Pressure washing
House washing and soft wash
A house wash in this climate is usually a soft wash. Vinyl, fiber-cement, painted brick, and older wood windows get a low-pressure application and a rinse. A tight pressure tip etches soft brick and forces water behind lap siding.
We connect Nashville homeowners with independent, vetted local pros.
Typical estimates
| Job | Typical estimate | What the range assumes |
|---|---|---|
| One-story ranch, light soil | $250–$400 | Modest footprint, vinyl or brick, little algae. |
| Typical two-story Nashville house | $350–$600 | The range most homeowners should plan around. |
| Large two-story or heavy algae | $500–$800 | More wall area, heavier soil, or difficult access. |
| Detached garage added on | $75–$150 | Often bundled. Ask the pro to price it in the same visit. |
What’s included
- A look at siding type before anyone turns a wand on it
- Soft wash of the main walls, often including a detached garage if it is in the price
- Rinse, and basic protection for plants at the foundation
- A note if a wall should be left alone because the paint or mortar is already failing
What this is not
- Painting, carpentry, or replacing rotten trim
- A roof wash, unless you add that as its own service
- Interior cleaning of any kind
Around Nashville
Middle Tennessee humidity and tree cover put green algae on north and east walls, especially under hardwoods. Pollen in spring is a film. Algae is a stain that a garden hose does not clear.
Painted brick is common from East Nashville to older Donelson ranches. Limestone accents and soft mortar need the same restraint as painted brick. Say what the walls are made of when you request a match.
What changes the price
Stories and square feet
A wash is priced more like wall area than like a flat fee. Two stories and a deep lot cost more than a small ranch.
Soil and shade
A pollen film is faster than black-green algae that has sat for years on a shaded wall.
Access
Steep Bellevue drives, locked side gates, and no outdoor spigot all add time.
Material
Soft wash chemistry and dwell time differ for vinyl, Hardie, painted brick, and raw wood.
How to choose a pro
- Ask whether the quote is soft wash or high pressure, and on which walls.
- Ask who will be on the property and whether plants get a pre-wet and rinse.
- Ask what happens if they find rotten trim. A wash does not fix it, and it should not be hidden.
Questions
Will pressure washing remove paint?
High pressure can strip loose paint and scar brick. A house wash on painted or soft surfaces should be a soft wash at low pressure. If the paint is already peeling, washing will not make it look newly painted.
How often do Nashville houses need this?
Shaded walls often show algae again in a year or two. Sunny vinyl may go longer. There is no rule that every house needs an annual contract.
Do I need to be home?
Usually someone needs to provide water and access, and to point out surfaces that should not be washed. Ask the pro before you leave for work.