How to Prepare Your Home for a Professional Pressure Wash
So, you’ve finally decided to treat your home to a professional pressure wash, fantastic choice!
Whether you’re freshening up the siding for a summer gathering, prepping for an exterior paint job, or just tired of that green film taking over your deck, this is one of the most satisfying home maintenance steps you can take.
A clean exterior not only improves curb appeal but also helps protect your home from mildew, algae, and dirt buildup.
But before the Maple Washing team shows up with our equipment, hoses, and eco-friendly detergents, a little prep work on your end will go a long way.
Think of it like tidying up before the house cleaners arrive, it makes the job faster, safer, and ensures you get the best results possible.
Below, we’ll walk you through how to prepare your house for pressure washing, complete with practical tips, funny but true stories from the field, and advice tailored for homeowners across the Lower Mainland.
Why Preparing Your Home Matters
Prepping your home for a professional pressure wash isn’t just busy work, it’s an investment in the quality of the results and the protection of your property.
When we show up to a house that’s ready to go, we can start washing right away, which saves you time and money.
It also reduces the risk of accidental damage to items you care about, like delicate plants, garden gnomes, or that carefully arranged patio set.
Proper preparation allows our technicians to access every surface that needs cleaning, from the siding to the foundation line, which means we can achieve a more thorough clean.
We’ve seen situations where unprepared homes led to unnecessary delays, think of us carefully maneuvering around bikes, lawn chairs, and potted plants like an obstacle course.
By taking an hour or two to get ready, you make sure your house washing is stress-free and efficient. Plus, you’ll feel great knowing you contributed to those sparkling results.
Step 1: Clear the Stage
The first step in preparing your house for pressure washing is clearing the work area. Imagine trying to mop a floor with toys, chairs, and garden tools in the way, it just doesn’t work.
Move patio furniture, grills, bicycles, children’s toys, and decorative items at least 10 feet away from the walls. If you have a deck, remove anything that might block access, including planters or outdoor rugs.
Not everything is easy to move, if you have a heavy bench or a large barbecue island that isn’t portable, just let us know ahead of time.
We’re happy to work around it safely, but the fewer obstacles in our way, the better the results will be.
Pro tip: This is also the perfect time to sweep or hose down your furniture. When you bring it back after the wash, your entire outdoor space will feel like new, like a backyard reset button.
And who knows? You might even decide to rearrange things for a fresh new look.
Step 2: Protect Your Green Friends
Landscaping is one of the biggest investments homeowners make, so protecting it is key. Even though Maple Washing uses biodegradable, ocean-safe detergents, some plants can still be sensitive to the solutions used during soft washing or pressure washing.
Taking a few minutes to shield your greenery ensures that your hydrangeas and tomato plants look as good after the wash as your freshly cleaned siding.
Cover plants close to the house with breathable tarps, cloths, or old sheets. Avoid using plastic if possible, it can trap heat and harm the leaves.
Water your garden thoroughly before we arrive; this dilutes any soap that might splash onto the soil. For potted plants and hanging baskets, move them out of the way entirely.
Protecting plants ensures you won’t be left with any “clean house, sad garden” situations, because nothing ruins great curb appeal faster than wilted petunias.
Step 3: Batten Down the Hatches
You’d be surprised how far a pressure washers’ spray can travel. That’s why sealing up your home is one of the most important steps.
Make sure all windows and doors are completely closed and locked, including basement windows or vents near the foundation.
Take a minute to check for gaps in old window seals, mail slots, or doggy doors. If you find any potential water entry points, cover them with painter’s tape or a waterproof barrier.
This extra precaution keeps the inside of your house safe from unexpected drips or sprays.
This step also prevents your pets from going on unexpected adventures. We’ve had more than one curious cat make a sudden dash outside mid-job, and while we love animals, we’d rather not spend part of your appointment coaxing Mittens off the roof.
A quick check of your home’s openings means everyone stays dry, and inside where they belong.
Step 4: Power & Water Access
A professional pressure wash requires two things: water and power. Before we arrive, make sure your outdoor water spigot is turned on and that nothing is blocking access to it. If you have multiple spigots, let us know which one you prefer we use.
Electrical safety is equally important. Cover outdoor outlets with waterproof covers or plastic bags secured with painter’s tape. If you have outdoor lights, holiday décor, or plugged-in water features, turn them off or unplug them for the day.
