However, many people are concerned about whether or not this is a safe option. Pressure washing uses a high-pressure stream of water to clean surfaces. This can potentially damage the surface being cleaned. But it is safe to pressure wash soffits and fascia.
The key is to begin cleaning with a gentle rinse using clean water to dislodge and wash away loose debris and dirt. When using a pressure washer for fascias and soffits, it's wise to use a low-pressure nozzle.
Again, pressure washing can be an effective tool to remove dirt, mildew, and other grime from these surfaces, BUT it's important to weigh up the potential cost of damage that can be caused when you pressure wash under eaves or on and around the fascia and soffits of a building.
While it would be easy to stick a pressure washer in there to flush out any debris and call it a day, that's not the best way to move forward, and you can cause more damage by attempting to clean your gutters this way.
Pressure washers can be used to clean concrete, brick and stone façades. It is also possible to pressure wash wood or render but you will have to reduce the pressure of your tool to a maximum of 120 bars.
To remove existing soffit mold, start with a thorough cleaning of the affected areas. Store bought cleaners are available for this purpose, you can also use a combination of dish soap and vinegar. Use a stiff brush to scrub the problem areas until the visible mold is removed.
All you'll really need is a soft bristle brush. If the soffits and fascia are extra dirty, you can wash it with a soft bristle brush and replace the clear water with a solution of water and normal household detergent. This removes any and all pollutants without damaging the surface.
Inspecting and cleaning your eaves should be done at least once a year. Late fall is often best, particularly if you have large trees where their leaves are likely falling onto the roof. Putting in the work or hiring a professional to maintain your eaves may help prevent unexpected and expensive repairs in the future.
Your roof by necessity, will often times extend over the walls of your home. This overhang can go by a few names, such as the house eaves or the rafters of your roof. The underside of this overhang, when given a finished appearance, is known as the soffit, which means “something fixed underneath”.
Once you've swept away the dirt and debris, it's time to rinse the eaves with a hose. Use a garden sprayer to apply a mixture of mild detergent and water to the eaves. Use a scrub brush to scrub the eaves, making sure to get into all the nooks and crannies. Rinse the eaves with a hose to remove the soap and dirt.
Yes, you can use Dawn in a pressure washer, but it should be appropriately diluted to prevent too much foaming. A few ounces per gallon of water is all it takes.
Stick the wand inside your gutters at an angle. At low pressure setting, apply Simple Green Oxy Solve to an area that is small enough to be rinsed before it dries. Allow the cleaner to dwell on the surface for 3-5 minutes. Rinse at high pressure.
Soffit mold almost always appears with a dark grey or black coloration. The growth pattern tends towards radiating, circular spotting. Dimensionally, the mold growth is typically flat.
You should clean your soffits and fascias once a year to maintain them. However, in bad weather, especially on older houses, your guttering, soffit boards and fascias may need repairing or replacing, even if you work hard to keep them clean.
Water can seep in where drip edge flashing is missing along the roof's eaves. This may cause water damage to the roof's underlying structure in addition to the eaves themselves, leading to mold growth and decay, as well as possibly jeopardizing the structural integrity of the entire roof.
Moisture: The main element promoting the development of mold is moisture. Soffits and fascia are frequently subject to precipitation, ice, and humidity.
A pressure washer is the best tool for tackling stubborn dirt and stains on your fascias and soffits. You can also clean them from the ground, so there's no need to worry about standing on a ladder.
Winter: Although power washing in winter is possible, we don't recommend it in extreme cold or snow. However, we can power wash on warmer days or during breaks in the weather.
Power washing typically costs between $183 to $380 in the U.S., with the national average being $281, according to Home Advisor. House power washing usually costs between $220 to $380, pressure washing a driveway costs $130 to $220, and a deck or patio costs $250 to $420.
SoftWashing forgoes much of that pressurization in favor of chemicals. These chemicals are safe for both your home and the environment. Here are a few more ways that SoftWash is different from traditional power washing: SoftWash is not only safer for your home but also for your family and the community we live in.