Why Your HOA Requires Pressure Washing (And How to Stay Compliant)

If you live in an HOA community in Brevard County, you've probably received — or know someone who's received — a letter about the appearance of their home's exterior. It usually references "maintenance of home exterior," "visible mold/mildew growth," or "driveway staining" and includes a deadline to remedy the issue.

These letters cause stress, but here's the thing: your HOA isn't being unreasonable. There are legitimate reasons communities enforce exterior cleaning standards, and understanding why can help you stay ahead of the curve rather than scrambling to respond to violation notices.

Why HOAs Require Pressure Washing

HOA exterior maintenance requirements exist for three primary reasons:

1. Property Values

This is the big one. Your home's value is directly tied to the appearance of your neighborhood. Studies consistently show that well-maintained communities command 5–15% higher property values than comparable neighborhoods without maintenance standards. When one home in a community looks neglected, it impacts every neighbor's property value.

2. Structural Protection

Algae, mold, and mildew aren't just cosmetic problems. Left unchecked, biological growth degrades surfaces over time:

• Roof algae (Gloeocapsa magma) feeds on the limestone filler in shingles, literally consuming your roof
• Mold on stucco can penetrate the surface and cause structural moisture issues
• Algae on concrete makes surfaces slippery and dangerous — a liability concern for the community
• Organic growth on wood fencing and trim accelerates rot and decay

3. Community Standards

When you purchased your home in an HOA community, you agreed to the CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions). These documents typically include provisions about maintaining your home's exterior appearance. The HOA board has a legal obligation to enforce these standards uniformly — which is why everyone gets the same expectations.

Common HOA Violations Related to Exterior Cleaning

Based on our experience working with Brevard County HOAs, the most common exterior cleaning violations include:

• Visible mold/mildew on home exterior: The #1 violation. Green or black growth on siding, stucco, or trim. Especially common on north-facing walls and shaded areas.
• Dirty or stained driveway: Oil stains, tire marks, and organic darkening. HOAs often require driveways to be "uniformly clean."
• Roof staining/streaking: Black streaks caused by algae. Some HOAs include roof appearance in their maintenance requirements.
• Dirty fence or wall: Green algae on vinyl fencing, mildew on painted block walls, or deteriorating wood fence appearance.
• Dirty sidewalk or walkway: Dark organic staining on front walkways visible from the street.
• Dirty screened enclosure: Visible mildew on screen enclosure frames and panels, especially from common area views.

The Violation Process

Understanding how HOA violations work in Florida helps you respond appropriately:

1. First notice: A "friendly reminder" letter identifying the issue and giving you typically 30 days to address it. This is the most common stage — and the best time to act.
2. Second notice: A formal violation notice, often with a specific deadline (usually 14–30 days) and language about potential consequences if not remedied.
3. Fining process: Under Florida Statute 720 (HOAs), the board must provide notice and an opportunity to be heard before a committee (not the board) before imposing fines. Fines in Florida are capped at $100 per violation per day, up to $1,000 aggregate per continuing violation.
4. Escalation: Continued non-compliance can lead to lien placement, loss of common area privileges, and in extreme cases, legal action.

The bottom line: It's far easier and cheaper to schedule a cleaning than to fight the violation process. A professional house wash costs $300–$400. HOA fines can reach $1,000, plus legal fees if it escalates.

Staying Compliant Proactively

The best strategy is to never receive a violation in the first place. Here's how:

• Schedule annual cleaning: Most HOA compliance issues can be prevented with a single annual exterior cleaning. Book the same time each year and it becomes routine.
• Know your CC&Rs: Read the specific language about exterior maintenance in your community's governing documents. Some communities have very specific timelines (e.g., "roofs must be cleaned every 3 years").
• Watch for early signs: Don't wait until growth is dramatic. If you notice green tinting on your siding or dark patches forming, it's time to schedule. See our guide on how often to pressure wash your Florida home.
• Address driveways promptly: Oil stains are much easier to remove when fresh. If you notice a drip or spill, clean it with a degreaser right away or schedule professional cleaning.
• Communicate with your HOA: If you've received a notice and need time to schedule a professional, respond to the HOA in writing, acknowledge the issue, and provide a date when you'll have it addressed. Most boards are reasonable when homeowners communicate proactively.

Working With ClearCoast Wash

ClearCoast Wash works with numerous HOA communities across Brevard County — both individual homeowners responding to violations and HOA boards seeking community-wide maintenance programs.

For individual homeowners:

• We can typically schedule service within 5–7 days of your call
• We provide written estimates you can share with your HOA board to confirm scheduling
• Our work consistently satisfies HOA inspection requirements
• We recommend annual maintenance to prevent future violations

For HOA boards and property managers:

• Volume pricing for community-wide cleaning programs
• Scheduled maintenance contracts (annual or semi-annual)
• Common area cleaning (sidewalks, parking areas, clubhouse, pool decks)
• Building exterior soft washing for multi-unit properties
• Single point of contact for scheduling and communication

Whether you're a homeowner with a deadline or a board member looking for a reliable cleaning partner, call (321) 555-0199 to discuss your needs. We provide free estimates and transparent pricing — no surprises.