How to Pressure Wash the Siding on Your House

Turn off the power to all your outside hookups. Most houses have one breaker that you can shut down to do this. Test them by turning them on or plugging in something. Once you have proven that they are off, seal them with plastic and use tape if needed to provide a water tight barrier. Do not spray these areas directly while washing to avoid water buildup.

Lay drop cloths any patio items or plants that you need to protect. Close all your windows and remove screens to avoid damaging. Check your siding for loose panels and make sure they are secure.

Pre-clean with brushes and bleach for tougher areas. Use a 10 percent solution of bleach and water (to avoid damaging the color of your siding). Scrub the area with a stiff brush to remove caked on build-up. The bleach solution will prevent it from coming back as quickly.

Mix your spray solution according to package directions in a bucket and place the detergent hose deep inside. Place a low pressure nozzle on the spray gun and start applying the soap. You should work in 5-foot sections bottom to top and allow the agent to soak on the side of the house for about three minutes before spraying off. Do not allow to dry and test a small section if you are unsure of the times.

Rinse the area by switching over to the high pressure nozzle. Spray at an angle top to bottom to avoid drips. Continue working in sections until the entire house is complete. Remove plastic and drop cloths quickly so that no plants end up with heat stroke. Restore power.