The General Rule: Once a Year, Minimum

For most homes in our service area, an annual full exterior wash is the baseline — siding, driveway, walkways, and any concrete patios. That’s enough to keep mold, mildew, and algae from getting a permanent foothold and to prevent the kind of buildup that actually stains or damages surfaces over time.

When You Need It More Often

A few situations push that timeline up to twice a year or more:

• Homes in heavy shade or near trees — less sun exposure means mold and algae grow faster and dry out slower.
• North-facing walls — the side of your house that gets the least direct sunlight is almost always the first to show green or black streaking.
• Homes within a few miles of the coast — salt air accelerates grime buildup.
• After a bad pollen season — spring pollen bakes onto siding, gutters, and concrete if it’s not rinsed off.
• Before selling your home — a clean exterior is one of the cheapest, highest-return improvements before listing.

Signs You’re Overdue

You don’t have to wait for an annual reminder — your house will tell you:

• Green or black streaks on siding, especially on the north side
• A driveway or walkway that looks darker than it used to, even after rain
• Slippery spots on concrete (that’s usually algae, and it’s a slip hazard)
• Visible pollen “dusting” that rain alone hasn’t washed away
• Gutters overflowing with debris even after a light rain

What About Roof Cleaning?

Your roof runs on a different schedule than your siding — we generally recommend a professional soft wash roof cleaning every 1-2 years, and never a high-pressure wash on shingles. Moss and algae streaks aren’t just cosmetic; left alone, they can shorten the life of your shingles.

The DIY vs. Professional Question

For small, low areas — patio furniture, a short walkway, porch steps — a consumer-grade pressure washer can get the job done. But for full siding washes, second-story work, or anything involving a roof, it’s worth calling a pro — both for safety and because the wrong pressure or angle can force water behind siding or damage shingles.