Guide
How often to wash a house in Northeast Florida.
More often than the rest of the country, and the reason is not dirt. It is humidity, salt and a growing season that never really stops.
Rough intervals for St. Johns County
| Surface | Typical interval |
|---|---|
| House exterior, shaded or coastal | Every 12 months |
| House exterior, open sun and inland | Every 18–24 months |
| Driveway and walkways | Every 12–18 months |
| Roof (shingle) | Every 3–5 years |
| Roof under heavy tree canopy | Every 2–3 years |
| Pool deck and screen enclosure | Every 12 months |
| Paver sealing | Every 2–4 years |
What actually drives the interval
Shade
The single biggest factor. A wall that never sees direct sun stays damp, and damp is what the growth needs. On most properties in this county the north elevation is visibly dirtier than the south, on the same house, on the same day.
Distance from the water
Salt is hygroscopic — it pulls moisture out of the air and holds it against a surface. Homes in Ponte Vedra Beach, on Anastasia Island and around Vilano green up noticeably faster than identical construction ten miles inland.
Tree canopy
Oak canopy is why roofs in Julington Creek and the older parts of Fruit Cove streak sooner. Shade plus organic litter plus retained moisture is the worst combination there is for a roof.
Irrigation
Sprinklers throwing well water at a wall or driveway do two things: they keep the surface permanently damp, and if the water carries iron they stain it orange. Adjusting the heads is often worth more than washing more often.
A cheaper way to think about it: wash when you can see it starting, not when it is obvious. Growth that has been established for years needs dwell time, sometimes a second pass, and occasionally it has already stained the substrate permanently. Catching it early is a smaller job at a lower price.
Is there a best time of year?
Not really — this is Florida, and the work runs year round. Two mild preferences: spring clears the pollen load off everything at once, and late autumn tidies up after the wet season has done its worst. Neither matters as much as simply not leaving it three years.