How often should you pressure wash?
Pressure washing has a lot of positive effects for your home. It boosts curb appeal, freshens up the look of your home, can actually boost the value of your home, and more. While pressure washing has a lot to do with looks, it isn't just about curb appeal — it protects siding, prevents mildew and mold buildup, and extends the life of exterior materials. Having established the need for pressure washing, the next question to focus on is how often should I do it? And the answer to that depends on a few key factors.
The Baseline
For most homes and homeowners, many sources agree that a pressure wash once every 12 months is a solid baseline for home maintenance. This allows for dirt, pollen, grime, and organic buildup brought about by each season to be washed away.
This annual clean helps:
- Maintain siding color and finish
- Remove organic growth like mildew
- Prepare surfaces for painting or sealing
- Boost curb appeal and perceived value
- Prevent breakdown of exterior due to mold, mildew and grime
Climate and Environment Change Everything
Your local climate and surroundings strongly influence how often you'll need a wash:
- Humid or Shady Areas
Living in a humid region or near trees encourages algae, mildew, and moss growth. In these conditions, cleaning every 6-12 months may be needed. Luckily, we don't really deal with humidity in the great state of Utah. - Dry, Low-Humidity Climates
Okay, here we go. This is what we know here. This section covers most of Utah. In these dry areas, natural rainfall is less likely to cause organic buildup, so about once every 12-18 months can be enough. - Near Roads or Construction
Unfortunately, this is also almost all of Utah... Maybe one day I-15 in Lehi will be finished. Anyway, homes near high traffic zones and construction will accumulate pollution and grime faster, making it beneficial to pressure wash more often.
Material Matters
Different home exterior materials age and accumulate debris and grim at different rates:
| Material | Suggested Frequency of Cleaning |
|---|---|
| Vinyl siding | Annually |
| Wood siding | Annually or as needed (gentle pressure) |
| Brick / stucco | Every 12-18 months |
| Concrete walkways / driveways | Every 6-12 months |
This means a homeowner with wood siding in a wooded area might pressure wash twice a year, while someone with brick in a dry climate may only need it every 18-24 months.
Seasonal Timing
Seasonal scheduling can maximize results and prevent repeat cleanings soon after:
- Spring: Best for washing off winter grime, pollen, and mold spores.
- Fall: Great for removing summer dust and preparing siding for winter.
If you are only wanting to wash once a year, spring is the way to go. Adding a fall wash is helpful to keep buildup from setting in and standing out. Doing two washes per year also means an easier and faster job each time, and if you hire us, that means a discount.
Watch for Signs It's Time
Beyond a set schedule for cleaning, there may be clear indicators it's time to call up Wils Wash sonner:
- Visibile mold, mildew, or algae streaks
- Discolored siding or faded paint
- Sticky pollen residue
- Grime buildup after heavy rain or storms
When you see these, it's probably time to schedule a wash, even if your "once a year" hasn't come up yet.
So now you have an idea of how often you should be getting your pressure washing done, next step is scheduling it! If you don't want to do it yourself, don't worry! We love this stuff. Give us a call, text, or just fill out this quote form and we will send you a quote and can schedule the job!