Key points
  • Repair before washing
  • Identify irrigation deposits
  • Plan runoff before work starts

Look for damage first

Cleaning can reveal—but cannot repair—spalling concrete, loose mortar, failed paint, cracked sealant, damaged shingles, or rotted wood.

Name the stain

Dust, organic growth, oil, rust, irrigation deposits, oxidation, and coating failure need different expectations. A provider should test rather than promise universal removal.

Trace the water

Locate slopes, drains, planting, adjacent property, and public walkways. Ask how dislodged soil, detergent, pigment, and oily residue will be controlled.