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Why Professional Power Washing is a Smart Investment

While the visual transformation is often the main motivation, the benefits of professional power washing extend much further. Investing in a proper clean is a practical measure that protects your property, enhances safety, and can even increase its value.

• Prevents Costly Damage: Moss, algae, and mould don't just look unsightly; they can cause real harm. On paving and driveways, these growths can work their way into small cracks, expanding when they freeze in winter and causing the surface to crumble. On brickwork and render, they can trap moisture against the wall, potentially leading to penetrating damp and damage to the mortar. A professional clean removes these harmful growths at the source.


• Improves Safety: A patio or path covered in a layer of green algae becomes incredibly slippery when wet, posing a significant hazard for you, your family, and any visitors. This is especially dangerous during the autumn and winter months. Power washing completely removes this slick layer, making your garden and walkways safe to use again.


• Boosts Kerb Appeal and Property Value: The exterior of your home is the first thing people see. A clean, well-maintained driveway, patio, and facade significantly enhance its kerb appeal. If you are thinking of selling your property, a professional power wash is a relatively low-cost way to make your home more attractive to potential buyers, potentially adding thousands to its perceived value.


• Prepares Surfaces for Decorating or Sealing: If you are planning to paint an exterior wall, stain your decking, or seal your driveway, the surface must be impeccably clean. Power washing is the ideal preparation, ensuring that new coatings adhere properly and last for years to come.


• Healthier Environment: Mould and mildew around your property can release spores into the air, which can be problematic for people with allergies or respiratory issues. Removing these contaminants creates a healthier environment immediately surrounding your home.

What Can Be Power Washed? A Comprehensive Guide

Professional power washing equipment is versatile, and an experienced tradesperson can safely clean a wide variety of surfaces. They will know how to adjust the pressure and select the right nozzle and technique for each material, avoiding the damage that can be caused by a DIY attempt.

Patios and Paving

Patios are constantly exposed to the elements and foot traffic. Over a year, they can quickly become covered in green algae, black spots (lichen), and general grime. A professional power wash can restore everything from Indian sandstone and limestone slabs to concrete and block paving. For block paving, a crucial part of the professional service is to re-sand the joints after cleaning. This kiln-dried sand locks the blocks in place and prevents weed growth, a vital step that is often overlooked.

Driveways

Your driveway is the entrance to your home, but it takes a lot of punishment from vehicles, oil leaks, and tyre marks. Whether you have block paving, tarmac, or imprinted concrete, a power wash can lift stubborn stains and remove the build-up of moss and weeds, making it look smart and cared for once more.

Decking

Wooden and composite decking can become dangerously slippery when algae takes hold. However, wood is a soft material that can be easily damaged by excessive pressure, leaving it splintered and 'furry'. A professional will often use a lower-pressure technique, sometimes called soft washing, combined with a suitable cleaning solution to clean the decking gently but effectively without causing damage.

Brickwork and Exterior Walls

The walls of your house, whether they are brick, stone, or have a rendered finish, can become discoloured by pollution, particularly in urban areas, and affected by green or red algae growth. A careful, low-pressure wash can remove this staining and revitalise the appearance of your entire property. This is a job that requires particular expertise to avoid forcing water into the wall cavity or damaging the mortar.

Fencing and Garden Furniture

Wooden fences can quickly turn grey and weathered. A gentle wash can strip back the grime and prepare the wood for a new coat of paint or stain. Similarly, wooden, metal, or plastic garden furniture can be brought back to life, ready for you to enjoy your garden at the weekend.

Roofs

Roof cleaning is a highly specialised task and should only ever be undertaken by experienced professionals with the correct safety equipment. High pressure should never be used on roof tiles as it can strip their protective granular coating and force water up under the tiles, leading to leaks. Professionals use a soft wash method from a secure platform to kill moss and algae, which is then gently rinsed away.

The Difference Between Power Washing, Pressure Washing, and Soft Washing

The terms are often used interchangeably, but there are technical differences that a good professional will understand.

• Power Washing: This method uses heated water. The heat helps to break down stubborn, greasy stains more effectively, making it ideal for tough jobs like removing significant oil patches from a driveway.


• Pressure Washing (or Jet Washing): This is the most common term used in the UK. It uses unheated, mains-temperature water delivered at high pressure. It is highly effective for general cleaning tasks, such as removing ingrained dirt, weeds, and algae from robust surfaces like patios and block paving.


