The Ranking
Our top 5 pressure washing companies in Columbus
Pressure washing in Columbus is mostly a fight with organic growth. The city's humid summers and mature tree canopy in neighborhoods like Clintonville, Bexley, German Village and the older parts of the north side leave green algae and black mildew on the shaded sides of vinyl siding, black streaks on asphalt shingle roofs, and moss in the joints of brick walks and paver patios. Spring pollen coats everything in a yellow film, and winter leaves road salt and grime on driveways, garage doors and the lower courses of brick.
The main choice is between soft washing and pressure washing. Soft washing uses low pressure and a cleaning solution that kills algae, mildew and lichen at the root, and it is the method every company on this list uses for siding and roofs. High pressure is for concrete, pavers and other hard surfaces, and even there a good crew adjusts the tip and distance so it does not etch the surface or blow sand out of paver joints. Pressure on asphalt shingles can strip granules, so be wary of anyone who proposes to blast a roof. Several companies here also seal concrete or pavers after washing, which is worth asking about on driveways that see salt every winter.
Where the water goes matters. Columbus City Code section 1145.86 prohibits any direct or indirect discharge to the storm sewer that is not made up entirely of stormwater, so wash water carrying detergent, chemical solution or loosened grime should not be sent down the street drain. Ask any contractor how they handle runoff, protect landscaping and keep cleaning solution out of storm drains. We did not find a statewide or city licence that applies specifically to residential pressure washing, so the useful checks are proof of general liability insurance, workers compensation for employees, a written quote that lists each surface and method, and any guarantee in writing. Trade training such as PWNA certification is a plus but not required.
The pool of qualified companies in Columbus is small for a simple reason: most local washers run from home or list only a service area on Google, and many of the best known names sit in Hilliard, Powell, Westerville, Lewis Center or Pickerington, outside city limits. This list includes only companies with a staffed commercial address in Columbus itself.
