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Should You Pressure Wash Your Building Before or After You Paint?

tan siding before pressure washing

As we’re in the thick of spring — and homeowners are in the home maintenance and upkeep mindset — this concern often arises: “I need to pressure wash my vinyl siding, but I need to do touch-up painting of trim work, doors, and other exterior surfaces of my home. What should I do first — pressure washing or painting?

When Should I Pressure Wash My Home or Commercial Building?

First, let’s take a quick look at your home’s siding and brickwork. These surfaces can collect many kinds of dirt and debris; some of it is so fine that it’s not visible. Airborne pollutants, dirt, mold, and mildew can collect on vinyl siding and brick. You can tell if you have mold and mildew. Mold presents itself on siding like zillions of tiny black dots that look like pepper. Green mold spores are easy to see and usually on the side of your home with the least sun.

Brick surfaces can also accumulate mold and mildew but also have another visible type of dirt that appears like white chalk. That white chalky substance on your brick is lime deposits. Lime leeches out of brick over time and comes out with the changing seasons. Whatever is on your brick or siding must be removed. The best way to remove dirt, mold, mildew, and lime deposits is by pressure washing or pressure cleaning your siding or brick.

The remaining question is when to pressure wash or pressure clean these surfaces. Exterior maintenance professionals suggest that homeowners should pressure clean their home’s exterior before they paint any surface. But here’s the key: the pressure-cleaned surfaces need at least three to five days of dry weather before painting begins.

Contact KEVCO at (301) 258-9750 to schedule residential or commercial pressure washing throughout the DC metro area.

Why Should I Power Wash My Home or Commercial Building?

Benefits of Power Washing Before Painting

Pressure washing removes the grime and dirt that has collected on your siding and blows off flaking and loose paint that you or a painting professional would otherwise need to scrape off. Some pressure washing or pressure cleaning machines have a port for detergent and a low-pressure setting that lets you treat mold while you’re washing, ensuring the mold doesn’t return after you paint.

You can pressure wash vinyl siding; however, aluminum siding — which is quite an old product — can usually not be pressure washed. This is because aluminum siding isn’t used anymore, and if a home still has this type, it’s usually past its life span and can’t be cleaned. To test this, rub your hand across the siding; if a white chalky substance comes off on your hands, the chances are it’s aluminum, and most responsible contractors won’t clean it.

Wood siding dries slower than vinyl or aluminum. If you can’t get to the painting job immediately after washing, don’t wait longer than a month. If you do, enough dirt is likely to collect to require another pressure washing.

Schedule Power Washing in DC, MD & Northern VA

If you need power washing services for your home or commercial building in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Northern Virginia, KEVCO is the company to call.

Call (301) 258-9750 today to schedule pressure washing services in the DC metro area.

Testimonials
See what people
are saying about KEVCO.

“I became a KEVCO customer when I first started in Commercial Property Management over 15+ years ago. I have used them at every property that I have ever managed and even at my home for both window cleaning and pressure washing. They are responsive and professional, and their pricing is always competitive.”

D. Jamison
Vice President Property Management, Moore & Associates

“We are a real estate company, and use Kevco to wash windows, clean gutters and power wash for our clients getting their homes ready to place on the market. They are always at the property when they say they will be, do their job quickly, leave the property in excellent condition, are very professional, and…”

Amy King
Homeowner/Residential Real Estate Agent, King Real Estate

“I love KEVCO and call them every year for services. I have been using KEVCO for about 10 years to clean gutters and windows at our farm property. They are always prompt and exceptional in their work. I have recommended them to many people and will continue to do so.”

L. White
Clarksville, MD

“When I need home exterior cleaning services, Kevco is the company that I always call. They have cleaned my windows, gutters and pressure cleaned my patio and the other hardscape areas at my house for years. I recently thought that I would have to resurface my front steps as they appeared dirty. Kevco came over,…”

L. Galfond
Homeowner

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The information on this website is for informational purposes only; it is deemed accurate but not guaranteed. It does not constitute professional advice.
All information is subject to change at any time without notice. Contact us for complete details.

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