Before
After
About This Project
This two-story home in Hingham had developed heavy algae and mildew streaking across nearly the entire rear elevation, one of the most common things we see on South Shore homes, especially on north and east-facing walls that don't get enough direct sun to dry out between rain events.
The buildup was significant, years of organic growth had created a thick green-gray film that dulled the entire side of the house. The homeowner had noticed it getting worse each season but wasn't sure if it would respond to cleaning or if the siding was permanently stained.
The Challenge
Vinyl siding like this should never be cleaned with high-pressure washing. The risk is water intrusion behind the panels, especially around window frames and J-channel seams. We've seen homeowners and less experienced contractors cause water damage inside walls trying to blast siding clean with a pressure washer.
The other issue: pressure alone doesn't kill the biological growth. It removes what's visible on the surface, but the spores stay embedded in the texture of the vinyl and the growth returns within a season.
Our Approach
We used our standard soft wash process, low pressure application of a professional biodegradable cleaning solution that kills algae, mildew, and mold at the cellular level. The solution dwells on the surface for several minutes, breaking down the organic material, then gets thoroughly rinsed at low pressure from top to bottom.
The result: The siding came back to its original bright white color in a single visit. No scrubbing, no high pressure, no risk to the siding or windows. The homeowner said it looked better than it had in years.
How Long Will It Stay Clean?
For a home in Hingham, which sits in a coastal climate that accelerates biological growth, we typically see soft-washed homes stay clean for 12 to 24 months. The cleaning solution leaves a residual that inhibits regrowth, significantly longer-lasting than high-pressure washing alone.