ServicesExterior Soft Wash
Exterior Soft Wash in Lansingburgh
Green streaks, black spots and a gray film on your siding are usually living growth, not dirt. Our soft wash kills it at the root with low pressure and a cleaning solution, so your home exterior comes clean without stripping paint or forcing water behind the panels.
What a Soft Wash Is and When It Makes Sense
A soft wash cleans your siding with a mild cleaning solution and water at about the pressure of a garden hose. The solution does the work. It breaks down algae, mildew and lichen so they rinse away instead of being blasted off the surface.
It is the right call when the marks on your house keep coming back, or when you see growth on vinyl, painted clapboard, stucco or brick. High-pressure spraying can crack vinyl, lift paint and drive water into wall cavities. A soft wash avoids that, and because it kills the spores, the house stays clean longer.
If you are planning permanent lighting along your roofline, washing first is worth it. A clean fascia and siding make the lights look sharper and give the mounting track a better surface.
What Your Soft Wash Includes
- A walk-around first
- We look at your siding type, the worst growth, and anything fragile like old caulk, loose trim or cracked panels. You hear about problems before we start, not after.
- Plant and fixture protection
- We soak your shrubs and flower beds with plain water before and after, and cover delicate plants. Outdoor outlets, light fixtures and vents get covered too.
- Low-pressure application
- The cleaning solution goes on at low pressure, working from the bottom up so it does not streak. We let it sit long enough to kill the growth, not just bleach it.
- Thorough rinse
- Every wall gets a full rinse from the top down. That clears the solution and the loosened growth off siding, trim, soffits and windows.
- A final look together
- Before we pack up, we walk the house with you. If a spot needs another pass, we handle it while we are there.
When Your Siding Is Due for a Wash
A green tint on shaded walls
Algae grows best on north-facing walls and under trees. It shows up as a light green cast and creeps further each muggy summer.
Dark dots and streaks
Tiny black specks are most often mildew. Given time, they spread and can mark the paint.
Stains that return after a scrub
When brushing and hosing only buys a few weeks, the growth is still alive underneath. Soft washing kills it.
Siding that looks faded and gray
Grime and growth can make sound siding look worn out. A wash often reveals color you had stopped noticing.
Prepping to list the house or add lights
Clean siding gives curb appeal a quick boost and makes new permanent lighting look crisp.
What Changes Your Price
We price your actual house, not a one-size list. You get a clear number by phone or after a short visit, along with what is behind it. These factors matter most.
How big and tall the house is
Larger walls take more solution and more hours. A third floor or high gable calls for longer ladders or reach equipment.
Amount of growth
Light dirt clears with a single coat. Heavy algae or lichen left for years can take a second round.
Siding material and shape it is in
Vinyl is simple. Older painted wood with flaking or chalky paint calls for a lighter hand and extra care at the trim.
Getting around the house
Thick plantings, decks, sloped yards and narrow side passages all lengthen setup.
What to Expect on Wash Day
- 1
A short hello
We go over the plan from our call, locate the outside faucet and ask that windows be shut. Please keep pets indoors until we finish.
- 2
Getting the yard ready
Plants get a soaking, fragile ones get covered, and we pull light things like chairs and pots back from the siding.
- 3
Treat and wait
We work wall by wall, letting the solution rest for several minutes. Thick growth can need a second coat.
- 4
Rinse and look it over
Each wall is rinsed from the top down, plants get another drink, and we tour the house with you. A typical single-family home takes a few hours.
Common Soft Wash Questions
Can soft washing hurt my siding or paint?
Not when done properly. The pressure is low, so nothing pushes hard enough to crack vinyl or pull off good paint. Paint that is already peeling can loosen under any rinse, so we show it to you before we begin.
Will the solution hurt my plants?
We guard them. Plants are soaked with plain water before and after, and tender ones are covered. The mix is diluted and rinsed away, and we keep it out of your beds as best we can.
How long does the clean last?
Typically far longer than scrubbing, since the growth is killed instead of just pushed back. Damp, shaded walls get it back sooner than sunny ones. Plenty of homeowners wash every two years or so.
Do I have to be there?
Not the whole time. We need a water hookup, shut windows and pets indoors. Being there near the end helps so we can look over the house together.
Does it take off rust marks or chalky oxidation?
Sometimes not. Soft washing is made for living growth and daily dirt. Rust from metal fittings and heavy chalking on old vinyl or aluminum can need another approach, and we will be upfront about likely results before starting.
Is it safe to wash near my permanent lights?
Yes. The low pressure will not harm the track or fixtures, and we cover outside outlets and controllers. It is also smart to book a wash before a permanent exterior lighting installation.
Want Your Siding Back to Its Real Color?
Describe your home and the marks you see on the walls. We will tell you what is likely growing there and give you a free price by phone.