How Much Water Is Used to Pressure Wash a Home?
Are you wondering how much water it takes to clean your house, driveway, or roof with a pressure washer? The amount of water used can vary depending on factors such as the size of your home, the type of pressure washing service, and the equipment being used. To give you a point of reference, the average household uses about 100 gallons of water each day for general purposes. But how does that compare to the water used in pressure washing? Let’s dive in!
Residential Pressure Washing
It’s a common assumption that smaller, store-bought pressure washers use less water. After all, they’re rated at 2-4 gallons per minute (GPM), right? Well, not necessarily. While the water consumption is lower, the cleaning process takes longer. Let’s break it down using a 2.3 GPM machine and a typical 2,000 square-foot home.
A 2.3 GPM pressure washer uses 2.3 gallons of water every minute it operates. Over the course of 60 minutes, that adds up to 138 gallons. This is significantly less than the 300 gallons used by larger commercial machines. However, because the flow rate is slower, it takes longer to clean your home — around three hours instead of one and a half. This extended use of water results in a total of about 400 gallons. The difference? You’re saving only around 50 gallons, and the water cost is minimal — probably just a few cents.
Commercial Pressure Washing
Professional pressure washing services typically use machines with a much higher GPM, ranging from 5 to 8 gallons per minute. These machines are designed for efficiency, allowing them to clean larger areas quickly.
For example, a 5 GPM machine uses five gallons of water per minute. Running the machine for one hour results in 300 gallons used. Cleaning a 2,000 square-foot home with a 5 GPM machine usually takes about an hour and a half, bringing the total water consumption to around 450 gallons. While this might seem like a lot, the cost of water is relatively low — typically less than a cent per gallon. So, using 450 gallons costs just a few dollars in water.
How Much Water Can My Home Provide?
When it comes to water supply, the average home spigot can deliver about 4 gallons of water per minute through a garden hose. This is sufficient for smaller pressure washers, which typically operate within this range. However, commercial-grade pressure washers that exceed 4 GPM require more water than the spigot can provide on its own.
To manage this, businesses use a buffer tank to store extra water. Before arriving at a job site, they fill the tank, and during the cleaning process, they connect the hose to the home’s water supply to keep the tank from running dry. This ensures a steady flow of water even if the pressure washer is consuming more than the home’s spigot can provide.
Is Pressure Washing a Waste of Water?
If you’re concerned about the environmental impact of pressure washing, it’s important to consider local regulations. Some states have restrictions on water usage, so check your area’s laws if you’re tackling the job yourself. However, if you hire a professional, they’ll be familiar with the rules and take the necessary steps to comply.
In fact, pressure washing can actually be beneficial for your plants. While cleaning your house, driveway, or roof, water is often sprayed on nearby plants to protect them. This watering helps dilute the cleaning solutions, keeping your garden and grass healthy while getting the job done.
Benefits of Pressure Washing
Pressure washing offers numerous benefits for homeowners when done correctly. For newly constructed homes, pressure washing can remove the dust and dirt left behind from construction, making the home look brand new. For older homes, pressure washing can eliminate built-up dirt, grime, and the harmful effects of mold and algae, particularly on roofs.
Mold and algae often thrive in cooler, shadier areas — which is why you might notice it building up more on the north side of your roof. If left untreated, these growths can spread quickly. When it comes to roof cleaning, it’s best to clean the entire roof, not just one side, to prevent mold from spreading back to the rest of the surface.
Don’t DIY with High Pressure
Some homeowners attempt to remove algae or mold by spraying it with a high-pressure stream from a pressure washer. While this might seem like a quick fix, it can damage your siding by causing oxidation. Oxidation occurs when water seeps between the panels, leading to warping and discoloration, which can be expensive to fix.
Additionally, high pressure alone won’t eliminate mold or algae. To properly kill it, you need to apply a cleaning solution that targets the growth. Using only water may temporarily remove the surface algae, but it will return quickly.
DIY Mold Removal Tips
If you spot green algae, mildew, or mold on your siding, you can tackle the job yourself with the right equipment. To do so, you’ll need a pump sprayer (preferably a handheld model), gloves, safety glasses, and a respirator. You’ll also need bleach, either sodium hypochlorite or standard household bleach. Be sure to dilute it to a 1.5% to 2% solution to avoid harming plants or grass.
Start by wetting the siding with a garden hose. Then, apply the bleach solution to the affected areas and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Afterward, rinse thoroughly. If the mold persists, you may need to repeat the process once or twice more.
Final Thoughts
If you’re concerned about the amount of water used when pressure washing your home, don’t be. While pressure washing can consume several hundred gallons of water, the cost is minimal — typically just a few dollars. Whether you choose to hire a professional or tackle the job yourself, the benefits of pressure washing far outweigh the water usage. Not only will your home look cleaner and newer, but you’ll also help remove harmful mold and algae that can damage your property over time.
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