Can You Pressure Wash Soffits? (Find Out Now!)
Keeping the exterior of your house pristine is no small feat. One popular method to clean siding is pressure washing. But what about the other parts of the exterior? Can you pressure wash the soffits?
The short answer is yes, you can. But you have to be careful so you don’t flood your attic!
When pressure washing soffits, use a low-pressure nozzle for the initial wet down. Then, attach a detergent spray tip to apply the soap. Never spray your soffits head-on, rather, aim from the side. This ensures detergent and debris blow away from you. For the final rinse, use a high-pressure nozzle and spray evenly along the soffits.
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Soffit 101
While soffit designs contribute to the unique appearance of your home, their ultimate purpose is to provide ventilation. Keeping soffits clear allows them to properly ventilate your home.
Soffits also protect the rafters of your house from the weather elements. Think of them kind of like a gutter for the underside of the roof’s overhang.
Regular Maintenance
Soffits often get overlooked when performing routine exterior maintenance. Over time, debris, rust, rot, and dirt collect in the soffits and interrupt the airflow to the rest of your house.
At least once a month, inspect your soffits for dirt and damage. The longer you let them go the more build-up occurs, and the more likely you’ll run into bigger problems (like needing to replace the soffit altogether).
Cleaning
Just as you would clean your siding, you should also clean the soffits. Pressure washing is an appropriate method to rid the soffits of debris. Keep in mind the following when pressure washing soffits:
- Mind the water pressure. If your water pressure is too high, you risk introducing water into your attic. If it’s not high enough, some tougher stains won’t be lifted.
- Use a ladder with care. It may benefit you to have someone support the base of the ladder as you clean. Or, you could invest in a pressure washer extender.
- Take care on slippery surfaces. Pressure washing produces a lot of water in a short amount of time which may cause walkways to puddle.
- Watch for falling debris. We’ll discuss shortly how to stand when pressure washing so you don’t end up with a face full of dirt.
How to Pressure Wash Soffits
Depending on the level of dirt that’s built up, you may need to apply detergent to get the soffits good and clean. But before soap, we always need water.
Soak Soffits and Surrounding Foliage
Using a low-pressure nozzle, soak the soffits and surrounding foliage with clean water. The low-pressure prevents debris from spraying up into your soffits. By wetting the leaves of nearby trees, you protect them from sprays of debris and detergent.
Apply Detergent
Fill the tank with a detergent solution. If your detergent is concentrated, dilute the solution according to the instructions on the container. Attach a detergent spray nozzle, turn the detergent tank on, and spray the solution toward the soffits. Let the detergent sit for a few minutes before rinsing.
Spray Position
When spraying, hold the pressure washer forward and slightly to the side. Do not stand directly facing the soffits with the pressure washer in front of you. In this position, you risk getting hit with water, debris, or detergent.
Spray the soffits from an outward angle. Don’t spray directly up toward the soffits. If you spray directly up, you risk sending water into the soffit and potentially into the attic. This is especially true for perforated soffits which have continuous venting.
The more water that gets inside the soffits the higher the potential of mold growth.
Rinse Thoroughly
While the detergent sits, switch the pressure washer to a high-pressure nozzle. Turn off the detergent tank, and flush any remaining detergent solution from the hose.
Starting in the place you applied the detergent, rinse the soffits in the same direction. Spray evenly across the soffits, going back over stubborn spots. Avoid pushing any debris toward the downspout as this may clog it.
Once you’ve rinsed away all the dirt and detergent, switch back to a low-pressure nozzle, and rinse the surrounding foliage from any overspray.
Additional Tips
Pick a Warm Day
When pressure washing soffits, it’s always best to do it on a sunny, warm day. This maximizes your chances of the water evaporating quickly, reducing the risk of mold growth.
Hire a Professional
There are plenty of companies that provide pressure washing services. If you’re at all unsure, hire one of them to pressure wash your soffits.
Avoid a Ladder If You Can
Pressure washing on a ladder is a dangerous business. It’s best to avoid it if you can. Instead, try attaching pressure washer extenders to reach the higher soffits.
Clean Your Gutters at the Same Time
You’re bound to send a little debris into your gutters while pressure washing your soffits. You might as well clean the gutters while you’re at it. Take the advice above and clean the gutter without a ladder.
Another Way to Clean Soffits
While you can pressure wash soffits, there is another way to clean them. You can blow dirt, dust, and debris from the soffits with an air compressor. This ensures no water gets into the soffits and opens up the vents for maximum airflow.
If you periodically blow the debris from the soffits, you won’t have to pressure wash them nearly as often.
Related Questions
Is there a difference between power washing and pressure washing?
The main difference between the two is the use of heat. A power washer uses heated water while a pressure washer does not. Pressure washing is recommended for cleaning building exteriors and would be the preferred method to clean soffits.Power washing is recommended for materials like cement and concrete which won’t be as easily damaged by the heat.
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Summary
With extra precautions, power washing your soffits is possible. Pay attention to the pressure of the water and the angle at which you spray. If you have a particularly tough stain, don’t forget the soap!
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Brigid Levi is a wife, mother, and freelance writer who enjoys a good DIY project and creating beautiful spaces within her home. From cleaning and organization hacks to home decor ideas, she loves helping people in their quest to turn a house into a home. Her hobbies include pretending to be Joanna Gaines while updating her home with her husband and performing in local theater productions.
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