The short answer: clear it, close it, flag it
Preparing for pressure washing comes down to three jobs. Clear the surfaces being cleaned, close every opening water could get into, and point out anything that is fragile or easy to miss. If you do those three things the night before, the crew can start right away and spend their time cleaning instead of moving things around.
You do not need to pre-clean anything. Sweeping off loose leaves helps a little, but the wash itself handles dirt, grime and buildup. Your job is access and protection.
Make sure the crew can get in and get water
Pressure washing runs on your water supply, so check that at least one outdoor spigot works and is not leaking. If the nearest one is behind a locked gate or buried behind plants, clear a path to it. Unlock side gates and any gate leading to areas being cleaned, or leave instructions if you will not be home.
Think about parking for the work vehicle too. Equipment and hoses need to reach the work area, so an open spot near the driveway or curb makes setup quicker. On narrow hillside streets, it helps to let close neighbors know a work vehicle will be parked briefly.
Move cars, furniture and anything on the ground
Park cars on the street or in the garage before the crew arrives, not on the driveway you are paying to clean. A car parked on concrete leaves a dry rectangle of dirt that cannot be reached. Overspray and runoff can also spot paint and glass.
Pull patio furniture, planters, doormats, grills, toys and hoses off the surfaces being cleaned. Put them on the lawn, in the garage, or on a section that is not part of the job. Heavy pots can stay if you tell us, and we will clean around them, but the ring underneath will still be there. Small items like solar path lights and decorative stones are easy to knock loose with a surface cleaner, so pull those too.
Close windows, doors and vents
For house washing, close every window and door and check that they latch. Older wood windows and sliding doors with worn weatherstripping can let water in even at low pressure, so stuff a towel along the inside track if you have had leaks before. Turn off window AC units and close any vent covers that face the walls being washed.
Garage doors should be fully closed if the driveway is being cleaned, or fully open if you want the garage apron and floor done. A half-open door invites water and debris inside.
Flag sprinklers, outlets and soft spots
Sprinkler heads along the edge of a driveway or walkway are easy to catch with equipment. Push a small flag or stick next to each one, or simply tell the crew where they are. Turn off your irrigation timer for the day so it does not run while people are working and add water to the runoff.
Exterior outlets should have closed weatherproof covers. If a cover is broken or missing, tape it shut and mention it. Also point out loose stucco, cracked trim, peeling paint, wobbly railings and any window screen that is already damaged. Water finds weak spots, and it is better to talk about them before the wash than after.
Plants, pets and people
Water your garden beds well the evening before. Well-watered plants absorb less of any cleaning solution that reaches them, and the crew will rinse plants before and after. Our guide on how we protect plants during house washing goes deeper on this.
Keep dogs and cats inside or away from the work area for the whole visit and until surfaces dry. Hoses, moving equipment and slick wet concrete are not a good mix for curious animals or small kids. Let neighbors know if their side of a shared wall or driveway might get some overspray.
What to tell the crew when they arrive
A quick walk around at the start saves time. Point out problem stains you care most about, areas you want skipped, where the water spigot is, and anything you flagged the night before. If there is a gate code or a pet in the backyard, share that too.
With Say Wash It, the flat price is confirmed before work begins, so this is also the moment to raise anything that changed since you got your instant quote. At the end there is a walkthrough together, so you can check the results with the person who did the work. If you are wondering whether you even need to be there, our guide on being home during pressure washing covers what works.
Key points
The short answer: clear it, close it, flag it
Preparing for pressure washing comes down to three jobs. Clear the surfaces being cleaned, close every opening water could get into, and point out anything that is fragile or easy to miss. If you do those three things the night before, the crew can start right away and spend their time cleaning instead of moving things around.
Move cars, furniture and anything on the ground
Park cars on the street or in the garage before the crew arrives, not on the driveway you are paying to clean. A car parked on concrete leaves a dry rectangle of dirt that cannot be reached. Overspray and runoff can also spot paint and glass.