How much does pressure washing cost?

Professional: house exterior: $200-$600. Driveway: $100-$300. Deck/patio: $100-$300. Fence: $100-$300. Full package (house + driveway + walks): $400-$1,000. Per sq ft: $0.15-$0.75. DIY: pressure washer rental: $60-$100/day. Supplies: $10-$30. DIY vs. pro: for a one-time job, renting makes sense ($60-$100 vs $200-$600 professional). If you wash annually, buying a washer ($150-$500) pays for itself in 1-2 uses.

How often should I pressure wash my house?

House siding: annually (or every 2 years in dry climates). More often if you see: green algae or mildew. Dark streaks. Cobwebs and dirt buildup. Before painting or staining (required). Driveway: annually. Oil stains: as needed. Deck: annually before re-staining or sealing. Fence: every 1-2 years. Roof: every 2-3 years (soft wash only — never high pressure). Best time: spring or early fall. Before outdoor entertaining season. In mild temperatures (avoid freezing).

Is pressure washing bad for my house?

When done correctly: no. Pressure washing is safe and recommended maintenance. What causes damage: too much pressure (using 3,000 PSI on vinyl siding). Holding the nozzle too close. Wrong nozzle (0-degree can cut through wood). Spraying directly at gaps, windows, or vents (forces water behind siding). Spraying upward under siding (water gets behind it). Safe practices: use 1,500-2,000 PSI for siding. Keep 12+ inches from the surface. Use the 25 or 40 degree nozzle. Work top-down. Never spray upward under horizontal siding. Soft wash (low pressure + cleaning solution) is safest for most surfaces.

What PSI pressure washer do I need?

For most homeowners: 2,000-2,800 PSI handles everything. Cars and furniture: 1,200-1,500 PSI. Vinyl siding: 1,500-2,000 PSI. Wood deck and fence: 1,500-2,000 PSI. Concrete driveway: 2,500-3,000 PSI. Brick: 2,500-3,000 PSI. Heavy stain removal: 3,000+ PSI. Electric vs gas: electric: 1,300-2,000 PSI. Lighter, quieter, cheaper. Good for light to medium tasks. Gas: 2,500-3,500+ PSI. More powerful. Portable (no cord). Better for concrete and heavy-duty work. The recommendation: if you only wash siding and furniture: electric ($150-$300). If you also wash concrete: gas ($300-$500). A 2,500-3,000 PSI gas washer with a surface cleaner attachment handles everything a homeowner needs.

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Pressure Washing Guide: Cost, Tips & When to Wash

Lumberama Editorial Team, Home Maintenance & Cleaning Specialists Nov 10, 2026 8 min read

What to Pressure Wash

Common surfaces: House siding (vinyl, wood, brick, stucco). Driveways and sidewalks (concrete, pavers). Decks and patios. Fences. Garage floors. Outdoor furniture. Gutters (exterior). Pavers and retaining walls.

What NOT to pressure wash: Asphalt roofing shingles (damages and shortens life). Painted surfaces (can strip paint). Windows (can crack or break seals). Soft wood (cedar, redwood — use low pressure or soft wash). Stained or sealed surfaces (unless re-staining after). Old brick or mortar (can erode). Anything you want to preserve a patina on.

PSI Guide

Low pressure (500-1,500 PSI): Vehicles, outdoor furniture, windows (careful). Soft washing (with cleaning solution).

Medium pressure (1,500-2,500 PSI): Vinyl siding, wood decks, fences. Most homeowner tasks.

High pressure (2,500-3,500 PSI): Concrete driveways and sidewalks. Brick and stone. Heavy stain removal.

Very high pressure (3,500+ PSI): Commercial and industrial use. Paint stripping. Graffiti removal.

GPM (gallons per minute): Also important. Higher GPM = faster cleaning. Most residential: 2-3 GPM. Combined cleaning power: PSI x GPM = cleaning units (CU). 2,000+ CU is good for most homeowner tasks.

Cost

Professional pressure washing: House exterior (siding): $200-$600. Driveway (2-car): $100-$300. Deck or patio (200-400 sq ft): $100-$300. Fence: $100-$300. Roof (soft wash): $300-$600. Full exterior package (house + driveway + walkways): $400-$1,000. Per sq ft: $0.15-$0.75.

Pressure washer purchase: Electric (light duty, 1,300-2,000 PSI): $100-$300. Gas (medium duty, 2,500-3,200 PSI): $250-$500. Gas (heavy duty, 3,200+ PSI): $400-$800+. Commercial: $800-$3,000+.

Pressure washer rental: Half day: $40-$60. Full day: $60-$100. Weekend: $100-$200.

Supplies: Surface cleaner attachment: $30-$80. Cleaning solutions: $10-$30. Nozzle set: included with most washers.

Tips

Before washing: Test on an inconspicuous area first. Close windows and doors. Cover plants and landscaping near the work area. Start with the lowest effective pressure. Work from top to bottom (house siding).

Technique: Hold the wand 6-12 inches from the surface. Use overlapping strokes. Maintain consistent distance. Use appropriate nozzle: 0 degree (red): pinpoint, very aggressive. Do not use on most surfaces. 15 degree (yellow): heavy cleaning, concrete. 25 degree (green): general cleaning, most surfaces. 40 degree (white): gentle wash, windows, siding. Soap nozzle (black): applying detergent.