Should you pressure wash a stucco house?

Yes, you can use a power washer or pressure washer to clean stucco. Just make sure to maintain a good distance between the nozzle and the surface, use the 1,500 PSI, and a 25- or 40-degree nozzle. Although, given the intensity of a power washer, seeking the help of a professional is always best.

How often should you clean stucco?

Stucco walls can be washed and should be washed two to three times a year in order to maintain the finish coat's ability to shine and function the way it should.

Why you should not pressure wash your house?

Your house is built to withstand rain and other moisture, and it can even withstand a low PSI with a pressure washer, but when pressure washers are used at full capacity, you may end up with soggy carpet, wet attics, and mold. When done incorrectly, a pressure washer can damage siding, even knocking it loose.

Is stucco hard to clean?

The good news is that cleaning indoor stucco usually takes nothing more than water and a bit of elbow grease. Simply scrub the dingy stucco with a dampened nylon brush to saturate the surface, then rub away the buildup with a moistened microfiber cloth (or clean cotton rag).

What should you not pressure wash a house with?

How to clean a stucco house with pressure washer soft wash system

What is the difference between power washing and pressure washing?

The main difference with power washing vs. pressure washing is the heat. The jet wash in a power washing machine uses heated water, whereas the water in a pressure washer is not heated.

How can I clean the outside of my house without a pressure washer?

Using a garden hose, spray only the section of siding that you're working on with water. Spray using a downward motion to avoid forcing water underneath the siding, where it could cause damage and rot. Using a scrub brush and the TSP/water cleaner, scrub the siding to remove the grime and dirt.

How do you clean the outside of a stucco house?

In a bucket or large container, mix 1.5 cups Simple Green Oxy Solve House and Siding Cleaner in a gallon of water. Hose down the siding. Use a soft-bristle brush to apply the cleaning mixture in sections, scrubbing firmly enough to clean without damaging the siding surface.

What is the lifespan of stucco?

Stucco is a very durable finish material with a typical life span of 50-80 years or more. Although it is one of the most durable surfaces available, it also features the lowest annual maintenance cost when compared to other siding materials. Stucco is a natural material consisting of an aggregate, a binder, and water.

Can power washing a house cause mold?

In fact, you can cause irreversible damage if you don't have proper experience and knowledge of how to power wash a house. Here's the kind of damage power washing can do if not performed correctly: Water can build up below a home's siding causing mold and mildew growth.

What are the benefits of power washing your house?

When should I powerwash my house?

In general, houses should be power washed at least once a year any time between March and November. As it gets later in a calendar year, you'll want to make sure your home is taken care of before the freezing temperatures and winter weather arrive.

Why you should not paint stucco?

Stucco needs to breath – One of the main reasons you shouldn't coat your stucco with paint is because stucco is porous. This allows moisture that hits the surface to easily evaporate away. A coat of paint can harm that breathability.

How often should a stucco house be repainted?

Stucco is a popular exterior choice due to its durability. However, a stucco home will still need exterior maintenance. It is often recommended that stucco be painted every 5-10 years depending on its current condition.

How do you remove mold and algae from stucco?

Mold and mildew can create a black stain on stucco, while algae stains the stucco green. These growths need to be treated with bleach or Borax to properly eliminate them and prevent further growth.

Should you pressure wash stucco before painting?

A good power washing, some caulk in the cracks and two coats of an elastomeric top coat will cover the cracks, smooth the stucco and give you a long-lasting finish. To begin, pick a warm sunny day and rent a pressure washer. Before you get on the ladder, do a test wash on an out-of-the-way corner of the house.

Are stucco homes hard to maintain?

People commonly believe that stucco is low-maintenance; however, you do have to commit to it. For instance, cracks may appear over time due to improper installation, and although they seem like cosmetic issues, cracks—especially large ones—can do more harm than you think.

Can you soft wash stucco?

Soft washing your stucco home is the best way to remove dirt. Compared with surfaces like concrete, stucco is a fairly delicate material and can be damaged with high pressure washing. When we soft wash stucco, we rely on a custom chemical solution that is plant and animal safe.

How do you get green moss off stucco?

Pour 1 gallon of lukewarm water in a bucket. Add 1 cup of oxygen bleach and stir with a spoon until the oxygen bleach dissolves. Oxygen bleach will clean moss, mold, mildew and algae without damaging or discoloring the stucco. Furthermore, oxygen bleach will not harm vegetation.

Is Simple Green safe for stucco?

Simple Green House and Siding Cleaner is specially formulated to remove environmental pollution, dirt and grime from vinyl and aluminum siding, stucco, terra cotta roof tiles, and painted wood. It is also a perfect choice for use on shake, shingle or panel siding.

What does mold look like on stucco?

Identifying Exterior Mold on Stucco

Mold on exterior stucco looks pretty much like mold on anything else. It can present as green, dark brown or black patches and streaks, or fuzzy-looking stains. Check around your gutters, around windows and doors, and along the base of your walls.

Can I pressure wash my house with Dawn?

You can use Dawn dish soap in your pressure washer, but you need to dilute it properly with hot water. Take 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap and dilute it in 1-1.5 quarts of hot water. However, the results of cleaning with Dawn dish soap might not be as effective as some special pressure washer detergents.

Can I pressure wash my house with a garden hose?

It is possible to use a regular garden hose from the pressure washer to the spray gun, but only if the pressure washer's pressure is set to a lower value. Most garden hoses have a maximum pressure between 70 and 150 PSI. Some heavy-duty garden hoses can be used up to 500 PSI.

Can you pressure wash with just water?

Most people would agree that hand washing without soap is not a good idea. The same principle holds true for pressure washing your home. Whether it's your hands or your home, washing without soap takes longer to scrub away stains, requires water delivered at a higher pressure and only removes the surface dirt.