House Washing 101: What to Expect From a Professional Soft Wash
If you have never booked a professional house wash, here is exactly what happens, start to finish, with no surprises.
Before we arrive
We quote first, and the quote is fixed. For most homes clear photos of the areas you want cleaned are enough. Larger or more complex properties we come and look at. Either way you know the number before anyone starts work.
We will ask a few questions that matter: what the siding is made of, how long since the last clean, whether the irrigation runs on well water, and whether anything on the property needs particular care.
On the day, before any water
- We walk the property with you and confirm what is included
- Outdoor furniture, grills and anything loose gets moved or covered
- Landscaping close to the house is pre wetted and protected
- Exterior outlets, fixtures and any open vents are checked
- We agree where the truck sits and which spigot we are using
This part takes longer than people expect and it is the part that separates a careful job from a damaging one.
The wash itself
For siding, soffits, stucco and roofs the method is soft washing. A cleaning solution is applied at low pressure, given time to break down the algae and mildew at the root, then rinsed off gently. The cleaning is done by chemistry, not force.
It is worth saying plainly: you will not hear a machine screaming against your walls. If you do, something is being done wrong.
Concrete is different. Driveways, walkways and patios get concrete cleaning using a flat surface machine, which delivers even pressure across the whole slab. That is what produces one consistent finish instead of the striped, zebra look you get from waving a wand around.
How long it takes
Most single family homes are a single visit. A house wash on its own is usually a few hours. Adding a driveway, walkways and a roof extends that, which is one reason bundling is cheaper than separate trips.
Free, no obligation quotes across St. Johns, St. Augustine, Fleming Island and surrounding areas. Call (904) 506-7656.
After we finish
We walk the property with you again before we leave. Anything that was moved goes back. Landscaping gets a final rinse. If something is not right, the time to say so is while we are still there, and we would much rather you did.
What it will and will not fix
A house wash removes organic growth, mildew, algae and general grime. It will make an ageing exterior look dramatically better. It will not repaint faded paint, repair damaged siding, or remove staining that has physically etched into a surface over many years, though those usually improve significantly.
If something on your property is not going to come back to new, we will tell you that at the quote rather than after you have paid.
- The quote is fixed before work starts, and it should be.
- Preparation and protecting landscaping takes real time and matters most.
- Siding and roofs are soft washed. Concrete gets a flat surface machine.
- Most homes are done in a single visit, and bundling beats separate trips.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to be home?
Not necessarily, though we prefer to walk the property with you at the start and end. We do need access to an outdoor water spigot.
Will it damage my plants?
No when done properly. Landscaping is pre wetted, protected and rinsed afterwards. It is a fair question to ask any contractor.
Do I need to move anything?
We move furniture and grills as part of the job. If you have anything fragile or valuable outside, mention it beforehand.
What if it rains?
Light rain is not a problem and can help with rinsing. Storms and lightning stop work for safety and we reschedule at no charge.
How soon can I use the driveway again?
Usually within a short time of finishing. We will tell you on the day if anything needs longer.
Free quotes across St. Johns, Clay and Duval counties. Call (904) 506-7656 or request a quote online.
