KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Soft washing uses cleaners and low pressure, and is safer on delicate surfaces.
- Pressure washing suits sound, hard surfaces and loose paint removal.
- Surfaces must dry properly before paint goes on.
Washing is the first step in any repaint and the one most likely to be rushed. The method should fit the surface.
Pressure washing
Good for concrete, sound siding and removing loose paint before a repaint. Too much pressure can force water behind siding, damage soft wood and mark stucco, so it takes judgement, not just a big machine.
Soft washing
Uses a cleaning solution and low pressure to kill mildew and lift dirt. It is often the better choice for stucco, older siding, roofs’ edges and anything delicate. Plants and landscaping need rinsing and protecting.
Before paint
- Every elevation washed, not only the dirty ones.
- Notice to residents: windows closed and belongings moved.
- Enough dry time before coating. In damp weather this can take longer than expected.
Between repaints
Washing every few years can extend the life of a coating, because dirt and mildew slowly break it down. It is also one of the cheapest ways to improve how a building looks.
This guide is general information for strata councils and property managers in British Columbia, not legal advice. Check your registered bylaws and the current Strata Property Act, or ask your property manager or a lawyer, before relying on it for a decision.