This step may sound small, but it’s crucial. A secure power and water setup allows us to work efficiently and safely. It also prevents those dreaded “pop goes the breaker” moments that can delay the job.
If you’re not sure where your breakers are located or how to shut off a particular circuit, we can walk you through it before starting.
Step 5: Talk to the Neighbors
Communication is key, especially if you live in a tight-knit neighborhood or strata complex. Pressure washing can be a bit noisy, and water spray can travel farther than you think.
Letting your neighbors know about your upcoming service is both courteous and practical.
If you share a driveway or fence line, ask if they’d like their side cleaned too, many of our clients turn this into a mini “neighborhood cleanup day,” which can save everyone money.
We’ve even seen neighbors come outside with lawn chairs to watch the transformation, it’s strangely satisfying to watch years of grime disappear in seconds.
A quick conversation in advance helps avoid surprises and keeps everyone happy, especially if cars need to be moved or pets need to be kept inside.
Step 6: Secure Pets and Kids
Kids and pets are curious by nature, which makes pressure washing day extra exciting for them. Unfortunately, it’s also a safety risk. Keep pets indoors and children away from the work area during the service.
The equipment can be noisy, the ground slippery, and the water pressure strong enough to cause injury if misused.
For anxious pets, consider turning on a radio or white noise machine to help mask the sound. If you have an especially curious dog, make sure gates are latched securely, they have a habit of trying to join us outside.
Not only does this step keep your family safe, but it also allows us to focus entirely on doing the job efficiently and thoroughly. Once we’re done, it’s safe to bring everyone outside to admire the sparkling clean siding, driveway, or deck.
Step 7: Plan for Aftercare
Once your home is freshly washed, it’s tempting to dive right into painting, staining, or redecorating. Hold off for at least 24–48 hours to allow surfaces to dry completely. This ensures that paint, sealants, or other coatings will adhere properly and last longer.
After the wash, take a slow walk around your home. Check for any areas you might want to address next, maybe a gutter that needs cleaning, a fence that’s ready for stain, or a deck that could use sealing.
Maple Washing can often bundle these services or recommend trusted partners.
This is also the perfect time to take “after” photos for your own satisfaction or to share on social media. There’s something deeply satisfying about a before-and-after shot that shows just how much cleaner and brighter your home looks after a professional service.
Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing Prep
If you’ve heard of soft washing and wondered how it’s different, here’s the scoop: pressure washing uses high-pressure water to blast away dirt, which is great for driveways, patios, and concrete. Soft washing uses a lower pressure combined with gentle cleaning solutions, perfect for siding, roofs, and delicate surfaces that could be damaged by high pressure.
The preparation steps are nearly identical, but soft washing makes plant protection and sealing windows even more important because cleaning solutions are applied. It’s also a good idea to let us know if you’ve recently painted or stained surfaces so we can adjust our process.
Think of soft washing as giving your home a gentle spa day rather than a deep-tissue massage. Both methods are effective, but soft washing is designed to be gentler on surfaces while still producing dramatic results.
Maple Washing’s Pro Tips
We’ve been in the pressure washing business long enough to collect some great behind-the-scenes stories and a few lessons learned. Here are our favorite tips to help you get the most out of your service:
- Take before photos—you’ll love comparing them to the sparkling results after.
- Bundle services when possible—siding, driveways, decks, and even gutters can often be cleaned in one visit.
- Tackle seasonal maintenance together—spring is perfect for house washing, summer for deck staining, and fall for gutter cleaning.
- Ask us questions—we’re happy to share maintenance tips to keep your home looking great year-round.
Our goal is to make the entire process hassle-free and even a little fun. When we leave, we want you to feel like you’ve just fallen in love with your house all over again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do before a professional pressure washing service?
How do I protect my plants during pressure washing?
What’s the difference between soft washing and pressure washing?
How long should I wait to paint or stain after pressure washing?
Do I need to be home during the pressure washing service?
Ready for Your Home’s Makeover?
Your home is now fully prepped for its big spa day. If you’re in Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, or anywhere in the Lower Mainland, Maple Washing is ready to bring back that fresh, like-new look.
Call us: 1-877-888-9274
Email: info@maplewashing.com
Give your home the care it deserves, schedule your professional pressure wash today and let us handle the dirty work!