Tawa runs along a valley between Johnsonville and Porirua, with the railway and Porirua Stream down the middle and houses climbing the hills on both sides. Much of it was built in the 1950s and 60s, so there are plenty of solid weatherboard and brick family homes, many with the original roof and plenty of well-established trees.
Why Tawa houses get grubby
Valleys hold moisture. Mornings stay damp, and homes on the east-facing slopes lose the sun early in the afternoon. Add mature trees and older roofs, and you get:
- green and black mould on the south and shaded walls
- lichen and moss on concrete tile and older iron roofs
- gutters packed with leaves and silt
- slippery concrete steps, which a lot of hillside homes have plenty of
Looking after older homes
A 60-year-old weatherboard house has probably had several coats of paint, and some of it may be lead-based. Water blasting that kind of paint isn't a good idea. It can strip flakes off and spread them around the garden. We soft wash older painted timber at low pressure. If paint is already flaking, washing won't fix it, and we'll tell you that before we start.
Brick homes are easier. We wash off the lichen and grime and leave the mortar alone. For roofs, many Tawa owners go with a moss treatment because it keeps working for months. If you're about to repaint the roof, get it washed instead.
Concrete steps, paths and driveways get a water blast. Gutters, decks and fences can all be done on the same visit.
Tawa FAQ
My house has old paint. Is a wash safe? Sound paint is fine with a soft wash.
Nearby
Johnsonville, Porirua and Whitby. More on house washing in Wellington.
Call 027 303 8398 or email sales@classiccleaners.co.nz.