How much does pressure washing cost?

Professional pricing: driveway: $100-$300. House siding: $200-$500. Deck: $100-$300. Fence: $100-$300. Full exterior package: $300-$800. Per sq ft: $0.15-$0.40. Buying your own: electric: $100-$300. Gas: $250-$700. Renting: $50-$100/day. Most popular: professional full exterior wash 1x/year ($300-$600) or buy an electric washer for regular maintenance ($150-$250).

Light duty (1,300-2,000 PSI): cars, outdoor furniture, light siding cleaning. Good for: electric pressure washers. Medium duty (2,000-3,000 PSI): decks, fences, light concrete, heavy siding. Good for: most homeowner tasks. Heavy duty (3,000-4,000+ PSI): concrete driveways, heavy stains, paint stripping, commercial. Good for: gas pressure washers. General rule: start low and increase if needed. You can always go higher, but you can't undo damage from too much pressure. For wood: never exceed 2,000 PSI (ideally 1,500). For vinyl siding: 1,300-1,600 PSI. For concrete: 3,000-4,000 PSI. Distance matters too: hold the nozzle 6-12 inches from the surface for most tasks.

Electric vs gas pressure washer?

Electric: PSI: 1,300-2,300. Cost: $100-$300. Best for: homeowners doing light to medium cleaning. Pros: quiet, lightweight, no maintenance, easy to start. Cons: less powerful, cord limits range. Gas: PSI: 2,500-4,200. Cost: $250-$700. Best for: large properties, heavy cleaning, frequent use. Pros: more powerful, portable (no cord). Cons: louder, heavier, requires maintenance (oil, winterize). Recommendation: electric for most homeowners (vinyl siding, deck, furniture, car). Gas if you have a large concrete driveway or do heavy cleaning regularly. Most popular: a 2,000 PSI electric model ($150-$250) handles 90% of homeowner tasks.

Can pressure washing damage surfaces?

Yes if used incorrectly. Common damage: wood: fiber damage (fuzzing, splintering) from too high PSI or too close distance. Use max 1,500-2,000 PSI. Vinyl siding: can crack or force water behind siding. Use max 1,600 PSI and angle downward. Paint: can strip paint (fine if that's the goal, bad if it's not). Mortar/grout: can dislodge old mortar from brick. Shingles: NEVER pressure wash asphalt shingles. Use soft wash (low pressure + detergent). Windows: can break seals on double-pane windows. Avoidance tips: start with the widest nozzle (white or green). Keep 12+ inches distance until you know the surface can handle closer. Test in an inconspicuous area first. Use the minimum PSI needed for the job. Move the wand continuously (don't hold in one spot).

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Pressure Washing Guide: Cost, Tips & What to Clean

Lumberama Editorial Team, Exterior Cleaning & Maintenance Specialists Nov 26, 2026 7 min read

What to Pressure Wash

Driveways and walkways: Concrete, pavers, and stone. PSI: 3,000-4,000. Removes oil, dirt, algae, mildew. Frequency: annually.

Decks and patios: Wood decks: 1,500-2,000 PSI max (higher damages wood). Composite decks: 1,500-2,000 PSI. Concrete patios: 3,000-4,000 PSI. Always follow manufacturer guidelines for composite.

House siding: Vinyl: 1,300-1,600 PSI (or soft wash). Wood: 1,200-1,500 PSI (low pressure to avoid damage). Brick: 1,500-2,000 PSI. Stucco: 1,200-1,500 PSI (soft wash preferred).

Fences: Wood: 1,500-2,000 PSI. Vinyl: 1,300-1,600 PSI.

Other: Gutters: 1,300-1,600 PSI. Outdoor furniture: 1,000-1,500 PSI. Garage floor: 3,000-4,000 PSI. Roof: soft wash ONLY (pressure damages shingles). Pool deck: 3,000 PSI.

NEVER pressure wash: Asphalt roofing shingles. Old mortar/grout (can dislodge). Painted surfaces (unless stripping paint). Windows (can break seals). Electrical panels, meters, or outlets.

Equipment

Electric pressure washers: PSI: 1,300-2,300. Best for light-duty (furniture, cars, siding). Cost: $100-$300. Pros: quiet, lightweight, easy to use. No maintenance. Cons: less powerful, not for heavy concrete stains.

Gas pressure washers: PSI: 2,500-4,200. Best for heavy-duty (driveways, concrete, commercial). Cost: $250-$700. Pros: powerful, portable (no cord). Cons: louder, heavier, requires maintenance (oil, winterization).

Nozzle tips (color-coded): Red (0°): most concentrated, never use on surfaces you want to keep. Yellow (15°): heavy cleaning, concrete. Green (25°): general purpose, most common. White (40°): gentle, siding, vehicles. Black (65°): soap/detergent application. Turbo nozzle: spinning 0° tip that covers more area.

Cost

Professional pressure washing: Driveway: $100-$300. House siding: $200-$500 (1,500-2,500 sq ft). Deck: $100-$300. Fence: $100-$300. Patio: $50-$150. Full exterior (house + driveway + deck + patio): $300-$800.

Buying vs renting: Electric washer (own): $100-$300. Gas washer (own): $250-$700. Rental (per day): $50-$100. Rental makes sense if you only wash 1-2x/year. Buying makes sense at 3+ uses/year.

Detergents: General purpose: $10-$20/gallon. Concrete cleaner: $10-$25. House wash (soft wash): $15-$30. Always use pressure washer-safe detergents (not bleach or household cleaners in the machine).