Safely eliminate stubborn Pacific Northwest algae, moss, and grime. We use specialized soft washing for your home's exterior and commercial-grade pressure for concrete.
Living in Seattle and Tacoma means dealing with eight months of continuous rain, heavy overcast skies, and deep tree canopies. This creates the perfect microclimate for organic growth. If left unchecked, green algae, black mold, and aggressive moss will take root on your siding, dig into your roof shingles, and turn your driveway into a slippery hazard.
At Coles Painting, exterior cleaning is more than just making a house look good—it is the critical first step in property maintenance. Whether we are prepping your home for a flawless exterior paint job or providing an annual deep clean to extend the life of your current siding, we have the specialized equipment and knowledge to do it safely.
Not all surfaces are created equal. Using high pressure on the wrong material is a guaranteed way to cause thousands of dollars in damage.
Never let someone blast your home's siding with a high-pressure wand. It forces water behind the panels (causing mold) and scars wood. Instead, we use "Soft Washing." We apply eco-friendly, biodegradable detergents at low pressure to kill algae at the root, then gently rinse it away.
Concrete requires high pressure, but using a standard wand leaves ugly "zebra stripes" all over the driveway. We utilize commercial-grade rotary surface cleaners that evenly distribute high pressure, resulting in a perfectly uniform, bright, and streak-free finish for driveways and patios.
Wood is highly sensitive. We use specific wood cleaners and brighteners to lift gray, weathered fibers without "furring" or splintering the wood. This is the mandatory first step before applying any new stain or sealer to a deck or fence.
We tape off keyholes, cover sensitive electrical outlets, and thoroughly pre-water all surrounding plants and landscaping to ensure they are protected from any cleaning solutions.
We apply our specialized cleaning mix. Instead of blasting dirt immediately, we allow the solution "dwell time" to actively break down dirt, dissolve spiderwebs, and kill algae spores.
We rinse the siding using low-pressure, high-volume water, or we deploy our heavy-duty surface cleaners over concrete flatwork, lifting the grime away evenly.
We perform a final fresh-water rinse of the entire property, including windows and plants, ensuring nothing is left behind but a sparkling clean exterior.
Many homeowners rent a pressure washer from a hardware store and attempt to clean their own siding. Unfortunately, high-pressure water (often exceeding 3000 PSI) acts like a laser beam.
It will easily blast the protective layer off vinyl siding, scar cedar boards permanently, and inject gallons of water directly underneath window seals and lap siding. This trapped water leads to hidden black mold and structural dry rot within the walls. Protect your home by hiring professionals who utilize the safe, chemical-assisted Soft Wash method.
"The north side of our house in Tacoma was completely covered in thick green algae from the winter rain. We also had terrible black streaks on our driveway. The Coles crew came out and soft washed the house—it literally looks freshly painted. Then they used this massive machine on the driveway that made the concrete bright white again without any lines. Unbelievable difference."
— Sarah & James M., Tacoma Residents
| Service Feature | Coles Exterior Cleaning | Generic Contractors |
|---|---|---|
| Siding Method | Low-Pressure Soft Wash | High Pressure (Damages siding) |
| Algae Treatment | Killed at the root chemically | Just blasted off (Grows back fast) |
| Concrete Cleaning | Uniform Rotary Surface Cleaner | Wand only (Leaves zebra stripes) |
| Plant Protection | Pre/Post Watering & Tarps | Ignores landscaping |
| Insurance Status | Fully Licensed & Insured | Often uninsured (You are liable) |
High pressure absolutely will damage siding. That is why we use a 'Soft Wash' method for homes. We apply specialized, eco-friendly detergents at very low pressure (similar to a garden hose) to kill algae and dissolve dirt, then rinse it away safely without forcing water behind your siding panels or scarring your wood.
No. We take property protection seriously. We pre-wet all surrounding vegetation to create a barrier, use biodegradable cleaning solutions, and thoroughly rinse the entire area afterward to dilute any runoff. Once the surfaces are dry, it is completely safe for pets and your family to use the yard.
The Pacific Northwest climate provides the perfect breeding ground for organic growth. The combination of high humidity, continuous winter rain, and heavy tree canopies casting shade (especially on the north and east sides of homes) allows green algae, mildew, and moss to thrive on exterior surfaces. Regular soft washing keeps it at bay.
No, you do not need to be home. As long as all windows and doors are firmly shut, and we have access to a working exterior water spigot, our crews can complete the entire house wash and driveway cleaning while you are at work.
Remove years of dirt and grime in a single afternoon. Get a free quote today.
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We take immense pride in maintaining the homes of the Pacific Northwest. Whether you need a gentle soft wash to remove algae from your siding in Seattle, or a heavy-duty driveway surface cleaning in Tacoma, Coles Painting brings the right equipment, safe detergents, and unmatched customer care to every single project.