Field dust sticks to fog-damp walls in Salinas and turns to mildew on the shaded sides. We wash stucco, siding, decks, fences and concrete with the pressure set for each surface. It can be booked on its own or as the first step of a paint job.
Buildings in Salinas get dirty in a particular way. Fine soil blows off the fields nearly every afternoon and sticks to walls that are still damp from the morning fog. On shaded sides that film turns green or black with mildew. Stucco holds the dirt in its texture, and driveways and patios darken with it. Washing takes all of that off. It is also the first step of any exterior paint job, because paint will not bond to dust, chalk or mildew.
The method is matched to the surface. Stucco and painted wood are cleaned with a mild detergent and low to moderate pressure, with the spray angled so that water is not forced behind siding or into window frames. Mildew is treated with a cleaner, not just blasted. Wood decks and fences get the gentlest setting, since high pressure scars soft redwood. Concrete can take more. Plants are rinsed before and after, and doors, lights and outlets are protected.
A wash on its own takes a few hours for most houses. When it is the start of a paint job, the walls then need time to dry, which is a day or more in our damp air and longer for bare wood. Please close the windows and move cars and patio furniture before we arrive. If old paint is already loose, washing will take some of it off, and that is expected. On houses from before 1978 we take care with loose paint because of possible lead.
Power washing in Salinas: common questions
Will pressure washing damage my stucco?
Not when it is done at the right pressure. Sound stucco handles a moderate wash well. Cracked or crumbling areas are cleaned gently and marked for repair. Too much pressure held too close can cut into the finish, so we avoid it.
How soon after washing can the house be painted?
When the surface is dry all the way through. In Salinas that is usually a day or two for stucco and painted siding in fair weather. Bare wood, shaded walls and foggy weeks take longer.
Can you wash solar panels, roofs or windows?
Our washing service is for siding, stucco, decks, fences and concrete. Roofs and solar panels need other methods and are best left to specialists. Ask us about your surface when you call.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.