6 signs your Central Texas home needs a pressure wash

If you notice black streaks on the roof, green film on the north wall, or a slippery walkway, your Central Texas home is telling you it needs a wash. Here are the most common visible signals that a wash is due, what each one means, and what to do about it.

1. Black streaks on siding or roof

Those dark streaks are a type of algae called Gloeocapsa magma. It feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles and spreads by airborne spores from roof to roof. On siding it appears as gray or black patches, often near downspouts and under soffits where moisture lingers after rain. Left alone, it holds moisture against the surface and can stain brick and break down paint over time. A soft wash kills the algae at the root rather than blasting the surface, which is why it does not come back within weeks.

2. Green growth on the north wall

The north side of a house gets the least sun and stays damp longest, which makes it the first place algae and mildew appear. That green film is living growth, not just dirt, which is why it comes back after a quick rinse with a garden hose. It needs to be treated with a cleaning solution at low pressure, the method used in a soft wash. High pressure on siding can force water behind the boards, strip paint, and scar brick and mortar.

3. Dull or stained concrete

Central Texas clay dust settles into driveways and walks, shade grows mildew, and irrigation overspray leaves mineral rings. If your concrete looks gray and tired, or has dark patches that will not sweep off, it is due for a pressure wash. Most driveways want cleaning every year or two. A walk that sits in shade, or a patio on the north side, can green over again inside a single season. Concrete that still beads water after a rain is holding up; concrete that drinks it in and looks flat gray is ready for a wash.

4. Pollen film in spring

Central Texas has three heavy pollen seasons. Mountain cedar runs from mid-December through February, oak pollen peaks in late March and early April, and elm and ash fill the gaps. That pollen sticks to siding, windows and trim and creates a yellow or brown film that is visible from the street. A spring wash after the heaviest pollen drop removes the film before it bakes into the surface in summer heat. Washing in the middle of cedar season usually means a fresh coat of pollen within days, so timing matters.

5. Gutters overflowing

If water pours over the edge of your gutters during rain, or you see dark streaks on the siding directly below the gutter line, the gutters are clogged. In Central Texas, where heavy rain arrives in short bursts, a packed gutter cannot carry the volume, so water spills over and lands beside the foundation. Water that keeps landing in one place beside the slab is the pattern local foundations handle worst. Other signs include sagging sections, seedlings growing in the trough, and pooled water next to the foundation after a storm.

6. Slippery walkways

Algae and moss create a thin, slippery film on concrete and stone, especially on shaded walks and north-facing paths. It is a fall hazard, not just a cosmetic issue. A pressure wash removes the film, and on stamped concrete or pavers, sealing afterward slows how fast it comes back. If a walk feels slick underfoot after rain, that is the film, and it is worth dealing with before someone slips.

Most of these signs point to the same fix: a wash matched to the surface. Siding, brick and stucco need a soft wash at low pressure. Driveways, sidewalks and patios need pressure washing. Gutters are worth booking alongside the house wash, because one visit covers both, and the fascia under a clogged run is usually streaked the way the siding is. If you are not sure which method your home needs, send a few photos and we will tell you honestly what is required.

Common questions

Related: Pressure washing vs soft washing, How often to wash a house in Central Texas, Driveway and concrete cleaning