Marion County & Central Florida
Pressure Washing & Soft Washing in Ocala & Marion County, FL
Exterior cleaning for houses, roofs, driveways, pool decks, barns, fences and farm structures — soft washing where pressure would cause damage.
- Soft washing on anything high pressure would damage — roofs, stucco, wood
- We kill the mildew at the root rather than blasting the colour off it
- Driveways, pool decks and walkways cleaned evenly, not in stripes
- Barns, fence lines and farm buildings as part of a farm visit
- Done before every exterior repaint — a repaint over chalk will fail
Soft washing versus pressure washing
These are two different jobs and most companies sell them as one. Pressure washing is high-pressure water, and it is the right tool for concrete, pavers and heavily soiled hard surfaces. Soft washing is low pressure plus a cleaning solution, and it is the right tool for everything else — roofs, stucco, painted siding, wood, screen enclosures and anything with a coating you want to keep.
The distinction matters most on a roof. High pressure on asphalt shingles strips the granules that protect them, which takes years off the roof and may void the warranty. The black streaking on a Florida roof is gloeocapsa magma, an algae, and it needs a solution that kills it rather than water that knocks the top layer off and leaves the colony to regrow in six months.
What we clean
- House exteriors — stucco, block, vinyl, hardie and wood siding
- Roofs — asphalt shingle and metal, soft washed only
- Driveways, walkways, patios and pavers
- Pool decks, screen enclosures and lanais
- Barns, run-in sheds, hay barns and equipment buildings
- Board fence, vinyl fence and farm gates
- Decks, porches, pergolas and outdoor kitchens
- Gutters, soffit and fascia
Washing is the first step of every repaint
Every exterior repaint we do starts with a soft wash, and it is not an upsell — it is the step that decides whether the new coating holds. Older exterior paint chalks as it breaks down, leaving a fine powder on the surface. Coating over chalk means the new film is bonded to loose powder rather than to the wall, and it will release in sheets within a couple of seasons.
If you are booking a wash and a repaint together, we do them as one job and you are not paying twice for set-up. If you are only washing, we will still tell you honestly whether the surface underneath needs more than cleaning.
How the job runs
Assess surfaces
We identify what can take pressure and what must be soft washed, and check for existing damage before we start.
Protect
Plants pre-wetted and covered, outlets and fixtures protected, furniture moved clear.
Apply solution
On soft-wash surfaces, a cleaning solution is applied and given dwell time to kill algae and mildew at the root.
Rinse or wash
Low-pressure rinse on soft-wash surfaces. Controlled high pressure with a surface cleaner on concrete, for even results with no stripes.
Final rinse
Everything rinsed down including plants, and we check for anything missed before we pack up.
What it typically costs
Real ranges for Marion County and the surrounding counties, so you can sanity-check any quote you are given — ours included. Every job still gets a written, line-item estimate.
| Scope | Typical range | What moves the number |
|---|---|---|
| House soft wash, single-storey | $250 – $550 | Walls, soffit and fascia. Driveway usually bundles at a discount. |
| Roof soft wash | $400 – $900 | Priced by roof area and pitch. Soft wash only — we do not pressure wash shingles. |
| Driveway and walkway | $150 – $400 | Surface-cleaned for even results. Sealing available as an add-on. |
| Barn or farm building | $300 – $900 | Per building. Bundles with a fence line or a barn repaint. |
Ranges are guidance for planning, not a quote. Condition of the existing surface moves the number more than size does.
Pressure Washing & Soft Washing: common questions
What is the difference between pressure washing and soft washing?
Pressure washing is high-pressure water alone, suitable for concrete and pavers. Soft washing is low pressure plus a cleaning solution, and it is what roofs, stucco, painted wood, screen enclosures and vinyl need. Using high pressure on those surfaces causes damage that is expensive to undo.
Will pressure washing damage my roof?
Yes, if someone uses actual pressure on it. High pressure strips the protective granules off asphalt shingles and can void the manufacturer's warranty. Roofs should only ever be soft washed, using a solution that kills the algae causing the black streaking rather than water that knocks it off temporarily.
How often should a Florida house be washed?
Once a year for most Marion County homes, and twice a year if you are under heavy tree cover or on a north-facing elevation that stays shaded and damp. Annual washing roughly doubles the useful life of an exterior coating.
Will the cleaning solution hurt my plants?
Not when it is done properly. We pre-wet the landscaping before we start, cover sensitive plants, and rinse everything down thoroughly afterwards. Tell us about anything you are particularly protective of and we will treat it accordingly.
Do I need to be home?
No. We need access to an outdoor water spigot and to any gates. We will confirm pet arrangements and let you know when we are done.
Often booked together
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Exterior House Painting
Full exterior repaints for homes across Marion County — stucco, concrete block, fibre cement, wood siding, trim, soffit, fascia and garage doors.
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Farm Fence Painting & Staining
Painting, staining and recoating for board fence, post-and-rail, paddock and perimeter fencing on Marion County horse farms and acreage properties.
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Deck, Porch & Pergola Staining
Cleaning, stripping, sanding, staining and sealing for decks, porches, pergolas, docks and exposed exterior timber.
Learn moreGet a quote for pressure washing & soft washing
Free written estimate, no pressure, and a straight answer about what the job actually needs.
Prefer email? rjlpainting45@gmail.com