How Often Should You Pressure Wash Your Home in Florida?

If you own a home in Florida — particularly here in Brevard County — you've probably noticed how quickly your home's exterior gets dirty. That green tint creeping up your siding. The dark streaks appearing on your roof. The black mold spreading across your driveway. It happens faster here than almost anywhere else in the country, and there's a reason for that.

So how often should you actually pressure wash your home in Florida? The answer depends on several factors, but here's a comprehensive guide based on our experience cleaning hundreds of properties across Melbourne, Palm Bay, Cocoa, and the rest of the Space Coast.

The Florida Factor

Florida's climate is essentially a petri dish for exterior grime. Here's what your home is up against:

• Humidity: Brevard County averages 74% relative humidity year-round. This constant moisture creates ideal conditions for mold, mildew, and algae to thrive on every exterior surface.
• Rain: We get an average of 52 inches of rainfall annually, much of it during intense summer afternoon thunderstorms. This keeps surfaces perpetually damp and delivers organic nutrients that feed biological growth.
• Heat: Warm temperatures year-round mean biological organisms never go dormant. Unlike northern states where winter kills off most growth, Florida's algae and mildew grow 12 months a year.
• Coastal air: Properties near the coast (Cocoa Beach, Satellite Beach, Melbourne Beach, Indialantic) deal with salt spray that deposits minerals on surfaces, leaving white spots and accelerating corrosion.
• Pollen: Florida produces massive amounts of pollen from January through April. This yellow film coats every surface and provides additional food for mold and mildew.

The combination of these factors means Florida homes need exterior cleaning significantly more often than homes in drier, cooler climates. A home in Arizona might go 3–5 years between cleanings. A home in Brevard County? That's a different story.

General Cleaning Schedule

Based on our experience with Brevard County properties, here are our general recommendations:

• House exterior (siding/stucco): Every 12–18 months. North-facing walls and shaded areas may need attention as often as every 10–12 months.
• Roof: Every 2–3 years for most roofs. Heavily shaded roofs or those in coastal areas may need cleaning every 18–24 months.
• Driveways and sidewalks: Every 12–18 months. High-traffic driveways with oil staining may benefit from annual cleaning.
• Pool decks: Every 12 months. The combination of constant moisture and chlorine creates rapid algae growth and chemical staining.
• Screened enclosures: Every 12–18 months. The screens trap organic debris that feeds mildew on the structure and floor.
• Fences: Every 12–24 months depending on material. Wood fences in shade need more frequent cleaning than vinyl in full sun.

Signs It's Time to Clean

Beyond the schedule, watch for these visual indicators that your home needs cleaning:

• Green or black streaks on siding: This is algae and mold. It starts in shaded areas and spreads quickly in Florida's climate.
• Dark black streaks on the roof: Caused by Gloeocapsa magma algae. These aren't just cosmetic — they're actively damaging your shingles. Read more in our guide on the hidden danger of black streaks on your roof.
• Slippery surfaces: If your driveway, sidewalk, or pool deck feels slippery when wet, that's algae growth creating a safety hazard.
• White haze on windows: Hard water spots and mineral deposits from sprinklers or coastal air building up on glass.
• Color change: If your concrete has gradually darkened over months, that's embedded dirt and organic growth — not just aging.
• HOA notice: If your homeowners association sends a letter about your home's appearance, that's a definitive sign. See our HOA compliance guide.

Surface-Specific Recommendations

Different surfaces have different needs and tolerances:

Stucco and Painted Surfaces

These surfaces should always be soft washed, not pressure washed. High pressure can damage stucco, drive water behind walls, and remove paint. Soft washing uses low-pressure water with specialized cleaning solutions that kill organic growth at its root. Plan for annual cleaning.

Concrete (Driveways, Sidewalks, Pool Decks)

Concrete can handle higher pressure and benefits from surface cleaning equipment that provides uniform results. Annual cleaning prevents staining from becoming permanent. Oil stains should be treated promptly — the longer they sit, the deeper they penetrate.

Roofing

Never use high pressure on a roof. The proper method is non-pressure chemical treatment that kills algae and moss without dislodging shingles or voiding warranties. This is a specialized service — our roof cleaning service follows manufacturer guidelines precisely.

Pavers

Pavers need moderate pressure combined with proper technique to avoid dislodging joint sand. After cleaning, professional sealant protects pavers for 2–3 years and prevents weed growth, ant hills, and UV fading. Learn about our paver cleaning and sealing service.

HOA Requirements

Many Brevard County communities have specific requirements for exterior maintenance. HOAs in Viera, Bayside Lakes, Suntree, and other planned communities often require:

• Annual or bi-annual exterior cleaning of home surfaces
• Roof cleaning when visible algae growth is present
• Driveway and sidewalk maintenance
• Fence and wall cleaning in common boundary areas

Failing to comply can result in violation notices and fines. ClearCoast Wash works with numerous HOA communities and can help you stay compliant proactively. Read our full guide: Why Your HOA Requires Pressure Washing.

DIY vs Professional

Can you rent a pressure washer from Home Depot and do it yourself? Sure. Should you? It depends.

DIY works for: Small concrete areas like a front walkway or small patio. A consumer pressure washer with a surface cleaner attachment can handle these relatively safely.

Professional is better for: House exteriors (wrong pressure = damage), roofs (improper technique voids warranties), large driveways (consumer machines take 4x longer), and anything requiring chemical treatment (improper mixing is a real hazard).

The risk with DIY isn't just doing a worse job — it's causing expensive damage. We regularly see homes where DIY pressure washing has etched concrete (leaving permanent lines), damaged stucco, blown water behind siding, or stripped paint. The repair costs far exceed what professional cleaning would have cost.

For a free estimate on your home, call ClearCoast Wash at (321) 555-0199. We'll assess your property, recommend the right services and frequency, and provide a clear, written price.