In the restaurant business, first impressions matter tremendously. From the moment potential customers pull into your parking lot to when they step through your door, they're forming opinions about your establishment. A clean exterior signals to diners that you care about quality, cleanliness, and attention to detail—values that translate directly to your food and service.
At Mobile Magic, we've been providing commercial pressure washing services since 2001, helping restaurant owners across Asheville and Western North Carolina maintain spotless exteriors that create the perfect first impression. Let's dive into everything you need to know about pressure washing your restaurant.
Why Restaurant Exteriors Need Regular Pressure Washing
Restaurants face unique cleanliness challenges that other businesses don't. Consider what happens outside your establishment on a daily basis:
- Food particles and grease become airborne through ventilation systems
- Heavy foot traffic brings in dirt and grime to walkways and entrances
- Parking areas collect oil stains and tire marks
- Outdoor dining spaces face constant exposure to the elements
- Exterior walls can develop mold, mildew, and algae, especially in Western North Carolina's climate
Without regular cleaning, these elements compound over time, creating an uninviting appearance that can actively drive away potential customers. According to restaurant industry studies, exterior cleanliness ranks among the top factors that influence a diner's decision to try a new restaurant.
Critical Areas That Need Regular Pressure Washing
1. Parking Lots and Entrances
The parking lot is literally the first thing your customers see. As Mobile Magic's experience shows, The first impression is everything, and the first thing people see when visiting your business is the parking lot. If your parking deck or lot is in bad shape, this could start a meeting off on poor footing.
With heavy traffic in restaurant parking areas, several issues develop:
- Tire rubber builds up, making bright concrete look dull and dark
- Oil and grease stains create both eyesores and safety hazards
- Food and beverage spills leave stains and attract pests
- Walkways develop slippery algae in shaded areas, creating liability concerns
Regular pressure washing of these areas not only enhances appearance but improves safety. There is also a safety concern of certain dirty concrete. Algae that has grown in the shaded part of a concrete driveway will be slick. This could lead to somebody slipping, or a vehicle losing traction.
2. Exterior Walls and Siding
Restaurant exteriors face constant assault from grease particles, environmental pollutants, and weather elements. Over time, this creates a dingy appearance that can make even a great restaurant look neglected.
When pressure washing a restaurant's exterior walls, we use specialized techniques: Property damage is a concern when pressure washing a house. The siding of a house is not designed to withstand the massive amounts of pressure that most pressure washers produce.
Instead, we follow a gentler approach. The siding is sprayed with a cleaner then scrubbed down. Afterward it is low-pressure washed with a multipurpose cleaner then rinsed. Low-pressure is key to ensuring no damage is done when cleaning your house.
3. Outdoor Dining Areas
Outdoor dining spaces have become increasingly important for restaurants, especially in recent years. These areas require special attention:
- Decks and patios collect dirt, food particles, and beverage spills
- Outdoor furniture becomes dingy and unappealing without regular cleaning
- Awnings develop mold and mildew, particularly in humid climates
For furniture cleaning, we recommend that the furniture is cleaned monthly while in use to prevent any build up of dirt or grime. Our approach is gentle yet effective. The primary process is to rinse off the furniture, then apply soap and water to scrub away any build up. Then rinse with low pressure to prevent any damage.
Our Blog post on How to Pressure Wash Your Outdoor Furniture Without Destroying it goes into more detail on this particular subject.
4. Windows
Restaurant windows are crucial for creating ambiance and allowing natural light to enhance your dining space. Clean windows:
- Provide natural lighting that showcases your interior design
- Make dining rooms appear larger and more inviting
- Display your restaurant to passersby, functioning as passive marketing
Even if the rest of the space is immaculate, a dirty window will ruin it. Professional window cleaning prevents damage that can occur with improper techniques: Small particles of dirt will cling to your towel and act as sand paper when you wipe it off. This could lead to scratches in your window.
5. Roofs and Awnings
Many restaurants feature distinctive rooflines or awnings that are part of their brand identity. Keeping these elements clean is essential. When the roof or awning of a property is clean, that property seems to pop out at you. The same is true if the roof or awning is dirty and grimy.
Clean roofs and awnings also function better: Heat is absorbed from the sun and helps to keep the building warm. The amount of algae or other types of build-up will affect how much sunlight is being absorbed.
The Different Pressure Washing Methods for Restaurants
Not all restaurant surfaces can be cleaned the same way. Understanding the right pressure washing technique for each area is crucial to prevent damage while ensuring cleanliness.
1. Traditional Pressure Washing
Best for: Concrete surfaces, parking lots, dumpster areas Pressure range: 750 to 30,000 psi
Pressure washing is the use of high-pressure water to blast away any build-up of dirt, grime or muck from surfaces like concrete, roofs, furniture, or decks. The water is pressurized anywhere from 750 to 30,000 psi depending on the optimal amount for what is being washed.
