Do You Need To Power Wash Your House Before Exterior Painting?

Whether you are hiring a exterior painter in Omaha, you may be feeling the weight of such a big project. The truth is, that there are several important factors to exterior painting. You may have heard of some people power washing their home before painting and some that haven’t, so what’s the best choice for your home?

At Brush & Roll Painting, we've been preparing and painting homes in the Omaha metro area since 1996. We've seen firsthand how Nebraska's extreme weather cycles – from scorching summers to freezing winters – affect house paint. This experience has taught us valuable lessons about what makes exterior paint jobs last, and what causes them to fail prematurely.

In this article, you'll learn about power washing before exterior home painting.  By reading this article, you will be able to decide whether power washing your home is right for your project before painting. 

Do You Need To Power Wash Before Exterior Home Painting?

Think of painting your house like applying a bandage. If you try to stick a bandage on dirty, oily skin, it won't adhere properly. The same principle applies to paint – it needs a clean surface to grip onto.

Proper surface preparation (including thorough cleaning) can extend the life of an exterior paint job by up to 50%. That's potentially adding 5-7 years to your paint job's lifespan!

The Cost of Skipping Power Washing

While technically yes, you can paint a house without power washing, it's similar to building a house on sand – it might look fine initially, but problems will eventually begin to show:

1. Paint Peeling: Within 1-2 years, you might notice paint starting to peel, especially on sun-exposed surfaces
2. Uneven Coverage: Dirt particles can create tiny bumps under the paint
3. Mildew Growth: Trapped spores can grow under the new paint
4. Shortened Lifespan: The paint job might last only 3-4 years instead of the typical 8-10 years

Exterior Home Power Washing in Omaha

Professional power washing is a process that requires significant expertise and proper equipment. When done correctly, it's almost like giving your house a deep tissue massage – it removes years of built-up grime while preparing the surface for its new coat of paint. Temperature, pressure, and technique all play crucial roles in the process.

Professional power washing isn't just about blasting water at your house. It's a careful process that:

1. Uses Appropriate Pressure: Too much pressure can damage siding; too little won't clean effectively
2. Includes Proper Detergents: Different surfaces need different cleaning solutions
3. Follows a Specific Pattern: Ensures complete coverage without missing spots

The Right Way to Power Wash

If you're hiring a painter, here's what to expect from proper power washing:

• Initial inspection for damaged areas
• Protection of landscaping and non-washable items
• Application of appropriate cleaning solutions
• Systematic washing from top to bottom
• Adequate drying time (usually 24-48 hours in Omaha's climate)

What's Really on Your Home's Exterior?

Your house's exterior is constantly collecting:

• Dirt and dust (especially during Omaha's windy springs)
• Pollen and organic debris
• Air pollution particles
• Mildew and algae (common in shaded areas)
• Chalking from old paint
• Salt and mineral deposits

Cost of Power Washing in Omaha

Let's break down the numbers:

• Average cost of power washing in Omaha: $300-500.
• Cost of repainting due to failed paint job: $5,000-9,000

According to Revive Real Estate, a properly completed exterior paint job with the right prep work steps and high-quality paint can increase the home’s value by 2-5%. That's significant considering Omaha's average home price of $330,000.

Effects of Not Power Washing Before Painting in Omaha

Our local climate deserves special attention when it comes to exterior painting. Omaha's weather isn't just challenging – it's downright demanding on exterior paint. Summer humidity can trap moisture under paint, while winter's freezing temperatures cause expansion and contraction that test even the best paint jobs. 

Add in our frequent storms, high winds, and salt exposure from winter road treatments, and you've got a perfect storm of conditions that make proper preparation absolutely crucial.

Sometimes, power washing reveals issues that need addressing before painting. Rotted wood might become apparent, or loose siding might show itself. You might discover failing caulk or previous paint problems that were hidden under layers of dirt. 

While these discoveries might seem like unwelcome news, they're actually opportunities to address problems before they become more serious and expensive.

Here are some of those problems you should want to avoid:

• Rotted wood
• Loose siding
• Failing caulk
• Previous paint problems

A reputable painting contractor will identify these issues during the cleaning process if they are not already caught during your quote consultation.

DIY vs. Professional Power Washing Before Exterior Painting

While DIY is possible, consider:

• Equipment rental costs
• Risk of damage from improper pressure
• Time investment (usually 1 full day for just power washing)
• Safety concerns with heights and equipment

Power Washing Your Home Before Exterior Painting

Remember that initial question – "Can you paint a house without power washing?" While technically possible, it's clear that skipping this crucial step is a costly gamble that rarely pays off. 

Proper preparation through power washing is your insurance policy for a beautiful, lasting paint job.

At Brush & Roll Painting, we've seen how proper preparation makes the difference between a paint job that lasts 3-4 years and one that lasts 10-13 years or more. We're here to help you make informed decisions about your painting projects.

Ready to start your exterior painting project the right way? Click the button below to get a quote and learn how we can help ensure your paint job stands the test of time.

If you are not ready to get a quote for your project, take this time to get prepared for the project. Whether you are doing the project yourself or hiring a painter, an exterior painting checklist will set your project up for success. Click the button below to get your free checklist, so you can be prepared to make the best decisions for your home transformation.