Pressure Washing Service in Memphis

June 14, 2026

Unlike national booking platforms that connect homeowners to whichever crew is available, a Memphis pressure washing service brings local crews who understand the heavy summer humidity along the Mississippi River, the algae and mildew that build on brick and siding, and the difference between a surface that can take high pressure and one that needs a gentler approach. Memphis is Tennessee’s second largest city, with a population of roughly 619,000 as of 2024 (U.S. Census Bureau), and its mix of older residential neighborhoods, commercial corridors, and industrial property keeps demand steady for house washing, driveway and concrete cleaning, roof cleaning, and commercial and fleet work across Shelby County.

Exterior cleaning in Memphis divides into two distinct methods, and reputable companies are clear about which they use on a given surface. Pressure washing, sometimes called power washing, drives water at high pressure to strip dirt, oil, gum, and stains from durable surfaces such as concrete driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and dumpster pads. Soft washing applies low pressure together with cleaning solutions, typically a diluted sodium hypochlorite mix with surfactants, to remove algae, mold, and mildew from delicate surfaces such as asphalt shingle roofs, vinyl siding, and painted wood without forcing water behind materials or tearing shingles. Roofs in particular should be cleaned with soft wash methods rather than high pressure.

Pressure washing in Tennessee generally does not require a special state contractor license. There is no state licensing board or exam for exterior cleaning itself, so the controlling rules are environmental and local. A pressure washing business does need to register for a business license once annual gross receipts reach the applicable threshold: receipts under $3,000 require no license, receipts from $3,000 to $99,999 call for a minimal activity license from the county clerk at $15 per year, and receipts of $100,000 or more require a standard business license with business tax filed annually (the threshold was raised under the Tennessee Works Tax Act, Public Chapter 377 of 2023). Companies also collect the combined sales tax on taxable services, which in Shelby County reaches 9.75% (7% state plus the local option). Where a job crosses into construction or major repair valued at $25,000 or more, separate contractor licensing through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors can apply, but routine washing falls outside that requirement.

The rules that most directly affect a Memphis pressure washing job concern wash water and runoff. Detergents, oils, and the contaminants lifted from a surface are pollutants, and Tennessee’s stormwater program prohibits discharging them into the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). The state operates under the federal NPDES program through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Water Resources (rule chapter 0400-40), and the City of Memphis and Shelby County run their own MS4 stormwater program, adopted by ordinance, that requires the elimination of non-permitted pollutant discharges to the storm drain system. Responsible companies capture or divert wash water, especially from oily surfaces such as parking areas and fleet washing, rather than letting it flow to a storm drain. Homeowners should also confirm that a company carries liability insurance, since soft wash chemicals and ladder or roof work carry real risk. For disputes over deceptive practices, the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs enforces the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104).

Top Pressure Washing Service Providers in Memphis

1. Southern Power Wash

Address: 263 Tilton Street, Memphis, TN 38111
Phone: (901) 482-7031
Website: https://www.southernpowerwashtn.com
Services: house pressure washing, driveway cleaning and sealing, roof cleaning, deck washing, stone and brick pressure washing, fence cleaning, sidewalk pressure washing, garage cleaning, commercial pressure washing
Description: Southern Power Wash operates from an East Memphis location on Tilton Street and serves both residential and commercial clients across the metro. The company, associated with Clint Channell, explains its methods by surface: pressure washing uses high-pressure water to clean durable surfaces, while soft washing relies on cleaning chemicals rather than high pressure and is better suited to fragile surfaces such as roofs. Its work spans house and roof cleaning, driveway cleaning and sealing, deck and fence washing, stone and brick cleaning, and commercial accounts. The published service area covers Memphis, East Memphis, Germantown, Eads, Collierville, Bartlett, Cordova, Lakeland, and Arlington in Tennessee, along with nearby communities in Mississippi and Arkansas.

