How to Prepare for Your Pressure Washing Service
Preparing for your pressure washing service helps the job run safely, efficiently, and without surprises. Pressure Wash Long Island asks every customer to close openings, clear access, turn off sprinklers, secure pets and children, and point out any fragile or damaged areas before work begins.
This page explains what to do before we arrive, what standard cleaning includes, and what conditions need to be discussed before the job starts.
Quick Checklist Before We Arrive
- Close and lock all windows, doors, and pet doors
- Move cars away from the driveway or work area
- Clear patio furniture, grills, toys, hoses, planters, and garbage cans
- Unlock gates and make sure we can access all areas being cleaned
- Make sure an exterior water source is available and working
- Turn off sprinklers — all zones that reach the work area
- Keep pets and children inside during service
- Reschedule landscapers for the week after — not the same day
- Point out any loose siding, damaged screens, fragile fixtures, or known leaks
Close Windows, Doors, and Pet Doors
Please make sure all windows, doors, storm doors, and pet doors are fully closed before the service starts. This helps prevent water from entering the home during exterior washing.
If you know of any loose seals, damaged windows, failing caulk, or gaps around doors, let Kevin or Matthew know before work begins. Existing openings can allow water into areas that normal exterior cleaning should not reach.
Clear Access Around the Property
We need safe access to the areas being cleaned. Please unlock gates, clear narrow side yards, and move anything blocking siding, patios, walkways, decks, fences, driveways, or paver areas.
On North Shore properties in Brookville, Glen Head, Muttontown, and Oyster Bay — where mature trees, dense landscaping, and narrow side yards are common — clearing a path to all exterior walls before we arrive makes a real difference in what we can reach and clean thoroughly. If there are locked gates, blocked hose paths, or areas we cannot reach, some parts of the job may need to be skipped or rescheduled.
Move Cars, Furniture, Toys, and Planters
Please move vehicles away from driveways, garage doors, curbside cleaning areas, and any surface being washed. Tire marks on a freshly cleaned surface before sanding or sealing contaminate the surface and can require the area to be re-cleaned.
Outdoor furniture, grills, cushions, toys, umbrellas, potted plants, decorations, garden hoses, and garbage cans should be moved before we arrive. Pool equipment near coping edges and anything stored against the foundation or siding should also be cleared. If something is too heavy to move safely, point it out before the job starts.
Make Sure Water Access Is Available
Please make sure at least one exterior water spigot is turned on, accessible, and working. If a hose bib is shut off from inside the house, it should be opened before the appointment.
If the property has limited water access, weak pressure, a broken spigot, or a shared water source, let us know ahead of time. Water access can affect the cleaning plan and the time needed onsite.
Turn Off Sprinklers Before Service
Turn off your irrigation system before the job starts — not just the zones that obviously cover the lawn. Any zone that reaches the driveway, patio, walkway, pool deck, or siding needs to be off.
This is one of the most common preventable delays on Nassau County properties. Wet pavers on sanding or sealing day push the timeline. Wet siding or concrete changes the cleaning approach. If the surfaces are soaked from sprinklers when we arrive, we may need to reschedule that phase of the job.
Keep Pets and Children Inside
Pets and children should stay inside while exterior cleaning is underway. Hoses, equipment, wet surfaces, and cleaning solution create trip and safety risks around the work area.
Please also make sure gates are secured if pets normally use the yard. We may need to open and close gates while moving equipment around the property.
Reschedule Your Landscaper
Do not schedule your landscaper on the same day as a pressure washing or paver sealing job. Grass clippings, mulch, and tracked soil on freshly cleaned or freshly sealed surfaces contaminate the work before it is complete.
For paver sealing specifically, landscaper activity on or near freshly sealed pavers before the sealer cures can cause debris embedding and surface contamination that is difficult to correct. Reschedule for the week after the restoration is complete.
Point Out Fragile or Damaged Areas
Before work begins, please point out any areas you already know are loose, cracked, damaged, leaking, or fragile. This includes siding, screens, windows, gutters, trim, light fixtures, doorbells, cameras, outlets, decks, fencing, concrete, brick, stonework, and pavers.
Kevin or Matthew walks the job before work starts, but homeowner knowledge matters. If you know something is damaged or sensitive, tell us before cleaning begins so it can be handled properly.
Protect Delicate Items and Electronics
Please remove or protect delicate items near the work area, including decorations, cushions, outdoor speakers, extension cords, holiday lights, and small garden items. Exterior outlets, cameras, doorbells, and low-voltage lighting should be identified before service.
If an item is loose, not weatherproof, or already damaged, it should be moved or discussed before work starts. Exterior cleaning involves water, runoff, and controlled cleaning solution around the property.
What Standard Pressure Washing Does Not Include
Standard exterior cleaning is designed to remove normal organic buildup, dirt, algae, mildew, pollen, and surface grime. It does not automatically include specialty stain removal or repair work.
Standard pressure washing does not include removal of rust, oil, grease, glue, paint, caulk, concrete, tar, mortar, deep mineral staining, or other non-organic materials unless that work is specifically discussed and included in the written quote. Some stains can be improved but not fully removed without specialty treatment — we will explain those conditions before work begins when they are visible onsite.
Artillery Fungus, Ivy, and Vegetation
Removal of artillery fungus — the black speck-like spots caused by improper mulching near the foundation — is not included in a standard house wash. These spots are extremely difficult to remove from siding and require specialty treatment as a separate service.
Removal of the stem or root system of English ivy, climbing vines, and other vegetation attached to the siding, foundation, or fencing is not part of standard exterior cleaning. If you have vegetation growing against the house, discuss it before the job starts.
