A guy in Westchase texted us a photo of his backyard fence last August. One side was streaked green. The other side had gone a dull, chalky gray. He thought the fence was ruined and started pricing out a new one. It was not ruined. It was just dirty. A few hours of fence pressure washing brought the real wood color back, and he kept the money he was about to spend on lumber.
That happens a lot in Tampa. Our weather is hard on fences. We get close to 46 inches of rain a year, and the rainy season runs from June into September. The air stays humid almost all the time. Shade from live oaks and Spanish moss keeps the wood damp, and damp wood grows algae and mildew fast. The sunny side of the same fence bakes and fades. So one fence can look like two different fences by the end of summer.
Pink Flamingo Power Wash cleans fences the right way for each material. Here is how we handle the main types.
Wood Fence Pressure Washing
Wood is the trickiest fence to clean, and it is the one people mess up most with a rented machine. Too much pressure on wood will gouge the boards, raise the grain, and leave fuzzy marks that never go away. We use lower pressure and the right cleaning solution to lift the green algae and gray weathering without hurting the wood. Once the wood is clean and dry, it takes stain or sealer much better, so a wash is a smart first step if you plan to seal it.
Vinyl Fence Pressure Washing
Vinyl looks easy, but it streaks if you rush it. That chalky white film and the green spots in the seams need an even clean, not a quick blast in random spots. We work panel by panel and rinse the whole run the same way, so your vinyl fence comes out one clean color with no lines. Vinyl also holds mildew in the textured grain, and plain water will not get it out. Our fence pressure washing uses a solution that kills the mildew instead of just pushing it around.
Aluminum and Metal Fence Cleaning
Aluminum and wrought iron fences pick up dirt, pollen, and rust spots, mostly near the bottom where the sprinklers hit. Rust needs a special treatment, not raw pressure, so we treat those spots and rinse the whole fence down. Done right, the powder coat stays put and the fence looks sharp again.
Why Tampa Fences Turn Green and Gray
The green is algae and mildew feeding on moisture. The gray is sun and age pulling the color out of the wood. Both come from living in a wet, hot place with a lot of tree cover. Carrollwood, Northdale, and Lutz all have older neighborhoods with big oaks, and those yards see the worst of it. The fix is regular cleaning. A fence that gets washed once a year does not give algae the time it needs to dig in deep.
Soft Washing for Older or Delicate Fences
Some fences are too old or too soft for normal pressure. Thin pickets, aged cedar, and fences with loose boards can split under a hard stream. For those we soft wash. Soft washing uses low pressure plus a cleaning solution that does the real work, so the dirt and algae come off without the force. It is the same gentle method we use on house siding and roofs.
More Than Fences
A lot of folks call us for the fence and then look around the yard. Once we are out there, we can also handle the house washing, the driveway and concrete, the pool deck and pool cage, the roof, and the gutter cleaning. Tampa roofs get those black streaks from an algae called Gloeocapsa magma, and gutters fill up with pine needles and shingle granules. Knocking it all out in one visit saves you a second appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does fence pressure washing cost in Tampa?
Price depends on the length of the fence, the material, and how dirty it is. A standard backyard fence is usually an affordable add on, and it costs less if we clean it the same day as your house or driveway. Call us and we will give you a free quote.
How often should I have my fence pressure washed?
Once a year works for most Tampa fences. If your fence sits under oak trees or in heavy shade, every eight to ten months keeps the green from coming back.
Should I seal my wood fence after washing it?
Yes, if you want it to last. Washing strips off the dirt and algae and opens the wood up. Letting it dry and then sealing it locks in the clean look and slows down the gray fading.
Get a Free Quote Today
Want your fence to look new again without the price of a new one? Call Pink Flamingo Power Wash at (813) 458-0864 for fence pressure washing in Tampa. We serve Carrollwood, Northdale, Greater Northdale, Lake Magdalene, Westchase, Citrus Park, Lutz, Odessa, Town N Country, and all of greater Tampa. Ask Cliff and the crew for a free quote on your fence or your whole property.