Petone is one of the oldest settled parts of the Wellington region, and many of its streets are still lined with villas and small workers' cottages from the late 1800s and early 1900s. They're built from timber, sit close together on flat ground, and those near the Esplanade face the harbour and the wind.
Old cottages, gentle methods
A Petone cottage may have more than a century of paint on its weatherboards, and the lower layers can contain lead. Hitting it with a water blaster can strip paint, drive water into old timber and leave flakes all through the garden. We soft wash instead, using a cleaning solution that kills mould and lifts dirt, followed by a low-pressure rinse.
Sash windows, verandah trim and front doors are treated gently.
The foreshore
Homes and apartments along the Esplanade take the full force of the southerly and the salt that comes with it. Salt film dulls windows and joinery and gets into the paint. A regular house wash rinses it off before it does damage. The same goes for iron roofs, which can rust faster when salt sits on them. Ask us about a roof wash.
Jackson Street and commercial
Petone's main street has heritage shopfronts, cafés and offices, and there are warehouses and converted industrial buildings towards the western end and the Hutt Road. We do commercial building washes, including awnings and shopfronts, at times that suit the business.
Other jobs around Petone
- Gutters and downpipes cleared
- Concrete paths and back yards water blasted
- Timber fences cleaned
- Moss roof treatment
Petone FAQ
Can you wash a cottage with flaking paint? We can wash the sound areas and go gently around the flaking ones, but washing won't stop paint that's already failing. If you're planning to repaint, tell your painter so they can plan their prep.
How often should foreshore homes be washed? At least once a year. Many joinery makers recommend more often within sight of the sea.
Do you clean shop awnings? Yes, as part of a commercial wash.
Nearby
Lower Hutt, Eastbourne and Wainuiomata.
Phone 027 303 8398 or email sales@classiccleaners.co.nz.