Pressure Washing in Falmouth, ME

Most calls we get for pressure washing in Falmouth start in the backyard. The town is largely owner-occupied homes on sizable lots, many with big decks, wood fences and mature trees, and that combination keeps wood surfaces damp and shaded for much of the year. Moss on deck boards, green film on fence pickets and dark growth on the shaded side of the house are what we see most here.

A suburb with deep roots

Falmouth was incorporated on November 12, 1718. It was once far larger than it is today: Cape Elizabeth (which then included South Portland) split off in 1765, Portland broke away in 1786, and Westbrook followed in 1814. Trolley service reached Falmouth Foreside in 1898, and the automobile later turned the town into a residential suburb of Portland. Today about 84.4% of homes are owner-occupied, and households average about 2.5 people, according to Census estimates.

Decks and fences first

Wood is the surface that needs the most care. A pressure washer on a high setting will clean gray boards quickly, but it also tears up the grain and leaves a fuzzy surface that soaks up stain unevenly. We clean decks and fences at low pressure, often with a wood cleaner that loosens mildew and gray fibers, then rinse. The result is a clean, even surface ready for stain or sealer once it dries.

Here is how we handle the common pieces:

• Pressure-treated and cedar decks: low pressure, wood cleaner, careful rinse along railings and stair treads
• Composite decking: mild cleaning to remove mildew spots and pollen without scratching the surface
• Wood privacy and picket fences: both sides cleaned when you have access from the neighbor's side
• Vinyl fences: a soft wash to clear the green film that builds up in shade

Siding and roofs under the trees

Tall trees mean shade, leaf litter and moisture, which is ideal for mildew on siding and algae on roofs. We soft wash siding and roofs: a cleaning solution at low pressure that kills the growth instead of blasting it. On roofs, this matters because pressure washing shingles strips the granules that protect them. We also check gutters for packed leaves while we are up there and can clear them during the same visit.

Between the river and the bay

The Presumpscot River runs through Falmouth and reaches Casco Bay at the town's shore, and Falmouth Foreside faces the bay directly, with Clapboard Island about a mile off the Town Landing. Wash water that runs down a driveway and into a storm drain can end up in that water. We aim rinse water onto lawn and wooded areas where it can soak in, cover nearby drains, and use as little cleaner as possible. Homeowners near the shore or the river often ask about this, and we are glad to walk through the plan.

Driveways, walks and patios

Long driveways in Falmouth collect winter salt, sand and tire marks, and shaded walkways grow slippery moss. Surface cleaning with a rotary cleaner gives an even result without the stripes a wand can leave. Pavers and natural stone get a lower pressure and a test spot first.

Planning your visit

Falmouth borders Portland to the north, so we cover the whole town, from the Foreside to West Falmouth and the Highland Lake area. Spring is the most popular time for deck and fence cleaning, so the stain can go on during the dry weeks of early summer. Call (207) 393-2121 for a free written estimate that spells out each surface and how we will clean it.

Call (207) 393-2121