You’ve probably noticed your home’s exterior starting to look a little tired. Maybe the siding looks dirty, the trim seems a little dingy, or there’s some cobwebs in the corner. Whether you're planning to repaint or just want to get rid of the grime, you’re probably asking the same question many Omaha homeowners do: Should I power wash my house myself or let a painter handle it?
It seems like a simple task; how hard can it be to spray water on a house? But the answer isn’t always obvious, and skipping or mishandling this step can quietly affect an otherwise great paint job. You might end up with peeling paint, trapped mildew, or water damage you didn’t expect.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve been painting homes in Omaha since 1996. That means we’ve prepped thousands of exteriors and have seen firsthand what happens when a home isn’t cleaned properly before painting. We use high-quality paints and stains, but no product can make up for poor prep.
That’s why we take every step seriously, including power washing. We’re not sharing this article to sell anything. We just want you to know what to expect when you're hiring someone to paint your home, and how to make sure you’re getting the kind of job that will last.
This article will answer whether you should do the power washing yourself or let your painter do it. You’ll learn why it matters so much, what can go wrong if it's skipped, and how it affects the final result of your painting project. You’ll also walk away with tips on how to ask the right questions before hiring anyone.
Before paint can do its job, the surface needs to be clean. Not just “looks clean,” but actually clean. That means free from dirt, mold, mildew, loose paint, and even chalky residue left by old coatings.
Here’s why it’s so important:
Even if you’re using the highest quality paints available, like Benjamin Moore’s Aura, this product needs a clean, dry, stable surface to perform the way it’s designed to.
Learn about the full process of prepping a house for exterior painting.
Yes. If you're hiring a professional painter for your home's exterior, power washing should be part of their prep process. Not optional. Not something you have to do in advance.
Professional painters understand how different surfaces respond to water pressure, which areas are most prone to buildup, and how long to let the home dry afterward. For instance, at Brush & Roll Painting, we power wash homes 1–3 days before any exterior paint is applied, depending on what day the project begins and the weather.
If a painter tells you to handle the washing yourself, or skips the topic altogether, that’s a red flag. It may signal that they’re cutting corners on other steps, too.
Here’s what a good painting company will usually include in their power washing step before painting:
If you’re just doing some spring or fall cleaning and want your home to look fresh again, power washing can still help. Your home should be getting power washed 1-2 times per year. Before and after winter are usually good times to give it a good rinse.
Plenty of Omaha homeowners handle their own light pressure washing for general maintenance. If you don’t own a power washer but still want to do the project yourself, you can rent a power washer at local hardware stores like Menards and Home Depot.
If you go this route, here’s what to keep in mind:
This method is great for cleaning off surface dust, mildew, and cobwebs. But it’s not a substitute for painter-led prep when you’re getting ready for a new coat.
You can also hire a professional cleaning company to do the washing if you’re not ready to paint yet. This is a smart choice if:
At Brush & Roll Painting, we offer power washing homes as a separate service because we know the maintenance of keeping the exterior of your house clean can be overwhelming. We also know, the more the exterior of your home is clean, the better condition your paint is in.
If you’ve had your home painted by us, it’s a great time for us to check in to see how the paint and caulk are holding up.
It’s tempting to think power washing is optional—especially if your home doesn’t look dirty. But problems show up quickly when this step is skipped or done too fast:
A good painter will know this and won’t take shortcuts with cleaning.
When getting estimates, don’t be afraid to ask:
These questions will give you peace of mind and help you spot the pros who take your project seriously.
If you’re wondering which parts of your home need to be cleaned before painting, here’s a quick list:
If paint is going on it, it needs to be cleaned first. Even if it “looks fine,” there’s likely residue that could cause failure down the road.
Power washing is more than just blasting off dirt, it’s a key part of making sure your new paint sticks, lasts, and protects your home. Whether you’re hiring a pro or painting yourself, how you prep will decide how long your paint holds up through Omaha’s hot summers, cold winters, and everything in between.
If you’re getting ready for a painting project, power washing should be done by the painter. That way, it’s timed and handled correctly and gives your paint the longest lifespan possible.
If you’re just refreshing your siding with no immediate plans to paint, power washing is something you can either DIY or hire out. Just be cautious and make sure whoever does it knows how to handle the specific materials your home is made of.
At Brush & Roll Painting, we’ve spent decades helping Omaha homeowners get the kind of paint jobs that don’t just look good on day one, but still look great years later. We handle every step, from washing and scraping to priming and painting, so you don’t have to wonder what was skipped.
Let’s make sure your paint job starts right, clean, dry, and ready to last. Click below to get a quote.
Before you move forward with your exterior painting project, make sure you have a clear roadmap. Click the button below to get our free Exterior Painting Project Checklist. It’ll help you know what should happen at every step, whether you’re hiring a painter or doing the work yourself.