Windows After Cleaning
Depending on water quality, there may be some spotting or streaking on windows after exterior house washing. This is a water mineral deposit issue, not a cleaning error. If window appearance matters, we recommend scheduling window cleaning after the exterior wash appointment — not before.
Screen removal and cleaning behind screens is not part of a standard house wash unless specifically included in the written quote.
Oxidation and Surface Color After Cleaning
Oxidation on painted surfaces, vinyl siding, and other man-made materials is a pre-existing condition. Our soft-wash low-pressure cleaning process removes mold, mildew, algae, and organic staining — and as little oxidation as possible.
As the surface dries after cleaning, oxidized or faded areas may reveal striping, staining under weep holes, irregular spotting, or other color inconsistencies. The surface will be clean. We cannot guarantee color outcome or be responsible for irregularities that result from pre-existing oxidation and fading.
Previously Used Products on Surfaces
Please let us know if any product was previously applied to your siding, roof, deck, or driveway that was not specifically formulated for professional exterior cleaning. Products like car wax, Pledge, bleach, vinegar, degreasers, or store-bought cleaners can cause chemical interactions, discoloration, or streaking when professional cleaning solution contacts them.
This is rare but it does happen. Your disclosure helps us avoid a negative result. In some cases we may need to decline the cleaning or ask you to sign a waiver before proceeding in that area.
Weeping After House Washing
Some homes may experience weeping after cleaning — a path of dirty water running down siding hours after the job is complete. This happens when water trapped behind siding, trim, or window frames works its way out as the surface dries.
If you notice weeping, a light rinse with a garden hose is usually enough to clear it. If it continues or does not clear, call us within 5 business days and we will return to address it.
What to Expect After Roof Cleaning
Roof cleaning from Pressure Wash Long Island uses low-pressure soft-wash methodology to eradicate algae, mold, moss, lichen, and organic growth from the roof surface. Light leaf debris does not always need to be removed before treatment, but heavy debris may be addressed as part of the job plan.
After cleaning, the roof may have a dark or tobacco-like appearance. This rinses off after several good rains and is a normal part of the process. Moss and lichen turn white when they die and may take several months to fall from the roof — the root system needs time to loosen from the shingles, and rain is the safest way for that to happen. Any use of pressure on a roof can void the remaining manufacturer warranty.
If Something Is Missed
We inspect the property at the end of every job and ask homeowners to do the same before we leave. If something is noticed after we have gone, call us within 5 business days and we will return to address it. That commitment applies to every job.
Pre-Existing Damage Notice
Pressure Wash Long Island is not responsible for pre-existing damage to siding, fascia, roofing, windows, screens, concrete, pavers, stonework, brick, tile, decks, fencing, gutters, trim, caulking, paint, or fixtures.
Exterior cleaning can reveal damage that was hidden under algae, dirt, mildew, oxidation, or old buildup. Loose paint, failed caulk, cracked siding, damaged screens, lifted pavers, deteriorated wood, and worn concrete may become more visible after cleaning. If we notice an obvious issue before work starts, we will point it out. If you already know about a problem area, please tell us before service begins.
Questions Before Service
If you have a question about access, water, pets, delicate surfaces, stain removal, or what is included in your service, call before the appointment. It is better to discuss those details before the crew arrives than to change the scope during the job.
Pressure Wash Long Island provides house washing, roof cleaning, gutter cleaning, window cleaning, paver sealing, and commercial power washing for Nassau County homes from 108 Jerusalem Ave, Hicksville, NY 11801. Call (516) 350-8393 or use the contact page for questions before your service.
We serve homeowners across Nassau County including Hicksville, Merrick, Plainview, Mineola, Garden City, Jericho, Levittown, Brookville, and Muttontown.
Prepare for Pressure Washing Service — Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do before pressure washing service?
Close all windows and doors, move cars and outdoor items, unlock gates, turn off sprinklers, and make sure water access is available. Pets and children should stay inside during the service. Reschedule landscapers for the week after. If you know about damaged siding, loose screens, failing caulk, or fragile fixtures, point those out before work begins.
Do I need to be home during pressure washing?
You do not always need to be home if access, water, and service details are already confirmed. Gates should be unlocked, pets should be inside, and the work areas should be cleared before we arrive. If there are fragile surfaces, known leaks, or special instructions, those should be discussed before the appointment so there are no surprises during the job.
Should I move furniture before pressure washing?
Yes. Patio furniture, grills, cushions, toys, planters, hoses, garbage cans, and decorations should be moved away from the work area before service starts. Clear access helps the job move faster and protects your belongings from overspray, runoff, and cleaning solution. If something is too heavy to move, point it out before work begins.
Do sprinklers need to be turned off before pressure washing?
Yes. Turn off all irrigation zones before the appointment — not just the ones covering the lawn. Running sprinklers reduce the water supply available to the crew, which can slow the job or interrupt the cleaning process. For paver restoration jobs specifically, wet surfaces from sprinklers the morning of service can also affect sanding and sealing conditions and may require rescheduling that phase.
What stains are not included in standard pressure washing?
Standard exterior cleaning does not automatically include rust, oil, grease, glue, paint, caulk, concrete, tar, mortar, or deep mineral staining. Those require specialty treatment and should be discussed before work begins. Normal dirt, algae, mildew, pollen, and organic surface buildup are part of standard exterior cleaning.
Can pressure washing reveal existing damage?
Yes. Exterior cleaning can reveal damage hidden by dirt, algae, oxidation, or mildew — including loose paint, failed caulk, cracked siding, worn concrete, deteriorated wood, lifted pavers, and damaged screens. Pressure Wash Long Island is not responsible for pre-existing damage, so known problem areas should be identified before service begins.
Written by Kevin, owner of Pressure Wash Long Island. Kevin has worked on Long Island homes since 1982 and launched his business in 1986.
