How Long Does Pressure Washing Take?

A typical single-storey house wash takes two to four hours. A driveway takes one to two. A full property including roof soft washing, siding, driveway and walkways usually runs four to seven hours, or most of a working day. Two-storey homes, heavy algae growth, difficult access and paver sealing all extend it, and sealing in particular adds cure time before the surface can be used again.

Typical timings

Driveway and walkway: 1 to 2 hours.
House wash, single storey: 2 to 4 hours.
House wash, two storey: 3 to 5 hours.
Roof soft wash: 2 to 4 hours.
Full property package: 4 to 7 hours.
Paver clean and seal: usually across two visits, since the surface must be fully dry before sealant goes down.

These assume reasonable access and a property washed within the last few years. A house that has not been touched in a decade can take half as long again.

What makes a job run long

Heavy growth is the main one. Algae that has been building for years needs dwell time and often a second application, and dwell time cannot be rushed without leaving the roots.

Access is the other. Landscaping tight against the wall has to be protected and worked around. A back elevation reachable only through a narrow gate means carrying equipment rather than running hose. No working outdoor spigot means bringing water.

Delicate surfaces slow things down by design. Soft washing is deliberately unhurried, because the solution needs contact time to kill growth rather than knock it off.

What you need to do

Very little, but a few things help. Close all windows and doors properly, move vehicles off the driveway, and take down anything fragile on the walls.

Move patio furniture and potted plants clear of the surfaces being cleaned if you can. We will move what is left, but it is quicker if the area is clear.

You do not need to be home, provided we have water access and any gate codes in advance. Most of our customers are at work while we are there.

Frequently asked questions

Can it all be done in one visit?

Usually, unless paver sealing is involved. Sealing needs the surface completely dry, so cleaning and sealing are almost always separate visits a day or more apart.

How long until surfaces dry?

Concrete and pavers are usually dry within a few hours in Florida heat. Siding dries faster. Sealed surfaces need 24 to 48 hours before vehicle traffic.

What if it rains partway through?

Light rain rarely affects a wash in progress. Heavy rain means we stop and return to finish at no extra charge, since you were quoted a fixed price for the job.

Related reading

• Will Pressure Washing Damage My Paint or Siding?
• Cleaning Pool Decks and Screen Enclosures in Florida

Get a free quote

H2O Pressure Washing serves Saint Johns and the wider St. Johns County area. For a free, fixed-price quote, tell us about your property or call (904) 506-7656.