So many properties in the North West, both residential properties and commercial buildings, have rendered walls. These are exterior surfaces that look great and can last a really long time when looked after correctly, but far too many people aren't aware that render cleaning is something that they need to be doing!
Cleaning render will make the render surface last much, much longer and will also help to maintain its appearance. Clean render is much more professional looking and welcoming than dirty render, and while you may not think how your outdoor surfaces look is important, you'd be surprised at the difference it can make!
To get your render clean again, contact our team of professionals today at NW Wash to discuss our render cleaning services. From pressure washing to soft washing and everything in between, we'll get your walls looking sparkling clean!
Despite being incredibly popular in the UK, not everyone knows what render really is.
Render allows properties to have different finishes and textures without having to change the structural integrity of the home. It is applied as an often cement-based mixture to the exterior surfaces and left to dry.
Rendered surfaces have fire-rating and waterproof properties, and can even help properties by adding an additional layer of insulation. There is a huge range of options when it comes to rendering, from rough renders like pebbled render (pebbledash) to smooth renders, and they can come in a vast array of colours.
However your render looks, it is important to maintain it to ensure it keeps that look for as long as possible. Clean render will have a longer lifespan than dirty render!
One of the things our team will determine before we start to clean your rendered walls is why they're dirty. The cause of the dirt, discolouration or staining on your wall may help us to decide on a best course of action. Different stains will respond differently to each method, so it's important that we tackle your dirt as efficiently as possible.
Air pollution is a big cause of grime and discolouration on render. It creates smoky black stains on the render that can be almost impossible to prevent.
Algae will form on rendered walls when organic matter lingers on the render. This creates a perfect textured and damp environment in which algae, fungi and bacteria can thrive. This will usually leave green, red or black stains on the render.
Rust is also a common cause of staining and discolouration on rendered walls. It is recognizable by its vibrant orange-red streaks. These are caused by metal reacting with rainwater. The stains are usually streak-shaped unlike other discolouration.
We take on plenty of render cleaning projects. Our render cleaning services are highly recommended, with our experts being trained in soft washing and pressure washing all different types of render.
We'll be able to get your walls back to their former glory, whether you've been doing regular render cleaning or whether it's the first time your rendered surfaces have been cleaned since they were made.
Render manufacturers each have their own instructions on how to correctly wash their own render surfaces. Everyone at our professional render surface cleaning company takes all of this on board when soft washing, jet washing or using other cleaning methods on a render surface.
We are more than happy to clean Weber render. One of our popular render cleaning services, Weber render cleaning, takes a high-standard render surface and cleans it using specialist equipment to bring it back to that sparkling durable finish.
K rend is a mineral-based render, which means that while it is durable, some weather can cause some issues. The cleaning process for K render cleaning has to be gentle. It is important not to cause any damage to the render.
This means using gentle cleaning methods like a soft wash. Using low pressure and gentle application we are able to kill algae growth, remove spores and even prevent regrowth. This takes a specially formulated cleaning solution rather than harsh chemicals.
Monocouche rendering is done in one layer. It is breathable and lightweight and must be cleaned carefully so as not to do any damage. Fortunately, our team knows all of the expert skills needed to clean rendered walls, even those like monocouche.
Wetherby is a popular type of render in the UK and when it comes to render surfaces it is not too difficult to clean, however it still requires someone fully trained and with the right equipment.
Parex render is often chosen because it provides seamless and quality finishes. Just like all of the other types of render, though, it does require a specific skill set and pieces of equipment to clean it without damaging the material or putting yourself at risk.
Knowing what we'll clean is all well and good, but what does render cleaning actually look like? Why can't you just take a sponge and some water and clean render that way?
Here's how we professionally clean render to ensure that your rendered surface is properly clear of any grime, dirt and organic growth.
While render is a durable material, it can be quite delicate. Soft washing render allows us to clean the material without pushing it too hard. A soft wash uses lots of water at low pressure and mild detergent (render cleaning chemicals) in order to remove any dirt and grime. We avoid using harsh chemicals in order to keep our render cleaning services as eco-friendly as possible, only using biodegradable and safe products on your render.
Softwashing water fed poles are long enough that our team is usually able to reach heights without need for additional support in the form of scaffolding or cherry pickers.
Pressure washing uses less cleaning chemicals and more pressure. We use a very light jet wash or pressure wash on some walls in order to remove things like bird droppings, grime and dirt build-up or black spots.
Pressure washing is dangerous when it comes to render as it can leave permanent marks, chip the render and remove paint. It is only advised to be done by those who know how to clean exterior rendered walls.
