What Homeowners Should Know Before Hiring a Pressure Washing Company
By Mike Tomasino, Vantage Exterior Solutions
When looking for exterior cleaning, homeowners notice how widely the prices can vary. Quotes can differ by hundreds of dollars for what appears to be the same job. In reality, those price differences often reflect major differences in equipment, insurance, training, and cleaning methods.
Exterior cleaning is an industry with a very low barrier to entry. Anyone can purchase a pressure washer at a hardware store and begin offering services. That's why individuals commonly offer very low prices compared to established companies.
A legitimate exterior cleaning business carries real operating costs. These typically include general liability insurance, commercial auto insurance, professional equipment, proper cleaning solutions, and ongoing training. Someone working casually with a pressure washer often doesn't carry these protections. If a worker is injured on your property and does not have proper coverage, the homeowner can potentially become involved in liability claims depending on the circumstances.
Another misconception I see frequently is the belief that homes are cleaned using high pressure. In reality, professional exterior cleaners rarely wash siding with high pressure at all. High pressure can force water behind siding, damage painted surfaces, and permanently mark softer materials like vinyl or wood.
Instead, professionals typically use a method called soft washing. This process uses specialized cleaning solutions to break down organic growth such as algae, mold, and mildew, followed by a gentle low-pressure rinse.
Think of washing your car. You don't take a 3,000-psi pressure washer and blast the paint off, you use soap to loosen the dirt and then rinse it away. The same applies when washing clothes or even your own body, the cleaning agents do the work. Professional house washing works the same way. The solution breaks down the grime, and the rinse simply removes what the detergent has already loosened.
Many homeowners are surprised to learn that one of the most common cleaning agents used in the industry is sodium hypochlorite, the same disinfecting compound found in household bleach and used in municipal water treatment. While that may sound alarming at first, the key is proper dilution and professional application.
Training and experience are required to soft wash and to apply these solutions safely and effectively. When used correctly, they are extremely effective at eliminating biological growth while remaining safe for surrounding surfaces and landscaping.
When hiring someone to clean your home's exterior, it helps to ask a few simple questions:
- Do they specialize in exterior cleaning, or simply own a pressure washer?
- Are they properly insured?
- What cleaning method do they use - high pressure or professional soft washing - and what precautions do they take when applying cleaning solutions?
Your home is likely your largest investment. Taking the time to choose a qualified professional helps ensure it is cleaned safely and correctly.
Mike Tomasino is the owner of Vantage Exterior Solutions, an owner-operated exterior cleaning company serving homeowners across Ocean County.