Finding a dependable power washing company should not feel like a scavenger hunt. You want a crew that answers the phone, shows up when promised, uses the right methods for each surface, and stands behind the work. If you live in or around Millsboro, Delaware, Hose Bros Inc has built that sort of reputation by pairing solid technique with clear communication. This guide pulls together practical details to help you contact them quickly, understand their service approach, and decide what to schedule for your property.
Contact Us
Hose Bros Inc
Address: 38 Comanche Cir, Millsboro, DE 19966, United States
Phone: (302) 945-9470
Website: https://hosebrosinc.com/
Why homeowners search for “power washing near me” and stick with Hose Bros
Most people type power washing near me because they have one straightforward pain point. The vinyl siding looks chalky. The north-facing eaves carry that green haze. Pavers grew a carpet of algae in the spring. The driveway developed oil spots, then tracked them into the garage. You can rent a machine and spend a weekend on trial and error, or you can call a power washing company that treats each material as its own problem to solve.
What separates a professional from a rental sprayer is not just pressure. It is the judgment behind the nozzle. On a well-run crew, techs carry multiple tips and spray patterns, know how to stage detergents, and shift between soft washing for painted and delicate surfaces and higher pressure for concrete. The goal is to clean, not etch, and to leave surfaces bright without stripping oxidation unevenly or forcing water behind siding where it does not belong.
How to reach Hose Bros Inc without ping-ponging between inboxes
You should not have to chase a contractor. Hose Bros Inc keeps it simple. Call the office at (302) 945-9470 if you want to talk through a specific surface, ask about scheduling, or book an estimate. The website, https://hosebrosinc.com/, outlines services and is useful if you prefer to send a message outside business hours. If you need to give a precise location for a site visit or mail a deposit, the address is 38 Comanche Cir, Millsboro, DE 19966. For most residential jobs, they can provide a quote range by phone once you describe square footage, material, and the level of staining, then confirm with an on-site look before starting.
A quick note from experience: when you call any power washing services near me listing, have two numbers ready. First, approximate square footage of the area. Second, how long it has been since the last cleaning. A deck that has not been touched in four years will need more dwell time and detergent than a patio cleaned last summer. Those details help the crew bring the right nozzles, hoses, and mix strengths the first time.
What “power washing services” actually cover
The phrase power washing gets used as a catchall, but there are several techniques under that umbrella. If a contractor blasts everything at one setting, walk them back to the truck. Hose Bros Inc distinguishes between soft washing for exteriors like vinyl, painted wood, and stucco, and higher-pressure methods for concrete and certain hardscapes. Here is how that plays out on a typical property.
Exterior siding and trim. Soft washing relies on a blend of water, surfactants, and a controlled amount of sodium hypochlorite to break down organic growth, followed by a low-pressure rinse. That low pressure matters. It protects window seals, prevents water from sneaking behind lap joints, and preserves paint. When I had a cedar-sided home early in my career, one pass with the wrong tip left lap marks that caught the sun at every angle, and the fix was a full repaint. Soft wash avoids that.
Roofs. Asphalt shingles respond to gentle application and patience. The stains you see are often either Gloeocapsa magma algae or a mix of algae and lichen. A careful technician treats the surface, lets chemistry do the heavy lifting, and rinses with minimal mechanical force. No one should be walking the roof with a high-pressure wand. That voids warranties and cuts years off the shingle life. Hose Bros can explain their roof protocol on a call if you are unsure whether your streaking is cosmetic or a sign of granule loss.
Decks and fences. Wood wants low pressure and even lower aggression. A good crew tests a discreet spot to confirm how the grain reacts, then chooses a fan tip and a wider stand-off distance. If the deck has gray oxidation, they may apply a percarbonate cleaner first, rinse, then follow with an oxalic acid brightener to restore tone before sealing. The difference between a washed deck and a refreshed one is that brightener step. It evens out tannins and resets the color.
Concrete and pavers. Here higher pressure has its place, but it is still controlled. Concrete pads can handle stronger PSI with a surface cleaner attachment that maintains an even distance and pattern. Pavers need detergent to break down algae and a rinse that preserves joint sand. If polymeric sand is present, the rinse should be careful to avoid dislodging it. Oil stains might need a degreaser or a poultice, especially if they have cooked in the sun. A single pass rarely erases ten years of drip spots on a driveway, but the right process can get you to a uniform, clean gray.
Gutters and fascia. Cleaning the exterior tiger striping takes different chemistry than flushing interiors. Interiors collect granules and leaves, and the downspouts clog around the first elbow. Most crews carry ladder standoffs, bucket hooks, and hose extensions to clear those safely. It is routine work, but it makes a visible difference once the fascia is washed and the streaks lift.
The local edge: Millsboro climate and what it does to surfaces
Delaware’s coastal humidity sets the stage for algae. North and east elevations tend to stay damp longer, which feeds green film on vinyl, composite, and painted trim. Salt air near the bays and inlets can accelerate corrosion on fasteners and fixtures. Pollen runs heavy in spring, then mixes with mist from lawn irrigation. By midsummer, even a well-maintained home will show that light green band under soffits and where shade lingers.
