Getting Ready for Wash Day: Spigots, Well Water, Plants, Cars and Pets

People often ask us what they need to do before a wash. The honest answer is: not much. But a few small things make the day easier for the crew and better for you. Here's a plain-language checklist, and a look at what happens once the trucks pull up.

Water: the spigot and well water

Our crews use the homeowner's outdoor spigot. Before the visit, make sure it's accessible, not blocked by a bush or buried behind stored items, and that it turns on without a fight. If you've got more than one spigot, let us know which one gives the best flow.

If your house runs on well water, that's fine, but a well can only supply so much water at a time, and a wash uses a lot. In that case we can bring water on the truck. Tank water is $150 per tank. One customer wrote that they liked that CEP has a water tank to cut down the water drawn from a well.

Hydrant or tank water is also available on request for other situations, so just ask when you book.

Plants and landscaping

The cleaning solution is rinsed thoroughly, but plants near the walls are still protected. The crew handles that as part of every job. You can help by trimming back any branches that are pressed against siding, and by telling us about delicate plants or new plantings we should know about.

If you have container plants, hanging baskets or small ornaments right next to the house, move them a few feet away the day before. It saves the crew time and keeps your favorites out of the way.

Cars, furniture and pets

• Cars: move vehicles out of the driveway and away from the house so the crew can work freely.
• Porch and patio furniture: clear it off where you can, or tell us what's staying so we can work around it.
• Grills, toys and decor: move anything small and loose out of the way.
• Pets: keep dogs and cats indoors during the wash. Equipment is loud, gates get opened, and it's safest for everyone.
• Windows and doors: close them. Water gets thrown around, and screens can catch overspray.

What the crew does when they arrive

Every CEP job follows the same flow, so you know what to expect. The technicians take photos of the work from start to finish, and a quality assurance team reviews them afterward, which is how we catch what a quick walk-around might miss.

• Assessment and before photos: the crew walks the property, notes the surfaces and takes photos.
• Plants are protected.
• Detergent is applied.
• Soft wash or pressure wash, depending on the surface.
• Detail clean: corners, trim, and the spots a first pass can miss.
• Rinse and inspection.
• Cleanup and after photos.
• A quality assurance review of the photos back at the office.

Being home at the start is helpful, because you can point out any trouble spots before the work begins. If you do spot something afterward, tell us. If we missed it, we'll come back and fix it.

A simple prep checklist for the day before

• Make sure the spigot is clear and the hose connection works.
• Let us know if you're on a well so we can bring a tank.
• Trim branches pressing on siding, and move potted plants a few feet off the wall.
• Plan where cars will be parked on wash day.
• Decide where pets will spend the morning, indoors and away from the action.

That's honestly all of it. Most of the work is ours, from hauling the equipment to cleaning up afterward, and the more clearly we know about your water, plants and access, the fewer surprises there are on the day.

Scheduling and pricing

Our regular hours are Monday through Friday, 7 AM to approximately 5 PM. Evening and weekend visits are possible on request for additional fees.

Pricing is by surface area, with a free quote and a $250 minimum service charge. And if you know a neighbor who could use a wash, our Spray it Forward Referral Program pays $25 in cash for referrals that book.

Ready to get on the schedule? Call (804) 467-6969 or request a quote online, and we'll walk you through the rest.