ServicesExterior Soft Wash
Exterior Soft Wash Service in Waterford
We clean siding, trim and soffits with a low-pressure soft wash that kills the algae and mildew at the root instead of blasting them off. It is gentle enough for aging paint, brittle vinyl and old caulk joints, and we tell you what we see along the way.
What a Soft Wash Does and Why Pressure Isn't the Answer
The green film on your siding is living growth: algae, mildew and sometimes lichen feeding on dust and moisture. Spraying it hard only removes the top layer. The roots stay in the texture of the siding, and the stain returns within a season. A soft wash applies a diluted sodium hypochlorite solution with a surfactant so it clings, lets it work for several minutes, then rinses at about garden-hose pressure.
Low pressure matters most on older houses. Wood clapboard with decades of paint, aluminum siding that has started to chalk, and vinyl that went brittle after years of sun can all be damaged by a high-pressure wand. Water driven up behind lap joints and into old window trim can also soak sheathing that nobody has seen since the house was built.
Around Waterford, the humid summers and long, damp shoulder seasons keep north walls and shaded corners green. We treat the growth so it stays gone longer, and we protect your plants and fixtures while we do it.
What Our Soft Wash Covers
- 01
Siding and trim
Vinyl, aluminum, painted wood clapboard, cedar shake and fiber cement. We adjust the solution strength to the material and its condition, not one mix for every wall.
- 02
Soffits, fascia and porch ceilings
Overhangs trap moisture and spider webs, and they mildew fast. We treat and rinse them without soaking the attic vents above.
- 03
Plant and fixture protection
We pre-wet shrubs and beds, cover delicate plantings, and rinse them again after. Outdoor outlets, light fixtures and any permanent lighting track along the roofline are covered or rinsed so the solution does not sit on them.
- 04
A walk-around report
A clean wall exposes things dirt was hiding: soft trim boards, cracked caulk, peeling paint, loose siding panels. We point them out with photos so you can decide what to do next.
- 05
Final rinse and cleanup
Glass, walkways and doors in the spray path get a clean-water rinse before we leave.
Questions about Exterior Soft Wash?
Call(518) 757-9574Signs Your Siding Is Ready for a Soft Wash
Green or black streaks on shaded walls
North-facing sides and walls near trees hold moisture longest. That is where algae and mildew start, and it spreads from there.
Gray-green crust that won't scrub off
Lichen anchors into paint and wood grain. Scrubbing tears the surface; a soft wash kills it so it can release.
Chalky residue on your hand
Older aluminum siding and aging paint oxidize into a white powder. Growth sticks to it easily, and a high-pressure wand can strip it unevenly and leave blotches.
Dark lines under the eaves
Mildew under soffits and along fascia often shows first as a shadow line just below the roof edge.
You are planning paint or lighting work
Paint needs clean wood free of dead growth to grip. A clean home exterior also shows off a new permanent lighting install much better.
How a Soft Wash Day Runs
- 1
Inspect before anything gets wet
We walk the house and check the siding type, paint condition, caulk joints and any past repairs. If we find loose or peeling paint on a house built before 1978, we tell you before we start, because old paint may contain lead and should not be disturbed carelessly.
- 2
Prep the yard
We close windows, cover outlets and fixtures, move what can be moved, and soak the plantings with clean water so they absorb less of the solution.
- 3
Apply and dwell
The solution goes on at low pressure, bottom to top, and sits long enough to kill the growth. We keep it from drying on the surface, which matters on hot, sunny walls.
- 4
Rinse top to bottom
A gentle rinse carries everything down and off. Plants get a second rinse.
- 5
Walk it with you
We go over the results and the photos of anything that needs attention, like soft trim or failed caulk, without pushing extra work.
What Moves the Price
Every quote is based on your house, not a flat rate. We look at the size, the material and how much growth is there, and we explain each line so there are no surprises later.
- House size and height
- Square footage and story count set most of the time. Third-story gables and steep lots take more setup.
- Siding material and condition
- Fragile paint, chalking aluminum or brittle vinyl call for a weaker mix and slower work, which adds time.
- How heavy the growth is
- A light film rinses off in one pass. Thick lichen or years of mildew may need a second application.
- Access and landscaping
- Dense plantings against the foundation, decks and tight side yards mean more protection work and careful ladder placement.
Soft Wash Questions
Will the solution hurt my plants or grass?
Not when it is handled right. We wet plants before and after, cover the delicate ones, and keep the mix at the strength the surface needs instead of stronger. Most yards look unchanged a day later.
Is a soft wash safe on old painted wood?
Yes, as long as the paint is sound. Low pressure will not lift paint that is holding tight to the wood. Where paint is already peeling, we point it out first, and we avoid working those spots in a way that would spread old paint chips.
How long does the clean stay clean?
Because the growth is killed rather than just knocked off, it usually takes much longer to come back than after a plain rinse. Shaded walls and spots under trees return first, so many homeowners treat those sides more often.
Do I need to be home?
No. We need the water spigot working and windows closed. If you are away, we will go over anything we found with you by phone afterward.
Can you do it the same visit as other exterior work?
Often, yes. Many people pair a soft wash with roof treatments or schedule it before a permanent exterior lighting installation so the siding looks its best behind the lights.
Get Your Siding Looking Right Again
Tell us about your house, its siding and where the green is showing up. We will walk through what we would do and give you a clear number.