Siding, Trim, Soffit And Fascia
Soft Wash House Washing
Most Pacific Northwest houses are not faded. They have a green algae film on them, and it comes off without a repaint.
- Low Pressure Only
- All Siding Types
- Plant Safe Solutions
The Short Version
This is the service that returns the most visible change per dollar on an Oregon house, and the one people most often mistake for needing a repaint. What looks like tired colour is usually something living on top of intact paint.
Siding Is A Shell, Not A Surface
Lap joints, seams and trim returns are all designed to shed water running downward. None of them are designed to have water driven at them sideways or upward under pressure.
Do that and moisture goes behind the boards and into the sheathing, where in this climate it takes months to dry out. The wall looks clean and the problem you have created is invisible for two years.
So house washing means soft washing. Low pressure, roughly what a garden hose gives, with a biodegradable solution doing the work while it dwells. Vinyl, LP, Hardie, cedar, stucco, brick and painted timber each get their own strength and setting.
One honest caveat. A soft wash will not lift sound paint, but it will find paint that has already lost its grip. We say so before starting, because knowing your south elevation needs doing is useful information.
What Is Included
What Gets Washed
| Every elevation | All four sides, including the shaded wall the neighbours never see, which is always the worst one. |
|---|---|
| Trim, soffit and fascia | The parts people forget. Dirty soffit against clean siding looks worse than leaving the whole thing. |
| Gutter exteriors | The outer face of the gutter line washed down as part of the same pass. |
| Cobwebs and nesting | Eaves, corners, porch ceilings and exterior light fittings cleared as we work round. |
| Doors and porches | Exterior doors, frames and covered entries included. |
| Landscaping protection | Beds pre-wet before anything goes on the wall and rinsed down once we finish. |
Worth Knowing
What It Actually Removes
- Green algae film, which is the main culprit on Oregon siding
- Mildew, including the black spotting that shows on painted surfaces
- Mould staining in shaded corners and returns
- Spring pollen, dust and environmental grime
- Spider webs and nesting in the eaves
- The organic band along the lowest courses from ground splashback
Glass goes last, so book window cleaning for the same visit and nothing spots the panes. Concrete is a different job entirely, covered under pressure washing.
Reviews
What Owners Say About Their Siding
Where We Work
House Washing Across Oregon And SW Washington
Each town has its own page covering the conditions we actually see there.
- House Washing in St. Helens
- House Washing in Scappoose
- House Washing in Warren
- House Washing in Deer Island
- House Washing in Columbia City
- House Washing in Rainier
- House Washing in Clatskanie
- Exterior Cleaning in Portland
- Exterior Cleaning in Beaverton
- Exterior Cleaning in Hillsboro
- Exterior Cleaning in Vancouver WA
- All Service Areas
Common Questions
House Washing Questions
Is house washing the same as pressure washing?
No. House washing is low pressure soft washing for siding. Pressure washing is higher pressure work for flat hard surfaces such as driveways and patios. Different equipment, different job.
Is soft washing safe for vinyl?
Yes, and it is the correct method. Vinyl is a shell with lap joints, so low pressure keeps water on the outside where it belongs.
Will it take my paint off?
Sound paint is unaffected. Paint that is already lifting or chalking may come away, and we tell you if we think that is likely before we start.
Do I need to repaint or just wash?
Wash first. A great many houses that look like they need repainting have sound colour under a green film.
How often here?
Every one to two years for most Pacific Northwest homes. Shaded lots and north facing elevations build film faster and often want annual attention.
Will the solution hurt my plants?
No. Plant safe and biodegradable, with beds pre-wet and rinsed. Keep pets indoors until surfaces have dried.
See What Your House Looks Like Underneath
Send photos from two or three sides. Written estimate, usually the same day.