ServicesExterior Soft Wash
Exterior Soft Wash Service in Latham
Green streaks on the north wall, gray film on the trim, spiderwebs under the eaves. We soft wash your home exterior with low pressure and a cleaning solution that kills the growth instead of just spraying it around. One person handles your questions from the first call to the final rinse.
Why low pressure is kinder to your home
Instead of force, we rely on the cleaning mix. Our spray comes out at roughly the strength of a garden hose, carrying a mild solution that loosens algae, mildew and the grime they trap. A rinse then carries all of it off the wall. With no blasting involved, water stays out from behind vinyl panels, paint stays on the trim, and older wood stays smooth.
It is the right call when your siding looks dingy, streaked or green and a hose alone will not touch it. After long, damp Capital Region winters, shaded sides of a house often grow a film that keeps coming back every spring. Killing it at the root means the clean lasts longer than a quick rinse would.
We have been in business 5 years, and the same approach holds on every job: you talk to one person, you know what is being done before we start, and you are not left wondering who to ask when the crew shows up.
What your soft wash includes
- Walkaround before we start
- We look at the siding, trim and any problem spots with you, so you know what will come clean and what is staining that may not.
- Plant and fixture protection
- We wet down shrubs and flower beds before and after, and cover outdoor outlets and light fixtures. Windows and doors get checked so they are closed tight.
- Low-pressure cleaning of siding
- Vinyl, painted wood, fiber cement and aluminum siding all get the same gentle treatment, top to bottom, with the mix adjusted to the material and how heavy the growth is.
- Trim, soffits and eaves
- We clean the trim boards, soffits and the underside of the eaves where webs and wasp nests collect.
- Thorough rinse and final look
- Every wall is rinsed clean so no solution is left drying on the surface, and we walk the house with you before we pack up.
How to tell your siding needs a soft wash
Dark or green streaking
Mildew and algae tend to start on shady walls and under the eaves. If the patch grows a bit every year, it is alive on the siding.
Chalky gray buildup
Pollen and dust stick to siding as months go by. If a swipe of your hand comes back dirty, the entire wall has that coating.
Spots that keep returning
When a scrubbed area grows back within a few months, the growth was never killed at the root.
Cobwebs and nests at the soffits
Lots of spider webs and insect debris around soffits and fixtures tells you the exterior is overdue for a proper cleaning.
You are preparing the house
Ahead of a sale, a gathering or new permanent lighting along the roofline, clean siding helps everything around it look its best.
How the day goes
- 1
A quick call
You tell us about the house and what is bothering you. We set a time to look and give you a free quote by phone or in person.
- 2
Prep around the house
On the day, we move small items away from the walls, water the plants and cover fixtures and outlets. We will need access to an outside spigot.
- 3
Apply and let it work
The solution goes on at low pressure and sits for a few minutes to break down growth and grime. We work in sections so nothing dries on the siding.
- 4
Rinse and check
We rinse each wall from top to bottom, rinse the plants again and walk the house with you. Any spot you are unsure about, we look at together before we leave.
What sets the price of a soft wash
Every house is a little different, so we price after seeing it. Your quote is written out so you know exactly which areas are included. No extras get added on the day without talking to you first.
- Size and height
- Square footage and the number of stories matter most. A tall gable end takes more time and more careful setup than a single-story wall.
- Siding material
- Some materials need a gentler mix and more rinsing, which adds time.
- How heavy the growth is
- Light dust rinses off quickly. Thick mildew on a wall that has not been cleaned in years needs a longer dwell and sometimes a second pass.
- Access around the house
- Steep slopes, decks, dense landscaping or tight spaces between houses can slow the work down.
Soft wash questions we hear
Something not covered here? (518) 765-7277
Is the cleaning solution safe for my plants and pets?
We wet your plants before and after so the solution is diluted and rinsed away. We ask that pets stay inside while we work and until the walls have been rinsed. Once things dry, the yard is back to normal.
Will it damage my vinyl siding or paint?
Low pressure is the whole point. We are not forcing water behind panels or stripping paint, which is what can happen with a high-pressure spray. If we see loose or failing paint during the walkaround, we will point it out before starting.
How long does a soft wash last?
Because the solution kills the growth rather than just knocking it off, most homes stay clean noticeably longer than after a hose-down. Shaded, damp walls will see growth return sooner than sunny ones. Many people have it done every year or two.
Do I need to be home?
Not for the whole job. We just need the windows closed, an outside spigot we can use and a way into the yard. Most people like to be there for the final walkaround, but we can also go over it with you by phone.
What time of year is best?
Spring through fall works well once temperatures stay above freezing. Many people book in spring after winter leaves its film behind, or before the holidays when the roofline and siding are getting extra attention.
How long have you been doing this?
We have been in business 5 years. You will deal with the same person from your first question to the last rinse, so nothing gets lost between the quote and the work.
Ready to see your siding clean again
Tell us what you are seeing on your walls and we will set up a time to take a look. Your quote is free, and you will have one person to talk to the whole way through.