2. Midtown Power Washers

Address: 786 Roland Street, Memphis, TN 38104
Phone: (901) 286-7488
Website: https://www.getmemphisclean.com
Services: pressure washing, house washing, roof cleaning, driveway cleaning, window cleaning, gutter cleaning, deck cleaning, fence cleaning, commercial parking lot cleaning, storefront cleaning, building washing, holiday light installation
Description: Midtown Power Washers is a family-owned and operated company based in the Midtown area of Memphis on Roland Street, serving residential and commercial customers across the city and surrounding suburbs. The company uses standard high-pressure washing for durable surfaces and a soft wash method for roofs, applying low-pressure cleaning solutions followed by a rinse specifically to prevent shingle tear-off and water damage. Its residential work includes house washing, driveway cleaning, window and gutter cleaning, and deck and fence cleaning, while its commercial services cover parking lots, storefronts, and building washing. The service area includes Memphis, Collierville, Germantown, Arlington, Lakeland, Bartlett, and Cordova in Tennessee, along with nearby Mississippi communities.

3. Rhodes Pressure Washing

Address: Memphis, TN (mobile service; no storefront address published)
Phone: (901) 288-7836
Website: https://rhodespressurewashing.com
Services: house soft washing, roof cleaning, driveway and sidewalk cleaning, gutter cleaning and flushing, window cleaning, deck and patio cleaning, concrete sealing, deck sealing, commercial pressure washing, holiday light installation
Description: Rhodes Pressure Washing is a family-owned, mobile pressure washing business based in the Memphis area without a published storefront. The company is explicit about its methods: rather than pressure washing houses, it uses a gentle soft wash technique to protect siding and brick, and it treats roofs with soft washing as well, noting that roofs should never be cleaned with high pressure. Gutters are cleared by manual debris removal and flushing rather than pressure. Its services include house and roof cleaning, driveway and sidewalk cleaning, window cleaning, deck and patio cleaning, and concrete and deck sealing, along with commercial pressure washing. Rhodes serves Memphis, Collierville, Germantown, Bartlett, Eads, Piperton, Lakeland, Arlington, and Fayette County.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pressure Washing Service in Memphis

Q: Does a pressure washing company in Memphis need a state license?

Tennessee does not issue a special state contractor license for pressure or soft washing, and there is no state licensing board or exam for exterior cleaning itself. A company does need a general business license once its gross receipts reach the applicable threshold (a $15 minimal activity license for receipts of $3,000 to $99,999, or a standard business license at $100,000 or more), and separate contractor licensing through the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors only applies when work crosses into construction or major repair valued at $25,000 or more.

Q: What is the difference between pressure washing and soft washing?

Pressure washing drives water at high pressure to clean durable surfaces such as concrete driveways, sidewalks, and parking lots. Soft washing uses low pressure together with cleaning solutions, typically a diluted sodium hypochlorite mix, to remove algae, mold, and mildew from delicate surfaces such as roofs and siding. Roofs in particular should be soft washed rather than pressure washed, because high pressure can tear shingles and force water behind materials.

Q: Are there environmental rules for pressure washing wash water in Memphis?

Yes. Wash water that carries detergents, oils, or other contaminants is treated as a pollutant, and Tennessee’s stormwater program prohibits discharging it into the municipal separate storm sewer system. The state runs the federal NPDES program through the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s Division of Water Resources, and the City of Memphis and Shelby County operate their own MS4 program, adopted by ordinance, that requires the elimination of non-permitted pollutant discharges to storm drains. Reputable companies capture or divert runoff, especially from oily surfaces such as parking areas and fleet washing.

Q: How much is sales tax on pressure washing services in Memphis?

Taxable services in Shelby County carry a combined sales tax rate of 9.75%, which is the 7% Tennessee state rate plus the local option tax. Buyers should request an itemized invoice so that the service charge and the tax are clearly separated.

Q: Should I hire an insured pressure washing company?

Yes. Soft wash chemicals, ladder work, and roof access all carry real risk, and a company that carries liability insurance protects both the homeowner and the crew if a surface, a plant, or a person is harmed during the job. Confirm coverage before work begins, and ask whether the company is also bonded for commercial accounts.

Q: How do I file a complaint against a pressure washing company in Memphis?

Complaints about deceptive trade practices, misrepresented services, or contract disputes can be filed with the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs, which enforces the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCA 47-18-104). Keeping the written estimate, the invoice, and photographs of any damage or unfinished work strengthens a complaint, and disputes over wash water discharge can also be reported to the Memphis and Shelby County stormwater program.