Salt film, mildew, algae and red dirt build up on every outside surface in Honolulu. Paint will not hold on any of them. We wash walls, decks, lanais and concrete, with the pressure kept low on old single-wall boards so the wood is not damaged.
Every outside surface in Honolulu collects a film: salt from the ocean air, mildew and algae on the shaded and damp sides, and red dirt in the central and leeward areas. That film makes a house look tired, and it also stops paint from sticking. Washing is the first step of every exterior paint job we do, and it is a service on its own for siding, decks, lanais, fences, driveways and walkways.
Pressure has to match the surface. Concrete and hollow tile can take a strong wash. Old single-wall boards, plywood siding and soft deck wood cannot. Too much pressure cuts into the wood grain, forces water through the board joints into the house and strips sound paint. On those surfaces we use low pressure with a cleaner that kills mildew, and let the cleaner do the work. The aim is a clean wall, not a stripped one.
After a wash before painting, the walls need time to dry. Wood can hold water for a day or more, and longer in the valleys and on the windward side. On a house built before 1978, washing loose paint off the walls can spread paint chips that may contain lead, so the work has to be planned with that in mind. Tell us the age of the house when you call.
Power washing in Honolulu: common questions
Do you need to power wash a house before painting?
Yes, in Honolulu. Paint will not bond to salt film, mildew or chalk. The wash is part of our exterior painting prep, and the walls are left to dry before primer or paint.
Will power washing damage my single-wall house?
Not when it is done with low pressure. High pressure can scar old boards and push water through the joints. We use a mildew cleaner and gentle rinsing on older wood.
How much does power washing cost?
National figures published by HomeGuide for 2026 put washing a house at $170 to $360. Those are not our quotes. We price by the surfaces and how dirty they are.
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.