As well as just water and detergent, we can use a number of eco-friendly cleaning products in our soft washing process. These help to treat and protect the render on your property. That way you don't have to clean the render quite so often, and when you do it is easier. By using these products we minimise the risk of damage to your property, too.
All products that we use in the cleaning process are professional-grade products that are designed specifically for cleaning your rendered walls. We are confident in our technicians and our equipment and are assured that we will be able to achieve high-quality results time and time again.
Since your rendered surfaces are outside, they will occasionally have organic growth on them. Green algae growth is one example of this. It can grow on your roof and walls and is unsightly. Left unchecked, it can also cause damage.
Using cleaning chemicals known as biocides we can effectively kill and remove algae growth and prevent it from returning for much longer than by just using a pressure washer or soap on the walls.
Like algae growth, fungal growth on outdoor walls is something that is just inevitable. It appears beneath terraces, near roofs and windows, and can be really unwelcoming. But with the help of fungicides, we can stop regrowth and remove fungus from your render completely!
As professionals, we know what to look for when we clean render. We know the signs of damage to a rendered wall. This means we can alert you to anything that may later become a costly repair sooner rather than later.
During render cleaning, we might notice things like:
We basically will have time to properly assess the property's render and external surfaces. This means that we can do our amazing job while also hopefully saving you money in the long run.
Professional render cleaning services offer experience, knowledge and skill that doing the job yourself doesn't bring. Our team is well trained and constantly learning the newest techniques so that we can provide a truly properly clean render.
Whether you've got pebble render or smooth render, we'll be able to clean algae growth away, remove fungus, remove discolouration caused by pollution and ensure that your render is left looking spotless.
Cleaning rendered walls is no easy job, and we ensure that we are confident and capable of cleaning all types of render, from clay render to silicone render to k-rend, so that no property will catch us out.
We promise to work as efficiently as possible in order to provide minimal disruption, and we hope to always be a cost-effective solution.
Hiring professionals also means that you don't have to worry about finding specialist equipment like a water-fed pole or brush attachment as we have all of this already!
Plenty of people decide that they can do render cleaning themselves. They figure it can't be that hard, after all with the right cleaning chemical it's just cleaning, right?
Well, no. Render cleaning requires real technical skill. Cleaning both textured and smooth finishes requires you to have the right special equipment like a water-fed pole, scaffolding and a cherry picker.
Rendered walls are much more delicate than you think, and cleaning contractors know this and can take this into mind when deciding upon cleaning solutions.
Without the correct knowledge, cleaning render can destroy a rendered surface. If you avoid render cleaning specialists you run the risk of doing irreparable damage to your exterior render.
For example, the incorrect use of jet washing on a home or commercial building could chip and crack the exterior render. It could lead to moisture getting into the render and thus cause damp problems later down the line. Jet washing render may also chip paint and cause discolouration on your walls.
Some people might choose to bleach their render. This is also a bad idea and something that those who offer a cleaning service will usually avoid. Bleach is known for causing discolouration on render, especially on coloured render.
Alternatively, you might think that painting your render will hide the dirt. While this may be true, painted surfaces with mould or moisture underneath will eventually cause damage as the moisture becomes trapped.
You also cannot wash effectively at home. Trying to use a home standard hose to clean a wall will simply only wash the surface level of grime away. It will not do anything like a proper soft wash, unfortunately.
A real render cleaning solution can be provided by professionals alone.
Render comes in all shapes and sizes, and each type has its own cleaning solution!
Coloured render has specific needs. It must be cleaned with mild detergent, as coloured rendered walls are particularly delicate when it comes to discolouration.
Sometimes, coloured rendered walls might be cleaned using something called green wash. Green wash is a mixture that contains bleach and works to clean stained coloured render.
Jet washing coloured render is ill-advised as it can lead to streaks of discolouration. Even a very light jet wash is a bad idea. The pressure washer should be kept away from the colourful render!
Soft washing is the way forward in order to protect the colour and clean coloured render. The low-pressure method is much kinder than being pressure washed and will still ensure that the entire wall gets properly cleaned.
Just as each type of render is different, each property's render is different, too! It is rare that two buildings require the exact same cleaning needs, especially when it comes to residential and commercial properties.
That's why we discuss your cleaning service with you before we begin, to ensure that your cleaning requirements are met.
Residential properties need to be cleaned usually at low pressure with special attention paid to green algae growth and other biological growth.
Often, cleaning render for residential properties is all about doing a fantastic job to increase curb appeal and improve property value, which is why we avoid using too much pressure.
