Whether it’s black mould on your white trim or green moss on your once-golden cedar shakes, organic growth on your home or cottage won’t just affect the appearance of your home: it can also limit its lifespan.
“While organic growth on your roof, siding, and trim is unavoidable in Muskoka, leaving it to grow is not a wise decision,” says Chad Gilchrist, owner of Please Wash Me. “Mould and organic matter must be removed before painting, or it will permeate and stain any painted surface. And cedar shakes, if left untouched, will harbour moisture and eventually they’ll rot.”
Thankfully, removing that organic matter is now faster and easier than ever. Please Wash Me’s soft wash system works to kill organic matter growing on your home’s exterior, removing stains and brightening wood surfaces back to their original colour.
Chad’s system was born out of a need for a better, faster cleaning system for his painting business, Roll-On Painting. Many of the residences and commercial properties the painters work on are surrounded by trees and plants – and as a result, the surfaces are often covered in organic matter.
“We always clean the surface before painting, so we wanted a better, faster system that would also be gentle on those surfaces,” he says. This quest led him to speak to experts across North America, including other exterior cleaning specialists that currently use soft wash systems.
Chad’s soft wash system uses a low-pressure spray – comparable to that of a garden hose – to disperse a cleaning solution made of water, a diluted cleaning solution, and a surfactant that helps the solution to stick to your surfaces.
Within 10 to 15 minutes, the solution kills the organic material, removes stains, and brightens any wooden surfaces. The solution is then rinsed off, locking in your exterior’s newly restored lustre, and washing off any excess solution that may have settled on the surrounding foliage.
While the solution is tough on mould and mildew on your home, Chad says the process won’t harm your gardens or surrounding greenery.
“We start every project by thoroughly watering every surrounding plant,” he says. “Once the roots are saturated, they’re like a saturated sponge – they won’t be able to absorb the solution.”
While the soft wash system is great for extending the life of your cottage, it’s also perfect for those looking to repaint their siding and trim or re-stain their cottage’s logs or timber frame details.
“Our system will lengthen your paint cycle, beautify your home, and extend the lifespan of your roof, siding, and trim, without the damage,” says Chad.
TEXT SHELANNE AUGUSTINE | PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN
