South Florida’s rainy season officially ends on October 15. For West Palm Beach homeowners, that date is the signal to clean up what five months of rain, heat and humidity left on the outside of the house.
Walk around almost any home between Southern Boulevard and the Lake Worth Beach line right now and you’ll see it. Green film on the north walls. Black streaks on the roof. A cloudy haze on the windows facing the Intracoastal. Pavers that turned slick and dark over the summer.
At the same time, seasonal residents are starting to come back, and the social season is weeks away. Whether you live here year-round or you’re flying in from up north, this guide walks you through:
- What the rainy season does to West Palm Beach homes, and why fall is the right time to clean
- The local conditions that make homes in the South End, Belair and Southland Park different
- A surface-by-surface checklist for the outside of your home
- The wash-water rules most homeowners don’t know about
- How to pick an exterior cleaning company you can trust
Why Exterior Cleaning Matters in West Palm Beach This Fall
West Palm Beach gets about 36 inches of rain in the wet season alone, according to the National Weather Service. That season runs from May 15 to October 15 and brings 60 to 70 percent of South Florida’s yearly rain.
It’s not just the rain. The Weather Service notes that dew points sit in the 70s almost every day during those months. Warm, damp surfaces that never fully dry are exactly where mold, mildew and algae grow fastest.
By mid-October, that growth has had five months to settle in. Here’s why fall is the right time to deal with it:
- The weather is on your side. Once the dry season starts, cleaned surfaces dry quickly and stay clean longer, instead of turning green again within weeks.
- Growth is easier to remove now than later. Algae and mildew left through the winter work deeper into stucco, grout lines and roof granules.
- Season is coming. Guests, open houses and holiday gatherings all start in the next few weeks. The outside of the house is the first thing people see.
- It’s the last calm window before holiday lights. If you plan to put up holiday lighting, it’s easier to clean the roofline, gutters and walls first.
Local Factors West Palm Beach Homeowners Should Know
A house in West Palm Beach doesn’t age the same way as a house in Orlando or Tampa. Three local conditions shape what your exterior needs.
Salt air from the Lake Worth Lagoon
Homes along South Flagler Drive, in SoSo (South of Southern) and in Southland Park sit close to the Lake Worth Lagoon and the Intracoastal Waterway. Easterly breezes carry a fine salt mist inland.
That salt settles on windows as a dull haze, dries onto pool screen frames, and holds moisture against stucco. It’s also why windows facing the water often look dirty again sooner than the ones on the street side.
Older homes need a gentler touch
The South End has some of the city’s most character-filled houses, including the Belair Historic District and nearby Prospect Park. Many homes here have original stucco, decorative trim, wood accents and older roof materials.
These surfaces can be damaged by high-pressure washing. Older stucco can pit, paint can lift and wood can splinter. That’s why soft washing, which uses low pressure and cleaning solutions to kill growth, is the usual choice for walls and roofs on older homes.
Two seasonal deadlines, not one
- October 15, end of the rainy season. Clean after this date and your home stays clean through the dry months.
- November 30, end of the Atlantic hurricane season. Many homeowners wait until then to clean and store storm shutters and panels, so they go back into storage clean and working.
If you’re a seasonal resident, a third date matters too: the day you arrive. Booking the cleaning a week or two before you land means you walk into a home that’s ready.
Common Exterior Cleaning Needs After Rainy Season
Use this checklist on a walk around your property. Start at the top of the house and work down, because that’s the order the cleaning should happen in too. Otherwise, dirt from the roof and walls ends up on freshly cleaned pavers.
| Surface | Signs to look for | What usually fixes it |
|---|---|---|
| Roof | Black streaks, green patches, dark spots near gutters | Soft washing, never high pressure |
| Walls, soffits and eaves | Green film on shaded or north-facing walls, gray dust on eaves | Soft washing |
| Windows and glass doors | Salt haze, sprinkler spots, water streaks | Hand or water-fed pole window cleaning |
| Pool screen enclosure | Green or black screens, dark frames, algae where screens meet the deck | Low-pressure wash with algae-fighting detergent |
| Driveways, pavers, pool deck | Dark or slippery patches, orange rust stains | Pressure washing with a surface cleaner; sealing optional |
| Gutters and downspouts | Overflow stains, plants growing in gutters, water pooling at the base | Clean-out and flush |
| Hurricane shutters and tracks | Dirt in tracks, stiff panels, algae on shutter faces | Wash and clear tracks before storing |
Roof
Black streaks on a Florida roof are usually algae, not dirt. High-pressure washing can crack tile and strip the granules off shingles. Soft washing kills the algae at the root, and the streaks rinse away. It’s also safer if you have a tile roof, since walking on it can break tiles.
Walls, soffits and eaves
Walls that get little sun, usually on the north side or under large trees, turn green first. A soft wash cleans stucco, painted block and trim without forcing water behind them.
Windows and impact glass
If your windows face the Intracoastal, expect a salt film. Windows near sprinklers often have white hard-water spots. Those spots are worth dealing with early: mineral deposits left on glass for a long time can etch it permanently. For second-story windows, water-fed poles with purified water let crews clean from the ground.
Pool screen enclosure
Screen enclosures trap humidity, so algae grows fast on the screens and the frame. Cleaning both sides of the screen with a low-pressure wash brightens the whole pool area and lets more light through.
Driveways, pavers and pool decks
Summer leaves dark mildew, leaf stains and sometimes orange rust marks from well-water sprinklers. Beyond looks, mildew on a pool deck is a slip hazard. After cleaning, sealing pavers can help them resist stains and keep the sand in the joints.
Gutters and downspouts
Summer storms and palm fronds fill gutters. When they overflow, water splashes dirt back onto the walls you just cleaned. Clearing gutters and flushing downspouts before the dry season prevents that.
