Look at the north side of your house. If it has a green or gray tint, or the bottom few feet are stained orange from splashing clay, it's time for a wash. Statesville's humid summers and heavy spring pollen make that happen faster than most people expect.
A proper house wash uses the soft wash method. It gets siding clean, keeps it clean longer and doesn't do the damage a high-pressure wand can.
How Statesville soft washing works on a house
Soft washing relies on a cleaning solution, not water pressure. Here's what a typical house wash looks like:
- Prep. The crew closes up anything that needs closing, moves light items away from walls, and pre-wets your plants, shrubs and grass so they don't absorb the solution.
- Apply. The technician applies a mild bleach-based solution mixed with a surfactant so it clings to the siding. It's applied at low pressure, about like a garden hose.
- Dwell. The solution sits for a few minutes. This is where the algae and mildew actually get killed, down to the root.
- Rinse. The crew rinses the siding, windows, trim and landscaping thoroughly with clean water.
- Walk-around. The crew walks the house at the end to check for missed spots.
Most homes take two to four hours, depending on size, height and how dirty the siding is.
Siding types that get soft washed
Vinyl siding
Vinyl is the most common siding in Statesville's newer subdivisions. It cleans up well with a soft wash. High pressure is a bad idea here: it can crack or warp panels and push water up behind the laps, where it gets trapped against the wall.
Brick
Brick looks tough, but the mortar between bricks is softer than you'd think. High pressure can erode it. Brick also tends to hold onto red clay and algae in its texture, so a good crew lets the solution do the work and rinses carefully.
Fiber cement (Hardie board)
Fiber cement siding is durable, but the factory paint finish can be damaged by too much pressure. Manufacturers generally recommend low-pressure cleaning, which is exactly what soft washing is.
Painted wood
Many of the older homes around Statesville have painted wood siding. A soft wash cleans the paint without stripping it or raising the grain. If paint is already peeling, washing can loosen more flakes, so the crew should point that out before starting.
Stucco
Stucco is porous and soaks up dirt and algae. It needs a gentle approach, and soft washing is the safe choice.
What a house wash includes
A standard house wash covers the siding, soffits, fascia and the outside of the gutters at a basic level. It also includes front and back porches with their ceilings, and exterior doors and trim. Windows get rinsed as part of the wash, but that isn't the same as a full window cleaning. If you want spotless glass, ask to have it added.
Gutters with heavy black "tiger stripes" may need extra attention. Gutter cleaning covers that along with clearing the inside of the gutters.
How often to wash your house in Statesville
Once a year works for most homes. A good time is late spring, right after the yellow pine pollen settles down. Houses under heavy shade, or with long north-facing walls, may start turning green again sooner. If you're selling your home or hosting something big, a wash a week or two ahead makes a noticeable difference.
What to do before the crew arrives
- Close all windows and doors tightly.
- Move patio furniture, grills, planters and decorations a few feet away from the house.
- Bring in pets and any toys or bowls left outside.
- Make sure the crew can reach an outdoor water spigot.
- Point out anything fragile, like delicate plants, loose shutters or a light fixture that's already broken.
You don't need to be home, but if you are, keep windows shut until the crew is finished rinsing.
Pair it with other services
Many homeowners book a house wash together with driveway and concrete cleaning so the whole front of the property looks finished. If your roof has black streaks, a roof cleaning on the same visit makes the clean siding stand out instead of clashing with a dirty roof.
Clean siding also makes dirty glass stand out, so a lot of homeowners add exterior window cleaning to the same visit.
What a house wash costs comes down to the size of the home, how tall it is and what kind of siding it has. Our pressure washing cost guide explains what sets the price. Your real price comes from a free on-site or photo quote. Call (980) 223-3324 to get one.
Questions people ask
Will the cleaning solution hurt my plants?
A good crew takes steps so it doesn't. Plants and grass are pre-wetted before anything is applied, so they're already full of water and don't absorb the solution. After the wash, they get rinsed again. The solution is diluted for siding and breaks down quickly once it's rinsed.
Can you remove the orange clay stains at the bottom of my siding?
Usually, yes. Fresh red clay splash on vinyl or painted siding comes off well during a soft wash. Older stains that have been baking in for years, especially on brick, can be more stubborn. The contractor will take a look and tell you what to expect before starting.
Why not just use a regular pressure washer on my house?
High pressure can crack vinyl, force water behind siding, strip paint, gouge wood and erode mortar. It also only removes the surface layer of algae, so the green comes back quickly. Soft washing kills the growth and is gentler on the house.
How long does a house wash take?
Most Statesville homes take two to four hours. Larger homes, two-story homes with steep yards, or very dirty siding can take longer. You'll get a time estimate with the quote.