For restaurant applications, we carefully select the appropriate pressure level to ensure effective cleaning without damage.
2. Soft Washing
Best for: Building exteriors, windows, awnings, outdoor furniture Pressure: Low (equivalent to garden hose)
Unlike pressure washing, soft washing uses low-pressure pumps (soft washing uses about as much pressure as a regular garden hose) and a combination of biodegradable mildewcides, algaecides, and soaps that are custom-blended for your particular need.
The benefits of soft washing for restaurants include:
- Uses less water than power washing
- Won't damage delicate surfaces
- Provides longer-lasting results
- Kills mold, mildew, and algae at the root
- Safe for outdoor dining areas where customers will be eating
Every chemical that we use is 100% biodegradable and we take great care to pre-soak or cover all plants as needed, so you don't have to worry about plant loss.
3. Hot Water Pressure Washing
Best for: Grease stains, food-related stains, kitchen exhaust areas Advantage: Enhanced cleaning power for tough restaurant-specific stains
Mobile Magic uses professional hot water pressure washing equipment to clean sidewalks in front of businesses across Asheville and Western North Carolina.
Hot water pressure washing is particularly effective for restaurant exteriors because it:
- Cuts through grease more effectively than cold water
- Requires less cleaning solution
- Sanitizes surfaces more thoroughly
- Dries faster, minimizing business disruption
Our blog on Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing goes into detail on this important topic.
Creating a Pressure Washing Maintenance Schedule for Restaurants
Based on our extensive experience working with commercial properties, here's a recommended maintenance schedule for restaurants:
Monthly:
- Outdoor dining furniture cleaning
- Entrance walkways and high-traffic areas
- Window cleaning
Quarterly:
- Full parking lot cleaning
- Exterior walls/siding washing
- Awning cleaning
Annually:
- Roof cleaning
- Deep concrete cleaning
- Comprehensive exterior maintenance
Of course, this schedule should be adjusted based on your restaurant's specific situation. Factors that might necessitate more frequent cleaning include:
- High-volume restaurants with greater foot traffic
- Establishments in humid areas prone to mold and algae growth
- Restaurants near busy roads with more environmental pollution
- Locations with outdoor dining as a primary feature
- Seasonal considerations (pollen in spring, fallen leaves in autumn)
The Restaurant Pressure Washing Process
When we approach a restaurant pressure washing project, we follow a systematic process to ensure thorough cleaning while minimizing disruption to your business:
- Initial Assessment: We evaluate all exterior surfaces to identify specific cleaning needs and potential challenges.
- Customized Solution Planning: We use commercial grade cleaning chemicals in combination with our pressure washers to clean specific jobs. Different types of dirt, such as rust/oil, graffiti, or paint will require a special chemical to aid in the removal.
- Scheduling Around Business Hours: Whenever possible, we schedule work during off-hours to minimize impact on your customers.
- Surface Preparation: Protecting sensitive areas and preparing surfaces for cleaning.
- Appropriate Cleaning Method Application: Using the right combination of pressure, temperature, and cleaning agents for each surface.
- Thorough Rinsing: Removing all cleaning agents to leave surfaces spotless.
- Quality Inspection: Ensuring all areas meet our high standards of cleanliness.
The Return on Investment for Restaurant Pressure Washing
Regular pressure washing isn't just about aesthetics—it's a smart business investment for restaurants:
- Extended Property Life: By cleaning off any build-up on a roof or awning, you are extending the life of that roof or awning. Any build-up will negatively affect how long the roof can function as a roof.
- Enhanced Curb Appeal: What sort of impression do you want to make on the people that look at your building? How your property looks will affect those who see it.
- Safety and Liability Reduction: Clean walkways and parking areas reduce slip-and-fall risks.
- Pest Prevention: Regular cleaning removes food residues that attract unwanted pests.
- Health Department Compliance: Exterior cleanliness contributes to overall sanitation ratings.
- Energy Efficiency: Clean surfaces, particularly roofs, maintain proper insulation and reflection properties.
Conclusion: A Clean Exterior Reflects Your Culinary Standards
At Mobile Magic, we've been helping restaurant owners maintain immaculate exteriors since 2001. Contact Mobile Magic today through our web form or by calling (828) 279-5265 to discuss a customized pressure washing plan for your restaurant. We service all areas of Western North Carolina, including Asheville, Weaverville, Hendersonville, Black Mountain, Mars Hill, Fletcher, Swannanoa, Waynesville, Arden, Candler, Marshall, Lake Lure, Canton, and beyond!
