Soft Washing in Maryhill

Brick came to Maryhill early. A two-room brick school was built here in 1852. If your house is older brick, its mortar is probably softer and sandier than modern mortar, and a pressure wand can gouge the joints and push water into the wall. Soft washing uses low pressure and a cleaning mix, and lets the mix do the work. That is why it suits older masonry.

The usual dirt is green algae on the shaded north wall, black mould under the eaves, and a white powder at the base of the brick, where road salt splashes up and moisture draws minerals out of the wall. Painted wood trim beside the brick, and vinyl or aluminum siding on additions, each need a different mix and rinse. We test a small hidden patch first, set the strength from the result and keep the nozzle back.

Soft washing starts from $350. Wash on a dry day when the air stays above freezing, any time from spring to fall. Plants beside the wall are wetted first and rinsed after, and windows are rinsed while still wet so hard water does not leave spots. The free written quote lists each wall and material, so you can see what is being washed and how.

What we plan for in Maryhill

• Small trial: we try the mix low on the wall, out of sight, and let the result decide the strength.
• Joint survey: we look over the mortar first and point out crumbling joints, so old damage is recorded before we start.
• Material list: we note brick, siding, painted wood and stone separately, since each needs its own mix and dwell time.
• Plant cover: we wet the plants beside each wall first and rinse them after, so the cleaner does not sit on leaves.
• North wall: shaded walls get extra dwell time, since algae holds on longest where the sun rarely reaches.

Questions from Maryhill homeowners

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