Summer pressure washing in the Flathead Valley: decks, driveways, and what not to power-wash

Surface dictates pressure

Concrete tolerates 3000 PSI. Wood decks max around 1500 PSI with a fan tip. Vinyl siding is in between. Every surface has a sweet spot — too high etches, too low doesn't clean.

Soft-wash for delicates

Stained wood, painted siding, and aluminum gutters need 'soft wash' — low pressure plus a biocide solution that does the chemical work. We apply, dwell, rinse.

Driveways: pre-treat first

Oil stains lift better with a degreaser pre-treatment than with raw pressure. Cold-water pressure alone smears oil; heat or chemistry breaks it.

Deck-day timing

Cleaned decks need to dry 24-48 hours before sealing. Plan for two clear days in your forecast.

Don't power-wash these

Roof shingles (rip off granules), composite decking (specific-product needed), painted brick (peels), historical mortar joints, electrical fittings, AC units.

Bundle with windows

Pressure washing kicks dust onto fresh glass. We always do siding/concrete first, then windows the same day or next day. Bundling saves you a return trip + 10-20% off the combined rate.