I saw this play out on a cul-de-sac off of Route 24. Three homes with similar vinyl, all cleaned within a two-week window. The one with broad maple shade on the east elevation looked hazy again first, even though the work was identical. Shade extends drying time, and algae leverages that. A reliable power washing company will schedule maintenance cleans on the shade-heavy sides a little more often, then extend the interval on sunnier faces. You can stretch the cycle to two years in the full sun, but shaded vinyl often wants attention every 12 to 18 months.
What to expect during a visit, from the first knock to the final rinse
The best jobs feel uneventful, mostly because the prep is thorough. Expect Hose Bros to walk your property with you, point out delicate areas like oxidized aluminum, hairline cracks in concrete, and loose trim, and set guardrails. If they see heavy oxidation on colored siding, they will say so and explain the limits. Every pro has a story about a homeowner who insisted on more pressure to “get it brighter.” You want someone who stands firm on technique rather than chasing a short-term shine that chalks or stripes.
Equipment comes off the truck in stages. Hoses get run first, shut-off valves positioned, then chemical tanks staged. If you are at home, keep pets inside and gates unlocked. They will pre-wet landscaping before any detergent touches siding, and they should rinse shrubs again after. Look for a clear rinse pattern that moves top to bottom. On breezy days, they will adjust so chemicals do not drift onto tidy windows or a fresh coat of paint on the porch swing.
Noise is part of the process. A commercial-grade washer hums differently than a rental unit, and surface cleaners have a distinct whir. Most residential jobs wrap within a half day, sometimes less if the scope is limited to siding. Larger properties or multi-surface jobs can push into a full day. If you have irrigation set on a timer, switch it off for 24 hours. You want surfaces to dry without wet spots reintroducing minerals and streaks.
Safety and protection: the quiet details that matter
Power washing services look simple from the sidewalk, but the work carries risks if done casually. Safety shows up in small habits. Ladder feet planted on flat ground. Harnesses on steep roofs. A technician who calls out before switching nozzles. Proper dilution of detergents and careful handling around downwind cars or neighbor’s gardens.
One recurring hazard is electricity. Exterior outlets and fixtures should be GFCI protected, but not every home has been updated. I have seen arcs at old fixtures when someone sprays too close. A seasoned crew avoids direct spray on lights and uses cover plates or tape where needed.
Another area that separates pros from dabblers is wastewater management. In most residential settings, rinse water runs off into lawns and storm drains. With the right detergents and proper dilution, that is acceptable. If oil and heavy degreasers are involved, a conversation about containment is appropriate. Ask how they handle stubborn driveway stains and what chemistry they plan to use. If they cannot explain it, keep looking.
Pricing without the guesswork
You will see three pricing models in this trade: square foot rates, per-elevation or per-surface packages, and all-in bundles for whole-home exterior cleaning. Hose Bros Inc typically gives an estimate based on surface type, access, and level of contamination. For vinyl siding on an average single-story home, soft washing often falls into a predictable range because production rate per hour is consistent. Complications like heavy oxidation, second-story dormers over steep landscaping, or intricate trim lines can nudge the estimate.
Concrete pricing usually reflects square footage and stain severity. A 400 square foot patio with light mildew cleans fast. A triple-wide, 1,200 square foot driveway with baked-on vehicle drips takes longer. Root intrusion pushing pavers out of level may require resetting blocks, which is beyond cleaning. A good estimator will separate those scopes so you know what is cleaning and what is repair.
Ask for a written scope with surfaces listed. It prevents that awkward moment when you thought the walkway from the driveway to the porch was included, and the crew thought only the main pad was in the quote. A simple one-line add for “front walk, 120 square feet” keeps everyone on the same page.
How often to schedule, and what to clean first
I recommend a spring clean for the main elevations and hardscapes, then a fall touch-up only where needed. Roofs should be treated when streaking appears, not on a fixed schedule, since shingle life and orientation vary. Gutters generally want a fall flush after leaf drop. Driveways benefit from a pre-winter degrease so oil does not harden in cold.
If budget presses you to choose, tackle safety and slip hazards first. Algae on north-facing steps becomes as slick as soap after a rain. Next, hit the face the neighborhood sees, both for curb appeal and because shaded elevations degrade faster. Leave the sun-baked south wall for last, unless it collects irrigation overspray that leaves mineral lines.
DIY versus professional service, with real trade-offs
There is nothing wrong with doing small jobs yourself. A short section of fence Hose Bros Inc softwash serives near me or a simple patio responds well to a consumer unit and a mild cleaner. Where homeowners get in trouble is on painted surfaces and roofs. I once watched a well-meaning neighbor engrave his street number into his mailbox post with a pencil-thin zero-degree nozzle. He could not see the scar until the wood dried. It is easy to do permanent damage in a few seconds.
