Why Regular House Washing Extends Your Siding’s Life

The green tint on the north side of the house is not dirt. It is algae, and it is alive. Algae, mould, mildew and lichen feed on the moisture and the organic film that settles on siding, and over the years they do real damage. A soft wash once a year removes them before they get a hold.

What grows on siding, and where

Algae shows up first as a green or dark grey haze on the shaded sides of the house, usually north-facing walls, under eaves, behind shrubs and anywhere the sun does not dry the surface. Mould and mildew follow in the same spots. Lichen, the crusty grey-green patches, takes longer but is the hardest to remove once established.

How it damages siding

• Vinyl: the growth holds moisture against the surface and the film absorbs heat, which makes vinyl brittle and dull faster than clean vinyl.
• Wood and painted siding: mould and mildew work into the paint film and the wood, which leads to peeling and rot.
• Stucco: organic growth traps water in the porous surface and stains it permanently if it is left for years.
• Brick: algae and moss hold water in the mortar joints, which is the last place you want water in a freeze-thaw climate.

Why soft washing, not pressure washing

Siding should never be pressure washed. High pressure forces water behind the panels, strips paint and can crack vinyl. A soft wash uses low pressure and a biodegradable solution that kills the growth and lifts the grime, then a thorough rinse. It cleans better than pressure because the solution reaches into the texture, and it is safe on vinyl, wood, aluminum, stucco and painted surfaces.

How often

Once a year keeps most GTA homes clean, ideally in spring after the salt and grime of winter or in early fall before the wet season. Heavily shaded homes and homes near water may need it every spring and fall. AmberMount washes the exterior top to bottom in one visit: siding, trim, soffits and fascia, using biodegradable solutions only. House washing is priced online for most homes.

What it costs

House washing is priced by the size of your home: $500 for homes up to 1,800 sq ft, $740 for 1,801 to 2,800 sq ft, $1,030 for 2,801 to 3,500 sq ft, $1,340 for 3,501 to 4,500 sq ft and $1,700 for larger homes, all before HST. That is the whole exterior in one visit, siding, trim, soffits and fascia, and the price shows before you confirm the booking.