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Pressure Washing Before Painting - Necessary or Overkill?

  • Jun 8
  • 3 min read


Why is Pressure Washing Necessary for Florida Homes?

You’ve looked at the exterior of your home and have decided to get it painted. You call a local painter and get a quote. After reading it you see that your quote includes pressure washing.

Do I really have to get my house pressure washed? Why can’t I just get it painted? Maybe I can do it myself.

These are valid questions but, finding the wrong answer can get you into a lot of trouble. As a homeowner in Florida, you are far too familiar with the reality of algae, mildew, buildup, and slippery pool decks. This makes proper cleaning and preparation essential to a quality end product that will last you.

Now you know that you have to pressure wash before you get your house painted. But wait! Don’t go picking up the pressure washer in the back of your garage and handing it yourself. There are different methods to washing your home and each surface needs to be treated differently. The methods are pressure washing and soft washing.


Two extension ladders lean against a beige stucco wall with dark water stains. The top of the exterior wall is clean and beige in color. The bottom of the wall looks very dirty; it is before it is pressure washed.




This shows just how bad algae and mildew buildup can get. The before and after is like night and day





Pressure Washing vs Soft Washing

What’s the difference? The main difference is the name; pressure. Pressure washing involves high pressure water used to removes dirt, loose paint, and mud. On the other hand, soft washing uses a much lower pressure, relying on specialized cleaning solutions.

There are pros and cons to each process. You get the best results when you use the right method for the right surface.


When Pressure Washing is Necessary

Pressure washing is a tool in the cleaning process. Using higher pressure is necessary to remove heavy buildup. This method is commonly used on concrete driveways, sidewalks, pool decks, and some masonry surfaces. This is also helpful in removing loose paint before painting.


Did You Know: There are different tips used on a pressure washer based on the surface being painted
Weathered pool deck with white handrails beside blue water, and a blurred hose reel against a stucco wall. The floor is almost black, showing it before it was pressure washed.

Before pressure washing a pool deck

White pool handrails beside a sunlit swimming pool deck, with blue water and long shadows on the concrete. The concrete is tan in color and clean after being pressure washed

After pressure washing a pool deck


When Soft Washing is Better

Pressure is not always the answer to your problem. There are times when too much pressure can do more harm than good. When you have a more delecate surface, or you want to kill algae and mildew at the source; soft washing is your best option. Soft washing is commonly used on surfaces like vinyl siding, wood trim, windows, and screen enclosures.

When you opt for soft washing you have the benefit of having a less risk of damage due to its gentler nature.

A Good Example of What to Soft Wash

Still unsure if your home needs to be pressure or soft washed before painting. Book a FREE estimate today and let the experts tell you


Side of a light gray house with a stained roof edge, one window, and a grassy yard under a bright blue sky.

How Pros Prep Florida Homes

As you know, pressure washing is most a definitely necessary step in the preparation process of painting your home. Not pressure washing before painting can result in peeling paint, poor adhesion, trapped dirt/chalk, mold and mildew growth, and premature failure.

Well, the pressure or soft washing is done, is it time for paint? Not for DNA Painting. DNA Painting likes to go a step further and really make sure that your exterior is ready for paint. After washing, we caulk, seal cracks, and even apply a masonry sealer.

So, are you ready to get your house painted? Request a FREE estimate with DNA Painting today!


Exterior painting before-and-after: dirty tan wall with ladder beside a freshly painted beige house; text reads BEFORE and AFTER

Want to See What Your House Could Look Like?

Click here to see more Florida homes painted by DNA Painting



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