Pressure washing in Bellingham, WA

Soft washing uses low pressure and specialized cleaning solutions to safely remove organic growth like moss, algae, and mildew. Unlike traditional pressure washing, which relies on high pressure to blast away dirt, soft washing kills growth at the root so it doesn't come back as quickly. It's the right method for delicate surfaces like roofs, siding, and painted wood.

Every property is different, but here's what most jobs run: roof cleaning $300–$600, house washing $350–$700, gutter cleaning $200–$400, pressure washing (driveways, patios, walkways) $200–$450, and window cleaning $200–$400. Send a few photos of your property and we can usually give you an accurate number before we ever show up.

Not when done correctly. We match the pressure and tip size to the surface. Concrete and pavers handle high pressure well — it's soft surfaces like wood siding or roofing where you need to be careful. We never use pressure washing on those.

Usually 30–60 minutes in decent weather before the surface is comfortable to walk on again. Full drying to a cured finish can take a few hours depending on sun and airflow.

Power washing uses heated water; pressure washing uses cold water at high pressure. Most residential cleaning — including ours — is cold-water pressure washing. It's effective for driveways, patios, fences, and walkways, and the heat of a power washer isn't necessary for those surfaces. Hot water has real advantages for heavy commercial grease or industrial applications, but for typical home exteriors it's overkill and adds cost without meaningful benefit.

Asphalt shingles (damages the granule coating, voids most warranties), painted wood siding and trim (strips paint), cedar shake, stucco, older brick and mortar joints (water intrusion, crumbling), and most decorative stone. For any surface you're not certain about, low-pressure soft washing with the right cleaning solution is the safer bet. We assess the surface before starting and adjust our approach — we don't just point a pressure washer at everything.

Yes, if done wrong. Vinyl can crack or have water forced behind panels if the pressure is too high or the nozzle angle is perpendicular to the surface. Hardie board is more tolerant but still needs correct technique to avoid water intrusion at seams and edges. For both materials, we use low-to-medium pressure and work top-down at a shallow angle. When there's any doubt, a soft wash — low pressure plus cleaning solution — is safer than turning up the PSI.

Soft washing for the siding, fascia, and painted surfaces — pressure washing for the concrete and hardscapes. House siding accumulates mold, mildew, and algae on surfaces where high pressure would strip paint or force water into seams. The right process uses a low-pressure cleaning solution (soft wash) on the exterior walls, then switches to higher pressure for driveways, walkways, and patios. We adjust automatically depending on the surface — you don't need to choose one or the other upfront.

Done wrong: strips paint, damages soft surfaces, drives water behind siding, and cuts into older mortar. Done right, the main limitation is that pressure washing removes growth mechanically — it doesn't kill it at the root — so moss and algae come back faster than with soft washing, which uses a solution that kills the growth. High pressure is the right tool for concrete, pavers, and stone. It's the wrong tool for roofing, siding, and painted surfaces.

Spring (March–May) is the most popular window — after a wet winter that's left mold and algae on every surface, before you're hosting summer company. Fall is the second-best choice: washing before the rainy season prevents moss from establishing over winter. We work year-round, and it's worth timing a wash at least 48 hours before heavy rain so surfaces can dry and any cleaning solution can finish working. If you're preparing for sale or a paint job, don't wait for a specific season — the sooner the better.

Most single-family driveways in Bellingham and surrounding Whatcom County run $150–$350 depending on size, surface staining, and whether the driveway connects to a patio or walkway we're cleaning in the same visit. Heavy oil staining, large three-car pads, or driveways covered in thick moss run higher. Send us a photo and rough dimensions — we can usually give you an accurate number without a site visit.