As every business owner or property manager knows, first impressions are worth everything. If you own or manage commercial buildings, keeping their exteriors in pristine condition is crucial to attract and retain clients or tenants. The only way to efficiently and reliably maintain your property is by pressure washing your commercial building exteriors.

But wait, why pressure wash a commercial building when you already have employees handling cleaning tasks manually?

There are countless benefits to pressure washing commercial buildings. Unlike slow manual cleaning, a pressure washer for commercial buildings can quickly blast away tough stains, grime, and debris.

Learning how to pressure wash the side of a commercial building and other exterior areas like driveways may initially seem daunting, but it’s simpler than you think. As Houston’s #1 dealer of Hotsy, the most trusted brand in the pressure washing industry, we’ve helped thousands of business owners and property managers streamline their cleaning process.

We compiled decades of experience to craft this pressure washing commercial building guide. We’ll explore everything from the best commercial power washers to the best pressure washing chemicals for commercial buildings, so get your notes ready!

Why Pressure Wash a Commercial Building?

Using a pressure washer is the best way to revitalize your commercial property, providing a powerful cleaning technology in a fraction of the time manual scrubbing would take. That benefit alone is powerful, and there’s more to that than meets the eye.

So why pressure wash a commercial building? Let’s get into the details.

Enhancing Curb Appeal and Building Value

Commercial building pressure washing outshines manual cleaning methods with ease. Only pressure washers can effectively manage the dirt and grime accumulating on your surfaces, from floors and walls to building exteriors, vehicles, and driveways.

Many business owners are shocked at the results after investing in a pressure washer. Harnessing the cleaning power can restore faded building exteriors to their original vibrant colors, increasing curb appeal.

A fresh exterior can drive new customers to your business or attract tenants if you are a property manager.

Preventative Maintenance and Longevity

Pressure washing commercial buildings isn’t solely about keeping up appearances. Regular commercial building pressure washing can help prevent the buildup of harmful materials like dirt, grime, and oil. These stains can cause significant damage to your structures if left unchecked, especially in the case of brickwork, windows, or metal siding.

Despite initial upfront commercial building pressure washing prices, removing these materials from your property can save you thousands on expensive repairs in the long run.

How Much Does it Cost to Pressure Wash a Commercial Building?

Speaking of commercial building pressure washing prices, let’s discuss the budget space you need.

So, how much does it cost to pressure wash a commercial building?

The cost can vary wildly based on your needs. It could be more cost-efficient to buy or rent a pressure washer yourself and train an employee, or you may wish to outsource the job.

Factors Influencing the Cost to Pressure Wash Commercial Buildings

Here’s a list of factors affecting the commercial building pressure washing prices you can expect to pay.

Property Size: The size of your commercial property will affect the price you can expect to pay. The larger the building, the more you will pay.

Property Design: Commercial buildings with hard-to-reach areas or unique surfaces may require additional accessories, raising the overall cost.

Building Surface Materials: The best chemicals for pressure washing commercial buildings will vary based on your surfaces. Materials like brick, vehicle exteriors, or wood patios require different pressure washer detergent blends.

Location: If you have multiple properties, renting or outsourcing a pressure washer for commercial buildings may incur additional transit costs.

Internal Pressure Washing vs. Outsourcing: Buying or renting a pressure washer for commercial buildings will have different costs vs. outsourcing.

Typical Commercial Building Pressure Washing Prices When Outsourcing

If you’re considering outsourcing, compare the cost to investing in or renting a pressure washer for commercial buildings. You can expect to pay rates starting around $300 an hour, though some companies will also price by square feet.

Given that buying or renting a pressure washer is cheaper, we only recommend outsourcing if you lack skilled employees to use a pressure washer.

Is it Worth Buying or Renting Your Own Pressure Washer For the Job?

What about the debate of buying vs renting a pressure washer? How much does it cost to pressure wash a commercial building for each?

The cost to rent a pressure washer for commercial buildings will be much more initially palatable and could be a fantastic option if you want to try the immense cleaning ability of power washers before buying. For most rentals, you can expect to pay around $100 daily for a machine and additional accessories.

Buying offers the most efficient deal if you have multiple buildings or need cleaning tasks done more frequently. You can expect to pay around $3,000-$5,000 for standard gas or electric machines capable of handling common stains.

Consider how often you need cleaning tasks done and the additional costs of teaching an employee to use a pressure washer for commercial buildings to determine if renting or buying is the best choice for you.

Step-by-Step Guide to Pressure Washing Commercial Buildings

With the financial side of things settled, it’s time to understand how pressure washing commercial buildings works.

We’ll explore how to pressure wash the side of commercial buildings step-by-step. Additionally, we’ll look at how to choose your machine and the best pressure washing chemicals for commercial buildings.

Choosing the Right Pressure Washer for Commercial Buildings

With so many different types of pressure washers, how can you find the right one?

Pressure washers for commercial buildings have four distinct categories centered around two debates: electric pressure washers vs gas models and hot vs cold water pressure washers.

Gas models have increased mobility and cleaning power, while electric machines help you save on fuel, produce less noise, and are more environmentally friendly.

Hot water pressure washers offer immense cleaning power for embedded grease, oil, and biofilm stains. Conversely, cold water pressure washers are gentler for delicate surfaces like vehicles or patios.

