01/06/2025
TODAY'S CONSUMER TIP; Pressure vs Soft Wash? Which is the right method for siding?
Let me start off with some insight.
Pressure on siding is used by those that do not understand what the process does or the construction aspects of the home or how it can cause damage, all while you are paying for it!
Under the siding, there is a plywood sheathing that forms the skin of the house. A moisture barrier made of plastic is layered over it. That plastic sheeting is installed from the bottom and then a layer goes on above overlapping the lower one.
Pressure washing pushes water behind the siding so hard and fast that it can defeat this barrier and cause the plywood underneath to get wet, expand and swell. Some houses don't even have a moisture barrier installed above the first level or at the gable level.
We have had to delay these jobs because of the risk until the installation was corrected!
Water forced behind the siding causes several things to happen.
1. The plywood sheeting is weakened, warps and swells.
2. The fasteners holding the siding to the plywood lose their grip.
3. Water stays wet for a long period of time and activates any biological organisms and cause mold to grow unchecked.
4. The sheeting swells and causes week spots like seen in the photo indicating excessive pressure was used some time before and now the siding is susceptible to wind and driving rain getting behind it causing further damage.
5. The continuation of mold growth reaches seams between sheets of plywood and propagates into the interior of the home where now it is capable of interacting with condensation behind the drywall and spreading.
Do you see the 'Sick' house syndrome beginning?
This is why we do not ever use pressure that can force water behind siding. The small little holes or notches under each siding layer are only designed to allow for condensation to evaporate under normal weather conditions.
Pressure washing forces much more than these tiny weep holes were made to handle. The water cascades behind the siding and flows down to get into areas that weren't built to endure that type of water exposure.
Understanding the construction of a conventional home in addition to code requirements and the limitations helps us to develop safe methods for cleaning your homes exterior without causing harm.
Unlike other contractors that use just pressure and promote it as 'environmentally safe', and do not understand that they are causing you much more than you are saving with their 'Low' price that will manifest in the years to come.
To truly save money, ask the questions that help make sure you won't be paying for it later when the contractor is gone and likely no longer in business!
1. Do you use pressure on the siding?
2. What other ways do you use to clean the siding? This will help you determine if they truly understand the task they are quoting you.
3. Do you use just 'Bleach' to clean with?
This is not to be used alone. Bleach is great at removing mold and algae but has the detrimental effect of destroying your siding exterior due to reactivation. Bleach should only be a component of the cleaning solution and not relied upon as the only ingredient!
4. Will they be using ladders? For some homes, this is necessary to reach areas like above garages and extended porches. The question also helps to find out if they are just using them to get higher up on the siding to use pressure directly. This can be dangerous for many reasons and without the right equipment, can lead to injury and property damage.
5. Is your company Insured for this type of work? Some claim they are insured when in fact, it only applies to their vehicles. Ask to see their 'Business' certificate of liability insurance!
6. Are they licensed to do business in your state? Check your states requirements for contract service providers to see which categories apply. Ask to see their License.
7. Are their employee's covered by Workman's Compensation? If not, you could be liable for any injuries sustained while working on your property. Know your liabilities.
8. How long have they been in business? While this is not a guaranteed measure of competence, it is a way to determine if they are serious about their business and will be around in the future.
9. Ask for references.
10. Ask for photos and if they are of work they actually did!
You'd be surprised how many can simply pull photos off of the internet and present them as their own work.
These tips are to help you make a decision that can help you spend your money to take care of your most expensive investment. Your home! As a homeowner, I know what the costs can be if the wrong people are allowed to proceed, and it won't always become apparent while the job is in progress. Many issues show up long after the work has been done.
Or process is simple. We apply under garden hose pressure, cleaners designed to help remove the stains and pollutants that are most commonly seen on siding. Mold and Algae. Insects, bird droppings and more also are removed. The equipment can heat the water so that the cleaners are more effective in cooler temperatures and help to keep the concentration of the cleaners lower as well.
Yes, we use a 'Power' washer in the process. That is different than a 'Pressure' washer which only serves cold water. A 'Power' washer can heat up the water to specific temperature ranges and deliver it to the surface under conditions that are determined by the operator.
We use an attachment that helps project the stream of cleaners up 30'-40' onto the siding. This is not due to 'high' pressure in delivery. It is due to the Volume of water that gives us this distance. Our units deliver up to 8GPM (Gallons per Minute) which at about 60-90psi gives us a great height advantage and helps our crew work from the ground for the most part.
Then, we use extension poles and soft bristle brushes to agitate the siding surface and help loosen the contaminants. Once this is complete, we change to another attachment that allows us to just shoot a stream of water up above the area and allow it to drain down the siding. This creates a cascade action which helps to dislodge the contaminants, which then run down the siding with the flow. Water isn't forced under the siding this way. Close up rinsing is conducted with a wide nozzle that delivers a soft fan of water to remove loosened material from the surface(s).
This process is continued until we have determined there is no residue remaining on the surface and move on around the house. This process helps ensure cleaning agents can't be reactivated during subsequent weather and humidity conditions.
All surfaces are rinsed thoroughly to minimize contact by others including pets and allowed to dry. The cleaners are mild enough to not pose a concern for plants and vegetation that may be growing close to the house in beds or landscaping.
We are happy to help with your spring cleaning project this year and in the years to come with our trusted and proven process that gets the dirt off in the safest process possible. Give us a call to get your quote and get in line. After 25 years, we have a considerable repeat client base and we book out quickly. www.SeeDirtRun.com to contact us from your mobile phone too!
Thank you for your time and we hope this article helps no matter who you decide to use for your homes exterior cleaning needs.
Happy New Year and many well wishes from our family at See Dirt Run! Inc. to yours!
