ServicesExterior Soft Wash
Ballston Spa Exterior Soft Washing
Green stripes down the north side. A dull gray coat on the trim. Dark specks below the eaves. Our low-pressure soft wash kills that growth at the root, so your siding gets clean without being blasted or marked up.
What a soft wash does and when it's the right call
A soft wash uses a mild cleaning solution and water at about garden-hose pressure. The solution does the work. It kills algae, mildew and lichen, then we rinse it away. High pressure can force water behind vinyl, strip paint and etch soft wood. A soft wash avoids all of that.
It's the right call when your siding has turned green or gray, when the shady sides of the house look dirty a year after you cleaned them, or when you're getting the home ready to sell or ready for new permanent lighting along the roofline.
Long, damp winters and shaded lots give algae plenty of time to settle in here. Killing it instead of just knocking it off the surface is what keeps the house clean longer.
What's included in every soft wash
Siding, trim and soffits
We wash vinyl, painted wood, fiber cement and aluminum siding, plus fascia, soffits, window trim and the outside face of the gutters.
Outlets and fixtures covered
Exterior outlets, light fixtures, doorbell cameras and meter boxes get covered before any water goes on. We check that outdoor outlets have weatherproof covers in place and tell you if one is missing or cracked.
Plants and lawn protected
We soak shrubs and flower beds with clean water before and after the wash. That dilutes any runoff so it doesn't burn leaves.
Mix matched to the surface
Painted wood gets a weaker mix than vinyl. Heavy lichen gets a longer dwell time. We adjust as we go instead of using one strength on everything.
Final walk-around
Before we pack up, we walk the house with you or send photos if you're away. Anything we missed gets a second pass on the spot.
When your home exterior needs a soft wash
Streaks on the shady walls
Green or black streaking is algae or mildew. Walls facing north and siding under trees get it first, and it creeps a little further every wet season.
Gray smudge on your hand
Wipe your palm along the siding. If it picks up a gray smudge, dirt and oxidation are sitting on the surface and dulling the color.
Mildew up near the soffits
The tops of walls and the soffits stay shaded and slow to dry. That's where mildew settles in.
It grew back in a year
A garden hose or a pressure washer only takes off what you can see. When the growth returns fast, it was never killed. Our solution goes after what's left behind.
A lighting install is on the calendar
Planning permanent lighting? Get the fascia and siding cleaned beforehand. The track then mounts to a clean face, and no grime ends up sealed underneath it.
How a soft wash day runs
- 1
Quote by phone
You call, we ask about the size of the house, the siding type and what you're seeing. You get a free quote and we set a day that works with the weather.
- 2
Prep the house
We close windows, cover outlets and fixtures, move patio furniture and wet down the plants. If you have permanent lighting already, we protect the controller and connections.
- 3
Solution on, then a short wait
We spray the mix at low pressure, starting at the base of each wall and working upward. It sits for a few minutes to loosen and kill the growth. Stubborn patches get another coat, never a harder spray.
- 4
Rinse and check
Everything gets a full rinse from the top down, plants included. Then we pull the covers, put furniture back and walk the house with you.
What sets the price of a soft wash
We quote each house separately, based on how much surface there is, how easy it is to reach and how much growth has to come off. You'll know the price before we begin, and it stays the same on the day unless you add work.
- House size and height
- A two-story colonial has far more wall area than a ranch. Three-story sides or tall gables need extra setup and time.
- Type of siding
- Vinyl tolerates the most. Painted wood and aging cedar call for a milder mix and a lighter touch, which takes longer.
- Amount of growth
- A thin film comes off in a single pass. Dense algae or lichen that has built up over years can need a longer soak and another round.
- Getting around the house
- Decks, steep slopes, narrow side yards and thick plantings slow things down, as do lots of fixtures and outlets to cover.
Common soft wash questions
Something not covered here? (518) 675-8023
Is the solution bad for my plants?
Not with our approach. We soak the beds with water first and again when we're done, which keeps the solution watered down. Fragile plants up against the foundation can be covered as well; just show us which ones.
Can you wash painted wood and older siding safely?
Yes. Low pressure is what a soft wash is all about. Painted surfaces get a milder mix, and we check for loose or flaking paint first. If paint is already failing, we'll say so before washing, because any rinse can pull off paint that's barely hanging on.
How long will the results last?
Since the growth is killed instead of only sprayed off, siding generally stays clean far longer than after a simple rinse. Damp, shaded walls return faster than sunny ones. Most homeowners settle into having it done every couple of years.
Does someone have to be home?
No. We just need an outdoor spigot, closed windows and pets kept inside. If you're out, we'll send photos once we're done.
Will you wash near my permanent roofline lighting?
Yes. We know how the track and connections are installed, so we rinse around them and keep spray out of the power supply and controller. A clean fascia also makes the lights look crisper after dark.
When in the year should I book it?
From late spring into early fall. The solution does its best work above freezing and when the siding isn't sitting in hot afternoon sun. We plan around rain so the rinse doesn't go to waste.
Want your siding's true color back?
Let us know about your house and what's growing on the walls. You'll get an honest price and a day that fits your schedule.