Before we start: About the Soft Washing Method of Cleaning your Siding
Is green algae growing on the side of your house? Have you noticed your gutters are dull and faded? Is your porch full of cobwebs, dirt, and grime? Are your window frames dirty? Well, it may be time to get your house washed.
House washing, which within the industry is known as “soft washing,” is simply the process of washing your home’s exterior with chemicals, detergents, and water. Soft washing is the professional industry standard and the recommended method of cleaning the exterior surfaces of a house or building. Unlike high-pressure cleaning, which causes damage to surfaces and is extremely time-consuming and unsafe, soft washing quickly emulsifies dirt, algae, mold, and moss without risking damage to your property or plants.
We wash all types of houses throughout the Lehigh Valley and Pocono areas. To learn more about how to maintain your specific property, scroll down to learn how to keep your vinyl, stucco, hardie board, wood, engineered wood, metal, natural stone, faux stone, brick, or aluminum house clean.
Vinyl
Vinyl siding is a popular option for homeowners who desire a durable and low-maintenance solution for their home’s exterior. It was first introduced in the 1950’s and gained quick recognition for its affordability and ease of installation. The manufacturing process blends PVC resin with various stabilizers, pigments, and UV inhibitors to produce a weather-resistant material that can endure harsh weather conditions while retaining its color for many years.
When it comes to maintaining vinyl siding, a professional soft washing service is the best option to keep it looking like new. A soft wash will remove all that ugly green stuff that seems to love to grow on it. An annual soft wash will remove all that yucky mold, algae, moss or mildew, leaving your siding spotless and refreshed. Hiring a professional to regularly soft wash your vinyl siding will ensure it remains in top condition for years to come.
Stucco
Because of its durability and beauty, stucco has been used as an exterior surface material for houses built for centuries. It is made from Portland cement, sand, and water which are mixed to produce a material that can stands up to bad weather and adverse. Sometimes stucco begins to get streaky and grow ugly green or black mold. The most effective way to get rid of this is by hiring a professional soft washing company to wash your home. This ensure the stucco is cleaned thoroughly without causing any harm to the material.
Hardie Board
In recent years, Hardie Board has grown in popularity as a versatile and resilient and durable siding alternative. Hardie Board, which is made of fiber cement, provides the sturdiness and lifespan of conventional masonry materials with the added advantages of being lighter and simpler to work with. This material is used by homeowners who wish to preserve the beauty of their homes for many years because it is designed to withstand fire, termites, and dampness.
Despite its toughness and durability, mold, algae, moss, or mildew can still contaminate Hardie Board. The best method to keep your Hardie Board siding looking good is to hire a reputable pressure washing/soft washing service to safely clean it every year or so.
Wood
Wood siding has been a popular choice for homeowners for many years. Known for its natural beauty and versatility, wood siding can add a warm, rustic touch to any home. Over time, however, it can become discolored, dull and covered with algae, moss, or mildew, detracting from its natural beauty. For homeowners with cedar shake siding, this problem can be particularly pronounced. Cedar shake is known for being particularly susceptible to algae growth, which can quickly overtake the surface of the wood and create an unsightly appearance.
The good news is that a professional pressure washing company, such as ProClean Pressure Washing, can help restore the beauty of wood siding, including cedar shake. Soft washing, a gentle but highly effective cleaning method, is the best way to remove algae and other organic growths from wood siding without damaging the wood. Whether you have cedar shake or any other type of wood siding, a soft wash from us can help keep your home looking its best for years to come.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood is an excellent alternative to wood siding. For homeowners who want the appearance of traditional wood but with added durability and low care, engineered wood is a great fit. Engineered wood resists rot, insect damage, and bad weather because it is constructed of a mixture of wood fibers and resin. However, just like other materials, it can develop stains from the accumulation of mold, mildew, moss and algae. The best way to revive it is to hire a professional pressure washing company to soft wash it. This will ensure that the surface is fully cleaned without damaging the material or its protective coating.
Metal
Metal siding is a popular choice for folks who want their houses to look sharp and hold up to tough weather. It’s made from metal and can take a beating from rain and wind. But sometimes even metal siding can start to look grungy with green or black mold growing on it. If that happens, the best way to get your siding lookin’ spick and span again is to have a pro soft washing company give it a wash. This way, you can clean the siding good without risking’ any damage to the material.
Natural Stone
Natural stone has been a favored exterior surface material for centuries due to its durability and aesthetic appeal. It is composed of natural materials that are quarried and cut into desired shapes, giving it a unique and timeless look. However, as time goes by, natural stone can begin to show signs of wear and tear, including discoloration from weather exposure, streaks and growth of unsightly algae or mold.
To maintain the beauty and integrity of natural stone, it is highly recommended to hire a professional exterior cleaning company for cleaning and maintenance. A professional can effectively and safely remove any buildup of mold, algae, moss or mildew on the stone surfaces, restoring it to its former glory. This not only enhances the overall appearance of the property, but it also protects the natural stone from further damage caused by harsh weather and pollutants. Maintaining natural stone is an investment in the longevity and maintenance of a timeless, elegant exterior.
Faux Stone
Faux stone, also known as cultured stone or artificial stone, is a popular exterior surface material for homes. This material is made from a mixture of cement, aggregates, and pigments, giving it the appearance of natural stone but with improved durability and weather resistance. Despite its ruggedness, faux stone can still become stained or dirty over time, especially if it is exposed to the elements for extended periods. To keep your faux stone looking its best, it is important to hire a professional exterior maintenance company such as ProClean Pressure Washing. We use specialized techniques and equipment to thoroughly clean your faux stone without causing any damage to the material. This not only enhances the look of your home, but also helps to preserve the durability and longevity of your faux stone siding.
Brick
Brick has a long history that spans numerous cultures and countries, and it has been used as a building material for thousands of years. Around 4000 BC, the Mesopotamian and Egyptian ancient civilizations produced the earliest signs of brick use, which was for building purposes. The Roman Empire, the Chinese Empire, and other civilizations later adopted brick as a building material for a variety of purposes, including the construction of highways and aqueducts as well as dwellings and temples.
The Middle Ages saw the development of the kiln, which improved the efficiency of brick manufacture and expanded the use of brick in construction. Brick was widely employed during this time to construct churches, residences, and castles in Europe, and it eventually migrated to America with early settlers. Due to its adaptability and durability, brick is still a common building material today and is used in construction all over the world.
However, brick can become stained over time due to weather, mold, or pollution, leading to unsightly discoloration or moss and algae growth. The best way to restore the beauty of brick is by hiring a professional pressure washing company like ProClean Pressure Washing.
Aluminum
Aluminum siding has been a popular choice for exterior surface material for houses in North America for several decades. It is well-known for its durability and low maintenance, making it a cost-effective solution for homeowners looking to protect their homes from the elements.
The history of aluminum siding can be traced back to the early 1900s when the material first became commercially available. Its popularity grew in the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1950s and 60s when the housing boom in America led to an increased demand for low-maintenance, affordable siding options.
One of the biggest challenges faced by homeowners with aluminum siding is the growth of green algae on its surface. This can be an unsightly problem, especially in areas with high humidity or heavy rainfall like here in the Lehigh Valley and Pocono regions of northeastern PA. Hiring a professional pressure washing company such as ProClean to soft wash the house is the best way to remedy this problem. Soft washing is a gentle, yet effective, method of cleaning that removes the algae without damaging the aluminum, leaving the siding looking like new once again.
Check out our house washing page to learn more!