Surface guide: what each material can take
Siding, concrete, stone and wood all clean differently. Find your surface to see the buildup we usually meet, how we wash it, and what we watch for.
| Surface | Common buildup | Our method | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|
| House exterior | |||
| Brick | Dirt, green algae film, dark streaks under sills | Soft wash with a low-pressure rinse | Loose or crumbling mortar is noted and avoided. White efflorescence may come back. |
| Fiber cement siding | Dirt, algae film, chalky residue on older paint | Soft wash with a gentle rinse | The painted finish is tested first. Caulked joints get low pressure only. |
| Painted wood siding and trim | Dirt, algae film, dark spotting | Soft wash with a hand-held gentle rinse | Peeling or chalky paint is tested first, since flaking paint can lift. |
| Stucco | Dirt, algae film, dark streaks | Soft wash only | Cracks and soft patches are checked first. Water can get behind damaged stucco, so we may decline. |
| Vinyl siding | Dirt, pollen, green algae film on shaded sides | Soft wash: solution, dwell time, gentle rinse | No high pressure up under the laps. Loose or cracked panels are noted first. |
| Driveways, walkways and patios | |||
| Concrete and brick pavers | Dirt, algae, moss in the joints | Surface cleaner, reduced pressure at the joints | Joint sand can loosen. Re-sanding is not offered. |
| Exposed aggregate | Dirt, algae, leaf stains | Surface cleaner at reduced pressure | Worn areas can have loose stones, so we check before washing. |
| Natural stone | Algae, dirt, leaf staining | Reduced pressure, gentler on softer stone | Soft or flaking stone is tested first. Some stone marks easily. |
| Poured concrete | Dirt, algae, leaf stains, tire marks, oil spots | Pre-treat organic staining, rotary surface cleaner, edge rinse | Oil, rust and tire marks may lighten rather than lift. |
| Decks and fences | |||
| Composite decking | Dirt, pollen, algae film in shade | Low pressure, following the board maker's care guidance | Some boards mark if the wand gets too close, so we keep our distance. |
| Wood decks and fences (cedar, pressure-treated) | Grey surface weathering, algae, dirt | Wood-appropriate cleaner, low pressure, rinse with the grain | High pressure raises fibers and gouges boards. Failing coatings may peel. |
When we go gentler or decline
Some surfaces tell us to slow down. We test a small hidden spot first, and anything below goes in your quote before work starts.
- Chalky or oxidized paint on siding or trim
- Loose or crumbling mortar in brick
- Cracked stucco or soft patches
- Soft or flaking natural stone
- Failing or peeling deck coatings
What washing won't fix
Washing lifts dirt, algae film and organic staining. It does not change the surface underneath.
- Rust marks and deep oil stains
- Etching or pitting in concrete
- Sun fading on siding, trim or boards
- Efflorescence, which may come back as the masonry dries
Not sure what you have?
That is normal. Describe it in your quote request in your own words, like "grey boards that feel like plastic" or "the stone path by the back door". We may ask for photos by reply email.