Florida humidity feeds mildew and algae year round, and homes near the water in Fort Pierce, Jensen Beach, and Vero Beach also collect a film of salt. For most Treasure Coast homes, a full exterior wash once a year keeps everything looking right, with driveways and pool decks often needing a second pass after the rainy season.
Roofs are the exception. Black streaks on shingles and tile are algae, and they should be soft washed with a low-pressure cleaning solution, never blasted. High pressure strips granules from shingles and forces water under tile. The same goes for stucco and painted siding: a soft wash removes mildew without lifting paint or driving water into the wall.
Concrete driveways and sidewalks can take real pressure, and a surface cleaner attachment leaves them evenly clean instead of striped. Pavers need more care, because too much pressure blows the sand out of the joints and lets weeds and ants move in. We clean pavers at a lower pressure and re-sand joints if needed.
If you are planning to repaint, a wash is the first step, not an optional one. Paint over mildew or chalky old coating fails early. We wash before every exterior painting project for exactly that reason.