How to Prepare Your Home for Pressure Washing

Updated February 2026 • 5 min read

You've booked your driveway or patio cleaning – great! A little preparation on your part helps us work efficiently and ensures the best possible results. Here's what to do before we arrive.

Pre-Appointment Checklist

Detailed Preparation Guide

1. Move Your Vehicles

This seems obvious, but we can't clean under a parked car! Please move all vehicles off the driveway before we arrive. If you have multiple vehicles, all need to be moved.

Tip: If you need to leave before we finish, park on the street rather than planning to move the car back – the driveway will be wet.

2. Clear the Area

Remove anything that could get wet, dirty, or is in the way:

• Plant pots – Move to lawn or flower beds
• Garden ornaments – Gnomes, statues, solar lights
• Bins and recycling boxes – Move away from work area
• Children's toys – Bikes, trampolines, paddling pools
• Garden furniture – Tables, chairs, parasols
• BBQs and fire pits – Move or cover
• Doormats – Bring inside

We're happy to move small items, but clearing beforehand means we can focus on cleaning rather than shuffling things around.

3. Water Access

We need access to your water supply – usually an outside tap. Before we arrive:

• Check the tap works and runs freely
• Turn off any water timers that might interrupt supply
• Clear access to the tap if it's behind plants or obstacles
• If your tap is inside, let us know so we can arrange to run a hose through

4. Gate and Access

If we need access through side gates or around the property:

• Unlock gates before we arrive
• Clear pathways of obstacles
• Secure dogs or let us know if there's a dog
• Let us know about any tricky latches or locks

5. Protect Sensitive Items

Pressure washing creates spray. While we're careful, consider:

• Close windows and doors near the work area
• Move delicate plants away from the immediate area
• Cover fish ponds if very close to work area
• Note any areas to avoid – tell us if something is fragile or precious

6. Pets

Please make arrangements for pets:

• Dogs – Keep inside or in a secure area away from work zone
• Cats – Usually take care of themselves, but keep flaps locked if cat might be startled
• Other pets – Ensure hutches, runs, etc. are protected from spray

Pressure washers are loud and spray water unpredictably – pets can be frightened or get in the way.

7. Communication

Help us do the best job by letting us know:

• Specific areas that need extra attention
• Any stains you're particularly concerned about
• Areas you DON'T want us to clean (if applicable)
• How to contact you if you're not home
• Payment method preference

On the Day

When We Arrive

• Quick walkthrough to confirm areas to be cleaned
• Point out any special concerns or requests
• Show us the water supply
• Let us know if you're going out

During the Work

• Feel free to go about your day – no need to supervise
• Keep children and pets away from work area
• Don't worry about the mess – we clean up after ourselves

When We Finish

• Walkthrough to show results
• Point out any areas that couldn't be fully cleaned (and why)
• Discuss aftercare and re-sanding if applicable
• Payment

After the Clean

Once we're done:

• Wait before walking on wet surfaces – Slippery when wet!
• Allow to dry before driving on – Usually a few hours
• Wait before replacing furniture – Ideally until fully dry
• Re-sanding (block paving) – We'll either do this or arrange a return visit once dry
• Sealing (if booked) – Requires dry surface, usually next day

Summary

Preparing for pressure washing is straightforward: move vehicles, clear items from the area, ensure water access, and make arrangements for pets. A little preparation means we can focus on delivering great results rather than working around obstacles. If you have any questions about preparing your property, just ask when you book – we're happy to help.