Time also factors in. A pro can wash a 2,000 square foot home in a few hours because the gear and workflow are optimized. That same house can chew up a weekend with a rental and leave window drips and oxidation streaks that will bother you for months. If the budget is tight, consider a hybrid approach. Have the crew handle the house and roof while you tackle the driveway and walkways. Hose Bros is open to scoping work to fit a budget as long as safety and quality stay intact.
Small prep moves that pay off before the truck arrives
A little preparation accelerates the day and reduces risk. Pick up lightweight planters and yard furniture so the techs can move quickly in clear paths. Close windows and double-check that storm windows are latched. Pull cars a safe distance from the house, especially if the wind is up. Cover or move delicate plants, then water shrubs before the crew starts. Pre-wetting creates a buffer that protects leaves from detergents. If you have an outdoor kitchen or low-voltage lighting with open connectors, point them out during the walkthrough so the team can protect them.
Here is a simple five-step checklist you can do in under 30 minutes:
- Unlock gates and fence latches, and secure pets indoors. Move cars, planters, and small furniture away from cleaning areas. Close windows and cover door thresholds with a towel inside to catch drips. Turn off irrigation for 24 hours and note any exterior outlets or fixtures with issues. Point out stained or delicate spots you care about so the crew can tailor their approach.
Aftercare and how to keep surfaces cleaner longer
A clean exterior will not stay pristine forever, but you can stretch the shine. Trim back shrubs to let air move along the foundation. Redirect irrigation heads so they do not mist siding and fences. Sweep or blow debris off decks and patios regularly before it settles into crevices and feeds mildew. On pavers, check joint sand once a year and top up to lock out weeds. If a spot returns early, snap a photo and send it to Hose Bros. Early treatment takes minutes compared to a full clean months later.
Some homeowners ask about sealers. They help in the right contexts. Penetrating sealers on concrete can reduce water absorption and make oil cleanup easier, though they do not make the surface stain-proof. Film-forming sealers on pavers add sheen but require maintenance. On wood, a breathable sealer or stain extends life far better than leaving it bare, especially in coastal humidity. These are good conversations to have after your first cleaning when the surface is fresh and the underlying condition is visible.
Signs you found the right “power washing company” for your property
A fair price is only part of the equation. Reliability shows in the small behaviors that repeat from job to job. Calls returned within a business day. A written estimate that matches the final invoice. Techs who protect landscaping and talk you through limitations rather than overpromising. Equipment that is organized, hoses that do not leak, and trucks that do not drip oil in your driveway. It may sound basic, but crews that take care of their tools tend to take care of your property.
Hose Bros Inc has built local trust by focusing on those fundamentals. The team works throughout Millsboro and nearby communities, and they know the patterns that Delaware weather sets on siding, roofs, and concrete. That local pattern recognition shortens the path to a good result. When you hear them ask whether your north wall gets tree shade after 3 p.m., that is not small talk. It informs how they mix and rinse.
When to call and what to ask
If you see any of these, pick up the phone:
- Green or black streaks on siding or the roof that return quickly after rain. Slick steps, patios, or composite decks that feel slippery underfoot. Rust marks from irrigation on stucco or concrete that resist household cleaners. Oil drips that keep spreading on the driveway and track into the garage. Tiger striping on gutters that makes the fascia look aged.
When you call Hose Bros Inc at (302) 945-9470, describe the surfaces, the age of the stains, and any prior treatments. Ask whether soft washing or higher-pressure methods will be used, and how landscaping will be protected. If you have deadlines like a listing photo shoot or a family event, share those, and they will try to align scheduling. If you prefer to start the conversation online, visit https://hosebrosinc.com/ and send a note with photos attached. Photos shorten the estimate cycle and help the crew plan gear and chemistry.
A brief walk-through example
A client on Comanche Circle called about a hazy film on vinyl siding and a slick front stoop. The home sat under tall pines, with irrigation heads that overshot the beds. The crew booked a morning slot. They soft washed the siding, starting on the shaded north side, then moved to the east and west elevations. The concrete stoop cleaned quickly with a surface cleaner and a mild degreaser on a rust spot from a planter. They adjusted the irrigation heads two inches inward to reduce overspray, and suggested trimming the lower branches to increase sunlight along the foundation. Total time on site ran under three hours. The homeowner scheduled a fall touch-up for gutters and the front steps only. Small changes plus the right wash cadence kept the algae from taking hold again.
Ready to simplify the search for “power washing near me”
You do not need a dozen tabs open to vet a power washing company. You need a contact who answers questions clearly, shows up with a plan, and leaves your place cleaner without creating new problems. Hose Bros Inc checks those boxes for Millsboro and surrounding neighborhoods.
For fast scheduling and honest guidance, reach out here:
- Phone: (302) 945-9470 Website: https://hosebrosinc.com/ Address: 38 Comanche Cir, Millsboro, DE 19966, United States
Whether you are prepping a listing, freshening curb appeal, or making slick steps safe, a short call will get you the right scope and a date on the calendar.