How Often Should You Pressure Wash in South Louisiana?

Our humidity grows algae on everything. A simple schedule for driveways, siding, and roofs — and when low pressure is the only safe option.

In this climate, exterior surfaces grow a film of algae and mildew within a season, especially on the north and shaded sides of a house. Most homes here benefit from a wash once a year.

Match the method to the surface

• Concrete flatwork: a surface cleaner, not a wand, for even results with no stripes.
• Siding: soft washing at low pressure, letting the cleaning solution do the work.
• Roofs: soft washing only. High pressure strips shingle granules and voids warranties.
• Wood decks and fences: low pressure and careful technique to avoid furring the grain.

Protect the landscape

Plants should be wet down before and rinsed after, and fixtures and outlets covered. Cleaning solution that dries on foliage does the damage, not the water.

Timing

Late spring and early fall are the easiest windows. Cleaning ahead of an exterior paint job or before listing a property is almost always worth doing first.