House Washing · Jacksonville, FL
House Washing in Jacksonville, FL
That green film on the north wall is not dirt. It is living growth, and a soft wash removes it without hurting your paint, stucco or siding.
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- Duval · Clay · St. Johns
Quick answer
House washing in Jacksonville should be a soft wash. Your pro applies a mild cleaning mix at low pressure, lets it work for a few minutes, then rinses from the top down. It kills mildew and algae at the root, so walls stay clean longer than a high pressure blast, and it will not chip stucco or force water behind vinyl.
What Grows on Jacksonville Houses
Walk around almost any home in Duval County and you will see the same pattern. The sunny south side looks fine. The north side and any wall behind a hedge or under an oak turns green, then gray, then black. Here is what is usually on the walls.
- Green algae: soft, slick growth that loves shaded vinyl and painted wood.
- Black mildew: dark spots under eaves, around light fixtures and above sprinkler heads.
- Pollen film: a yellow coat from oak and pine every spring that feeds the growth.
- Spider webs and mud dauber nests: packed along soffits and window corners.
- Rust and red clay splash: from sprinkler water and storm runoff along the lower few feet.
The University of Florida IFAS guide on algae and mildew points out that shade, moisture and plants close to the house all speed this up. In older parts of town like Avondale, Ortega and San Jose, big oaks and thick shrubs mean walls rarely dry out.
Why a Soft Wash Beats High Pressure on Walls
A pressure washer can strip a wall fast, but it does real harm when used on the wrong surface.
- Vinyl siding: high pressure drives water up behind the panels, where it soaks insulation and can lead to hidden mold.
- Stucco: most newer homes in the Southside, Nocatee and Oakleaf have stucco. A strong tip can etch the finish, open hairline cracks and force water into them.
- Painted wood and Hardie board: blasting lifts paint at the edges and raises wood grain.
- Windows and seals: high pressure can break window seals and push water past weather stripping.
A soft wash does the work with chemistry instead of force. The cleaning mix kills the roots of the growth. The rinse just carries it away. That is also why soft washed walls stay clean longer. When you only blast the top layer off, the roots stay behind and grow back in a few months.
What Your Pro Will Do
- Walk the house
Your pro checks for loose siding, open outlets, cracked stucco, delicate plants and any spot where water could get inside.
- Protect plants and openings
Shrubs and beds get a good soak with plain water so they do not absorb the cleaning mix. Outlets, lights and doorbells get covered. Nearby storm drains get blocked.
- Apply the soft wash mix
The mix goes on from the bottom up at low pressure so it does not streak, and it sits for a few minutes. Heavy spots may get a second coat.
- Rinse from the top down
Your pro rinses the walls, soffits and windows with plenty of water, then rinses all the plants again.
- Look it over with you
You walk the house together. Rust, oxidation on old vinyl and paint failure are not mildew, so your pro will point those out if they remain.
Stucco, Brick and Older Homes
Stucco needs the softest touch of all. Your pro should treat it like a painted wall, not like a driveway. Brick and block homes in Arlington and the Westside handle cleaning well but can show white salt stains called efflorescence. That needs a different product than mildew does.
Historic homes in Riverside and Springfield need extra care. Old wood siding, original windows and lead paint call for low pressure and careful rinsing. If your home was built before 1978, ask your pro how they handle old paint.
How Often to Wash Your House
Most Jacksonville homes do well with a house wash about once a year. Some need it more.
- Homes on the river or marsh: morning mist off the St. Johns River and the Intracoastal keeps walls damp.
- Homes at the Beaches: salt and sand stick to walls and screens.
- Heavily shaded lots: wooded streets off San Jose Boulevard and Loretto Road in Mandarin turn green fastest.
- Light colored homes: white and pale gray show growth sooner.
A good time is late spring, once the oak and pine pollen is done. Washing in March can mean a yellow coat again in a week.
Screens, Lanais and Pool Cages
Many homes here have a screened lanai or pool cage. The aluminum frame gets chalky and the screen gets green and black at the bottom. A soft wash cleans both at once. Ask your pro to add it to the house wash quote, since it is usually cheaper to do together. Pool owners should ask how the pro will keep the cleaning mix out of the water.
House Washing Questions
Will a soft wash hurt my plants?
Not when it is done right. Your pro soaks plants with water first, keeps the mix off of them as much as possible, and rinses them well after. Delicate plants can be covered.
Do I need to be home?
Not always. Your pro needs a working outdoor spigot, unlocked gates and closed windows. Pets should stay inside until the walls are rinsed.
How long does a house wash take?
A typical one story home takes a few hours. Two story homes, heavy growth or a lanai take longer.
Will it remove rust stains?
Mildew mix does not remove rust. Rust from sprinkler water needs a separate rust remover, which your pro can quote as an add on.
Same day quote requests welcome
Get a House Washing Quote
Tell us your address, the size of the house and what you see on the walls. A photo or two helps. A local pro will reach out with a free written quote. Request your quote or read how the process works.
More services
Other exterior cleaning services in Jacksonville
Roof Cleaning
Low pressure removal of black algae streaks on shingle, tile and metal roofs.
Driveway & Concrete
Surface cleaning for driveways, walks, pool decks and patios.
Paver Cleaning & Sealing
Deep clean, fresh joint sand and a sealer that fights weeds and fading.
Deck & Fence Cleaning
Gentle washing that brings gray wood back without raising splinters.
Gutter Cleaning
Pine needles and oak leaves cleared, downspouts flushed before storm season.
Window Cleaning
Salt film, pollen and hard water spots cleared from glass and screens.
Commercial Pressure Washing
Storefronts, sidewalks, dumpster pads and HOA common areas.
Before & After
Before and after examples
