Soft Washing
That green film down the shaded side of your house is algae. Blasting it with pressure drives water behind the siding. Soft washing removes it properly.
What soft washing actually is
Soft washing uses low pressure, closer to a garden hose than a pressure washer, along with cleaning solutions that break down the growth itself. The solution does the work, not force.
That matters, because the green and black staining on siding and roofs is alive. It's algae, mildew, and lichen. Pressure knocks the surface layer off and it returns within months. Treating it kills it at the root, so it stays gone far longer.
Where it's the right method
- Vinyl, aluminum, and composite siding
- Roof shingles with black streaking or moss
- Painted wood, trim, and soffits
- Stucco, EIFS, and dryvit
- Screens, gutters, and fascia
- Fences and decks that would splinter under pressure
Why not just use high pressure?
On siding, high pressure forces water up under the laps and into the wall, where it has no fast way out. On shingles it strips the granules that protect the roof, which shortens its life and can void a manufacturer's warranty. On painted wood it lifts the finish.
Anywhere the surface is soft, layered, or coated, pressure is the wrong tool. That covers most of a house above the foundation.
Plants and pets
Solutions strong enough to kill algae aren't good for landscaping. We soak beds and plantings before we start, keep them wet through the job, and rinse thoroughly afterward. Keep pets inside while we work and until treated surfaces have been rinsed.
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Soft Washing in our service area
Common questions
Will soft washing damage my siding or roof?
No, and that's the whole reason the method exists. Pressure is what causes the damage. Soft washing runs at low pressure and lets the solution do the work, which is why shingle manufacturers point to it for roofs.
How long before the green comes back?
Much longer than a pressure-washed surface, because the growth is killed rather than knocked off. On a shaded north wall under trees, expect a couple of years. A sunnier wall goes longer.
Do you clean roofs?
Yes, and roofs are soft wash only. High pressure on shingles strips the protective granules and can void your warranty.
Other services
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Free estimates, straight answers, and a crew that shows up when we said it would.