Pressure Washing in Tai Po

Once a year is the common rhythm for driveways and house exteriors in temperate climates. Humid or coastal areas may need it every 6-12 months because algae, mould, and salt build up faster. Waiting longer than 2-3 years lets organic growth bind to the surface, which raises the price of the eventual clean.

Most pros charge either by the hour or by surface area. A single driveway or patio is typically a 1-3 hour job at the low end of a pro's minimum call-out, while a full house exterior wash costs several times more. Get the quote broken down by surface (driveway, walls, deck, roof) so you can drop items to fit your budget.

Fresh oil mostly comes out with a degreaser pre-treatment plus hot-water pressure washing. Old oil that has soaked deep into concrete may only fade, not disappear — an honest pro will tell you this before quoting rather than promising full removal. Ask specifically whether stain treatment is included or extra.

A proper quote lists: each surface and its approximate area, the method per surface (high pressure vs soft wash), pre-treatments or chemicals used, weed and moss removal, rinsing and tidy-up, and whether resealing or re-sanding is included. It should also state who supplies water and power, and what happens if rain forces a reschedule.

Yes. Too much pressure or the wrong nozzle can etch concrete, blast mortar out of brick joints, splinter timber decking, strip paint, and force water behind siding or render. Roof tiles are especially vulnerable. Ask the pro what PSI and nozzle they plan to use per surface, and whether they soft wash delicate areas.

Four things drive the spread: surface area and condition (heavy staining doubles the time), access (upper storeys, tight side passages), method (soft washing with chemicals costs more than a quick rinse), and what is bundled (resealing, weed treatment, gutter clear-out). A cheap quote is often just a rinse with no pre-treatment — clarify the scope before comparing numbers.

Generally no — external walls are common property managed by the owners' corporation or management company. Individual owners hire pressure cleaners for private areas: rooftops they own, village house exteriors, garden or podium areas, and car parking spaces.

October to February — the dry season. Cleaning during the humid months (especially the March-May damp season) gives the shortest-lived results because mould regrows within weeks on damp surfaces.