House Wash Prep Checklist for East Ridge & Harrison, TN Homes
So you've booked a house wash. Nice! Now what? Most homeowners in East Ridge, Harrison, and the rest of our service area ask the same thing once the date is on the calendar: "Is there anything I need to Dew before you get here?" The good news is that there isn't much. But a few minutes of prep makes the day go smoother, protects your stuff, and helps you get the best result. Here's the house wash prep checklist we share with our customers.
A few days before: walk around and take notes
Take a slow lap around the house and look for anything you want us to know about. A quick text with photos goes a long way. Look for:
Green or black streaks on the shady sides of the house, especially the north wall and under the eaves.
Loose or cracked siding, missing caulk around windows, or trim that's already peeling. Water can get behind damaged spots, so we'll want to go easy there.
Windows that don't close all the way, broken seals, or a dryer vent missing its flap.
Outdoor outlets without covers, plus any low-voltage landscape lights or cameras mounted on the walls.
Specific spots that bug you, like a stained chimney, a mildewed corner by the hose bib, or gutter faces with dark streaks.
If you're not sure whether your siding needs a gentle soft wash or regular pressure washing, our soft wash vs. pressure washing guide explains the difference, and the siding cleaning guide covers vinyl, brick, and Hardie.
The day before: clear a path
Move patio furniture, grills, planters, and toys a few feet away from the walls so we can reach every section of siding.
Bring in doormats, cushions, and anything fabric you don't want to get damp.
Pick up pet bowls, dog toys, and anything left on the porch or deck.
Move cars off the driveway if you've also booked driveway pressure washing (or if the cars are parked close to the house).
Unlock any side gates, and let us know if there's a gate code or a dog in the back yard.
Harrison homes near the lake and wooded lots in East Ridge often have extra landscaping tight against the house. You don't need to cover anything. We pre-wet and rinse plants as part of our process, but it does help to tie back any shrubs that are pushed right up against the siding.
The morning of: close it up
Close all windows and doors tightly, including the garage door if we're washing that side.
Make sure there's a working outdoor spigot with good water flow. We'll let you know ahead of time if your job needs anything special.
Turn off any lawn sprinklers scheduled for that day.
Keep pets inside until we're packed up.
You usually don't need to be home, as long as we can reach the spigot and the gates. Many customers just leave a note on the door and check out the results when they get home from work.
While we work
A house soft wash uses low pressure and a cleaning solution that treats algae and mildew at the root, then a thorough rinse. It's gentle on vinyl, brick, and painted trim, which is why it lasts longer than blasting with high pressure. If you've added the roof and gutter cleaning or a fence wash, we'll go over the order of work when we arrive.
After the wash: a quick checklist
Wait until the siding and windows have dried before judging the results. Wet vinyl can hide small spots, and dry siding tells the real story.
Water any plants near the house again later in the day.
Put furniture and decorations back once everything is dry.
Take a walk around the house (with us, if you are home) and point out anything you want rechecked.
We'll always be honest about what a wash can and can't do. Washing removes dirt, algae, mildew, and pollen, but it won't fix oxidized (chalky) siding, faded paint, or rust stains that have soaked in. Some of those may only lighten. If we see something like that during your walk-around, we'll tell you up front.
How often should you book?
In our humid East Tennessee climate, most homes look their best with a house wash every year or two, sooner on shady lots. Our how-often guide has a simple schedule, and the quote guide explains what we ask before we give you a price. Getting ready for guests this season? Pair this list with our holiday exterior cleaning checklist. Own a rental? See the landlord guide.
House washing near you
JimmyDew Pressure Washing is based in Ooltewah, licensed and insured, and washes homes in East Ridge, Harrison, Ooltewah, Collegedale, Cleveland, McDonald, Hixson, Soddy-Daisy, and Apison, TN. Send us a couple of photos of the sides of your house that bother you most, and we'll take it from there. Your house will be clean, and so Dew you.
What can JimmyDew For You?
Call or text (423) 635-5360
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