House Washing in McHenry, IL

Older painted-wood houses near the river and downtown

Older wood-sided homes carry layers of paint, and some of it is decades old. The paint may be chalky or flaking, caulk at the trim has often dried out, and the lower boards near the ground take splashback. A hard spray here is risky, since it can strip paint and push water into gaps.

Rob uses a gentle soft wash on these houses and examines the trim before starting. If paint is peeling in sheets or boards feel soft, he will tell you honestly that a painter or carpenter should see it first. Washing a house that needs paint can make it look worse for a week before the repair happens. Cleaned wood, however, takes new paint better.

Vinyl-sided subdivision homes

Newer homes across northern Illinois are most often clad in vinyl. It handles water well, but its overlapping panels are not built to be blasted from below. Hard pressure can force water behind the seams, where it can soak insulation and sheathing.

Gentle spray plus cleaner suits vinyl, and the north and east walls that stay damp usually show the most algae. Oxidized, chalky vinyl will come up cleaner but will not regain its original shine. Faded color is the material aging, not dirt. Mold and Algae on Siding: What It Is, Whether It Matters, and How to Clean It shows what mildew and algae look like on different siding.

• Low pressure along the seams
• Extra attention on north and east walls
• Soffits and fascia rinsed too
• Chalky vinyl improves but does not renew

Fiber cement, brick and stone accents

Fiber cement siding is durable but porous, and cracked or chipped edges let water in. Rob is careful with any damaged sections and rinses gently. Brick and stone take more pressure than siding, but old mortar can crumble under a hard stream, so he keeps it controlled.

Mixed-material houses are common, with vinyl above and stone below or brick around the door. Rob switches approach as he moves between them, which is another reason a photo quote beats a flat rate by square footage.

What river-town damp does to a wall in two seasons

A wall washed clean in May can show a green tint by late summer if it is shaded and sits within reach of the Fox River, Boone Creek or a nearby lake. Cottonwood fluff in June sticks to damp siding. Fall leaves rot against lower boards. Winter road spray puts a fine gray film along the base of the house.

That is why timing matters. A spring wash removes winter grime before warm weather lets growth take off, and a fall wash can clear summer buildup before snow arrives. If you only want one visit a year, spring is usually the better choice. When Is the Best Time of Year to Clean Your Home's Exterior in Northern Illinois? covers timing across all exterior jobs.

Before and after the wash: what to do around the house

Shut the windows, bring in pet bowls, and pull cars and patio furniture back from the walls. Cover or move delicate plants if you can, and tell Rob about anything you want protected. Turning off sprinklers and unplugging outdoor lights helps too. How Do You Prepare Your Home for an Exterior Cleaning Visit? offers a complete checklist.

Afterward, check around windows and doors for leaks or moisture, and consider following the wash with window cleaning, since rinse water can leave droplets on the glass. Expect walls to look uneven while they dry, then even out.

House Washing through the year in McHenry