Pollen is high this year, leaving its mark on everything it touches.
“This summer a client called me because her black steel roof was completely yellow,” says Chad Gilchrist, owner of MuskokaSoftwash.com, one of Muskoka’s first soft wash companies.
This yellow powder isn’t just a nuisance and an eyesore. If untreated, it can also stain your home’s exterior.
Traditionally, pressure washers have been used to blast pollen, dirt and debris from hard-to-clean surfaces like the exterior of your home and roof, but Chad notes that’s not always the best solution.
“Power washing is great for concrete, interlock, and stone patios, especially when combined with the right water temperature and pressure. But when used on wood, it can remove any coating protecting its surface.”
As the owner of Roll-On Painting, Chad and his team often use power washing to remove peeling stain and paint from cedar shingles, wood siding and decks before they’re recoated. But if you’re not looking to remove your paint or stain, MuskokaSoftwash.com offers a gentler solution: soft washing your exterior.
The soft wash process uses water, a diluted cleaning solution, and a surfactant to gently spray down the exterior surfaces. Within 10 to 15 minutes, this coating kills the organic material clinging to its surface, removes stains and brightens wooden surfaces.
Once the solution is rinsed off, your exterior’s original lustre is restored. While the solution includes diluted bleach, it won’t damage or fade surfaces, nor will it harm surrounding gardens and greenery.
By thoroughly watering the surrounding foliage before, during, and after applying the soft wash solution, the greenery locks out the solution like a saturated sponge. “Your vegetation won’t be able to absorb the solution.”
While pollen is the most noticeable pest, it’s not the only one to worry about. Abundant rainfall early in the summer has meant mould and mildew are also high this year. While organic growth on your roof, siding, and trim is unavoidable, leaving it to grow is not a wise decision, Chad notes. If left untouched, it will harbour moisture and eventually lead to rot, which can be an expensive mistake, especially on costly roofing materials like cedar shakes.
“I suggest soft washing your cedar shakes yearly to keep them dry and healthy,” says Chad. “With the proper care, your shakes can last as much as 50 years or more.”
With Chad’s annual or semi-annual subscription soft wash service, you can keep your cottage clean effortlessly. “Let us help you keep your cottage’s exterior clean and healthy for years to come.”
TEXT SHELANNE AUGUSTINE
PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN
