How Much Does Professional Siding Cleaning Cost?
When you invite guests over to your home, you’ll want to make a good first impression. And what better way to do this than to have your home’s siding cleaned by a professional? It will leave your home looking brand new! Regular cleanings will increase your home’s property value, make your home look more aesthetically pleasing, reduce the cost of cleaning over time, and eliminate mold.
But, you’re probably wondering, how much does a service like this cost?
The national average cost of professional siding cleaning is between $300 and $600. That being said, many factors go into determining the final cost of services, including materials, cleaning methods and solutions, cost of living adjustments, the size of your home, and many more. We’ll go over several of these cost-determining factors, so you know what to expect before you hire a professional to clean your siding!
Size, Complexity, and Cost of Living
Just like with any other home maintenance service, the size of your home will be the most important determining factor for the cost of siding cleaning. The larger your home is, the more time it will take to effectively clean your siding. Likewise, if you have a smaller home, then it will require much less time. Most people pay around $380 for vinyl siding cleaning of a 1,500-square-foot home.
Similarly, the complexity of the job will impact the cost of services. If your home has lots of nooks and crannies, then it will require more time for a professional to clean its siding. The simpler your home, the simpler the job. Another aspect of complexity has to do with how much grime has built up on your siding. An especially dirty home will require extra time, and therefore money, to clean. Furthermore, if mold is present on your siding, it may require additional cleaning solutions or methods to safely and effectively remove. So, you might notice the cost rise because of it.
Finally, the cost of living will also have a huge impact on the final cost of siding cleaning services. If you live in a more expensive area, then you can expect to pay more for almost anything, including home maintenance services.
Cleaning Method
The most common methods for cleaning your home’s siding include soft washing, pressure washing, power washing, and manual cleaning. Each method is explained below in detail so that you have a better idea of why each method impacts the final cost of cleaning services one way or another. Keep in mind though, all methods aren’t safe for all materials. If you have a softer siding material in your home, you’ll want to go with a soft wash or manual cleaning. Alternatively, tougher materials will allow for more abrasive cleaning methods like pressure or power washing. If you aren’t certain, contact a professional for advice.
Soft Wash
Soft washing is kind of like power washing but at a much lower level of pressure. By combining low-pressure water and a cleaning solution, soft washing will safely and effectively clean surfaces made of brick, stucco, and vinyl. This method typically doesn’t cost as much as pressure washing; however, the lower amount of pressure might not remove all the dirt and debris that has built up. You can expect to pay between $275 and $400 for an average-sized home of around 1,500 square feet.
Pressure Wash
This is the most popular method for cleaning siding. Pressure washing is done by using the water from your hose at extremely high levels of pressure to remove the grime from your home’s siding. It usually costs around $300 to $450 for the average homeowner. Before pressure washing your home, make sure your siding won’t be damaged by high amounts of pressure.
Power Wash
Power washing is similar to pressure washing, but it uses heat in addition to pressurized water to clean your siding, making it much more effective and powerful. This method requires more expensive equipment and sometimes additional labor hours, so you can expect to pay slightly more than you would for pressure washing. The average cost is typically between $450 and $700.
Pressure washing is usually more than enough to effectively clean siding; however, certain materials and situations might call for power washing instead. Even still, use your best judgment. If there are cracks or holes in your siding, power washing can cause water to seep into your home and lead to mold or structural damage. Additionally, materials like aluminum or vinyl are typically sturdy enough to withstand power washing but dents and scratches are still possible. Finally, the heat from power washing can cause streaks on vinyl or metal siding.
Manual Cleaning
Manual cleaning is exactly what it sounds like – cleaning your home’s siding by hand. This method is great if you are concerned about damaging your home’s paint or caulk. However, you might not find a professional company to do this service for you as it can be extremely time-consuming. But, if you are interested in a DIY project, manual siding cleaning is an effective way to make your siding sparkle!
Siding Material
Similarly, the material of your home’s siding will impact which method is best and how long cleaning services will take. The following materials are frequently used for siding:
- Stone
- Brick veneer
- Vinyl
- Wood
- Clean stucco
- Clean aluminum
- Steel
- Cedar
- Engineered wood
- Fiber cement
- Stone veneer
It might be tempting to choose power washing, regardless of your home’s siding material, as it sounds like the most effective cleaning method. However, if your home is made from a softer material, then you should consider going with a less abrasive cleaning method, like soft washing.
For example, wood, stone veneer, and stucco can be easily damaged by high amounts of pressure, so power and pressure washing should be avoided. On the other hand, vinyl, aluminum, steel, and brick are much more capable of withstanding high amounts of pressure. If you’re uncertain, talk to your siding manufacturing company or a professional siding cleaner.
Cleaning Solutions
Certain situations will call for special cleaning solutions, and this could impact the cost of services. In addition to affecting the cleaning method, the material of your siding could also impact the type of cleaning solution that is needed. Some siding material might not be able to handle a more abrasive cleaner and can therefore take a little longer to clean. Likewise, if mold is present, then your contractor may decide to use different or multiple cleaning solutions to effectively kill and remove the bacteria.
What to Consider When Hiring a Professional
Before you call the first home maintenance company you see, be sure to do some research to ensure the company you hire will perform a safe and effective job. First, check to see if the company is bonded, licensed, and insured. That way, if anything happens to damage your home in the process, you know insurance will cover it. Then, check the company’s reviews online. If they have several very negative reviews, it might be best to look in another direction to avoid disappointment, wasted money, and potential damage to your home. You shouldn’t just trust anyone with something as important as your home!
Can’t I just DIY?
Sure! If you’re looking to save money on siding cleaning, you can always explore the option of doing it yourself. While this method won’t eliminate any cost, it could potentially save you a lot of cash!
The most effective and safest way to clean your siding is by hand. However, if you feel comfortable using a pressure washer, you could always rent one for the day and save yourself some time. Be cautious, though, as it’s very easy to damage your home if you don’t know how to properly use the machinery.
Before you begin pressure washing, determine the appropriate amount of pressure your home’s siding will withstand. Then, hold your machine eye-level and use a 25- degree nozzle, pointing straight at the siding. Test a small area and review your results before moving forward. Unlike hand scrubbing, you’ll want to pressure wash from bottom to top to avoid any streaking. Move the device steadily from side to side as you work your way up.
Purchasing a pressure washer could cost anywhere between $200 and $400, but renting one for the day should only cost you around $90. If you expect to need the equipment for more than one day, then you’d probably be better off just hiring a professional to do it for you. You’ll spend about the same amount of money without all the extra time, energy, and hassle of trying to do it yourself.
If you’d like to explore cleaning your siding by hand, you can expect to spend no more than $50. You’ll just need to purchase a brush and a cleaning solution. Plus, you can make a cleaning solution with everyday household items to save even more money if you’d like!
To clean your siding by hand, follow these steps:
- Prepare your space by closing any doors or windows and removing any outdoor furniture or decoration.
- Gather the following tools: cleaning solution, soft-bristle brush, garden hose or buckets of water, and a soft cloth.
- If using a homemade cleaning solution, take some time to gather and mix your materials (we recommend a 30:70 vinegar-to-water ratio). Bleach is the most effective way to kill bacteria (like mold), but be cautious when using it as a cleaning solution as it emits highly toxic fumes. Always wear gloves and a mask when working with toxic cleaning solutions, and avoid contact with your skin.
- Divide your siding into smaller chunks to avoid any confusion while cleaning.
- Test your solution in one small area to ensure it is safe and effective.
- Scrub your siding from top to bottom, working in one small section at a time.
- Rinse each area as you go to avoid streaking, and spraying from top to bottom.
No matter which method you choose, be sure to thoroughly research your home’s siding material to avoid damaging your home. And if you don’t know anything about using a pressure washer, do yourself a favor and hire a professional or clean your siding by hand. It’s not worth injuring yourself or damaging your siding.
How Often Should Siding Be Cleaned?
Like with cost, several factors determine how often you should have your home’s siding cleaned, including the location of your home, how much grime has built up over time, if there is mold present, what type of material your siding is made of, and how much you can afford.
Most experts recommend yearly cleanings for the average homeowner. If you live in a particularly moist or polluted climate, you can expect dirt to build up at a quicker rate, resulting in the need for more frequent cleanings. Likewise, the presence of mold or mildew should warrant more frequent cleanings to keep you and your family safe. In either case, your contractor might recommend cleanings every 6-8 months instead of yearly. This will reduce the chances of more expensive services due to excess dirt and grime build-up.
What Time of Year Should My Siding Be Cleaned?
You should try to have your siding cleaned at least once per year unless you fall into one of the exceptional categories listed above. The best time to have your home’s siding cleaned is typically in the summer or fall months. You don’t want to have it cleaned in the spring because of significant rain. However, you also don’t want to wait for it to be too cold outside either. Once bad weather and freezing temperatures begin, working conditions won’t be ideal. Plus, harsh weather conditions could quickly destroy all of their (or your) hard work!
Ultimately, a clean home is a happy home, and your siding is one of the first things people see when they look at your home! By having your siding cleaned routinely, you can make a good first impression, increase your property value, and keep your family safe. And, as you just read, professional services won’t necessarily break the bank.