No matter your model, the best brand in the industry is Hotsy, thanks to a storied reputation dating back over five decades.

You should also consider additional factors. For example, PSI, or pressure per square inch, determines your machine’s cleaning power, with values over 2500+ suitable for demanding jobs. Similarly, GPM, or gallons per minute, will help you finish cleaning tasks quickly, with optimal values starting at 1.5 GPM.

Best Pressure Washing Chemical for Commercial Buildings

Once you’ve found a suitable pressure washer for commercial buildings, you’ll need to consider your accessories. Figuring out what soap to use for pressure washers is a vital step that will massively impact your ability to tackle tough stains.

While you can find the best soap for pressure washers under the Hotsy brand, there are several options based on your needs:

- Hotsy Ripper I: A tough degreaser for metal surfaces that eliminates embedded stains.
- Hotsy Power-Shine: A lightweight wax soap for aluminum that offers a shiny finish.
- Hotsy Brown: A powerful degreaser that eliminates challenging stains like road film or exhaust. You’ll want to use something lighter for more delicate surfaces, however.
- Hotsy Carbochlor: An NSF-approved soap for food manufacturing.

Hotsy Verde All Purpose: A biodegradable phosphate-free blend that is eco-friendly and offers a powerful clean.

Additionally, consider using a reliable pressure washing pre treatment! A suitable pre-treatment can set the canvas for your powerful detergent to eliminate stains quickly.

How to Pressure Wash the Side of Commercial Buildings: Step-by-Step Process

After learning how to use a pressure washer with soap and gathering all of your equipment, it’s time to begin the process of commercial building pressure washing.

Gather your machine, accessories, and safety equipment, like safety goggles, gloves, and boots for pressure washing.
Prepare the cleaning area, protecting any plants and windows with tarps
Attach your nozzle of choice, then power the machine on.
Start at the top of your surface, working your way down with long sweeping motions.
Interweave soap and cleaning solutions, allowing the solution to soak into the surfaces.
Rinse from the bottom up.
Inspect for any missed spots or problem areas.
Allow the area to dry completely.

How Often Should You Pressure Wash Your Building’s Exterior?

Once you’ve gotten the hang of the process, take some time to revel in your shiny, just-like-new property!

After that, there’s a crucial question to consider. How often should you go back to touch up your buildings?

The ideal frequency will vary based on your needs. A minimum of once a year will ensure your building remains in top shape, but most businesses prefer higher frequency.

High-traffic areas or exteriors exposed to harsh climates will require regular washing every three to six months. If you start to see signs like dirt buildup, loss of vibrancy, or mold, it’s time to clean again.

Environmental Considerations in Pressure Washing Your Building

Protecting the environment while pressure washing commercial buildings is a vital step. Improper use can harm the planet and even subject your business to costly fines due to local regulations! Here are a few steps to ensure you stay eco-friendly while pressure washing commercial buildings:

Establish a safe containment area for water runoff, including any debris or residue from cleaning. Keep this runoff out of storm drains or plumbing areas.
Use an eco-friendly, phosphate-free detergent, like Hotsy Verde All-Purpose.
Check with local regulations regarding runoff or wastewater, which may require you to capture and dispose of all runoff properly.

We’ve covered almost everything you need to know about commercial building pressure washing, but there’s one more thing to cover: where to find the necessary equipment!

If You’re Pressure Washing Commercial Buildings in Houston, Hotsy Has the Equipment You Need for an Efficient Workflow!

The #1 home for industrial pressure washers in Houston is Hotsy of Houston! We are a friendly team of Houston natives with decades of combined experience in the field. Our vast inventory of commercial hot water pressure washers in Houston encompasses everything the storied Hotsy brand offers, including the industry’s highest-quality machines.

We also provide convenient commercial pressure washer rentals in Houston if your business isn’t ready to invest in a full purchase. Hotsy of Houston also has a fantastic selection of accessories for commercial pressure washing.

Our inventory includes the best hoses for pressure washers, a selection of specialized detergents, and pressure washer parts in Houston.

If you’re looking for comprehensive pressure washer maintenance and pressure washer repair in Houston, we also have you covered there! We work with Hotsy warranties, and our compassionate team will help you find the exact parts you need to get your machine running smoothly.

Bringing Our Conversation on Commercial Building Pressure Washing to a Close

Overall, there’s no better way to spruce up your commercial building exteriors than with the help of a pressure washer. These machines are fine-tuned to eradicate tough stains and boost curb appeal in a fraction of the time compared to manual cleaning methods.

Whether you wish to buy or rent, the #1 home for hot and cold water pressure washers in Houston is at Hotsy of Houston. Our friendly team will pair decades of experience with the best brand in the industry, Hotsy, to find the perfect solution for your company’s cleaning needs.

If you enjoyed our guide, check out our blog for other articles like do I need a license to start a pressure washing business, pressure washer hose length, pressure washer sizing, and homemade pressure washer trailer setup.

Otherwise, if you’re ready to buy or rent pressure washer trailers in Houston, want more information on commercial building cleaning, or just need a new nozzle for an existing machine, we’ve got your back. Contact us by email, call us at (832) 968-WASH(9274), or stop by our Pasadena store to get started!

Pressure Washing Commercial Buildings: Why You Should Do it and How Much it Costs