Getting your house ready for wash day

Most of what makes a house wash go well happens before the crew pulls up. The work itself is theirs. The prep is yours, and it's short. Modern Powerwash's FAQ boils it down to four things, and each one has a practical reason behind it that's worth understanding, because it's easier to remember a chore when you know what goes wrong without it.

The four-item checklist

Here is what the company asks homeowners to do before a wash:

• No vehicles in the driveway.
• All windows closed.
• Outdoor water spouts functioning properly.
• Any decorations that could be damaged removed.

That's the entire list. You don't need to move patio furniture across the yard or empty the garage, though a clear path around the house always helps the crew work faster. If you're having the deck or patio done along with the house, mention it when you book, so the crew knows to plan for the extra surfaces and you know whether anything out there needs to be moved.

Why each one matters

Vehicles come first because a driveway full of cars gets in the way and takes the brunt of overspray and runoff. Cars also block access to walls and walkways that need washing. Park on the street or at a neighbor's the night before, and you won't be rushing out in your slippers at seven in the morning to move one.

Windows get closed because water and cleaning solution mist. Even a window cracked an inch can let spray into a room, and screens don't stop it. Walk through the house and check the bathroom window and the basement ones too, since those are the ones people forget. If you have a window that doesn't latch tightly, mention it when you book.

Outdoor spouts need to work because the crew needs water, and it has to come from somewhere. Spigots that were shut off for winter, ones with a seized handle, or ones with a slow leak can hold up a morning. Turn each one on a day or two ahead. If one drips or won't open, you have time to sort it out. Do this even in warm months, because a spigot you haven't touched since last fall can surprise you.

Decorations come down because they're fragile and they're in the line of fire. Think wreaths, wind chimes, hanging planters, flags, string lights, door signs and anything glued or stapled to the siding. Seasonal pieces are the usual casualties, so if it's October and the pumpkins and fall garland are up, they come down for the day and go back afterward. Take them off the night before, and keep pets inside while the work is going on. A wall that's about to be rinsed top to bottom is no place for something you care about.

What about the plants?

This is the question most homeowners ask, usually with a worried glance at the hydrangeas. The FAQ answer is direct: the company's methods are designed to be safe for landscaping and plants. The reviews say more about how that plays out. Jamie W wrote that the crew takes the time to make sure "fragile plants or shrubs" are covered before they begin working. Teresa M, a long-time customer, wrote that "the solution he uses has no negative impact on my garden plants." And Eric L G noted the team was "careful of deck & lawn components."

You can help by pointing out anything that's especially precious, like a new planting or a rose you've nursed for ten years. A thirty-second walk around the yard with the crew before they start is worth it. Customers say Tom works around your schedule, and Tom himself is on every job from start to finish, according to the review from H, so there's someone to ask.

On the day itself

Once the checklist is done, you don't have to stand guard. Stay out of the way of the hoses, keep the dog in, and let the crew work. Eric L G also mentioned that the team "took the time to explain the work techniques & tools being used," so if you're curious, ask. People tend to be surprised how quickly an exterior comes back to life, and how little of it requires anything from them beyond the four items above. Teresa M put it simply: when the washing is finished, "my house sparkles." Once the crew is done, put the decorations back, move the car in, and enjoy the walk up to your own front door.

If you're planning a house wash and want to talk through the prep for your own place, the house washing page covers what's included, and quotes are free. Call (973) 777-6336, or send the form and you'll hear back by the next business day.