The Ultimate Guide to Pressure Washing Services, Benefits & Prices
Pop onto Google and you'll find a plethora of local pressure washing services offering to blast away dirt and grime from your property's exterior. But, why should you take them up on the offer? And is pressure washing something you can just DIY? Let's talk pressure washing and find out.
Say Goodbye to Dirt and Grime: A Deep Clean for Your Home's Exterior
Over time, dirt, mould, mildew, algae, weeds and moss accumulate on your home's exterior surfaces. From your roof, to your driveway, decking, patios and paths, and your cladding. Pressure washing helps remove this buildup and restore your exterior surfaces to their former glory. But why do have to? Isn't outdoors supposed to be... a bit outdoorsy?
There’s outdoorsy.. then there’s just plain filthy.
Protecting Your Investment: How Pressure Washing Extends Surface Lifespan
The build up on your exterior surfaces isn't just unsightly; your home's exterior can actually be damaged by them over time.
Take patios and driveways, for example. While you might constantly sweep and hose these areas down, this doesn't remove algae, moss and weeds. These substances hold water, which breaks down pointing or grouting and encourages growth of weeds, which contribute to instability in your paved surfaces.
Moss and algae, in particular, are also a slip hazard in wet or icy weather. So, maintaining your property's exterior surfaces with regular professional pressure washing can help create a slip-free environment and reduce the risk of falls, keeping you, your family and your visitors safe.
Why Pressure Washing is Essential for Homeowners with Pets
We don't need to spell out that pet ownerships comes with some downsides - and that's the waste that our furry friends leave in our gardens! No matter how well-trained your pets are to go in their designated spot, the occasional mishap is inevitable. These incidents can cause unsightly stains and unpleasant odours that only get worse as summer heats up.
That's where home pressure washing services come to the rescue. Professional pressure washing can effectively eliminate stubborn pet stains and odours, producing a fresher and cleaner outdoor space. The high-pressure jets can penetrate deep into porous surfaces like concrete and wooden decks, ensuring that any residual waste matter is thoroughly removed.
Additionally, professional residential pressure washing services use eco-friendly solutions that are tough on dirt but gentle on your garden. This means your pets can frolic in a clean, safe environment without exposure to harmful chemicals.
Using house pressure washing services not only maintains your property's aesthetics but also ensures a healthier atmosphere for your household, particularly if you have pets. Regular upkeep prevents the build-up of harmful bacteria and allergens, providing a more hospitable environment for both humans and animals.
How Often Should You Pressure Wash Your Home?
This depends on what you're pressure washing!
Pressure Washing Siding or Cladding
Siding, cladding and even your patio furniture can benefit from a thorough pressure washing. Homeowners with UPVC, metal or composite siding or cladding should pressure wash their homes once a year, while we recommend you only pressure wash wooden siding when you have a buildup of algae or mildew that could rot the wood. A very gentle annual pressure wash will remove dirt buildup and cobwebs, though.
Whether it's vinyl, brick, or wood siding, each material requires a different technique to ensure optimal cleaning without causing damage. For example, vinyl is best cleaned with a lower pressure setting and a wider spray pattern to avoid cracks, while brick and stone surfaces can withstand higher pressures to remove embedded dirt and moss.
Pressure Washing Patios, Driveways and Paths
Around once a year should be ample for your patios, driveways and paths. Usually in the Spring or Summer to remove the remnants of winter from your outdoor surfaces. If you have pets, or are preparing for sealing or staining, then pressure washing more often is fine so long as you use a proper technique. Incorrect pressure washing technique can damage block paving or expensive porcelain slabs.
The Environmental Impact of Pressure Washing
In most cases, when doing a professional pressure washing job, we will only need to use the pressure washing equipment. Therefore, pure water has zero environmental impact, so is totally safe for your home, your garden and all its inhabitants.
When we're dealing with very tough algae, lichens or mildew buildup, it's sometimes necessary to use chemical detergents to break down these substances first. The chemicals we use are biodegradable and do not compromise the planet's wellbeing or negatively impact wildlife. We mostly use sodium hypochorlite, which is extremely reactive, so once it reaches the drain it will react with organic matter and be removed before reaching the environment. Chlorine does not persist in the atmosphere, either. Unlike traditional home outdoor cleaning chemicals like Jeyes Fluid, these chemicals are not toxic and will not harm your garden or wildlife.
Facts about sodium hypochlorite use in exterior cleaning:
Usage: Sodium hypochlorite is commonly used in pressure washing to effectively break down tough substances such as algae, lichens, and mildew. Its strong oxidative properties ensure that these build-ups are thoroughly eradicated.
