The ACM Pros Exteriors

House washing in North Alabama

Low-pressure cleaning of siding, soffit, fascia and trim, using a solution that kills mildew and algae rather than blasting them off.

Before and after: grey vinyl siding streaked with mildew, then clean after a soft wash
ACM job photo

Quick answer

House washing in North Alabama should be a soft wash: a cleaning solution at about garden-hose pressure, left to work, then rinsed off. It kills the mildew and algae that grow on shaded walls without forcing water behind the siding. Most homes here need it every one to two years.

At a glance

Method
Soft wash at about garden-hose pressure
Surfaces
Vinyl, fiber cement, painted wood, soffit, fascia and trim
How often
Every one to two years for most homes here
Plants
Wetted first, protected and rinsed afterward
Good before
Painting, staining or selling a home
Estimate
Free, with a written line-item scope

The details

Who it suits

Any house showing mildew, algae or general grime, usually on the shaded walls first. A house wash is also standard preparation before painting or staining.

How a soft wash works

We wet your plants and beds, protect openings and fixtures, then apply a cleaning solution at low pressure. It sits on the wall long enough to kill the growth. Then we rinse the house from top to bottom.

The solution does the work. Water only carries it and rinses it off. That is why a soft wash can clean siding, soffits, trim and screens without forcing water where it should not go.

Why not just pressure wash it?

High pressure on siding drives water up behind the laps, the overlapping edges of each board, and into the wall. It can also damage the finish. And it only removes what you can see, leaving the growth to come back quickly.

Soft washing treats the cause, which is why the result lasts longer.

How often to wash in this climate

Most homes in North Alabama want a wash every one to two years. North-facing and shaded walls grow back first, and heavy tree cover shortens the time between washes. A wall that gets afternoon sun and a breeze may go longer.

Washing before the growth gets heavy is easier on the house, and the job goes faster.

What we protect

Plants and beds
Wetted down first, covered where needed and rinsed afterward.
Outlets, fixtures and vents
Checked and protected before any solution goes on.
Windows and screens
Rinsed so the solution does not dry on the glass.
Siding laps
Sprayed at a downward angle, never up under a lap.

Signs your house needs a wash

  • Green or black film on the shaded side of the house
  • Dark spots or streaks on the soffit and under the eaves
  • Dull, chalky or dirty-looking siding
  • Spider webs and old wasp nests under the overhang
  • Pollen and red clay splashed along the bottom of the walls

What affects the price

We price after measuring, line by line, with the materials named. These are the things that move the number.

  • Size of the house and number of stories
  • Siding type and condition
  • How heavy the mildew and algae growth is
  • Access around the house and how much landscaping needs protecting

How a job works

  1. Step 1: Free in-home estimate

    We walk your exterior, measure, and show you the options. There is no charge and no pressure.

  2. Step 2: Choose your materials

    You get a written scope with every line and material named. Then we order for your home.

  3. Step 3: Installed and cleaned up

    Cut, fitted, trimmed, cleaned up and hauled away the same day. You never look at a pile of old frames.

From our recent jobs

Real ACM job photos. Every photo marked “ACM job photo” is from one of our own jobs.

See more of our work
  • Before and after: grey vinyl siding streaked with mildew, then clean after a soft washACM job photo

    Soft wash on vinyl siding

    Mildew and grime removed from vinyl siding at low pressure, so the siding and trim were not damaged.

  • Before and after: a stained concrete walkway outside an apartment building, then cleanACM job photo

    Walkway cleaning

    Concrete walkways at an apartment building pressure washed back to clean, even concrete.

  • A freshly cleaned street apron in front of a brick home, with ACM written in the cleaned concreteACM job photo

    Driveway and curb cleaning

    Driveway and curb concrete cleaned at a brick home, with ACM spelled out in the concrete partway through the clean.

Questions people ask

Is house washing the same as pressure washing?

No. Siding gets soft washed: cleaning solution at garden-hose pressure, left to work, then rinsed. Pressure on siding drives water up behind the laps and into the wall, and that damage often goes unseen for a couple of years.

Will it kill my plants?

Not if the crew wets the beds first, covers what needs covering, controls overspray and rinses down afterward. It will if they skip those steps. This is a question about process, not about a product.

How often does a house here need washing?

Most homes in this region want it every one to two years. North-facing and shaded walls grow back soonest, and heavy tree cover shortens the interval further.

Can you wash vinyl and fiber cement siding?

Yes. Both are soft washed. Low pressure keeps water out from behind vinyl laps and protects the coating on fiber cement.

Will a house wash remove the black streaks on my roof?

No, that is a separate job. Roofs need their own soft wash treatment for the organism that causes the streaks. We can do both on the same visit.

Should I wash my house before painting?

Yes. Paint and stain do not stick well to mildew, dirt or chalky old paint. A soft wash, with enough time for the walls to dry, gives the new finish a clean surface to bond to.

What should I do before you come?

Close windows and doors, move cars and outdoor furniture away from the walls, and bring in pet bowls and toys. Tell us about any window that leaks or plants you are especially fond of.

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We're based in Madison and work across North Alabama, providing house washing in every area below. We do not work in Tennessee.

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An installer checking a new exterior window with a level
Illustration

Let's get your home looking its best.

Tell us what you're picturing. We'll come out, measure up, and give you a free written estimate, so you know exactly what to expect before any work begins.

  • Free measuring and written estimate
  • No pressure to sign, ever
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