How much does power washing cost?

Professional: driveway: $100-$300 ($150-$200 average). House siding: $200-$500 ($250-$400 average). Deck: $100-$300. Whole property: $400-$1,000. DIY rental: $50-$100/day for the machine. Most professionals charge by the job (flat rate for driveway, house, etc.) rather than by the hour. If by the hour: $50-$100/hour. The value of professional work: they have commercial-grade equipment (faster and more powerful). They know the right pressure for each surface. They carry insurance (damage protection). A typical house + driveway + deck job takes 2-4 hours professionally.

For most homeowners: 2,000-2,800 PSI handles the majority of residential tasks. Specific recommendations: cars and light cleaning: 1,200-1,900 PSI. Siding and fences: 1,500-2,000 PSI. Decks: 1,500-2,000 PSI. Concrete driveways: 2,500-3,000 PSI. Heavy stains: 3,000-4,000 PSI. If buying one machine: a gas unit in the 2,500-3,000 PSI range is the most versatile. You can always reduce pressure with a wider nozzle tip or by standing farther back, but you cannot increase pressure beyond the machine's rating. Electric machines (1,500-2,200 PSI) are fine for light work but struggle with concrete.

Can power washing damage my home?

Yes, if used incorrectly. Common damage: etching concrete (too high pressure or too close). Damaging wood fibers (fuzzy, raised grain). Forcing water behind siding (spraying upward). Stripping paint. Breaking windows. Damaging mortar in brick. Voiding roof warranty. Prevention: use the right PSI for each surface. Keep proper distance (12-18 inches minimum). Use fan tips (25 or 40 degree), not pinpoint (0 degree). Spray at a downward angle on siding. Never aim at windows from close range. Test on an inconspicuous area first. Soft wash delicate surfaces (roofs, painted wood, stucco). The 0-degree (red) nozzle tip is rarely needed for residential work. It concentrates all pressure into a pencil-thin stream and can damage almost any surface.

Should I buy or rent a pressure washer?

Rent if: you only need it once or twice a year. You have a small property. You want to try before you buy. Buy if: you will use it 3+ times per year. You have a large property with lots of concrete. You want it available anytime. Electric (buy): $100-$300. Good for cars, light siding, and small patios. Quiet. Easy storage. Less powerful. Gas (buy): $250-$500. Handles everything including concrete. More powerful but louder and requires maintenance. Rental: $50-$100/day. Usually 2,500-3,000 PSI gas units. Add a surface cleaner attachment ($20-$40/day). The break-even point is usually 3-4 uses. If you will use it more than that, buying makes financial sense.

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Power Washing Guide: Cost, Tips & When to Hire a Pro

Lumberama Editorial Team, Exterior Cleaning & Maintenance Specialists Oct 22, 2026 10 min read

Power Washing vs Pressure Washing vs Soft Washing

Power washing: Uses heated water under high pressure. The heat helps break down grease, grime, and organic growth. Best for: concrete, brick, and heavy-duty cleaning.

Pressure washing: Uses unheated water under high pressure. Same equipment as power washing but without a heating element. What most homeowners and rental machines use.

Soft washing: Uses low pressure (under 500 PSI) with cleaning solutions. The chemicals do the work, not the pressure. Best for: roofs, vinyl siding, painted surfaces, and delicate materials. Less risk of damage.

In common usage: power washing and pressure washing are used interchangeably. Most residential applications use pressure washing (no heat).

PSI Guide

What PSI means: PSI (pounds per square inch) measures the water pressure. Higher PSI = more cleaning power but also more risk of damage.

Recommended PSI by surface: Cars: 1,200-1,900 PSI. Windows: 1,500 PSI max. Soft wood (cedar, pine): 1,000-1,500 PSI. Vinyl siding: 1,300-1,600 PSI. Wood decks and fences: 1,500-2,000 PSI. Aluminum siding: 1,500-2,000 PSI. Brick and stone: 2,000-3,000 PSI. Concrete (sidewalks, driveways): 2,500-3,000 PSI. Heavy stains on concrete: 3,000-4,000 PSI.

GPM (gallons per minute): GPM determines how much water is flowing. Higher GPM = faster cleaning. Cleaning power = PSI x GPM. A 3,000 PSI / 2.5 GPM machine cleans faster than a 4,000 PSI / 1.5 GPM machine in most applications.

Common Applications

Driveway: Concrete: 2,500-3,000 PSI with a surface cleaner attachment. Removes oil stains, tire marks, algae, and dirt. Pre-treat stains with degreaser. A surface cleaner (flat spinning attachment) gives even results.

House siding: Vinyl: 1,300-1,600 PSI. Spray at a downward angle (do not force water behind the siding). Soft wash is often better (less risk of damage). Use a detergent designed for siding.

Deck: 1,500-2,000 PSI (lower for softwoods). Use a fan tip, not a pinpoint. Keep the nozzle 12+ inches from the surface. Go with the grain. Too much pressure damages wood fibers.

Fence: Same as deck. Pressure and technique depend on the wood type.

Roof: NEVER use high pressure on a roof. Soft wash only (low pressure + chemicals). High pressure damages shingles and voids warranties.

Costs

DIY (machine rental): Pressure washer rental: $50-$100/day. Gas: $10-$20. Detergent: $10-$30. Surface cleaner attachment rental: $20-$40/day.

Professional: Driveway: $100-$300 (average $150-$200). House siding: $200-$500 (average $250-$400). Deck: $100-$300. Fence: $100-$300. Roof (soft wash): $200-$600. Patio: $100-$250. Whole property (house + driveway + deck): $400-$1,000.

Buying a pressure washer: Electric (residential): $100-$300. 1,500-2,200 PSI. Good for light to moderate jobs. Gas (residential): $250-$500. 2,500-3,200 PSI. More powerful. Gas (commercial grade): $500-$1,500. 3,000-4,000 PSI. For frequent use and heavy-duty jobs.