The short answer
A typical driveway, patio or walkway is usually finished within a few hours, including setup, pre-treatment and cleanup. A house wash on a single-story home is often a similar half-day job. A full property with walls, concrete, gutters and a roof can take most of a day.
These are rough guides, not promises. Two driveways of the same size can take very different amounts of time if one is just dusty and the other has years of oil, tire marks and leaf stains.
Commercial jobs are different. A storefront sidewalk may be quick, while a large parking lot, a fleet of vehicles or a building exterior can take a full day or more, and is often scheduled around business hours.
Where the time actually goes
Spraying water is only part of the job. Setup comes first: walking the property, moving hoses, protecting plants and covering outlets and fixtures. Then comes pre-treatment, and that solution needs dwell time to break down oil, mildew or organic staining before it is rinsed.
After the main cleaning, there are touch-ups on stubborn spots, a final rinse working from the high side down, and time to manage wash water so it stays out of the storm drain. Then there is a walkthrough with you to look at the result together.
Cleanup takes real time too. Hoses are rolled up, drain covers are removed, plants get a final rinse and anything that was moved is put back. A rushed cleanup is often where small problems get missed.
What makes a job take longer
Heavy staining is the biggest factor. Oil spots may need several rounds of degreaser and heat. Rust and old tannin stains need a targeted cleaner and patience. Some stains will only lighten no matter how much time is spent, and it is better to accept that than to keep adding pressure.
Access matters too. Hillside homes with long stairs, narrow side yards, locked gates or a spigot far from the work all add time. So do delicate surfaces like stucco, painted trim and wood, which need slower, gentler soft washing. Cars parked on the driveway or furniture on the patio slow the start if they need to be moved on the day.
How weather changes the clock
Heat speeds drying, which sounds helpful but is not. On hot days, especially in the Valley, cleaning solution can dry before it finishes working, so crews work in smaller sections and keep surfaces wet. That can add time but prevents streaks.
Wind matters as well. Santa Ana conditions can blow overspray and dust around, and a cleaned surface can collect debris before it dries. On cooler marine-layer mornings near the coast, drying takes longer, though cleaning goes smoothly.
Rain is the other variable. Cleaning is usually rescheduled for steady rain, since runoff is harder to manage and the result cannot be judged properly on a soaked surface.
How long before you can use the surface
Concrete and pavers are usually safe to walk on right away, though wet surfaces can be slippery. Most people wait until the concrete looks dry before driving on it, which in full sun can be within a few hours and in shade can take longer.
Walls and windows can go back to normal right away. If you plan to seal concrete or paint the house afterward, the surface needs to be fully dry first, and the product label sets the waiting time. Many sealers and paints call for a longer dry period than simple walking does.
Planning your day
If you have several areas to clean, doing them in one visit is usually more efficient than separate trips, and it saves money too. Booking two services in one visit earns a 5% bundle discount and three or more earn 10%, on prices listed in our calculator as of October 2026.
You do not have to watch the whole job. Most people just make sure gates are open, cars are moved and pets are inside. When you get an instant quote on this page, the scheduled time is confirmed along with the flat price before work begins.
If you have a deadline, like a listing photo shoot, a party or a painter arriving, mention it when you book. Building in a buffer day protects you if weather or a stubborn stain stretches the schedule.
Key points
The short answer
A typical driveway, patio or walkway is usually finished within a few hours, including setup, pre-treatment and cleanup. A house wash on a single-story home is often a similar half-day job. A full property with walls, concrete, gutters and a roof can take most of a day.
What makes a job take longer
Heavy staining is the biggest factor. Oil spots may need several rounds of degreaser and heat. Rust and old tannin stains need a targeted cleaner and patience. Some stains will only lighten no matter how much time is spent, and it is better to accept that than to keep adding pressure.