Pressure washing in Oak Ridge
About 34,000 people, a lot of older housing on wooded hillsides, and siding that deserves a gentle hand.
Oak Ridge grew fast in the 1940s, and many of the small homes from that era are still lived in, along with later ranches and newer construction. Older wood and fiber-based siding, original trim and decades of paint layers mean these houses should never see a narrow pressure tip.
Older homes, gentler washing
- Painted wood siding gets a mild soft wash solution and a low rinse.
- Loose trim, failing caulk and peeling paint are pointed out before work starts, not discovered afterward.
- If the house is about to be painted, the wash is timed so it dries properly first.
Shade and slopes
Much of Oak Ridge is built along ridges with heavy tree cover. Walks, steps and retaining walls on shaded slopes go green and slippery. Cleaning them before winter is one of the most practical jobs on this list; see concrete cleaning.
Near Melton Hill Lake? Lakeside homes and docks stay damp and need more frequent washing. Wash water is kept out of the lake.
Questions from Oak Ridge
Can you wash a house with old painted siding?
Yes, with a mild soft wash. If the paint is already flaking badly, the wash will loosen more of it, and you'll be told that before starting.
Do you clean steep wooded lots?
Yes. Access takes more time on slopes, which is reflected in the quote.