Service

Building envelope soft washing

EIFS, stucco, painted concrete, and cladding cleaned at low pressure with a targeted solution instead of force. This is the correct method wherever pressure washing risks cracking or driving water into the envelope.

What's Included

Scope of work

Black streak and algae removal from EIFS and stucco
Mildew and mould treatment on painted surfaces
Painted concrete and precast cladding cleaning
Vinyl and fibre cement siding cleaning
Soffit and fascia cleaning
Window frame and sill spot cleaning during envelope wash
Landscaping and hardscape protection during application
Low-pressure rinse of treated surfaces
Spot re-treatment of persistent staining
Condition report noting cracking, caulking failure, or moisture staining observed
Method

How the work is performed

01

Substrate identification

Confirm EIFS, stucco, painted concrete, or siding, since dilution ratio and dwell time vary by material.

02

Protection setup

Landscaping, signage, and hardscape are pre-wet and shielded before any solution is applied.

03

Solution application

A diluted cleaning agent is applied at low pressure (typically under 500 psi) from the top of the elevation down.

04

Dwell time

The solution is left to break down organic growth for a set period before rinsing — no scrubbing or agitation on finish coats.

05

Low-pressure rinse

Surfaces are rinsed clean with low-pressure water, working top to bottom to avoid re-depositing residue.

06

Post-clean inspection

Elevations are checked for missed staining, and landscaping is rinsed to limit solution exposure.

Access Approach

Access approach

  • Water-fed pole
    Adapted for solution application on lower elevations, typically up to four to six storeys.
  • Boom or scissor lift
    Used where ground access allows and elevation height suits a lift rather than rope or stage work.
  • Rope access
    Used on towers, often scheduled alongside window cleaning to share anchor setup.
  • Swing stage / suspended platform
    Used on buildings with an RDS or track system, particularly for full-elevation EIFS treatment.
  • Ground crew
    Handles soffits, lower cladding, and any surface within reach from grade.
Pricing

What drives the price

  • Elevation height
    Determines access method and rigging time, the primary driver of cost.
  • Surface area
    Total square footage of cladding being treated across all elevations.
  • Contamination level
    Heavy black streaking or long-neglected buildings need higher-strength solution and second passes.
  • Substrate sensitivity
    EIFS and delicate finishes require slower application and lower pressure than painted concrete.
  • Access complexity
    Balconies, setbacks, and architectural features slow coverage and rinsing.
  • Frequency
    Buildings on a repeat schedule see lighter regrowth and shorter treatment time per visit.
Frequency

Recommended frequency

Shaded, north-facing, and tree-adjacent elevations in Metro Vancouver's damp climate regrow organic staining faster than sun-exposed walls, so frequency is often set by elevation rather than the whole building.

EIFS or stucco tower, shaded elevation — annual
EIFS or stucco tower, sun-exposed elevation — every 18–24 months
Painted concrete parkade exterior — annual
Strata townhome siding — annual to biennial
Retail podium cladding — annual, timed with window cleaning
Questions

Frequently asked questions

Why can't you just pressure wash stucco or EIFS?+

EIFS (exterior insulation and finish systems) has a thin coat over foam insulation, and standard stucco is porous. High pressure can crack the finish coat, drive water behind the cladding, or blow holes through EIFS entirely. Soft washing uses low pressure with a cleaning solution to do the work chemically instead of mechanically.

What is the cleaning solution and is it safe for landscaping?+

We use a diluted sodium hypochlorite or specialty algaecide solution matched to the substrate, applied at low pressure and rinsed. Landscaping, walkways, and adjacent surfaces are pre-wet and covered or shielded, and plants are rinsed after application to limit exposure.

Will soft washing remove black streaking and mildew for good?+

It removes existing growth and kills the organism at the root, which is why it lasts longer than a pressure rinse alone. Regrowth timing depends on shade, moisture exposure, and orientation — north-facing and tree-shaded elevations typically need re-treatment sooner.

Do you soft wash painted or coated concrete too?+

Yes. Painted tilt-up concrete, parkade exteriors, and coated precast all respond better to soft washing than pressure washing, which can etch or strip coatings prematurely.

Can soft washing be done at height on a tower?+

Yes, the same access methods used for window cleaning — rope access, swing stage, or lift — carry the soft wash equipment and solution to height. It's often combined with a scheduled window cleaning visit to share access setup costs.

Next Steps

Related pages

Get a budget estimate, review our insurance and safety credentials, or see recent work in our case studies.

Client Feedback

Trusted with delicate facades

Verified feedback from property teams who use our soft washing programs for EIFS, stucco, and cladding.

Read our reviews on Google →
The Spiffy Window Cleaning crew arrived on schedule, were courteous, worked diligently and did a great job. The windows look fantastic. An added bonus - the management and employees are customer oriented and responsive.
James Kellett
Google review
Class act! Super easy to book and showed up on time and did a stellar job! I had all of the glass windows cleaned and let me tell you winter was unkind to all of our sliding glass doors and now they are perfection. Will be booking them again soon!
Jenny Beth Meischl
Google review
David and all of the team at Spiffy are good guys who aim to please. They did a wonderful job on my windows, gutters inside and out, and my deck glass which was covered in years of green algae. I didn't think I needed cleaning, but after it was done, I must say, I do enjoy my clear views.
Karen L
Google review

Get a soft washing estimate

Tell us the cladding type and any known problem areas and we'll scope a treatment plan.

Next step

Get a budget number today, or book twenty minutes on site.