Hurricane shutters and tracks
If you use accordion, rolling or panel shutters, clean them before you store them after November 30. Dirt and debris left in the tracks makes them stick the next time a storm is coming, which is the worst moment to find out.
Wash Water, Storm Drains and HOA Rules in West Palm Beach
Most homeowners never think about where the water goes after their house is washed. In West Palm Beach, it matters.
Storm drains lead to local waterways
The city’s storm drains aren’t a sewer system. According to the City of West Palm Beach Stormwater Division, the city runs more than 125 miles of underground stormwater pipes, about 5,000 inlets and 11 miles of canals. That system carries rainwater, and anything else that goes down the drain, toward local waterways.
The Stormwater Division monitors for illegal discharges into the city’s waterways, and residents can report one by calling (561) 822-2185. Wash water full of soap, cleaning chemicals, oil from driveways and loosened algae shouldn’t be sent straight into a storm drain on your street.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection also publishes best management practices for mobile washing, which focus on keeping wash water out of storm drains and surface water.
What this means for you: ask any exterior cleaning company how they handle runoff, especially on driveways that slope toward the street. A good answer mentions blocking or protecting nearby drains and not sending chemical runoff into them.
HOA and condo association rules
Many West Palm Beach communities, from gated neighborhoods to condo buildings along Flagler Drive, have their own rules for contractors. Common ones include approved work hours, notice to the management office, and proof of insurance before a crew can start. Check your association’s rules before you book, and ask the company whether it can provide an insurance certificate if needed.
Historic district homes
Cleaning alone is normally routine maintenance. But if you plan to repaint, seal or change surfaces afterwards and your home is in a historic district such as Belair or Prospect Park, check the city’s regulations for historic properties first.
How to Choose an Exterior Cleaning Company in West Palm Beach
The right company protects your home while it cleans it. Before you book, ask these seven questions.
- Do you soft wash roofs and stucco, or pressure wash everything? A company that pressure washes a tile roof or older stucco at full power can cause damage you’ll pay for later.
- Are you insured, and can you send a certificate? Ask for proof of liability insurance. Many condo and HOA offices require it anyway.
- How do you protect plants, pool screens and outdoor furniture? Good crews rinse plants before and after, cover delicate areas and move furniture back where it was.
- Where does the wash water go? Listen for a clear answer about protecting storm drains, not a shrug.
- What exactly is included? A written quote should say whether it covers soffits, gutters, screens, window tracks and both sides of the glass.
- Can you do the work while I’m away? For seasonal residents, ask how the company gets access, and whether it sends photos when the job is done.
- Can I see recent reviews and local work? Look at recent Google reviews and ask for photos of jobs in your area of West Palm Beach.
Red flags to watch for
- A price given over the phone with no idea of the size of your home or what needs cleaning
- Offering to “blast” a roof clean with high pressure
- No proof of insurance when asked
- No answer about plants, screens or runoff
Why West Palm Beach Homeowners Choose Glass Act Exterior Cleaning
Glass Act Exterior Cleaning is based on Georgia Avenue in West Palm Beach’s 33405 ZIP code, in the South End. That means the neighborhoods in this guide, including SoSo, Belair, Southland Park and Prospect Park, are close to home for our crews.
- One company for the whole checklist. Soft washing for roofs and walls, window cleaning, pool screen enclosures, pressure washing for pavers and driveways, gutters, and hurricane shutters and tracks.
- The right method for each surface. Low-pressure soft washing for roofs and stucco, and water-fed poles with purified water for windows up to three stories.
- Care for your property. Crews take steps to protect your plants and home from water and cleaning solutions.
- An in-person estimate. We come out, look at your home and give you an accurate quote for what it actually needs.
- Glass restoration too. If windows are scratched or etched, not just dirty, our GlassRenu restoration service can often repair them instead of replacing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to clean the outside of a house in West Palm Beach?
Late October through December is a good window. South Florida’s rainy season officially ends on October 15, so surfaces cleaned after that date dry quickly and stay clean longer through the dry season.
Is soft washing better than pressure washing for Florida roofs and stucco?
For roofs and stucco, yes. Soft washing uses low pressure and cleaning solutions to kill algae and mildew at the root. High pressure can crack roof tiles, strip shingle granules and pit older stucco.
How often should I clean my home’s exterior in West Palm Beach?
Most homes benefit from a full exterior cleaning at least once a year. Waterfront homes, heavily shaded homes and pool enclosures often need attention more often because of salt air and humidity.
Can I have my home cleaned while I’m out of town?
Often, yes. Many seasonal residents book exterior cleaning for the week or two before they arrive. When you book, ask how the crew will access the property and whether they’ll send photos when the job is done.
Can pressure washing water go into the storm drain?
It shouldn’t. West Palm Beach’s storm drains carry water toward local waterways, and the city monitors for illegal discharges. Wash water with soap, chemicals or driveway oil should be kept out of storm drains.
Should I clean hurricane shutters before storing them?
Yes. Clean shutters and their tracks after hurricane season ends on November 30. Dirt left in the tracks can make shutters stick when you next need them in a hurry.
Get Your West Palm Beach Home Ready for Season
The rainy season is over, and the next few weeks are the best time of year to get the outside of your home back to its best. Start at the roof, work down to the pavers, and put your hurricane shutters away clean after November 30.
Whether you’re in SoSo, Southland Park, Prospect Park or anywhere else in West Palm Beach, Glass Act Exterior Cleaning can take care of every item on this checklist.
Ready to book? Request your free estimate or call (561) 396-6729. Arriving from up north? Tell us your arrival date, and we’ll work with you on timing.