ServicesExterior Soft Wash
Low-Pressure Soft Washing for Mechanicville Homes
Algae and mildew on siding, trim and soffits are killed at the root with a measured solution and gentle pressure, not blasted off the top. Before we start, your plants get soaked and covered, and we go over the plan with you.
What a soft wash does for your siding
The green film on a north wall and the gray streaks under a gutter line are living growth, mostly algae and mildew. High-pressure spraying knocks the top layer loose but leaves the roots in the texture of the siding, and it can force water behind vinyl laps or lift paint on wood clapboard. A soft wash works differently. We apply a diluted cleaning solution at roughly garden-hose pressure, give it time to kill the growth, then rinse it away.
The result is a home exterior that looks clean for longer, because the growth was killed rather than trimmed. It is the right call when the siding itself is sound and the problem is what is living on it.
It also pairs well with our other work. Many neighbors book a soft wash before Permanent Exterior Lighting Installation so the fixtures go onto a clean roofline, or alongside Roof Treatments when streaks show up above and below the gutters.
What the work includes
- A walk-around before we mix anything
- We look at the siding material, the paint condition, how close the beds and shrubs sit, and where water will run. That walk decides the solution strength and where the drop cloths go.
- Plant and landscaping protection
- Shrubs and flower beds near the house are soaked with clean water first, so they absorb water instead of solution. Delicate plants are covered, and everything is rinsed again when we finish.
- Fixtures, outlets and openings covered
- Exterior outlets, light fixtures and dryer vents are sealed off, and we ask that windows stay closed during the wash. Doormats, cushions and planters are moved and set back where we found them.
- Siding, trim and soffits
- We clean the full wall surface, the window and door trim, fascia and the undersides of the soffits where mildew likes to hide. Vinyl, fiber cement, painted wood, brick and stucco each get a solution mix suited to them.
- A thorough rinse and a final look
- Every wall is rinsed top to bottom so no residue dries on the surface. We walk the house with you afterward and point out anything we noticed, such as loose siding or peeling paint.
Signs your siding is ready for a soft wash
Green or gray film on shaded walls
Walls that see little sun stay damp after rain and grow algae first. If one side of the house looks a shade darker than the others, that is usually why.
Black streaks below the roofline
Dark vertical streaks under gutters and eaves come from runoff carrying growth and dirt down the wall. They tend to return after a scrub because the source was never killed.
Spotty mildew on trim and soffits
Small black dots on white trim or soffit panels are mildew. It spreads slowly and makes fresh paint look tired.
Chalky or dull color
Siding that leaves a film on your hand, or looks faded even after rain, often has a layer of grime dulling it. A gentle wash brings back much of the original color.
You are planning lights or a sale
Before new fixtures go up or a listing photo is taken, clean siding makes the biggest difference to curb appeal for the least disruption.
What goes into a soft wash price
We price your house, not a flat rate. After walking the outside, we tell you what we found and give you the price by phone or in person before anything goes on the calendar. Anything that would raise the cost is raised with you first.
House size and height
The amount of siding matters most. Two-story walls use more solution, need longer rinsing and call for more ladder or extension work than one story.
What the siding is and how it holds up
Older vinyl and painted wood call for a milder mix and extra care near loose laps or flaking paint. Growth settles into the texture of brick and stucco, so rinsing them clean takes longer.
Amount of growth
One application handles a light seasonal film. A shaded wall with years of heavy algae can take a second pass.
Reaching the walls
Steep slopes, decks set close to the house and thick plantings add time for protecting them and working around them.
Add-on areas
You can add soffits, fascia, porch ceilings and detached garages. Each is priced on its own line so you decide what to include.
What happens on wash day
- 1
Going over the plan
When we get there, we agree on the walls to be washed and the spigot we will use, and let you know when pets and kids should stay indoors. We also give you a rough time for each side of the house.
- 2
Cover and soak first
Fixtures and outlets get covered, patio items are moved aside, and plants are soaked with clean water. Solution only goes on once all of that is finished.
- 3
Apply, then wait
Solution goes on at low pressure starting at the bottom of each wall to avoid streaks, and it sits for several minutes. We never scrub siding hard or spray it up close.
- 4
Rinse and put things back
We rinse each wall from top to bottom, give the plants a second rinse and take the covers off. Furniture and planters return to their spots, and we walk around the finished house with you.
Soft wash questions
Will the cleaning solution hurt my shrubs and flowers?
Not when it is handled with care. We soak plants with clean water before we start, cover the delicate ones, and rinse them again afterward. The solution is diluted for siding, and the pre-soak keeps plants from absorbing it.
Is a soft wash safe for vinyl siding and painted wood?
Yes, that is the reason to choose it. Low pressure will not drive water behind vinyl laps or strip sound paint. If we see paint that is already peeling, we will point it out before washing so you are not surprised.
How long will the house stay clean?
Because the growth is killed rather than knocked off, most homes stay clean noticeably longer than after a high-pressure rinse. Shaded walls and spots under trees will see regrowth first. Many neighbors in Mechanicville book a wash every year or two.
Do I need to be home during the wash?
Not for the whole visit. We do ask that someone is available at the start to confirm the plan and that windows are closed. We need access to an outdoor spigot, and pets should stay inside until the final rinse is done.
Can you wash around permanent lighting on my roofline?
Yes. Track and fixtures are covered or rinsed with plain water only, and we keep the wand away from connections. If you are thinking about Permanent Exterior Lighting Installation, washing first gives the fixtures a clean surface to mount on.
Ready to see your siding clean again
Tell us about your house and what you are seeing on the walls. We will explain how we would wash it and what we would protect along the way.