"How often?" is the first question most customers ask after their first wash — usually while staring at a driveway that looks five years younger. The answer depends on the surface, your shade, and Maryland's humidity, but here is the schedule our experience supports.
Siding: every 12–24 months
Algae film on vinyl and fiber cement typically becomes visible again in about two years. Homes with shaded north walls, heavy tree cover or irrigation overspray sit closer to the yearly mark. A soft wash kills growth at the root, which is what stretches the interval.
Driveways and sidewalks: every 1–2 years
Concrete shows tire marks, leaf tannins and algae steadily. An annual or biennial surface-cleaner wash keeps it bright and removes the algae film that makes wet concrete slick.
Decks and fences: with your stain cycle
Wash wood every 1–2 years, and always before staining or sealing. Stain over a dirty deck fails early — this is the most expensive shortcut in exterior maintenance.
Roofs: every 2–4 years, or at first streaking
Black streaks mean the bacteria colony is established. A soft wash resets the clock for years. Do not wait for moss to thicken; treating early is faster and gentler.
The Maryland factors that shorten every interval
Pollen season coats everything each spring; summer humidity feeds algae; oak and maple canopy keeps surfaces damp; and winter road salt grinds into driveways. A home under trees in Beltsville simply needs washing more often than a sunny lot in an open subdivision — and an honest company will tell you which one you are.
Want a schedule for your specific home? Call (855) 417-6030 — tell us your surfaces and shade, and we will map it out with you.