When you’ve invested in a custom home, you want to keep it well maintained. And when your home’s exterior is exposed to everything from torrential downpour to intense sunshine, you’ll need to be diligent about cleaning debris. After all, you don’t want to see declining curb appeal because of neglect.

Thankfully, you can find an effective and simple cleaning solution with pressure cleaning. You’ll need to be mindful of pressure intensity and use the right technique to achieve quality results. In the article that follows, we’ll outline the seven key outdoor surfaces you should pressure clean in a custom home.

1. Tackle Your Driveway

Your driveway sees a lot of use as a parking space for your car or a zone where you can let your kids play. And if you have trees overhead or nearby, your driveway will become a magnet for leaves, dust, and other debris. Cracks and spaces between pavers can be a breeding ground for weeds, as well, making your luxury home look less idyllic.

Consequently, you’ll want to pressure clean this surface with about 2,000 PSI. The sturdier the material, like concrete, the higher the pressure can go. Softer pavers may require you to notch down the pressure. Hold your nozzle at an angle against your driveway to achieve a smooth, uniformly clean surface.

2. Treat Natural Stone with Care

When you’re working on softer natural stones, like sandstone, you’ll need to be gentler with your cleaning approach. That means setting your pressure washer to a lower setting of around 1,000 PSI. And with a wider spray pattern, you’ll avoid concentrating too much pressure in one area.

Stick with mild cleaning products, too, to avoid abrading the surface. Gentle, diffused sprays with some detergent will clean the surface without compromising the unique textures.

Prior to starting any cleaning job, make sure you have the right equipment. If you’re wondering which should you buy when it comes to pressure washers, compare options and read reviews. Look for a pressure washer with the attachments and PSI output you need.

3. Be Careful with Rendered Walls

While rendered walls can elevate the look of any custom home, they can also attract dirt and debris. Grime can look especially obvious on larger walls, too.

And while you might want to blast away dirt, stick with a PSI under 1,000 to help preserve the finish on the wall. A mild detergent followed by a water rinse should be sufficient to achieve a cleaner surface.

4. Clean Wooden Decks

Yes, timber decks can be a stunning addition to a custom home. But they also can be a home for mold, mildew, and dirt. Left untouched, timber decks can look grimy and hurt your home’s curb appeal.

You don’t want to overdo it with pressure, as that creates unsightly streaks on the timber boards. Err on the side of caution with a PSI of around 500 to start. Maintain distance from the boards when spraying, too, to avoid harming the wood.

5. Keep Outdoor Kitchens Clean

When you’re cooking pizzas and grilled meats in your outdoor kitchen, grease comes with the territory. You may have leftover food scraps that find their way into cracks between surface areas. And dirt and debris from storms will find their way onto countertops.

You can make spending time outdoors at your home a little more enjoyable with some light cleaning. Use degreasers to restore countertops and cooking spaces. Be cautious with pressure cleaning, though, and limit it to walls, floors, and other larger areas.

6. Focus on Your Pool Area

You don’t want your pool area to become a slippery, algae-covered space. You’ll need to use a pool-approved detergent to keep your outdoor space clean.

Avoid using too much pressure on grout, which can be more sensitive. And when in doubt, stick with softer settings and moderate pressure.

7. Enhance Private Courts

If your home has a tennis court or other outdoor athletic space, don’t forget to clean it. After stormy weather, leaves and debris can take up residence there. You can restore your court’s appearance with regular pressure cleaning.

Stick with a PSI around 1,000 to get started. Use a wide fan spray to distribute water evenly. And gradually increase pressure to attack more stubborn areas.

Make Pressure Cleaning a Priority

Cleaning your outdoor spaces can help maintain the appearance of your custom home. Be aware of appropriate PSI levels before starting a cleaning session with your pressure washer. And be regular about cleaning to avoid obvious surface deterioration.

When you’re diligent about taking care of outdoor surfaces, you can ensure that these areas are functional and attractive components of your property.