Pressure Washing & Soft Washing in Gainesville, Ocala and Nearby
Removing mildew, algae, pollen and red-clay grime from homes and hardscape, with pressure matched to the surface so nothing gets etched, gouged or forced behind siding.
Two methods: soft wash and pressure wash
Not everything should be blasted. Our pressure washing in Gainesville and Ocala starts by sorting surfaces into two groups. Painted siding, stucco, screen enclosures and painted trim get a soft wash: a low-pressure rinse after a cleaning solution has had time to break down mildew and algae. Hard surfaces such as concrete driveways, sidewalks and pool decks can take higher pressure with a surface cleaner that keeps the pattern even and avoids stripes.
Using too much pressure on the wrong surface causes real damage. It can etch soft wood, scar stucco, strip sound paint in patches, and drive water behind vinyl or lap siding where it sits and feeds rot. Choosing the method first is the most important decision on any washing job.
What we clean
Wood gets the gentlest treatment of all. Before a deck or fence staining project, we use a wood-appropriate cleaner and low pressure so the grain stays intact and the new stain can soak in evenly.
- Painted and vinyl siding, block and stucco walls
- Soffits, fascia and eaves where mildew collects
- Driveways, walkways, patios and pool decks
- Wood decks and fences before staining
- Screen enclosures and pool cages
- Every surface we're about to paint
Why local houses get so dirty
The north side of a house in Alachua or Marion County can go green within a year or two. Shade, humidity and long wet summers let mildew and algae thrive, and the spring pollen season coats everything in yellow film. Homes on unpaved or lime-rock roads, common out toward Williston, Trenton and Fort White, also pick up pale dust that settles into the texture of stucco. Sprinkler overspray adds orange rust stains on lower walls where well water is high in iron.
Each of these needs a different cleaning approach. Organic growth responds to a mildewcide; rust stains need a specific rust remover; dust and pollen usually rinse away with a basic detergent. We look at what's on your walls before deciding what to put on them.
Washing before painting
Paint won't bond to dirt, chalk or living mildew. That's why every exterior repaint we do begins with a full wash, and why washing is usually written into the exterior painting estimate rather than sold separately. After washing, the house needs time to dry completely; stucco and block hold moisture and may need a full day or more of good weather before primer goes on.
A thorough pre-paint wash also tells us things. Areas where paint lifts under modest pressure show where adhesion has already failed, which helps us decide where scraping and priming are needed.
Protecting plants, windows and people
We pre-wet landscaping before and rinse it after any cleaning solution is applied, close windows and cover exterior outlets and light fixtures, and keep runoff away from ponds or pools. Doors and windows should stay shut during washing, and pets should be inside. We'll walk the property with you first and note fragile items like loose shutters or older window glazing.
Most single-family homes can be washed in a day, depending on size and how heavy the growth is. A house that hasn't been cleaned in many years, or that has heavy rust staining, may take longer. Homeowners near our base can read more on pressure washing in Newberry, and Levy County residents can see our Williston washing page.
Gutters overflowing onto walls, downspouts that dump next to the foundation, and sprinklers aimed at siding all speed up regrowth. We point out those causes when we see them, because adjusting a sprinkler head or adding a splash block often keeps a wall clean far longer than any cleaning solution can.
“Your estimate is free, written and itemized. The prep is on paper, the products are named, the warranty terms are spelled out — and the crew that walks your project is the crew that paints it.”
The Precision Paint Experts standard · Newberry, FL
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should a house be washed in North Central Florida?
Many homes benefit from a wash every year or two, sooner on heavily shaded sides. If you see green or black streaks returning, it's time.
Will pressure washing damage my paint?
Sound paint should survive a proper soft wash without trouble. If paint comes off during a gentle wash, it had already lost adhesion, and that area will need attention before it can be repainted.
Can you remove orange irrigation stains?
Usually, yes. Rust from well water requires a dedicated rust-removing cleaner rather than pressure or bleach-based solutions, and results depend on how long the stain has set.
Is the cleaning solution safe for my lawn and plants?
We pre-wet and rinse plantings and use solutions at appropriate dilutions. Delicate or prized plants can be covered during the work; just point them out during the walkthrough.
Can you clean a screen enclosure or pool cage?
Yes. Screens and aluminum frames are washed at low pressure so the mesh isn’t stretched or torn, and the pool deck is cleaned afterward so runoff and debris don’t settle on freshly cleaned concrete.
Quality Workmanship Backed by a Written Warranty
Every project gets a written workmanship warranty — up to 10 years on exterior projects — on top of the manufacturer's product warranty for the coatings we use. The terms are spelled out on your estimate before work starts, so you know exactly what is covered and for how long.
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Ready to Get Started?
Tell us about your project and get a free, written, itemized estimate — usually back within one business day of the walkthrough.