A lot of people think of a house wash as a nice-to-have. Something you do before visitors arrive or the house goes on the market. In Auckland it's closer to basic maintenance, like clearing the gutters or servicing the car.
Here are five good reasons to get your house washed, and how to tell when yours is due.
1. Your paint and cladding last longer
Auckland is warm and humid for much of the year. That's perfect for mould, mildew and algae. They grow on painted weatherboards, plaster, fibre cement and brick, especially on the south side and anywhere in shade.
That growth isn't just a stain. It holds moisture against the surface and slowly breaks down the paint. A wall that stays damp and green will need repainting sooner than one that's kept clean.
Washing it off every year is a small cost next to a repaint. If it buys you a few extra years between paint jobs, it's paid for itself several times over.
2. Mould doesn't get a foothold
Mould on the outside of the house tends to gather around windows, doors and under the eaves. Those are the spots closest to where you live and sleep. Black spots around a bedroom window aren't something you want to look at every morning.
A proper house wash uses a cleaning solution that kills mould and algae at the roots, not just a rinse that knocks off what you can see. That's the difference between a house that stays clean for months and one that's green again by winter.
3. Painters need a clean surface
If you're planning to paint, the house has to be washed first. Paint doesn't bond properly to dirt, chalky old paint, mould or salt. Skip the wash and you risk the new coat peeling or blistering early, which is money down the drain.
We do pre-paint washes that strip off the grime and growth so your painter starts on a clean, sound surface. It's worth booking the wash a little ahead of the painters so the walls have time to dry fully.
4. It makes a real difference when you sell
Buyers decide a lot in the first few seconds outside. A clean house looks cared for. A green, grubby one makes people wonder what else has been let go. Listing photos show it too.
A pre-sale wash is one of the cheapest ways to lift how your home presents. Do it before the photographer comes, and add the driveway and gutters if they need it.
5. You spot problems early
When a house is covered in grime, it hides things. Once it's clean, you can actually see the cracked plaster, a gap in a flashing, rot starting at the bottom of a weatherboard or a failing seal around a window.
We also look the house over before we start, and if we notice something, we'll tell you. Catching that stuff early is a lot cheaper than finding it after a wet winter.
Signs your house is overdue
Walk around the outside and look for:
- A green tinge on the south side or shaded walls
- Black spots on the eaves and soffits
- Dark streaks running down from the spouting
- Grime built up around window frames and sills
- Paint that looks dull or chalky
- Cobwebs and dirt gathered in corners
If you can see two or three of these, it's time.
How often does an Auckland house need a wash?
About once a year suits most homes. It depends on things like how much sun the house gets, whether it's in a damp or sheltered spot, and how close it is to the coast or bush. A sunny house in a breezy spot can sometimes go a bit longer. A house tucked under trees in West Auckland might need it more often.
How our house wash works
We don't water blast walls. High pressure can lift paint, gouge timber and force water behind weatherboards. Instead we soft wash: low pressure plus a cleaning solution that does the work. You can read more about the method on our soft wash Auckland page.
The steps are simple:
- We look over the house and talk through what you want.
- We protect plants, windows and anything delicate.
- We apply the solution and let it work.
- We spot-treat stubborn marks.
- We rinse everything off and do a final check.
- We tidy up and leave.
A small house takes a couple of hours. A large multi-level home can take five or six. We can work weekdays, weekends or evenings to suit you.
Think about the roof too
If the walls are green, the roof usually is as well, and it'll keep washing grime down onto your clean walls. It can make sense to do a roof clean in Auckland on the same visit, roof first, then walls.
Ready to get it sorted? Book a house wash in Auckland and we'll give you a free, no-obligation quote. Call us on 027 303 8398, seven days, 7am to 7pm.
House washing questions
Is a house wash really worth it?
For most Auckland homes, yes. It helps paint last longer, keeps mould off and makes the house easier to maintain. It costs far less than repainting early.
Will a house wash damage my paint?
Not the way we do it. We use low pressure and a cleaning solution. High-pressure water is what lifts paint and drives water behind cladding.
How often should I wash my house?
About once a year for most Auckland homes. Shady, damp or bush-side houses may need it more often.
Can you wash the house before I paint?
Yes. We do pre-paint washes. Book it a bit ahead of the painters so the walls are fully dry.