Frequently asked questions

Answers

Common questions

Do I need to be home when you wash my house?

Usually not. As long as we can reach everything and any gates are unlocked, exterior work does not require you there. We will let you know when we arrive and when we finish. If there are areas you want us to avoid, or pets in the yard, tell us in advance.

Will washing damage my plants and landscaping?

Not when it is done properly. We pre-wet plants before applying anything and rinse them afterward, which dilutes any runoff below the level that stresses them. The risk comes from contractors who skip that step and let concentrated solution sit on foliage in the sun.

How long does the clean actually last?

A soft washed house typically stays clean noticeably longer than a pressure washed one, because the solution kills the mildew and algae at the root rather than knocking the visible layer off. In this climate most homes look good for a year. North-facing walls under heavy tree cover come back sooner.

Do you use bleach, and is that safe for my siding?

Soft washing uses a diluted sodium hypochlorite solution with a surfactant. At the dilution used for house washing it is safe for vinyl, brick, Hardie and painted surfaces, and it is what actually kills organic growth. The dilution changes by surface. Roofs get a gentler mix than concrete does.

Can you get rid of stains that previous cleanings did not touch?

Often, but not always, and it depends on what the stain is. Red clay, rust and irrigation staining need a chemical step that ordinary washing does not include. Some staining on older concrete has penetrated far enough that it is permanently part of the surface. We will tell you which you have before quoting.

What happens if it rains on my scheduled day?

Light rain is usually not a problem for most exterior work, and can even help. Heavy rain, high wind or freezing temperatures get rescheduled. We will call you rather than showing up and doing a job that will not hold.

Do you require a deposit?

Not for standard residential work. Payment is due when the job is complete and you have looked at it. Large commercial contracts and recurring schedules are handled differently and get set up in writing.

How do I know if my house needs soft washing or pressure washing?

Almost every house needs soft washing. Almost every driveway needs pressure. If a contractor proposes pressure washing your siding or your roof, that is a reason to get another quote. Our soft washing page covers the difference in detail.

Can you clean a roof without damaging the shingles?

Yes, with soft washing. High pressure on asphalt shingles strips the protective granules and takes years off the roof, which is why roof cleaning is soft wash only. The black streaking on Carolina roofs is an algae called Gloeocapsa magma, and it is killed chemically rather than blasted off.

Do you work with HOAs and property management companies?

Yes, both. We handle common areas, community entrances, sidewalks and building exteriors for HOAs, and breezeways, stairwells, parking areas and building washing for property managers. We can provide a certificate of insurance naming the property as additional insured.

Are you available outside normal business hours?

Both of our locations are listed as open 24 hours, and commercial work is routinely scheduled overnight or before opening so it does not disrupt tenants, customers or staff. Restaurants and retail almost always get scheduled outside operating hours.

What areas do you cover?

The Charlotte metro on both sides of the state line, from Huntersville and Davidson down through Pineville and Ballantyne, east to Monroe, west into Gaston County, and south into Fort Mill, Tega Cay, Rock Hill and Lake Wylie. Our service areas page lists every town and neighborhood.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. Work is performed by a licensed, bonded and insured Charlotte crew carrying $1 million in liability coverage. We send the certificate before the first visit rather than waiting to be asked, and it can name your property or association as additional insured. Ask every contractor you consider for this, not just us.

How soon can you actually get to my property?

Residential work is typically scheduled the same week you call. Commercial work runs one to two weeks out. Both can be faster depending on how full the schedule is, so it is worth asking. If you have a hard date, a closing, a listing photo shoot, an HOA inspection, tell us when you book and we will sequence the work to land before it.

How do I know you will do a good job?

Fair question for any contractor you have not used. Check three things: whether they publish pricing, whether the photos are their own work or stock, and whether they can explain the method rather than just naming it. We publish ranges, the photos here are our own jobs, and every service page explains what we do and why. Use those same three tests on whoever else you call.

How do I get an estimate?

Call 980-888-8283 or use the estimate form. We walk the property before quoting rather than pricing off a satellite image, because square footage does not tell us what is actually on the surface. The estimate is free and the number you get is the number you pay.