Many people this spring will be asking “What is that green stuff on the side of my house?” And “How do I get it off?”
The culprit defacing your property is most likely algae in both cases. So it looks like you may need to add another task to your to-do list and another tutorial video in your YouTube queue. In this blog, I will provide an executive summary of the following topics as they relate to residential pressure washing:
a) Equipment
b) The Process
c) Cost (DIY v Hiring a Professional)
Equipment is arguably the most important thing and I will start by saying 1. DO NOT USE A LADDER, 2. Gallon(s) per Minute (GPM), not PSI, is the chief indicator of a quality pressure washer.
GPM is how many gallons of water your pressure washer can pump out. In addition to specialized soap nozzles (1 for long distance, 1 for short distance), you will need at least a 4 GPM machine to reach the 2nd story of your home. You might be able to find a place that rents 4 GPM machines, if so, based on what I’ve seen years ago at industrial rental centers, it would cost around $125 for the day. If you can’t find a rental, you can think long term and buy one. Most retail stores do not keep 4 GPM machines in stock, so you would need to order online (please see the shopping links below, which will take you to online pressure washing equipment sites). The last piece of equipment I will talk about is the chemical injector; this specialized unit allows you to spray chemicals with your pressure washer without destroying it. The chemical injector attaches to your pressure wash to mix chemicals with the water flow. This piece can be purchased online for about $35 to $40 (see shopping links below).
The recommended process for pressure washing a residential house is called the “soft wash” process. This involves first applying a solution (chemicals) at a relatively low pressure then rinsing with water (again at a low pressure). If done correctly, the weight of the water will remove all undesirable grime during the rinse cycle. The solution we use has been specially formulated for residential homes and is eco-friendly. Straight bleach can be used, but be careful to protect your plants, trees, and pets; most residential homes require 4 to 5 gallons of bleach (if you use bleach).
Before deciding to hire someone to do a job, most people have 2 central considerations:
1. How much time will this take me? (Time Commitment or Time Cost)
2. How much money will it cost to hire a professional versus DIY? (Financial Cost)
The estimated financial cost to DIY is highlighted below:
$125 - Pressure Washer Rental (you’ll need at least a 4.0 GPM washer)
$55 - Chemical Injector
$85 – Other Supplies (Soap nozzles, Bleach, Connectors)
The amount of pre-work spent researching the details such as the precise chemical strength and measurement, locating proper equipment, learning how to set-up the equipment, etc. will vary, but a good estimate of the amount of time spent on pre-work is 8 to 12 hours.
The day you actually pressure wash (do the work) would certainly be a whole day. The morning would be spent picking up the machine (assuming you rented) and setting up the pressure washer. You will want to ensure all items are connected correctly, most notably the chemical injector; this may require some trial and error learning. From here, I will let the reader envision how the day (they pressure wash) will go since everyone’s situation and experience is unique (do you own a truck to transport equipment? Will you have help? Do you have any experience?, etc.). Just make sure to wear an old pair of cloths because it is inevitable that you will get bleach on them.
The financial cost to hire us for home under 2500sqft would be $209 plus supplies and tax, which typically ends up being $297.82 and for homes more than 2500sqft, $239 plus supplies and tax, which is typically $378.69 (prices can fluctuate 10-15% based on the amount of siding). This includes all 4 sides of the house from top to bottom and everything in-between such as windows, garage doors, etc.
There is virtually zero cost to your time when hiring us since you do not need to be there when we complete the work. The only thing we ask is to ensure all windows and garage doors are shut. We aim to make your experience as easy and pleasant as possible.
Ultimately we want you to be happy with the service and the price; our low rates are unbeatable and if you find a bona fide quote from another pressure washing company low than ours we will honor the lower price.
Now that you understand the basic equipment, process, and costs associated with pressure washing your home you can take the next step(s). Be safe if you decide to DIY and please, please, please do not use a ladder.
If you decide to hire a professional we would love to help you and have the chance to earn your referral. Our company was originally started because there was a legitimate need for an affordable, professional residential pressure washing service. We have years of experience and have done thousands of homes in the area.
If you decide to go with someone else please make sure to ask questions about the process; there are a lot of lawn care companies that have pressure washing as an add-on service, but do not know what they are doing. If they show up with a ladder or insist on using sheer pressure force to clean your siding, this will likely cause damage and the risk of injury is imminent. Schedule online today!
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