ServicesExterior Soft Wash
Exterior Soft Wash Service in Troy, NY
We clean vinyl, aluminum and painted wood siding with a low-pressure soft wash and a measured cleaning solution. It kills the algae and mildew at the root, so the green streaks do not grow back in a few weeks, and it never forces water behind your siding.
What a soft wash does that high pressure cannot
The green film on the shady side of a house is living growth: algae, mildew and mold fed by humidity and the dirt that settles on siding. A high-pressure wand knocks the surface layer off but leaves spores in the seams and texture, and on vinyl laps it can drive water behind the panels, where it soaks the sheathing.
We use a pump that delivers roughly garden-hose pressure and a solution of diluted sodium hypochlorite with a surfactant that helps it cling. The solution does the cleaning, the rinse carries it away, and the growth is killed rather than just moved around.
Capital Region summers are humid and long winters keep the north and tree-shaded walls damp well into spring, so growth comes back fast on an untreated house. A proper soft wash slows that cycle down considerably.
What your soft wash includes
Siding and trim
We treat vinyl, aluminum, fiber cement and painted clapboard, along with corner boards, window casings and shutters. The mix strength is set for the material, since chalky aluminum siding and older paint need a gentler hand than new vinyl.
Soffits and fascia
Spider webs, mud dauber nests and mildew collect under the eaves. We wash the soffit vents and fascia boards along the full roofline.
Gutter faces
The black tiger striping on the outside of aluminum gutters is oxidized grime baked on by sun. We treat and rinse the exterior faces so they match the clean siding.
Plant and fixture protection
Before we apply anything we soak your shrubs and beds with plain water, cover delicate plantings, and close up outdoor outlets and light fixtures. We rinse the plants again when we finish.
Lighting track care
As an authorized Gemstone Lights installer, we know how permanent lighting track is mounted along the eaves. If you have a system, we clean around the channel and lenses without pulling it loose or soaking the connections.
Signs your house is ready for a soft wash
- Green or black streaks
- Growth usually starts on the north wall and under trees, then spreads along the bottom laps where water sits longest.
- Chalky residue on your hand
- If you wipe aluminum or painted siding and come away white, the finish is oxidizing. A gentle wash removes the loose chalk before it runs down onto brick and walkways.
- Dark lines on the gutters
- Vertical gray stripes on the gutter faces mean runoff and airborne grime have stuck to the finish and will not rinse off with a hose alone.
- Webs and nests under the eaves
- Heavy buildup in the soffits holds moisture against the wood and makes the whole roofline look neglected.
- Before a sale or an install
- A clean exterior photographs better for a listing, and we prefer a clean fascia before mounting permanent lighting track.
How the day runs
- 1
Walk the exterior
We look at each wall, note the siding type and any loose panels, cracked caulk or failing paint, and show you what we found before we start. Damaged spots get a lighter touch or are skipped, and we tell you why.
- 2
Protect the property
Plants get pre-soaked, windows are checked for closure, and outdoor outlets and fixtures are covered. Cars and patio furniture should be moved back from the walls.
- 3
Apply and dwell
We apply the solution from the bottom up so it does not streak, then let it sit for several minutes. That dwell time is what kills the growth in the siding texture.
- 4
Rinse and check
We rinse top down with clean water, rinse the landscaping again, and walk the house with you. Most single-family homes are done in a few hours, and you do not need to be inside or out of the way.
What moves the price of a soft wash
We quote after looking at the house, because two homes with the same square footage can take very different amounts of work. You get a written estimate that lists what is being washed, so you know the scope before we start.
- Size and height
- A two-and-a-half-story house with a steep gable needs more setup and longer reach than a ranch.
- Siding material and condition
- Oxidized aluminum and older painted wood take extra care and a weaker mix, which adds time.
- How heavy the growth is
- Years of buildup on a shaded wall may need a second application.
- Access around the house
- Tight side yards, decks, fences and dense plantings slow down setup and protection.
Soft wash questions
- Will the solution hurt my plants or lawn?
- Not when it is handled correctly. We soak plants with water before and after, which dilutes any overspray, and we cover anything delicate. The mix on your walls is far weaker than household bleach straight from the bottle.
- How long does a soft wash last?
- Because the growth is killed rather than just blasted off, most houses stay clean for a year or more. Heavily shaded walls under mature trees tend to show growth again sooner.
- Is a soft wash safe for older siding?
- It is the safer choice for older siding. Low pressure will not lift brittle vinyl laps, strip worn paint or force water into old clapboard. We check the condition first and adjust the mix and approach for it.
- Do I need to be home?
- No. We need access to outdoor water spigots and the windows closed. We walk you through the result when you are back, or explain what we found by phone.
- Who stands behind the crew working on my house?
- Our company does. We are licensed and insured, and we have 5 years in business working on homes around Troy, Latham, Cohoes and North Greenbush. Anything we notice on your walls, from loose laps to failing caulk, gets pointed out before we touch it.
See what your siding looks like clean
Tell us the siding type and which walls are streaking, and we will set up a time to look at it and give you a written price.