Soft Washing in Halton Hills

Lime has a long history in Halton Hills. In 1886 the Toronto Lime Company ran kilns at Limehouse and Acton, and limestone has been quarried here since the 19th century. Masonry from that era was often laid in lime mortar, which is much softer than modern cement mortar. If your house or wall is old brick or stone, the joints may be soft, and high pressure can blast them out. Soft washing avoids that: a gentle mix, a low-pressure rinse and time to work.

Older homes also have painted wood trim, old windows and worn seals. Water forced behind any of these does damage. We keep the spray angled down, test a hidden patch first, and point out open joints, loose paint and cracked caulk before we start. Those are repair items, and washing will not fix them.

Newer homes have vinyl, brick veneer or stucco, and in a humid continental climate every one of them can grow algae where walls stay damp and shaded. Soft washing is from $350. The free written quote lists every wall, and any wall with soft mortar or old paint is noted beside it.

What we plan for in Halton Hills

• Mortar check: soft, sandy or open joints are noted before we start, so cleaning is not blamed for wear that was already there.
• Old brick and stone: we test a hidden patch and keep the pressure low, since old mortar and soft stone erode under force.
• Painted trim: peeling or chalky paint is pointed out first, since even gentle washing can lift loose coats.
• Spray angle: we aim down and away from window trim, vents and seams, so water is not pushed behind boards or brick.
• Top-down order: we apply from the top of the wall and rinse in the same order, so runs do not streak clean areas.

Questions from Halton Hills homeowners

Nearby: Soft washing in Acton · Soft washing in Milton · Soft washing in Rockwood · Soft washing across Kitchener-Waterloo