House Wash, Gutters and Windows: Your Fall Exterior Refresh
Pollen, mildew and red clay leave a film on every Charlotte house by fall. Here’s how to get the outside clean before winter, without damaging it.
- Soft wash the siding Low pressure plus cleaner, not blasting.
- Pressure wash concrete Driveway, walkway, front steps.
- Gutters after the drop Inside cleaned, outside brightened.
- Windows last So spray doesn’t spot clean glass.
- Book it as one visit One crew, one day, one bill.
Charlotte summers are hard on a house. Spring pollen, humid shade and red clay splashing up from the beds leave a film on the siding, and by fall the north side is often turning green. A good exterior cleaning before winter makes the whole house look years newer.
Why the north side turns green
That green or black film is algae and mildew. It grows where the siding stays shady and damp, which in Charlotte usually means the north side and anywhere under trees. It grows on vinyl, fiber cement, painted wood and brick, and it comes back thicker every year it’s left alone.
Soft wash vs pressure wash
Siding should be soft washed: low pressure and a cleaning solution that kills algae at the root, then a gentle rinse. High pressure on siding can force water behind the panels, strip paint and scar wood.
Concrete is different. Driveways, walkways and patios are tough enough for real pressure, which lifts the dirt, mildew and tire marks out of the surface.
Ask how they clean siding. If the answer is “we just pressure wash everything,” keep looking. Pros soft wash siding and roofs and save the pressure for concrete.
Black streaks on the roof?
Those dark streaks running down shingles are the same algae, growing on the roof. Never pressure wash shingles: it strips the granules that protect them. A roof soft wash kills the algae and the streaks rinse away.
Gutters: inside and out
Gutters need two kinds of cleaning. The inside gets cleared of leaves and pine needles once most of the leaves are down, usually late November. The outside often has dark “tiger stripes” that a house wash alone won’t remove. Ask for gutter brightening if yours do.
Windows last
Clean the windows after the house wash, so rinse water doesn’t spot fresh glass. Inside and out, with screens and tracks, makes the most difference, especially with the low winter sun coming in.
Book it as one visit
Many exterior cleaning crews handle the house wash, concrete, gutters and windows together. You get one appointment, one crew and one bill, and everything is done in the right order.
How often in Charlotte?
- House wash: once a year. Fall gets summer’s mildew off; spring gets the pollen.
- Driveway and walks: once a year, or before you sell or host.
- Gutters: twice a year if you have trees nearby, which is most of Charlotte.
- Windows: once or twice a year.
Ask about a yearly plan. Many crews put you on a schedule so you never have to think about it again.
Common questions
Is soft washing safe for my plants?
Yes, when it’s done right. Good crews wet plants before washing, rinse them after, and use solutions mixed for siding, not full strength.
Will washing damage my paint?
Soft washing shouldn’t harm paint in good shape. If paint flakes or comes off chalky, it was already failing, and that’s a sign the house is due for exterior painting.
How long does it take?
A house wash usually takes a few hours. Adding the driveway, gutters and windows can make it a full day for one crew.
Prices are typical Charlotte-area ranges from insured pros, not quotes. Your pro confirms the exact price after seeing the job.
