Do you need to move the grill, be home for the crew, and worry about the azaleas? Those are the questions that usually show up after you have already booked house washing in Lexington, SC. This post is what I would tell a neighbor over the fence: how to prepare in about twenty minutes, which cleaning method suits which surface, and what a clear quote should include before you agree to anything.
The 20-minute prep checklist before the crew arrives
Nobody wants to learn on the morning of the job that the back gate was locked or the dog was out. The prep itself is not complicated, and most of it comes down to giving the crew room to work along the whole surface of the house.
- [ ] Close windows and doors, and make sure the screens are seated
- [ ] Move patio furniture, grills, planters, and decorations a few feet from the walls
- [ ] Cover or unplug outdoor outlets, and mention any light fixture that has had water trouble
- [ ] Unlock gates and bring pets inside
- [ ] Point out plants you care about so they can be rinsed before and after
You do not have to be home, but a quick walk around with the crew lead before the work starts is worth your time. That is when you can mention the loose shutter, the old window, or the spot by the porch that always floods.
What wash day looks like.
Crews usually start by rinsing nearby plants and looking the house over for anything that needs special care, then apply the cleaning solution from the top down and rinse it away. Expect some noise, hoses across the yard, and a bit of runoff on the driveway. A good crew will tell you when they are finishing up so you can look at the result together.
Tell the crew what is not obvious from the street.
A leaky window, a well-water spigot that needs a special adapter, or a neighbor's fence sitting right on your property line each change how the work gets done. It is much easier to plan around a known weak spot than to discover it halfway through the job.
You do not have to be home for the whole wash as long as gates are unlocked and the crew can reach everything. A short walkthrough at the start and a look at the finished work are the two moments worth being there for. How long a wash lasts varies with shade, humidity, and tree cover. Homes close to the lake or under heavy canopy often need a yearly wash, while others can go longer.
Soft washing, pressure washing, or a little of both
This usually comes up when the quote arrives, and the honest answer is that it depends on the surface. A lot of houses end up getting both, one method for the ground-level concrete and another for everything above it. Here is how that usually breaks down:
- Vinyl siding, painted surfaces, and trim usually get a low-pressure soft wash, since too much force can drive water behind siding or strip paint
- Roofs get a soft wash too, so the cleaning solution does the work without damaging shingles
- Driveways, walkways, and brick pavers can take higher pressure when the buildup is stubborn
If you want the longer version, our post on soft washing vs pressure washing walks through it surface by surface. Pressure is not the only variable, either. The nozzle, the distance, the cleaning solution, and how the crew rinses afterward all matter, and a company that lets the solution dwell on green siding so it breaks down algae before it is rinsed away is taking a sensible approach.
How to read a house wash quote like someone who has seen a few
A quote that says "house wash" and a number is hard to compare with anything. When you collect bids, look for the surfaces covered: just the siding, or also the trim, soffits, porch, driveway, walkways, and fence. Look for whether the roof, gutters, windows, and screens are listed as included or optional, and for anything about access and setup, such as where the water comes from and whether a ladder or lift is needed.
Size, stories, siding material, and how heavy the buildup is all move the price, so two homes on the same street can come back with very different numbers. If two bids are far apart, ask each company what is included before you decide which is cheaper. A good quote also says how long the work should take, what happens if the weather turns, and what to do if something looks off once the crew leaves.
Planning around the wash and timing it for fall
Think about the days around the wash and not only the day itself. If you plan to paint, stain a porch, or hang holiday lights, the wash is a good first step, since fresh coatings and decorations stick better to a clean surface. If you are listing the house or expecting company, give the crew your date so they can schedule with room to spare.
Fall is a comfortable time to book. The pollen is gone, the summer humidity has done its damage, and cooler air is easier on everyone working outside. Homes under heavy tree cover or close to Lake Murray tend to grow algae faster, so those owners often book a yearly wash, while others do the siding every other year and the driveway more often. Our house washing page explains how we think about scheduling.
Ask about the places you cannot see from the yard, such as the back of a chimney, a screened porch ceiling, or a second-story gable. A short list of requests at booking is much easier to handle than a string of add-ons on the day. It also helps to describe what you want the house to look like when the crew leaves, with walkways clear of debris, furniture back where it was, and gates latched.
Two questions homeowners ask before booking
Will house washing damage my landscaping?
It should not when the crew rinses plants before and after and keeps the solution off beds. Point out anything delicate when you book so it is on the list.
Are gutters and window sills included?
Not always. Those details collect their own grime, and a wash that stops at the siding can make them look worse by contrast, so ask for them to be listed in the quote if you want them done.
Your next step
We serve Lexington, Irmo, Chapin, Columbia, the Lake Murray area, Newberry, and Sumter. If you have a house in mind, look through our frequently asked questions or request a quote and tell us what you are looking at. If anything looks off once the crew leaves, tell us right away while we can walk the property with you.