After thousands of house washes across Greater Cleveland, we hear the same handful of questions on almost every driveway. Here are the honest answers, all in one place.
Will washing damage my siding?
Not the way we do it. Vinyl, aluminum, painted wood, and stucco all get soft washing: low pressure, roughly the strength of a garden hose, paired with a cleaning solution that does the actual work. The pressure washer stereotype of paint being stripped off a house comes from high pressure used in the wrong place. Siding never needs high pressure, and we never use it there.
Is it safe for my plants and landscaping?
Yes, with the right process. We pre-wet landscaping before we start, keep it rinsed during the wash, and rinse everything again when we finish. Diluted cleaning solutions break down quickly and the pre-wet and rinse routine is what protects beds, shrubs, and lawns. If you have a koi pond, a vegetable garden, or something else sensitive near the house, tell us when you book and we will plan around it.
What about pets?
Keep pets inside while we work, mostly so nobody gets startled or tangled in hoses. Once surfaces are rinsed and dry, the yard is back to normal.
Do I need to do anything before you arrive?
Three small things help: close your windows, move cars away from the work area, and clear fragile items off porches and patios. We handle the rest, including furniture that just needs to slide over a few feet.
How long does it take, and do I need to be home?
A typical single-family house wash takes a couple of hours. You do not need to be home as long as we can reach the exterior and a water spigot, and most of our customers simply come home to a clean house.
How long will it stay clean?
In Northeast Ohio, most homes look great for one to two years. Shaded lots, lake humidity, and north-facing walls grow algae faster; wide-open sunny lots stay clean longer. Our post on the best time of year to wash your house covers how to time it.
Why is there green on only one side of my house?
That is algae, and it favors the side that gets the least sun, usually the north face. It is the most common single reason people call us, and a soft wash removes it completely rather than just fading it.
Have a question we did not cover? Ask us directly. Call or text (440) 771-1889, or get a free house washing quote. All-Star Power Cleaning is rated 5 stars by more than 300 Google reviewers across Greater Cleveland.
