When did your house’s exterior look as good as new? If you’re like most Baton Rouge homeowners, it’s been a while since that job has topped your priority list, and rightly so. Still, in such a humid, subtropical climate, a grubby home exterior invites mold, mildew, algae, and even pests to the party, along with the risk of significant property damage they bring.
Why not stop it? With professional soft washing for homes, you can watch as the gentle yet effective technique removes spores, pollutants, and grime with ease. Here’s more about how soft washing works and why it’s great for exterior surfaces in Louisiana (and everywhere else!).
What Is Soft Washing?
Soft washing happens at a lower water pressure with eco eco-friendly supplies. These specialized cleaning solutions effectively dissolve dirt and grime while being gentle on surfaces of all types.
Soft washing for homes also eliminates mold and mildew. Because it kills the spores, it’s a highly effective cleaning technique if you hope to enjoy long-lasting results. On the other hand, pressure washing’s force gives incredible results on tough surfaces, like concrete, although it is far too harsh for more delicate surfaces like your home’s siding or roofing materials.
Why Is Soft Washing Better Than Pressure Washing?
Pressure washing uses plain water. That means it removes spores but fails to kill them like the soft washing solutions do. So, soft washing for homes often proves more effective than traditional pressure washing for the following reasons:
- Gentle enough to use on older homes or exterior surfaces
- Attractive results that boost home value
- Extends the lifespans of roofing, siding, and painted surfaces
- Eliminates mold, mildew, and algae
- Safe for all surfaces
While pressure washing is also useful, it’s akin to a blunt instrument that strips loose paint and shreds asphalt from your roofing shingles. With soft washing, you won’t have to undertake repairs after the exterior cleaning job or face pesky organic regrowth like mold.
What Should You Soft Wash?
In humid climates like Baton Rouge, you should soft wash the more delicate surfaces of a home. For example:
- Roofs. Roofs are susceptible to damage under high pressure. To prevent this, soft wash the waterproofing asphalt, tiles, and roofing membranes.
- Windows. Glass will shatter under force. Unlike soft washing, achieving a streak-free finish with a conventional pressure wash is also incredibly difficult.
- Siding. All types of siding are vulnerable to warping, cracking, or denting. Soft washing offers a protected, spotless cleaning.
- Concrete. Did you know concrete exteriors under three years old aren’t cured? Soft washing them ensures they come out clean but damage-free.
- Pool decks. Wet areas around the property are prone to attracting mold and algae. Soft washing easily removes these organisms.
Are any of your home’s surfaces in poor condition? Soft washing promises a safe and effective removal if your driveway is starting to crumble or you have heavily stained surfaces. Specialist products deal with deep-set marks, such as degreasing agents to handle oil or rust removers to handle corrosion.
It’s also important to soft wash areas prone to algae, mold, and mildew, as regular exterior cleaning (at least once or twice a year) does the trick. Don’t forget the areas in the shade. Early spring sessions remove spores from the previous year, and a second session in the late fall removes fallen leaves, tree sap, and pollen to deter organic growth.
The Environmental Benefits of Soft Washing
Is soft washing green? Yes! Hiring reputable professionals that offer soft washing for homes ensures the process uses biodegradable solutions.
Communities in areas like Baton Rouge like to keep things pristine, but while pressure cleaning is a simple technique, it uses a lot more water. Soft washing is safer for your family, plants, and animals. Since these eco-friendly cleaning agents break down harmlessly, so they won’t pollute the water table.
Here’s how soft washing works:
- The team applies the cleaning agent, letting it soak in.
- The equipment rinses everything off, using almost no pressure.
That’s it! There’s no spray or wasted water.
Hiring a Professional Soft Washing Service in Baton Rouge
We received some questions from homeowners asking if DIY pressure washing is a good idea. The short answer is “No.”
Doing things yourself might be tempting to save money on labor, but that won’t happen if something goes wrong. Are you up on a roof and about to take a wrong step? You’ll either:
- Step through the roofing materials, leaving a hole you have to pay to repair.
- Fall through the roof hole, widening it and injuring yourself.
- Slipping off your roof can, at best, result in an emergency room visit. If you’re lucky, you won’t damage the roof on your way down, but you can expect medical bills.
So, let’s say you’ve thought about the risks and decided to stay safely on the ground to spray your deck instead. You scour the wood with just a smidgen of too much pressure. Then, to add insult to injury, you get too close and hurt yourself with the back spray.
Would you try soft washing instead? Professionals like LA Softwash make it look easy, but don’t be fooled; there’s a steep learning curve to applying an even layer of the exterior cleaning solution and using the wrong chemicals on each different surface material. While we’re generally supportive of other DIY projects, soft washing and pressure washing are better left to professional service providers.
Look for a reputable local company. They’ll achieve outstanding results in a fraction of the time it would take you to have your home’s exterior look amazing.
Call Us for Soft Washing Services in Baton Rouge, LA!
Why is soft washing for homes a better idea in Baton Rouge than pressure washing? This highly effective technique is safe for all surfaces and removes organic growth! Learn more about soft washing services in Baton Rouge here or call LA Softwash at (225) 337-7771 to discuss the team’s various options in the area.