• Soft Washing: This technique is essential for more delicate surfaces. It involves using a much lower pressure, comparable to a garden hose, combined with a specific, biodegradable chemical cleaning solution. The solution does the work, killing off moss, lichen, and algae, which can then be gently rinsed away. This is the correct method for cleaning roofs, render, pebble-dash, and older, more fragile brickwork.

A reputable tradesperson will assess your property and determine the safest and most effective method for each surface, ensuring a perfect finish without any risk of damage.

Understanding the Cost of Power Washing in the UK

The cost of hiring a professional power washing service can vary depending on several factors. A trustworthy tradesperson will always be transparent about their pricing, and most will offer a free, no-obligation quote after assessing the job. Prices are generally calculated per square metre, per hour, or as a fixed price for the entire project.

Average Power Washing Costs

Below are some guideline prices to help you budget. Bear in mind that costs are typically higher in London and the South East and may vary based on the specifics of your job.

• Driveways: For a standard block-paved or tarmac driveway, you can expect to pay between £3 and £5 per square metre (m²). A small two-car driveway might cost between £120 and £200, while a larger one could be £250 to £400. This price should ideally include re-sanding for block paving.


• Patios: The cost is similar to driveways, typically £3 to £6 per m². The price may be slightly higher for sensitive stone that requires more careful work or for patios with heavy black lichen spotting, which requires specific chemical treatment.


• Decking: Cleaning wooden decking properly takes more care. Expect to pay around £4 to £7 per m².


• Exterior House Walls: This is highly variable depending on the size of the house and the surface material. Cleaning the front of a typical terraced house might cost £250 - £450, while cleaning all elevations of a semi-detached house could range from £400 to £800.


• Roof Cleaning (Soft Wash): As a specialist job, this is more expensive. For a typical semi-detached house, prices often start from £500 and can go up to £1,200 or more, depending on size, pitch, and accessibility.

Factors That Influence the Final Price

When you receive quotes, several elements will have been considered to arrive at the final figure.

• Size of the Area: Larger areas naturally take more time and materials, though the price per square metre may decrease for very large jobs.


• Condition: A surface with light dirt and algae will be cheaper to clean than one with thick moss, deep-rooted weeds, and stubborn stains like oil or paint.


• Accessibility: Areas that are difficult to access, requiring extra-long hoses or specialist access equipment like a scaffold tower, will incur additional costs.


• Additional Services: The basic price is for cleaning. Services like applying a post-clean sealant to protect the surface and inhibit future growth, or carrying out minor repairs, will be quoted as extra.


• Water Supply: Most services will use your external tap. If there is no water access on-site, the tradesperson will need to bring a water bowser, which will increase the cost.

How to Find and Hire the Best Local Power Washing Service

Finding a reliable and skilled tradesperson is the key to a successful project. Using a platform like ServiceTasker™ simplifies the process, allowing you to connect with local experts who are right for your job. Follow these steps to ensure you hire with confidence.

• 1. Define Your Project Clearly: Before you post your job, be as specific as possible. For example, instead of just "clean patio", write "Power wash a 40m² Indian sandstone patio with significant green algae and some black spot lichen. Access is via a side gate". The more detail you provide, the more accurate your quotes will be.


• 2. Post Your Job on ServiceTasker™: Enter your postcode and the detailed description of your project. Local, available professionals will then be able to review your requirements and provide you with competitive quotes.


• 3. Compare Quotes and Profiles: Don't just choose the cheapest quote. Take a moment to look at the profile of each tradesperson. See what experience they have and check what is included in their price. Does it cover chemical treatments and waste removal? A comprehensive quote is a sign of a professional approach.


• 4. Ask Key Questions: A good tradesperson will be happy to answer your questions. It is perfectly reasonable to ask: "Do you have public liability insurance?", "What cleaning method do you propose for my specific surfaces?", and "Is the quote a fixed price with no hidden extras?".


• 5. Get a Written Agreement: For any significant job, it's wise to have the agreed scope of work and the final price confirmed in writing, even if it's just via email or a message on the ServiceTasker™ platform. This protects both you and the tradesperson and ensures there are no misunderstandings.

Ready to Restore Your Home’s Exterior?

A professional power wash can breathe new life into your property, improving its appearance, safety, and longevity. The key is to find an experienced local professional who uses the right equipment and techniques for the job. You can avoid the risks and disappointing results of DIY and ensure a stunning, long-lasting finish.

Ready to get started? Post your job for free on ServiceTasker™ today. You'll receive no-obligation quotes from trusted power washing specialists in your area, allowing you to compare and choose the right expert to make your home shine.