City grime, soot, mildew and winter salt build up on stoops, areaways, patios, decks and rear walls. Washing is also the first step before exterior paint or stain. Pressure has to suit the surface. Brownstone, old brick and soft mortar are damaged by high pressure, so those are cleaned gently, and wash water is kept away from neighbors and the sidewalk.
Power washing in Manhattan is small scale and careful. There are no long runs of vinyl siding to rinse. The jobs are a stoop and its steps, the areaway below it, a bluestone or concrete patio in a rear garden, a roof deck, a terrace floor, a painted rear wall, a storefront sidewalk. Soot, bird droppings, mildew, gum and the white crust of winter salt are what we remove. We also wash surfaces before exterior painting or staining so the new coating bonds.
Pressure is the decision that matters. Brownstone is soft and sheds its face under a hard jet. Old brick and lime mortar erode the same way. For these we use low pressure, wide tips, cleaners suited to masonry and a soft brush, and we test a small patch first. Concrete and stone pavers can take more. Wood decks sit in between and are washed along the grain. On painted surfaces from before 1978 we do not blast loose paint, because that spreads lead chips.
Logistics need planning in a city building. We ask where the water connection is, where runoff will go and who is below or next door. Runoff is directed to a drain and kept off neighbors' property, with debris screened out. On terraces and roofs we check drains before we begin so water does not pond. Tell your building or neighbors the day in advance, since the machine is noisy for a few hours. Surfaces to be painted afterward need days to dry before any coating goes on.
Power washing in New York: common questions
Will power washing damage my brownstone stoop?
High pressure can, which is why we do not use it there. A brownstone stoop is cleaned with low pressure, a masonry-safe cleaner and brushing. If the surface is already flaking, we will show you and suggest a mason look at it.
I have no outdoor tap on my terrace. Can you still wash it?
Often we can run a hose from a kitchen or utility sink with an adapter, with the route protected. We confirm this at the estimate. Buildings that restrict water use on terraces may require approval first.
Can salt stains on the areaway and steps be removed?
In most cases the white deposits wash off with the correct cleaner and a rinse. They can come back if salt is still in the masonry or is spread again next winter. Rinsing the steps in early spring helps.
How it works
- Free estimate: Call, text or book online. We walk the job and measure.
- Written quote: Prep, paint and price in writing.
- Prep & protect: We cover floors and furniture, repair and prime surfaces.
- Paint & walk-through: Two coats, clean lines, full clean-up and a final walk-through.