Exterior Pressure Washing

Goal

Clean exterior residential surfaces - siding, walkways, driveways, decks - using a pressure washer. Done right, dramatic visual improvement at high margin. Done wrong, damaged siding, blown-out window seals, stripped paint. Right pressure, right distance, right surface technique.

Prerequisites

• Pressure washer 2,500 - 3,500 PSI for residential (higher PSI = more damage risk)
• Surface cleaner attachment (for flat surfaces - driveway, patio)
• 0° / 15° / 25° / 40° spray tips (different angles for different surfaces)
• Detergent injector + appropriate cleaner (concrete cleaner, siding cleaner, etc.)
• Garden hose for water supply
• 1 - 4 hours depending on scope

Steps

1. Customer briefing. "I'll pressure wash [surfaces]. Some areas will get wet that aren't being cleaned - windows, planted areas, your driveway. Move anything you don't want to get wet."
2. Pre-rinse the area with garden-hose pressure water. Removes loose debris.
3. Apply detergent through the soap injector. Use the BLACK tip (low-pressure soap mode). Apply low-to-high (so runs of soap don't streak the cleaning result downward).
4. Let detergent dwell 5 - 10 minutes per product label. Don't let it dry.
5. Switch to appropriate cleaning tip:

• 40° (white): most siding, painted surfaces - most forgiving
• 25° (green): harder surfaces - concrete, brick, harder substrates
• 15° (yellow): aggressive cleaning, but RISK to softer surfaces
• 0° (red): NEVER use on residential surfaces - strips paint, etches concrete

1. Test on inconspicuous area first. Adjust pressure + distance based on the test.
2. Maintain consistent distance + angle:

• Siding: 12 - 24" away, angled DOWN slightly to push water away from windows + seams
• Concrete: 6 - 12" with surface cleaner OR 8 - 18" with standard tip
• Wood deck: 12 - 18" minimum; 40° tip; gentle pressure (1,500 PSI for soft woods)

1. Move in consistent strokes. Overlap 30 % per pass.
2. Wash low-to-high on siding so dirty runoff doesn't streak the just-cleaned area.
3. Final rinse with clean water (no detergent). Most cleaners need a thorough rinse to prevent residue + spot staining.
4. Inspect. Walk the area; look for missed spots or streaks.

Verification

• Visible cleaning result (before/after photo)
• No paint damage, etching, or splintering visible
• Windows unbroken + seals undamaged
• Plants minimally affected (some leaf damage normal from spray; flower beds may need post-wash watering)
• Customer signs the field report

Troubleshooting

• Lines / strokes visible in cleaning result: pressure too high OR distance too close OR tip too aggressive. Step back + lower pressure.
• Paint flaking off siding: pressure too high. STOP. Document the existing condition; you may need to refer to a painter for re-finish.
• Water beading on the just-cleaned surface (sealed concrete): customer's concrete is sealed - detergent didn't penetrate. Use a degreaser or stripper.
• Streaks running down siding: detergent applied top-to-bottom OR not rinsed sufficiently. Re-rinse from bottom-up.

References

• PWNA (Power Washers of North America) safety standards
• Manufacturer pressure washer + detergent literature
• Manuall internal: Standard Residential Cleaning Service