that have built up over time
  • Peeling or chalking old stain on a deck or fence that needs stripping before a new coat
  • A surface being prepared for sealer or paint that needs a clean, dry base

What the pro does

  • Inspect the surface for cracks, loose boards, failing sealant and old coatings that the water pressure could damage
  • Protect plants, lights, outlets, windows and nearby surfaces, and wet down the area before any cleaner goes on
  • Choose the nozzle and pressure for the surface, using a wider fan and lower pressure on wood and a stronger setting on concrete
  • Apply a degreaser or surface cleaner where oil and grime sit, let it dwell as the product directs, then wash in even passes
  • Rinse the surface completely, check for streaks and missed spots, and let it dry before any sealer or stain goes on

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Surface type, since concrete, pavers, wood decking, vinyl and fences each need a different pressure and method
  • Total area to be cleaned, and whether it is one surface or several
  • Level of staining, grease, mildew or old coating to be removed
  • Access, including tall fences, second-story areas and tight side yards
  • Degreasers, cleaners or stain removers added to the job
  • Whether a sealer, stain or protective coat is applied after the cleaning
  • Water access and the runoff management the site needs

What a written quote should spell out

  • Each surface listed with its area and the cleaning method for that surface
  • Cleaner or degreaser type and where it is applied
  • Pressure and nozzle setting used on wood, concrete and other materials
  • Plant, window and fixture protection steps included in the job
  • Whether a sealer, stain or protective coat is included, and which product is used
  • Cleanup, rinse-off and disposal of the runoff and any debris

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What pressure and nozzle will you use on my wood deck, and why is that different from the concrete?
  • How do you protect my plants, light fixtures and outlets from the spray and the cleaner?
  • Will the cleaner harm my lawn or landscaping, and how do you rinse it away?
  • Can you remove the oil stain from my driveway, and what happens if it does not come out?
  • Do you seal or stain after the cleaning, and is that in the quote?
  • How do you manage the runoff so it does not run onto my neighbor's property or into a storm drain?
  • Does your insurance cover water damage to the house during the work?

Red flags

  • Pressure set high enough to gouge wood, etch concrete or blow out the sand between pavers
  • No protection for windows, siding seams, plants or light fixtures
  • A crew that uses bleach on plants or on surfaces, with no rinse plan
  • A promise to restore a deck or fence with no sanding or stripping in the quote
  • A quote that names no surfaces and no cleaner, only one number for the whole property

What you can do yourself

You can safely sweep the surface, clear furniture and plants from the area, and spot-treat small stains with a store-bought cleaner and a stiff brush on a dry, flat surface. Do not use a pressure washer near the house, on a deck you cannot stand on safely, or from a ladder. Call a pro for large jobs, surfaces that need stripping, or any cleaning above ground reach.

Licenses and permits

Pressure washing is often offered by general exterior cleaning companies, and rules vary by place. Check your state and local licensing requirements, and check the rules for chemical use and runoff where you work.

Pressure washing questions

Can pressure washing damage my deck?

Yes, if the pressure is too high or the nozzle is too narrow. Wood needs low pressure and a wide fan, and a pro should test a small spot first.

Will pressure washing remove oil stains from concrete?

Some stains lift with a degreaser and a rinse. Deep or old stains may stay. A pro should test a spot and tell you what can and cannot come out before the full job.

How long should I wait before sealing?

Wait until the surface is fully dry, which depends on the material and the weather. The pro should tell you when it is ready for sealer.

Will pressure washing make my fence look new?

It can clean the surface, but gray or weathered wood may need a brightening product and then a stain. Ask the pro what the finished result will look like.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See screened pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More roofs and exterior guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request pressure washing