Professional Job Site Checklist
A Resource for Exterior Cleaning Contractors
Pro-Tips & Field Guide
Key Considerations for Professional Exterior Cleaning
🧠 Client & Site Prep
Protect Doors & Hardware
Never spray doors with high pressure or harsh solutions. Use a water-fed pole with DI water for delicate front doors with fancy hardware to avoid damage and water intrusion.
Safeguard All Electronics
Protect all outlets, even "waterproof" ones, as they can funnel water. Use clear caulking, tape, and bags for lights, doorbells, keyholes, and fire alarms. Set alarm systems to "test" to prevent false alarms.
Set Expectations & Get Waivers
Always get a waiver signed before starting work. Document and have the customer initial any pre-existing damage (e.g., paint oxidation, damaged siding). Clearly explain what is and is not covered by the cleaning.
🧴 Chemical Safety & Application
Rinse, Rinse, Rinse!
When using strong cleaners like gutter butter, always have a person on the ground rinsing constantly right behind the applicator. This prevents solution from drying on siding and causing streaks or damage.
Know Your Chemical's Temperature Sensitivity
Some cleaners, like LA's Totally Awesome, are highly heat-sensitive. It may work perfectly at 70°F but can damage paint at 80°F or be ineffective at 60°F. Always check manufacturer recommendations.
Beware of Organic Pigments
Some paints and stains contain organic pigments. Your cleaning solution is designed to neutralize organics and may cause discoloration. Notify clients of this risk beforehand and include it in your waiver.
⚙️ Equipment & Maintenance
Daily O-Ring Check
Before leaving for a job, quickly check the O-rings on your pressure washer wands, hoses, and surface cleaners. A single broken O-ring can cause frustrating leaks and pressure loss, derailing a job. Keep a tackle box of spares in your truck.
Non-Ethanol Fuel for Small Engines
Only use non-ethanol (ethanol-free) gasoline in your small engines. Ethanol attracts water and can corrode carburetor components over time, leading to costly repairs and starting issues. It's a small extra cost that saves a fortune.
Flush Your Downstream Injector
At the end of every day, drop your downstream injector hose into a bucket of clean water and run it for a few minutes. This flushes out any residual Sodium Hypochlorite, preventing the spring and ball from corroding and failing.
🏡 Surface-Specific Warnings
Aluminum Siding: The Oxidation Challenge
Oxidized aluminum siding (paint turns to chalk) is a major risk. Washing it often makes it look worse by removing the chalky paint unevenly. Document the oxidation with photos, explain to the client that the siding is at the end of its life and needs repainting, and set clear expectations.
Protect Glass & Polished Aluminum
Acids and some degreasers (like F9 BARC or LA's Awesome) will etch glass and polished aluminum. Rinse these surfaces immediately and thoroughly. While SH (bleach) won't etch glass, if left to dry, it can leave a shadow that requires polishing with 0000 steel wool to remove.
Artillery Fungus (AF)
This fungus from mulch shoots black spores onto siding. Pressure washing does not remove it. Advise the client that the only remedies are to 1) remove old mulch, 2) turn over existing mulch, or 3) apply a liquid fungicide directly to the mulch beds.
📈 Business & Quoting Pro-Tips
Document Everything, Always
Take detailed "before" photos of the entire property, focusing on any pre-existing damage (cracked siding, peeling paint, broken window seals). This protects you from being blamed for issues you didn't cause.
Never Quote by House Size Alone
A 2,000 sq ft brick house is a completely different job than a 2,000 sq ft painted wood house with complex angles. Always quote based on the surface material, complexity, level of soiling, and accessibility.
The Power of the On-Site Demo
For high-value or complex jobs, offering to clean a small, inconspicuous test spot can close the deal instantly. It demonstrates your confidence and shows the client exactly what they're paying for, removing all their risk.
📜 EPA Compliance & Liability
Know the Clean Water Act
It is illegal to let wastewater enter storm drains. Under the law, the **property owner** is ultimately responsible for fines up to $50,000 per day. As a professional, it is your job to protect your client by using proper water reclamation methods.
Your Three Compliance Options
1. **Collect & Vacuum:** Use a reclamation system with vacuums and berms to capture all wastewater.
2. **Evaporation:** Contain water within berms and allow it to evaporate.
3. **Sanitary Sewer Discharge:** Get municipal permission to discharge into a designated sanitary sewer drain (never a storm drain).
Biohazard Protocol
When cleaning hazardous materials (e.g., waste at a dumpster pad), ensure nothing enters the storm system. Use bio-hazard bags, collect wastewater in drums, and dispose of it at an approved waste station. This is an emergency service with additional charges.