If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t think about pressure washing your house until it’s necessary. And when that time comes, it can be tough to know exactly when is the best time to do it.
Depending on your interests, power washing can be one of your favorite or one of your least favorite home ownership tasks. No matter what, to properly maintain your home you should pressure wash your home.
The question we get asked the most often is “when is the best time to power wash house” and “how often should a homeowner be power washing their home?”
The answer is simple, homeowners should perform a good power wash at least once a year, or twice a year for best power washing results.
Depending on the climate you live in, the best time to pressure wash your home’s exterior is in the spring and summer months; you can start power washing your house as early as March and as late as November.
The time of year isn’t the only thing to consider when choosing the time to do your annual or bi-annual pressure wash. We’ve put together a list of things every homeowner should think about before pressure washing their home.
The Time of Day
If you can, you want to pressure wash your house in direct, bright sunlight for the best visibility. If there is cloud cover or it is later in the day, shadows can disguise dirty spots, resulting in an uneven clean.
Direct, bright sunlight can also help the water you use, dry faster. If necessary, you can pressure wash in the morning or at dusk.
You should not pressure wash at night for your safety. You might not be able to see twigs or other debris laying around, causing you to trip and fall.
Temperature
You want the temperature to be between 50 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit when you pressure wash. If it’s too cold, the water can freeze on contact and damage your home.
If it’s too hot, or if you are under extreme temperatures warnings you shouldn’t power wash. The heat can cause the cleaners in the solution to evaporate too quickly, making them less effective.
The Weather Conditions and Climate
You want to avoid pressure washing your house in freezing temperatures if possible. The best time to power wash is on a sunny day with minimal cloud coverage.
You don’t want to pressure wash during major storms or lightning storms. You never know when debris may fall and injure you, or lightning could strike your pressure washer.
Your Home’s Siding
You should always consult your home’s manufacturer before pressure washing. Some types of siding are more delicate than others and require a lower pressure setting and gentler cleaners.
Even if your home has brick or stone siding, you should take care when pressure washing siding as the wrong settings can damage or dislodge the material.
Winter Pressure Washing Tips and Tricks
If you live in a cold climate, you might have to pressure wash in freezing, winter weather. If that’s the case, you might want to hire a power washing services professional to perform the job. If that is not an option and you want to power wash your home yourself, we’ve gathered some tips and tricks to help you pressure wash in those colder climates.
If you are pressure washing below 40 degrees, follow these tips:
De-ice your work area and home
You can use rock salt or sand to de-ice your exterior surfaces, stone surfaces, concrete surfaces, and more to prevent slips and falls while pressure washing your home. Be sure to also clear any snow or ice from your home, especially the roof and gutters.
Perform the job during the warmest part of the day
The afternoon is typically the warmest part of the day in the winter months. Pressure washing in the afternoon allows the ground and your home to warm up and naturally de-ice.
It can be difficult to remove dirt and stains when they are under a layer of ice. Allowing the siding on your home to deice will allow you to tackle stuck-on stains easier.
Use a de-iced outdoor faucet or indoor faucet
If your outdoor water source is frozen, you will need to de-ice it or use your indoor water faucet to make sure you have access to a free-flowing source of water.
Use extra chemicals
Chemicals can be weakened by cold weather. You will need to use extra chemicals to make sure you can clean your home thoroughly.
Store your power washer in a warm area
If you leave water in your pressure washer’s pump, it might freeze and damage the pump. To prevent that, store your pressure washer in a warm area like your laundry room to keep the water in your pump from freezing.
Use a low-pressure nozzle
Pressure washers typically have different nozzles for different types of jobs. When you are pressure washing in the cold, use a low-pressure nozzle to avoid cracking or chipping your siding.
Wear proper clothing and gear
You will want to wear closed-toe shoes, gloves, and goggles to protect yourself from the chemicals you are using. You might also want to consider wearing a hat, earplugs, and a face mask to further protect yourself from inclement weather.
Be careful!
Pressure washing in the winter season should be performed with caution. Try your best to only pressure wash in warmer months, but if you can’t, follow the above steps to keep your pressure washer in tip-top shape in the winter months.
Conclusion
Power washing prevents mold and mildew from growing on your home and removes other contaminants and unwanted build-up. In addition, power-washed homes typically have better curb appeal.
Now that you know the best time to pressure wash your house and have some things to think about before starting; grab your pressure washer and get to work! Just remember to be safe. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always here to help.
Happy pressure washing!
FAQ
Is it better to power wash your house in the spring or the fall?
You can pressure wash your home in either the spring or fall. The best season is spring or summer because of the mild weather and longer days of sunshine.
How warm does it have to be to power wash a house?
Anything above 40 degrees is ideal pressure washing weather.
When should you not pressure wash your house?
It is advised to avoid pressure washing in extreme weather conditions such as tropical storms, thunder and lightning storms, and any type of weather that could pose a danger to your health and safety.
How cold is too cold to pressure wash?
Temperatures below 40 degrees are considered too cold to pressure wash. In the article above, we put together tips and tricks to help you pressure wash in weather below 40 degrees if you have to. Proceed with caution if you are going to pressure wash in freezing temps.
