Pressure washing gives one of the most dramatic before-and-afters in cleaning. Driveways, walkways, patios and siding can lose years of grime, algae and staining in a single visit. But the same pressure that lifts dirt from concrete will damage other materials, so the first job is always deciding what a surface can take.
Concrete, brick and stone handle high pressure well. This is where the transformation is most visible, and where most of our exterior work happens.
Wood decking and painted siding need considerably lower pressure and a wider fan. Too much force lifts paint, splinters softwood, and drives water where it should not go. Older or already-flaking paint is often better left alone entirely.
Roofs are usually the wrong call. Pressure washing shingles strips the protective granules and shortens roof life. Soft washing with the right solution is the correct approach there.
Seasonally, spring and early autumn work best in northern Illinois. Surfaces need time to dry properly, and washing in near-freezing conditions risks water sitting in cracks and freezing.
If you are not sure whether a surface should be washed, send us a photo. We would rather tell you it is a bad idea than damage it. Call (224) 566-3090.