The quick checklist
- Move cars off the driveway and away from the house.
- Clear furniture, planters, grills, toys and doormats from the areas being cleaned.
- Close and latch windows and doors on the sides being washed.
- Keep pets inside or away from the work area.
- Unlock gates and make sure an outdoor spigot is working.
- Tell us about delicate plants, loose trim, cracked concrete or anything else to watch for.
That’s most of it. The sections below explain why each step matters.
Cars and the driveway
A car parked on the driveway leaves a rectangle that can’t be cleaned, and when it’s moved later, that patch stands out against the clean concrete around it. Move vehicles to the street or a neighbor’s drive before we start, and keep them away from the house if siding is being washed, so they don’t get splashed with cleaning solution or rinse water.
If there’s an oil leak under the usual parking spot, mention it. Oil gets pretreated before the main clean, and we’ll tell you up front if an old stain is likely to fade rather than fully disappear.
Patio furniture and outdoor items
For patios and porches, clear everything you can move: chairs, tables, planters, grill covers, doormats and kids’ toys. An empty slab cleans evenly. Items left in place leave outlines, and rust or dirt rings under furniture feet are often the spots you most want cleaned. If something is too heavy to move, tell us when you book and we’ll plan around it.
Windows, doors and vents
Close and latch every window and door on the sides of the house being washed. Even a soft wash involves a lot of water near the walls, and a window that looks closed but isn’t latched can let water in. If you have a dryer vent or other opening near ground level, let us know.
Plants and landscaping
The cleaning solution used in a soft wash is meant for siding, not shrubs, so plants near the house should be wetted down before and rinsed afterward. You can help by watering beds near the house the evening before; well-watered plants absorb less of anything that splashes on them. Point out new plantings, vegetable gardens or anything you’re especially protective of.
Pets and kids
Keep pets inside or in a part of the yard away from the work. Pressure washers are loud, hoses run across the yard, and surfaces get slippery. The same goes for kids who want to watch: from a window is best.
Water and access
Pressure washing crews generally connect to an outdoor spigot, so make sure yours works and isn’t blocked. Unlock side gates, and mention a gate code if there is one. If you won’t be home, say so when you book.
On the day
Most driveways and sidewalks take one to two hours, and a full house wash usually takes a few hours. You’ll get a time window when we quote the job. Concrete dries within an hour or two on a sunny day, though it may look a little darker until it’s fully dry.
After the cleaning
- Give concrete a little time to dry before judging the color.
- Rinse any plants near the house again if you like.
- Put furniture back once surfaces are dry.
- Think about sealing the driveway if you want to slow down the next round of staining.
If you’re thinking about how often to repeat it, see how often to pressure wash in Louisiana.