rowing up in Charlotte, I lived near Eastland Mall, close to Albemarle Road—the mall with the ice skating rink in the middle. I decided to rent a pressure washer and clean our back deck. My parents didn’t get mad when the deck looked like someone had graffitied it. They were wisely just glad their teenage son took the initiative to “improve” the house. That powerful pressure washer’s little nozzle etched deep gauges into our deck!

Power washing, also known as pressure washing, is the process of using high-pressure water to clean and remove dirt, grime, mold, mildew, and other contaminants from surfaces like the exterior of a house. I was trying to make it look better, lol. There are several compelling reasons to get your house power washed, especially in a humid environment like Charlotte, NC:

Enhanced Curb Appeal: Over time, the exterior of your house can accumulate dirt, algae, mold, and other unsightly substances that can make it look dingy and unattractive. Power washing can instantly refresh the appearance of your home, making it look cleaner and more inviting. WARNING: It can also be a way to permanently tattoo a house made with Masonite siding, the siding that almost every builder used in Charlotte, Mint Hill, Matthews, Monroe, and all the sprawling communities as Charlotte began to grow in the ’80s and ’90s.

Preventative Maintenance: Starting in the late ’90s and early 2000s, builders made the switch to vinyl. Regular power washing can help prevent the build-up of harmful substances like mold and mildew, which can deteriorate the surfaces of your home over time—especially the so-called “maintenance-free” vinyl. There isn’t much that is maintenance-free after all. Pressure washing your house, driveways, and walkways can also remove stains caused by pollutants, bird droppings, or other corrosive materials, like an oil leak under your friend’s car that left a greasy circle in the middle of your driveway!

Health and Safety: Mold, mildew, and algae can create an unhealthy living environment and may exacerbate respiratory issues, especially for individuals with allergies or asthma. Power washing eliminates these contaminants, improving indoor air quality and the overall safety of your home. The north-facing side of a house can often look green or black—not very pretty to look at.

Prolongs the Lifespan of Surfaces: DONE RIGHT, power washing is an effective way to extend the lifespan of various exterior surfaces, such as siding, decks, fences, and driveways. I learned my lesson in the Chestnut Lake neighborhood off Lawyers Road when I graffitied my parents’ deck. So be careful if you do it yourself and be sure to use a reputable power washing company like Power Wash Masters (https://powerwashmasters.com) and Window Hero Exterior Cleaning Services (https://windowhero.com/locations/charlotte). By removing dirt and grime, you can prevent premature wear and tear, which can save you money on future repairs and replacements.

Increased Property Value: A clean and well-maintained exterior can significantly boost the value of your home. Just take a look at the picture in this article featuring the back stairs of a home in Settlers Landing off Hwy 51 in Charlotte. During our evaluation, we recommended several improvements to the home, and this one certainly added a lot of value to the homeowner. If you’re planning to sell your property, power washing can be a relatively inexpensive way to increase its market appeal and potentially command a higher selling price—think like a 25x ROI. Hard to beat that.

Power washing your home’s exterior is one of many home maintenance tasks you can do to improve the livability of your home and make it much more enjoyable. And if you’re thinking of selling, it is one item that may maximize your profit from all the work you’ve put into your property.