Facade Cleaning
A building's front elevation is the first thing anyone judges it on. Green streaks under the sills, black spot on the render and traffic film on the cladding all come off — with the right method for the material.
Match the method to the material
Facade discolouration usually has one of three causes: organic growth fed by damp and shade, pollution and traffic film that bonds to the surface over years, or run-off staining below sills, gutters and copings. Each needs a different approach, and the wrong pressure on the wrong surface causes damage that costs far more than the clean.
Render, dash, EWI systems, painted masonry and most cladding are soft washed. A low-pressure application of a cleaning solution kills the algae and lichen at the root, dwells, and is then rinsed off gently. The wall keeps its texture and its coating, and the growth does not return for years rather than months.
Brick, stone and concrete can take more, but not without judgement — soft sandstone, lime mortar and older brick will erode under high pressure. On those we use controlled pressure, DOFF-style hot water where appropriate, or a poultice for stubborn staining. We test a discreet panel first and show you the result before we go across the whole elevation.
What a facade clean includes
- Test panel on a discreet section, agreed with you first
- Windows, doors, vents and fittings masked and protected
- Planting and paving beneath the elevation covered
- Soft wash application with correct dwell time
- Controlled rinse from the top of the elevation down
- Sills, copings, canopies and downpipes detailed by hand
- Ground level rinsed down and left clean
- Before and after photographs of each elevation
Facade types we clean
- Sand-cement render and monocouche
- Pebbledash and wet dash
- External wall insulation (EWI) systems
- Brick, stone and concrete elevations
- Painted masonry
- uPVC, aluminium and composite cladding
- Apartment blocks and managed common areas
- Shopfronts, offices and industrial units
What we remove
- Algae, lichen and moss on shaded elevations
- Black spot and red algae on render
- Green run-off streaks under sills and gutters
- Pollution film and traffic grime on street frontages
- Graffiti and paint over-spray
- Cobwebs, nesting debris and bird fouling
What it usually costs
| Job | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Single elevation, average house | From €250 |
| Full house, semi-detached | From €450 |
| Full house, detached | From €650 |
| Facade soft wash, per m² | From €6.50 |
| Graffiti removal, per m² | From €18 |
| Apartment block / commercial | Quoted on site |
| Biocide protection after cleaning, per m² | From €2.50 |
Facade Cleaning — recent jobs
Facade Cleaning near you
Local pages with the conditions, coverage and questions specific to each area.
Frequently asked
Will cleaning damage my render or paint?
Not with soft washing, which is the method we use on render, dash, EWI and painted walls. It works at roughly garden-hose pressure and relies on the cleaning solution rather than force. We always run a test panel first so you can see the result on your own wall before we commit to the full elevation.
How long does the result last?
Typically three to five years on a sunny elevation and two to three on a shaded, north-facing or tree-covered wall. Adding a biocide treatment after cleaning slows regrowth significantly and is inexpensive at the same visit.
Can you clean an apartment block or commercial building?
Yes. We work for property managers, management companies and business owners, and can schedule around residents and opening hours, including early mornings and weekends. We provide a method statement and insurance details before starting.
Do you remove graffiti?
Yes, on brick, render, concrete, metal and painted surfaces. The method depends on the substrate and how long the paint has been there — solvent-based removers, hot water or a poultice. On porous stone a shadow can remain, and we tell you that before starting rather than after.
Do I need to be at home?
No, provided we can access the elevations and a water supply. We agree the plan by phone or email, send photos as we go, and take payment afterwards. Most facade jobs are completed in one to two days.
Will the water get into my house?
No. We work from the top down at controlled pressure and mask around windows, vents and doors. Soft washing produces far less spray than pressure washing, which is one of the reasons it is the right method for occupied buildings.
Get a fixed price before we start
Send a few photos or a short description and we will come back with a written, fixed-price quote. No call-out fee, no obligation.