House washing & exterior cleaning
House Washing in St. Louis — Siding, Brick, Stucco and Trim
Grey, chalky or streaked siding is almost always mildew and algae rather than dirt — and it comes off with a low-pressure soft wash, not a pressure washer. We clean vinyl, brick, stucco, Hardie and aluminum across St. Louis County.
What is actually on your siding
Run a finger down a shaded wall and it comes away grey. That film is mildew, algae and airborne pollution bound into the texture of the surface. On vinyl it reads as chalky fading; on brick it shows as dark green or black patches; on stucco it collects in the low points of the texture.
Blasting it with pressure takes the visible layer off and leaves the rest. Within a season it is back, because the organism is still there. A soft wash treats it, which is why the result lasts considerably longer.
Why high pressure is the wrong tool here
- Vinyl — pressure gets behind the panels. Water in a wall cavity is a much bigger problem than a dirty wall.
- Stucco and EIFS — porous and relatively soft. Pressure chips and pits it and the damage is permanent.
- Brick and mortar — pressure erodes mortar joints, especially on older homes.
- Painted wood — pressure strips paint and raises the grain.
- Windows and seals — pressure breaks the seal on double-glazed units and forces water past weatherstripping.
The difference between the two methods is worth five minutes before you hire anyone with a wand.
What is included in a house wash
- All siding surfaces — vinyl, brick, stone, stucco, Hardie, aluminum or painted wood
- Soffit, fascia and the exterior face of gutters
- Shutters, trim, downspouts and exterior light fixtures
- Window exteriors rinsed as part of the wash
- Porches, railings and entryways
- Landscaping pre-wet, protected during the work, and rinsed afterward
Gutter brightening — removing the black vertical staining on the gutter face — is a separate process and is quoted separately, because ordinary washing will not lift it.
How to tell if your house needs it
- Green or black patches on the north side, or anywhere under trees
- Siding that looks faded, but wipes cleaner when you rub it
- Dark streaks running down from gutter seams and corners
- Spotting on soffits and around downspouts
- A porch ceiling that has gone dark and patchy
House washing questions
What homeowners ask
Do you pressure wash siding?
We soft wash it. Vinyl, stucco, Hardie and painted wood do not need high pressure, and high pressure is how water gets forced behind siding and into wall cavities.
A soft wash uses a cleaning solution at low pressure. It removes the mildew and algae film that makes siding look grey and chalky, without lifting panels or driving water where it does not belong.
How much does house washing cost in St. Louis?
It depends on the size of the house, the number of stories, how much growth is on it and how accessible it is. We price per property rather than publishing a flat rate.
Send us the address and we will get you a real number before any work starts.
How often should a house be washed?
Every 12 to 24 months for most St. Louis County homes.
Shaded lots, heavy tree cover and north-facing walls grow organic material faster and are usually on the shorter end of that. An open, sunny lot can often go the full two years.
Will it damage my plants?
Not when landscaping protection is part of the job. We saturate plants and shrubs before we start, keep them wet while we work, and rinse everything afterward.
That is the Good Stewards portion of SoftWash Systems training, and it is a standard step rather than an add-on.
What surfaces can you wash?
Vinyl, aluminum, brick, stone, stucco, EIFS, Hardie and fibre cement, painted wood, soffit, fascia, gutters, shutters, screens and exterior light fixtures.
Brick and stucco in particular should never be pressure washed — both are porous and both will hold water and spall or crack.
Do I need to be home?
No, as long as we have access to an outdoor water spigot and the gates are unlocked.
We will ask you to close windows and bring in anything on the porch. Most house washes take a few hours.
Can you clean gutters at the same time?
Yes, and it usually makes sense to. Gutter faces stain with the black vertical "tiger stripes" that ordinary washing will not lift — that needs a separate brightening step.
We can also clear gutters out. Mention it when you request the estimate and we will price both.
Get your house washed properly
Tell us the address and what kind of siding you have. We will get you a price, and we will tell you honestly whether it needs doing now or can wait a season.