ServicesExterior Soft Washing
Exterior Soft Washing in Guilderland
Green streaks, black mildew and gray grime build up on siding and trim, mostly on the shady sides. We clean them off with a low-pressure soft wash that won't force water behind the siding or strip paint.
What a soft wash does for your house
A soft wash uses low pressure and a cleaning mix to lift algae, mildew, spider webs and grime off siding, trim, soffits and fascia. The mix does the work, and a gentle rinse carries it away.
High pressure can crack vinyl, gouge wood and push water behind the siding. A soft wash avoids that, and because it kills the growth instead of just knocking it off the surface, the house stays clean longer.
We wet down and cover shrubs and beds before we start and rinse them again when we finish. If you're adding permanent lighting, we can wash first so the track goes up on clean, dry trim.
What your soft wash includes
- A roofline walk before any quote
- We look at the fascia, the gutters and the trim where the track will sit. If the wood is soft or the paint is peeling, we tell you now, not after it's covered.
- Timing advice that saves a second trip
- Most homes do best with the wash first and the lights a week or two later. Clean, dry fascia makes for a tight mount and a straight run.
- Low-profile track that handles rinse water
- The track tucks up under the roofline and the connections are sealed. A normal soft wash rinse runs off it like rain does.
- Notes for your washing crew
- We'll give you a short list to hand over. Keep the wand off the connectors, stay at low pressure near the roofline, and don't lean ladders on the track.
- A look if something seems off
- If a section looks loose or a zone acts up after a wash, give us a call and we'll come take a look.
Signs it's time to plan lights and a wash together
Green or black streaks under the gutters
Algae likes the shady side of the house. Lights shining down on it will make it stand out more, so it's worth cleaning first.
Old clip marks on the trim
Years of holiday clips leave scuffs and rust spots. A wash takes most of that off before the new track goes up.
You're booking a wash this spring anyway
That's the easy window. Wash, let it dry, then we mount on clean wood.
You're done with the December ladder
Permanent lighting is app-controlled and stays up year-round. One install replaces a lot of cold afternoons on a ladder.
How it goes when a wash is in the picture
- 1
Phone call and free quote
Tell us about the house and whether a wash is planned. We set a time to walk the roofline and give you a written quote.
- 2
Your wash happens first
Your washing contractor does their work. We need a few dry days after, so the fascia isn't damp when we mount.
- 3
Install day
We run the track along the roofline, set the lights, and tie in the controller. Most of the work is on ladders outside, so you can go about your day.
- 4
App setup and walkthrough
We get the app on your phone, set a few scenes, and show you how to change colors and schedules. Then we clean up and head out.
What moves the price of a soft wash
The size and height of the house matter most, along with how much growth is on the siding. We put every item on the quote so you can see where the money goes.
- Length of roofline
- Price follows the number of feet we cover. Some people light the front only and add the sides later.
- Stories and peaks
- A two-story home or a steep gable takes more ladder work and more time per foot.
- Condition of the fascia
- If the wash turns up rot or loose boards, that needs fixing before we mount. We'd rather tell you than bolt lights to bad wood.
- Zones and controls
- Splitting the house into zones lets you light the front for a party and leave the back dark. More zones means a bit more wiring.
Soft wash and lighting questions
Something not covered here? (518) 900-7456
Do you do the soft wash yourselves?
Yes. Our own crew washes your siding and trim, and if you're also getting permanent lighting, we schedule the wash first.
Will a soft wash damage my permanent lights?
A normal low-pressure wash shouldn't. The track is sealed and mounted up under the roofline. The risk comes from high pressure aimed right at connectors, so pass our notes to the crew.
Should I wash before or after the lights go up?
Before, if you can. Clean, dry fascia gives a better mount, and you won't have streaks behind new lights. Later washes are fine with the lights in place.
Will the lights make dirty siding look worse?
They can. Light aimed down the wall shows every streak. That's the main reason we suggest getting the wash done first.
How often will I need to wash around the lights?
That depends on shade and trees around the house, but every few years is common. The lights stay up through all of it. You don't take them down or put them back.
Ready for clean siding?
Tell us about the house and where the streaks are worst. We'll look it over and give you a written quote you can hold onto.