Safety: When used correctly, sodium hypochlorite is safe. It must be diluted properly to prevent any damage to surfaces and to ensure user safety. Appropriate protective gear, such as gloves and safety glasses, are recommended during application.
Environmental Impact: Sodium hypochlorite is biodegradable. Once it completes its cleaning action, it breaks down into harmless compounds before reaching the environment. This means it doesn’t leave persistent harmful residues, making it an environmentally preferable choice compared to traditional, more toxic cleaning chemicals.
Professional vs. DIY Pressure Washing: What's the Difference?
You can, of course, buy a basic corded pressure washer for about £70 from places like B&Q. However, commercial pressure washers are a whole different bit of kit. Portable, far more powerful and designed to make light work of stubborn dirt, these pressure washers can deliver an impressive 15 litres of water per minute over your garden surfaces.
There's also more to pressure washing than most people think. It's important to stand 3 to 4 feet away and keep the nozzle moving in a back and forth motion to avoid damaging the surface. It's also crucial to test a small area first to assess the level of pressure required to blast away dirt without causing any damage.
Professional pressure washing services can provide stunningly different results to DIY pressure washing. While DIY pressure washing might seem like a cost-effective approach, it rarely matches the precision and efficacy of professional services.
When you hire professional pressure washing services, you're investing in expertise and top-of-the-line equipment. Professionals are trained to handle various surfaces, from delicate siding to robust concrete. This means fewer risks of damage and a more thorough clean. Whether you're looking for commercial pressure washing services or need local pressure washing services for your home, the experts have got you covered.
Why Choose Professional Services?
Advanced Equipment: Professionals use high-grade pressure washers, which are far more powerful than consumer-grade models.
Time-Saving: Expert teams can complete the job much faster, freeing you up to do other important tasks.
Safety: Trained technicians know how to safely use pressure washing equipment, reducing the risk of accidents or damage.
Customised Solutions: Professionals evaluate the unique needs of your property, ensuring the right pressure and techniques are used.
In the long run, opting for house pressure washing services or commercial pressure washing services near me can actually save you money by preventing costly repairs caused by neglect.
Pressure Washing Safety Tips and Best Practices
If you do opt for DIY pressure washing, safety is very important. Make sure to read your pressure washer's manual thoroughly, ensure there are no stones or other debris around as these can become missiles and cause injury or damage, and wear closed-toe shoes, long trousers and sleeves, gloves and safety goggles. Many people underestimate the power and potential for injury with home pressure washers - water can come out of the nozzle at over 200 miles per hour. Children and pets should be safely indoors whenever a pressure washer is in operation, and make sure your car is off the driveway and well out of the way too!
Finding the Best Local Pressure Washing Services
Choosing the right professional for the job is crucial. Start by searching for local pressure washing services or home pressure washing services near me to find reputable providers. A company specialising in residential pressure washing services will have the expertise to handle your specific exterior needs, ensuring your home looks its best.
At Millhouse cleaning we provide exterior pressure washing services at excellent prices in Kent - covering Sittingbourne, Faversham, Medway, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks, Dartford and Gravesend and the surrounding areas.
Check out our before and after transformations using pressure washing services in Kent.
Pressure Washing Services Price List
If you're curious about the cost of local pressure washing services in Kent, we can give you some insight into the potential costs. All pressure washing jobs are quotes individually, because every patio, driveway or path is different. The level of grime, algae, lichen and moss build up will impact the price of the job, as will, of course, the size of the area that needs to be cleaned.
As a rule, our minimum pressure washing fee is £150 - this works out to be the average cost for a standard pressure clean of an average UK patio with concrete slabs or concrete. The price will depend on whether you have concrete slabs or concrete, block paving, decking, UPVC or timber and whether you require treatments or additional services.
Additional services can include:
Deep cleaning with chemicals like sodium hypochlorite to remove mould, algae and lichen.
Resanding block paving.
Resealing slabs and concrete.
Staining or oiling decking.
Checkatrade and Bark have a pricing guide for pressure washing services help you budget appropriately. Like these:
Driveway pressure washing services price list
House pressure washing price guide
Get an accurate quote for pressure washing services near you in Kent
If you'd like an accurate quote for pressure washing services in Kent, please fill out this quote form and we will get back to you immediately. Did you know that as a perk for being a monthly window cleaning customer, you'll get 15% off all our other exterior cleaning services too? Like pressure washing, or even gutter clearing. Take advantage today!
