City soot, mildew on shaded walls and salt near the shore all build up on Bronx houses. Washing them off is the first step of any exterior paint job, and often worth doing by itself. We set the pressure to the surface, because too much pressure scars wood and forces water behind siding.
Buildings in the Bronx get dirty in ways that are specific to a big city. Traffic along the Cross Bronx and Bruckner expressways leaves a gray film on siding and awnings. North walls and shaded side alleys grow green and black mildew through the humid summer. Concrete stoops, driveways and patios darken with soot, leaf stains and chewing gum. We wash houses, decks, fences, stoops, sidewalks in front of shops and the areas around trash enclosures.
The right pressure depends on the surface. Concrete and brick pavers can take a strong wash. Vinyl and aluminum siding are cleaned with a detergent and a low pressure rinse from the top down, so water is never driven up under the laps. Old brick with soft mortar is washed gently or not at all, because a hard jet cuts the joints out. Wood is washed along the grain with a wide tip to avoid raising fibers.
Before we wash, we close windows, cover outdoor outlets and light fixtures, move planters and wet down garden beds near the wall. You need a working outside tap. On a house from before 1978 with flaking paint, we do not blast the paint off, since that spreads chips that may contain lead across the yard. When washing is the first step of a paint job, the wall then needs dry days before primer can go on.
Power washing in Bronx: common questions
Will washing remove graffiti from my wall or gate?
Sometimes. Fresh paint on smooth metal or sealed masonry often comes off with a remover and a wash. On rough or unsealed brick it leaves a shadow, and painting over it may be the cleaner fix.
Where does the dirty water go?
It runs to the ground or the drain like rain does. We use cleaners sparingly, rinse plants before and after, and keep wash water off your neighbor's property as far as the lot allows.
Can you wash the sidewalk in front of my store?
Yes. We do it early in the morning or after closing, when foot traffic is light, and set out cones while the pavement is wet.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.