ServicesExterior Soft Wash
Exterior Soft Wash Service in Watervliet
Algae and mildew on vinyl, wood or fiber cement come off with a gentle cleaning mix and a low-pressure rinse. We kill the growth instead of blasting it, so your home exterior gets clean without stripped paint, cracked panels or water pushed behind the siding.
What a soft wash does for your siding
Most of the green and black streaking on a house is living growth: algae, mildew and lichen. Blasting it with high pressure knocks off the top layer, but the roots stay and the stain is back in a season. A soft wash uses a cleaning solution that kills the growth, then a gentle rinse carries it away.
It is the right call when your siding looks dingy, the north side has turned green, or you are getting ready to sell or add permanent lighting along the roofline. Clean siding makes everything else on the house look better.
We have been in business 5 years, and we treat every house like it belongs to the neighbor across the street. We show up when we say, protect your yard and leave it the way we found it.
What's included in the wash
- Walkaround before we start
- We look over the siding, trim and windows with you first. If we see loose panels, peeling paint or a cracked board, we point it out so nothing surprises you later.
- Plants and outdoor things covered
- Before any solution goes on, your shrubs and flower beds get a good soak with plain water, and another one when we finish. Grills, patio chairs and decor get moved or covered.
- Siding, trim and soffits
- The solution goes on at low pressure, sits long enough to work, then gets rinsed off. That covers vinyl, aluminum, painted wood and fiber cement.
- Eaves and downspout faces
- We wipe out the black streaks on the outside faces of gutters and downspouts along with the siding, so the whole wall matches.
- Final rinse and check
- We rinse everything a second time, walk the house again and touch up any spot that needs it before we pack up.
Signs your siding needs a soft wash
Green film on the shady side
Algae loves the walls that never get much sun. Up here, the north side of a house can go green in a couple of wet seasons.
Black streaks or speckles
Mildew shows up as dark spots, often under eaves and around windows where moisture hangs on.
Chalky or dull finish
If you rub the siding and your hand comes away gray or powdery, dirt and oxidation are sitting on the surface.
Cobwebs and nests under the soffits
Spider webs, wasp starts and bird mess build up where you cannot reach with a hose.
Your house looks older than it is
Sometimes nothing is wrong except grime. A wash brings back the color and curb appeal you paid for.
What moves the price
Every house is a little different, so we price after we see it. You get one number up front, and it does not change unless you ask us to add something. Here is what makes a wash take more or less time.
Size and height
A one-story ranch is quicker than a three-story house. Tall gables take more setup and more care.
How much growth there is
Light dirt rinses off fast. Thick algae or years of mildew need more solution and a longer dwell time.
Siding type
Vinyl is the easiest to clean. Older painted wood needs a gentler touch so we do not lift loose paint.
Access around the house
Decks, steep slopes, tight side yards and heavy landscaping make it slower to reach every wall.
How the day goes
- 1
Free quote by phone
Give us a ring and describe the house. We pick a time to stop by, look at the walls and hand you a clear price before anything gets booked.
- 2
Prep the yard
We close windows with you, cover outlets and lights, and soak your plants. Cars in the driveway get moved if they are close to the wall.
- 3
Apply and let it work
We spray the solution at low pressure, working one side at a time. It needs a few minutes to break down the growth, so we do not rush it.
- 4
Rinse and walk through
Each wall gets a gentle, thorough rinse. Then we walk the house with you and fix anything you are not happy with. Most houses are done in part of a day.
Questions about the soft wash
Is the mix safe around my garden?
Yes, as long as it is handled with care. Your plants get a heavy watering before we start, which keeps them from soaking up the solution, and another rinse after. We apply it at low pressure and only on the walls that need it.
Is a soft wash safe for old vinyl siding?
Yes, that is the main reason to use it. High pressure can crack brittle vinyl and push water behind the panels. A soft wash cleans the surface without forcing anything underneath.
How long will my siding stay clean?
Because the wash kills the growth instead of just knocking it off, it comes back much slower. Most homeowners see a clean house for a couple of years. Shady, damp walls may need attention sooner.
Do I need to be home?
It helps to be there for the first walkaround so we can go over the house together. After that you can head out. We just need the outdoor water turned on and windows shut.
Who covers it if a panel cracks or a fixture gets wet?
Our company carries a license and insurance, and that coverage comes with us to every house. Before we spray anything, we also go over loose panels, peeling paint and cracked boards with you and take photos, so we both know what was there first. If we cause a problem, we tell you right away and talk through the fix.
When is the best time of year to wash?
Late spring through fall works best, once nights stay above freezing. Our Capital Region winters are too cold for the solution to work well, so we schedule around that.
Let's get the green off your walls
Give us a ring, describe the house, and we will stop by to look it over. You get a straight price, a clean exterior and a yard left just as we found it.