You don’t have to be an expert to know that pressure washing your house is a time investment.
Many factors are at play, from the house size to the pressure washer model.
If you have to paint, party, or just want to keep your home in tip-top shape, take a minute to read through this guide.
In this article, we’ll outline how long it takes to pressure wash a house, so you have a better gauge of what’s ahead.
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Hey there, I’m Cody.
A decade of residential and commercial pressure washing led me to start JCS Refresh. Now I can share my knowledge with folks like you.
Reading from Washington State?
Contact our team for a quote and you might meet me in person.
Quick Answer
Pressure washing your house can take around five to six hours for a 2,000-square-foot, two-story home.
In addition to your home’s blueprint and condition, there are other considerations. For example, cleaning can take a long time if there are multiple stories.
Factors that affect how long a house wash takes
If the exterior of your house carries a base layer of dirt and it’s starting to show, pressure washing might be your best bet.
However, keep these factors in mind before prepping all your equipment:
How big is your house?
The size of your house is directly proportional to how much time it takes to clean it.
Also, cleaning will take more time if you wash areas simultaneously, such as the patio, driveway, garage, gutters, or fence.
Pro tip – Before starting, check your area’s weather forecast. For example, avoid intense summer sun, which could dry the cleaning solution before rinsing. Hence, spring or autumn might be ideal.
What is your house made of?
Various materials, such as aluminum, brick, wood, or vinyl siding, also affect time.
For example, delicate materials require extra attention, which adds time. For comparison, a concrete driveway is a breeze to clean because concrete can endure high pressure.
Do you have the right pressure washer?
Although washing at high pressures is always better, as mentioned above, certain areas are delicate. Carelessness can cause severe damage, resulting in more time and money.
However low-pressure is still an option, but it just takes longer.
The moral of the story, choose a pressure washer that can switch between ranges so you aren’t limited.
If you’re unsure about the process, it is best to hire our exterior house cleaning services and let them do it for you.
How dirty is the exterior?
Lastly, the amount of dirt can also influence the project’s completion time.
For example, safely removing mold, mildew, pollen, moss, or algae spots can take some extra time.
A house that hasn’t been washed in a decade will take way more time to clean than a house that gets washed annually.
Do you have the right tools and equipment?
If you still need to get the tools and equipment ready, expect the project to take longer.
Here’s a quick checklist:
- Detergent made for pressure washing only
- Rotating brush for removing build-ups/stains in small nooks and corners
- An extension board
- Safety gear (gloves, goggles, boots, helmet, harness, etc.)
- Appropriate nozzles
Conclusion
Pressure washing is a time-consuming, complex, hazardous, and messy process. Plus, it has several considerations to prepare beforehand.
However, don’t let that stop you from trying.
If you need help, you can always contact a local company and hire professionals to tackle the job.
We hope this guide served you well and that you can be on your way to a clean and refreshed house.
Thanks for reading!
