Pressure washing can make a home look new again

GETTY IMAGESIs it time to give your house a bath?

HOME TRENDS

Pressure washing experts weigh in

written by LAUREN LAROCCA

When decks and walkways become discolored from years of exposure to the weather, they not only are less aesthetically pleasing, but also can be health hazards. While you can rent equipment and do the pressure washing yourself, professionals are often worth the extra cost because they are trained, often have years of experience, and are insured, in the event of any damage — which is less likely when they take care of things, but highly likely if you take on a project yourself.

Experts have seen everything: water-damaged electrical boxes, water in windows and siding blown off by high-pressure washes done by homeowners.

It’s best to get a couple of bids on a project before determining which professionals to choose and get references, if possible. Make sure the company you select is licensed and insured.

If you’re thinking pressure washing is no big deal or isn’t worth the cost, check out videos on YouTube and be prepared to be mesmerized as patios, fences, decks, outdoor furniture — even rugs — are restored to like-new conditions.

“It is important to get your home and patio softwashed to keep away the natural buildup of organic growth in surfaces,” said Adam Hinkle, owner of Hinkle's Pressure Washing in Hagerstown. His company services the Tri-State area. “Especially if you’re a homeowner, that is the forefront of your home. You want it to look good. It’s basic maintenance.”

Bob Stahl, owner of Stahl's Power Washing in Hagerstown, said letting walkways and patios go without being cleaned can be unsightly but, more importantly, can be a health and safety hazard.

“Pressure washing is very important for mold and mildew allergies. Most people don’t realize how much they’re affected by the allergens right there on their patio when they’re sitting outside,” he said. “People have gotten mold allergies from outside, and they don’t understand, because they say they don’t have any mold inside. We hear horrible stories in this business about mold allergies.”

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To be ahead of the curve, local pressure washing professionals advise homeowners to wash concrete patios every two to three years and decks every five to seven years. Photos submitted by Grove Property Services

On top of this health issue, Stahl said dirt accumulation can make walkways and decks slippery, increasing the risk that people could fall. Wood, in particular, can be especially slick. ‘Like new again’

Nearly all surfaces can be washed, but some require high pressure. Others are more sensitive, like a home’s siding or roof, which require what’s called a soft wash, using low pressure and professional-grade cleaning chemicals.

“You can do thousands of dollars of damage if you don’t know what you’re doing,” Stahl said. “Pressure washing can potentially damage metal, wood and other surfaces.”

To be ahead of the curve, local pressure-washing professionals advise homeownIt’s important to keep walkways clean because the buildup of dirt can make them ers to wash concrete patios every two to three slippery, making people more prone to falls. Photos submitted by Stahl's Power Washing years and decks every five to seven years — although no surface is too old for a cleaning. Grove worked with real estate agent Amanda Linthicum Timing depends on location and how much debris to clean a house in Hedgesville, W.Va., in February, even and mildew accumulate. when there was snow on the ground.

Austin Grove, of Grove Property Services in Hagerstown, “There was all this green, messy mildew that needed (to said the north-facing side of a home is always the greenest, be) washed. It was really hard to find someone willing to since shade makes surfaces more prone to mildew. do it in the middle of winter and right after a snowstorm,”

“After a wash, it’s like new again,” he said. “You do it for Linthicum said. “Austin did an amazing job. It just made a the same reason you mow your lawn.” huge difference. I don’t always use pressure washing, but

In addition to providing washing for homeowners, Grove do it with high-end real estate. You just really want it to Property Services works with Realtors to clean homes before they are put on the market. sparkle. I listed that house yesterday, and it’s under contract today.” — Places