How to Prepare Your Home Before a Pressure Washing Visit (Checklist)

Start by being clear about what you want cleaned. Driveway, walkway, patio, pool deck, garage floor, block walls and the exterior of the house are all different surfaces, and each may call for a different pressure, nozzle or cleaning solution. Concrete and pavers can usually handle more pressure, while stucco, painted surfaces and wood need a gentler approach.

Point out problem areas you care about most: oil stains on the driveway, rust marks from sprinklers, hard water stains on block walls or dark spots on pavers. Also mention anything fragile, such as cracked concrete, loose pavers, recent paint or decorative stone. Knowing this ahead of time lets the crew bring the right tools.

Move everything off the surfaces being cleaned. That includes cars in the driveway, patio furniture, grills, potted plants, kids toys, bikes, doormats, outdoor rugs and decor. Anything left on the surface leaves an outline once the area around it is clean, and lightweight items can get blown around by the spray.

If you have trash bins parked on the driveway or side yard, move them too. It is also a good time to have them cleaned, since a spotless driveway next to a grimy bin is hard to unsee.

Pick up pet waste and loose debris from the yard. Secure pets indoors for the whole visit. The noise of the equipment can stress dogs, and wet surfaces and hoses are a tripping hazard for everyone.

If neighbors share a wall, gate or driveway edge with you, give them a quick heads up about the date and time. Runoff and mist can drift a few feet, and a short note lets them move a car or close a window on their side before the crew arrives.

Close all windows and doors on the sides of the house being washed, including the garage door if the driveway is the target. Check that window screens are in place and seals are tight. Water driven at an angle can find its way through gaps that seem fine in everyday weather.

Look at exterior outlets, light fixtures and doorbell cameras. Make sure outlet covers are closed and let the crew know where any outdoor electrical equipment, pool equipment or low voltage lighting is located so they can work around it carefully.

Desert landscaping is generally tough, but plants right next to the surface being cleaned can still take a hit from spray or cleaning solutions. Water nearby plants well the evening before or the morning of the visit. Well watered plants handle any overspray better.

Point out delicate plants, flower beds and fresh plantings. Some homeowners cover small, sensitive plants with a light tarp during the job. Also note decorative rock and gravel next to the driveway, since loose rock can shift during cleaning and may need to be swept back afterward.

Ask whether the crew needs to use an outdoor spigot and make sure it works and is easy to reach. Turn off sprinkler systems for the day so they do not run on freshly cleaned surfaces or soak the work area.

Timing matters in Arizona. In summer, many homeowners prefer early morning visits, when surfaces are cooler and cleaning solutions do not dry too fast. During monsoon season, a storm can drop dust and mud on a just cleaned driveway, so it can make sense to schedule after the worst of a storm system passes. Make sure you or someone else can let the crew in if access to a backyard or side gate is needed.

Once the job is done, walk the area with the crew if you can. Look at stains you pointed out, edges along walls and corners, and the overall evenness of the surface. Some deep oil stains or old rust marks can lighten a lot without disappearing completely, so it helps to have realistic expectations going in.

Let surfaces dry before putting furniture and mats back. Concrete and pavers usually dry fairly quickly in Arizona sun. If pavers were cleaned, ask whether joint sand needs topping off or whether sealing is a good next step.

For a free pressure washing quote in San Tan Valley and nearby cities, call or text (520) 371-8081.