ServicesExterior Soft Wash
Soft Wash House Cleaning in Glens Falls
We wash siding, trim and soffits using gentle pressure and a mild mix that kills algae and mildew down to the root. Nothing gets blasted, and no water gets forced behind the panels. The outside of your house comes clean while the inside of the walls stays dry.
How a Low-Pressure Wash Cleans Siding
Our soft wash runs at roughly the pressure of a garden hose. The mild solution does the cleaning, and the water just carries it off. It breaks down algae, mildew and road grime on vinyl, painted wood and fiber cement, then we rinse the wall clean.
That low pressure matters more than most people think. A hard spray can push water up under siding laps and into the wall cavity, where it soaks insulation. Wet insulation holds less heat, and that shows up on a winter heating bill. Keeping the water on the outside of the wall protects the comfort you already paid for.
It is the right call when the green streaks are back on the shady side, when the siding looks dull and chalky, or before you add permanent lighting along the roofline and want the house to look its best behind it.
What Your Soft Wash Includes
- Siding on every side
- We wash all walls, not just the front. Vinyl, painted clapboard, cedar shake and fiber cement each get a mix strength that suits them.
- Soffits, fascia and trim
- Spiders, wasp nests and gray mildew collect up high under the eaves. We clean them along with the window and door trim.
- Plant and fixture protection
- We soak your shrubs and beds with plain water before and after, cover outdoor outlets, and work carefully around light fixtures and any permanent lighting channels.
- Full rinse and walk-around
- Every wall gets rinsed from the top down. Then we walk the house with you and touch up anything we missed.
- Honest notes on what we see
- If we spot cracked panels, loose trim or peeling paint while we work, we tell you and show you. We do not upsell repairs we do not do.
Signs Your Siding Is Ready for a Wash
Green or black streaks
Algae grows fast on walls that stay damp and shaded. If it is on the north side and behind trees, it will keep spreading until it is killed.
Chalky, faded color
Dirt and oxidation make siding look older than it is. A wash often brings back color you thought was gone.
Musty spots near the ground
Splash-back from rain and snowmelt leaves mud and mildew on the lower few feet of the wall.
Webs and nests under the eaves
A build-up of webs, mud dauber tubes and wasp nests is easy to clear with a wash and hard to reach on your own.
Planning new lighting
Clean siding and trim make permanent lighting look sharper at night. Many people wash first, then install.
What Wash Day Looks Like
- 1
Call for a free quote
Tell us about how big the house is and where the growth shows up. We quote it free while you're on the phone. If seeing it in person helps, we come by and walk the walls with you.
- 2
Getting the yard ready
We ask that windows be shut and anything you value moved off the porch. Then we soak the plants, cover the outlets and make sure the doors are latched.
- 3
Spray and dwell
The solution goes on from the bottom up to avoid streaks, then sits for a few minutes. As the algae dies, most of it fades from green to white.
- 4
Rinse and look it over
We rinse from the top down at low pressure and water the plants once more. Most houses take a few hours, and you can be away for most of the job.
What Affects the Cost
Houses differ, so we set the price once we know what needs washing. Your quote covers the full job and is written out so you can see what's included. These are the things that raise or lower it.
- How big and tall
- A ranch goes faster than a two-story colonial with a high gable. Extra wall area and height mean more solution and more time.
- Amount of growth
- A light coat of dust rinses right off. Heavy algae left for years can call for a stronger mix and a second pass.
- What the siding is
- Older painted wood takes a lighter hand than vinyl, and cedar shake absorbs more solution.
- Getting around the house
- Steep grades, decks, thick plantings and narrow side yards all slow us down.
- Bundling services
- When we are already there for roof treatments or a permanent exterior lighting installation, doing both in one trip cuts setup time.
Soft Wash Questions We Hear
Something not covered here? (518) 608-3991
Will the solution hurt my plants or grass?
We pre-soak plants with plain water so they do not absorb the mix, then rinse them again when we finish. The solution is diluted heavily for siding. Most yards look exactly the same the next day.
How long will my siding stay clean?
Most homes stay clean for a year or two. Walls that are shaded and stay damp grow algae back sooner. Killing the growth at the root, instead of just knocking it off, is what makes it last.
Is it safe on older painted wood siding?
Yes, that is one of the main reasons to choose a soft wash. Low pressure will not gouge the wood or strip sound paint. If paint is already loose, some flakes may come off, and we will point those spots out before we start.
Should I wash before getting permanent lighting?
It is a good order to do things. Clean trim and fascia make the lights look crisp, and we can wash around existing fixtures later without disturbing them. Ask about both on the same call.
Who does the work on my house?
Our own crew shows up and does the washing. The company carries its license and insurance, so you are covered while we are on your property. We have 5 years of exterior work behind us, around Glens Falls and in nearby towns like Queensbury and Hudson Falls.
Bring Back Clean Siding
Describe your home and the growth on its walls. We'll give you a straight price and a day that works for you.