Module 4 — House Wash: Workflow + QA (Lesson)

What you’re doing today

You’re going to run a house wash the way we run it: protect first, apply bottom-up, rinse top-down, and close out with proof.

This is the “bread and butter” job — and it’s where rookies accidentally create damage.

Why this matters

A good house wash doesn’t just clean. It protects your business:

• fewer disputes
• fewer callbacks
• better reviews
• cleaner bundles and upsells

Tools & materials (minimum viable)

• PPE: gloves + eye protection (minimum)
• Hose + working water supply
• Plant pre-wet + rinse ability (you need water control)
• Application method (choose one):
  • DS (downstream)
  • 12V pump
  • pump-up sprayer (small spots)
• Rinse tool: low-pressure rinse / ball valve control
• Proof Pack: phone camera

Quick Start (the 60-second version)

1. Photos
2. Pre-wet plants
3. Apply top-down
4. Dwell while rinsing plants
5. Controlled rinse
6. Proof Pack + Final Walk

Step-by-step workflow (foreman sequence)

1. Pre-condition photos
   • front wide + worst wall close-ups
2. Plant protection
   • pre-wet everything you might overspray
   • keep plants wet during dwell
3. Application (bottom-up, then work up)
   • Start low and work up the wall in controlled passes.
   • Why: if you start at the top, runoff can “track” and dry unevenly in heat/sun, creating streaks.
   • Consistent coverage beats “hot spots.”
4. Dwell + plant rinse loop
   • solution works while you manage plant safety
5. Controlled rinse (top-down)
   • rinse top-down
   • rinse windows/fixtures early and often (don’t let solution dry on glass)
   • don’t drive water behind siding/vents
6. Proof Pack + closeout
   • after photos + exception notes
   • closeout message

Decision points (if X, do Y)

• If you see oxidation risk (or unknown paint/coating):

  • stop promising restoration
  • test in an inconspicuous spot

• If you see a stained/sealed wood front door (non-negotiable protection)

  • avoid direct chemical contact
  • when possible, wrap it like a present:
    1. open the door
    2. wrap the door in plastic
    3. close the door
    4. drape a second sheet in front of the wrapped door
  • Do not tape plastic across the face of the door.
  • why: layer 1 protects the surface; layer 2 stops solution from wicking into edges.

• If wind/sun is pushing toward windows or drying things fast:

  • reduce overspray and rinse glass more frequently
  • keep plants wet during dwell

• If you see mud dauber / dirt dobber nests or “mud” stains:

  • treat it as a small specialty spot-clean (gentle)
  • if the surface is heavily oxidized: set expectations before scrubbing

• If you notice a dirty roof (especially HOA neighborhoods):

  • mention roof wash as a separate service (don’t pressure; plant the seed)

• If the surface is delicate/old:

  • lower aggression; let chemistry + time do the work

Common mistakes + fixes

• Starting application at the top
  • Fix: apply bottom-up, then work up; rinse top-down.
• Spraying into vents/soffit gaps
  • Fix: change angle and keep pressure for controlled rinsing only.
• Striping from uneven coverage
  • Fix: overlap passes and keep a steady pace.
• Leaving residue on windows/fixtures
  • Fix: rinse glass/fixtures early and often; don’t let solution dry on glass.

Mud nest stains (dirt dobber / mud wasp)

Often removable with a gentle spot-clean approach.

Rule: don’t scrub aggressively on heavily oxidized surfaces unless the customer understands the risk.

Paint risk (non-negotiable)

If you’re unsure, don’t guess.

Test painted surfaces in an inconspicuous spot. Some paints (often dark blues and tans) can fail fast. Testing is cheap. Repainting an entire house is not.

Running theme: if SH is involved anywhere on the property (house wash, roof overspray/runoff, etc.), test first.

What good looks like

• Even finish (no stripes)
• No dead plants
• Glass/fixtures rinsed
• Customer understands what changed and what didn’t

How to prove it (Proof Pack)

Minimum shots:

• before/after: front elevation
• before/after: worst wall
• close-ups of exceptions (oxidation, hard water, failed paint)

Add notes:

• dwell time range used (no recipes)
• sensitive areas protected

Time & pricing reality (quick)

• A house wash is priced like a premium service when it’s done professionally.
• If you cut price, you cut safety and you cut time — and that’s how you buy yourself callbacks.

Do this next (assignment)

• Run a mock house wash walkaround and write a 6-step checklist in your own words.
• Practice the oxidation expectation script out loud.

References (SOPs + checklists)

• House SOP:
• QA checklist:
• Proof Pack SOP:
• Final Walk checklist:

Printables

• Operator Checklist Pack (truck copy):

Gear Box (Amazon)

(Insert the relevant Gear Box module for this lesson here.)

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