House Washing in Asheville

What is House Washing

House washing is soft washing the exterior of your home's walls, siding, soffits, fascia, trim to remove mold, mildew, algae, pollen, dirt, cobwebs, and grime. It does not involve pressure washing. Your siding is a fragile surface that needs a gentle, smart approach.

Confusion can come from the word pressure. People assume a house wash means a powerful application of water blasting the walls. That is the wrong method. The dirt and biological growth are organisms that need to be dissolved and killed with an eco-friendly chemical solution.

A good house wash cleans the visible surface, and, kills the invisible growth. Discoloration on siding generally means communities of algae, mildew, and mold. Removing only the visible layer leaves the roots and the problem returns. The right cleaning solution handles both.

Why and What is Soft Washing

Soft washing uses low pressure combined with the industry standard chemical Sodium Hypocholorite (bleach) to clean your property. James applies a diluted mix that breaks down and kills the organic growth. After the solution has time to work James rinses the surface with low pressure and the growth washes away. The solution does the heavy lifting and James does the rinsing.

This matters because algae and mildew form a living film that clings to the surface and will reproduce itself. A soft wash kills the organism directly, which is why the results look better and last longer. Industry sources say that soft washing can keep siding cleaner longer than pressure alone.

Soft washing protects the house. Power washing can force water behind panels where it gets trapped. That trapped moisture is what you are trying to avoid. Low-pressure rinsing cleans the surface without driving water where it does not belong. This is the difference between washing your home and hurting it.

Siding James Cleans

A house wash should be tailored to the surface. Vinyl siding is common across WNC and cleans up beautifully with a soft wash. James cleans vinyl with the right way so that it comes out fresh and without damage.

HardiePlank and other fiber cement siding are durable and have a factory-baked paint finish that high pressure can negatively impact. Soft washing is the friendly way to clean it. Painted wood is even more sensitive so James keeps the pressure low and lets the solution do the cleaning.

Brick and stucco are porous. Power washing can remove the mortar joints, chip brick faces, pit or crack stucco, and once water is forced into those pores it invites more growth. Soft wash lifts algae and grime without damaging it. Stone, block, and composite surfaces get the same treatment. James always matches the solution to the material.

The Four WNC Biggies

Mold, Algae, Pollen, Red Clay

Western North Carolina is a demanding environment for exterior surfaces, and it shows up on your walls. The green and gray film that grows across siding is mildew and algae fed by our humid and dense environment. North facing and tree shaded walls are almost always the dirtiest side of the house.

Spring brings a thick coat of pollen that clings to siding, trim, and screens. Rain won't fully rinse this away. Left untreated it becomes a food source that feeds more growth.

Red clay (Iron Oxide) soil splashes up onto lower siding and foundations during storms and causes red staining that ordinary rinsing can’t remove. James can easily remove this, however, he does not recommend paying for this service unless the root cause is dealt with first. Otherwise, you could potentially be cleaning it weekly. Root causes typically mean changing the ground that is adjacent to the house. Cover the red clay with rocks, concrete, or another similar material, not mulch. Mulch breaks down, grows a fungus called Artillery Fungus, then launches itself onto you house. Once attached it is very difficult to remove. House wash can't do it.

What to Expect with House Wash

James starts with a walk-around of your home. He determines the siding type, the condition, and problem areas.

Before James applies any solution he protects your property. He pre-wets and rinses landscaping, shrubs, and delicate plants so the solution stays where it belongs. He covers electrical fixtures, lights, and openings. Then he applies the cleaning solution and gives it time to break down the mold, mildew, algae, and grime.

Once the solution has done its work he rinses the home until the growth and residue washes away and the siding is clean. James does a final walk around with you so you can confirm you are happy and job well done. A typical single-story home is often finished in a few hours. A larger or two-story homes take longer. Asheville has a water flow issue that is the main cause of extended visits. James can give you a realistic time frame once the water flow is tested from your spigot. James will test your water flow before the estimate is sent.

Related Asheville Projects

James has cleaned a variety of residential exteriors throughout Asheville and surrounding communities. He is a house wash specialist. See how James approached some specific properties:

Cedar Shake House Washing in Biltmore Forest
A wood-sided home requiring a more careful cleaning approach.

House Washing in North Asheville
An Asheville home with many different siding types.

Other Exterior Cleaning Services

House washing is just one part of maintaining a home's exterior. James also provides roof washing, driveway cleaning, and deck cleaning throughout Asheville.