Cleaning commercial render often requires non-aggressive low-pressure techniques too, with high-pressure washing being reserved for really tough jobs. As a professional render cleaning company, we know to use soft washing over steam cleaning to help maintain a professional appearance.
One of the most important questions: how much will it cost to have a rendered property cleaned?
Unfortunately, the answer is not straightforward. There are a number of factors that impact the cost of render cleaning solutions as not every cleaning project is the same. For example:
Larger walls and properties will naturally cost more to clean than their smaller counterparts.
Some dirt and stains are much harder to remove from render than others. Graffiti, for example, may be harder than mould to remove.
The time and resources needed to install or bring scaffolding and/or a cherry picker to a property will inevitably increase the price of the render cleaning job.
In hard-to-reach properties, the cost of the render cleaning may be higher to accommodate the additional work the team needs to do to be able to reach the building.
In properties that are cleaned more often, the work will be easier to do. If your render was cleaned only six months ago, there'll be less dirt and grime to remove than if it has not been cleaned since it was first installed. This will then be reflected in the price as the time taken for the job will likely reflect the difficulty.
Any technique of render cleaning requires water. If there's not an easily accessible water supply then the team will need to find an alternative solution.
This may cost the company money, and will likely increase the time spent on the project, therefore increasing the price of the render cleaning job.
It is illegal in the UK to let wastewater enter the storm drains. As such, any runoff wastewater must be safely removed by the company or a third party. This can be a costly part of the process, but it is necessary. Without wastewater removal the homeowner and the company could be subjected to hefty fines.
Since the cleaning process and availability of the property differ depending on whether it is a home, warehouse or office building, the cost is likely to also differ.
Generally speaking, there is a ballpark figure for render cleaning when it comes to residential buildings. On average, with the usual amount of organic growth and no unusual or difficult access costs, getting clean render will cost you between £1200 and £2600 for a standard modern home with a professional render cleaning company.
This may seem like a lot but left unchecked, algae and other issues can damage render and cause you to need the property re-rendering. This is a much more expensive process.
While render cleaning might be a little pricey, it is the cost-effective decision, and is essentially an investment into your own home!
This again depends on the access and types of render used on the property, but the general cost for render cleaning for a non-residential type of building is between £5.75 and £8.75 per square metre.
Steam cleaning or some form of soft washing should be done on your render on a regular basis. Don't fret, this doesn't mean you need to call us out every week, though!
Generally speaking, the render should be cleaned every 6 to 12 months. In some areas of the country where there is higher wind, more birds or more moisture, you might find that your property needs to be cleaned even more often than this.
If your render is in need of a clean, contact NW Wash today for a free no-obligation quote!
In between professional cleans, there are a few things that you can do to keep your render looking good and ensure it lasts as long as it should. For example:
You can choose to repair the damage yourself or hire someone to do it for you. Either way, as soon as you notice damage to your render, you should try and get it sorted pretty quickly.
Cracks in render can seem harmless, but they can allow moisture in. This moisture can then get stuck between the render and the wall and can cause the render to blow out and/or moisture issues for you within your home.
Cracks in render can also spread and grow, which can then make the job much bigger than it initially was. You will often find that cleaning companies will not clean render with large cracks as the moisture from the soft washing or steam cleaning will simply get caught between the two surfaces.
Repairing damaged render is relatively straightforward, but if you're unsure or you don't want to get it wrong, it's always worth contacting professionals to get the job done.
While proper cleaning should only be done by professionals, there is nothing stopping you from giving your render a surface clean in between.
As long as there is no damage to your render, using a hose and a gentle sponge to wipe down any marks, remove bird droppings or just spruce up your render in between visits from the professional render cleaning company is a great idea.
Not only will it mean you're actively aware of any damage to your render, but it will make the job easier (thus quicker and cheaper) for the cleaning team when you do invite them back.
One of the most popular ways to keep your render looking good is to apply a render coating to it.
These coatings come from a range of brands and offer a range of properties. You can get coatings that are designed to protect the render and home from moisture or from cracks or from weathering.
Some render coatings come with optional colours, so rather than painting your home you get a water-based coating applied to the surface and it bridges over hairline cracks and protects your property from weathering while still looking attractive.
When looking at coatings, it is advisable to explore your options and find a flexible coating that will accommodate structural movement, especially in order properties!
Sometimes people will reach out to professional render cleaning companies and request a cleaning job when actually, their render has simply met its end. If you know your render is ageing, and you're not sure whether it needs cleaning or replacing, here's what to look out for.
As render ages it will deteriorate, as most things do. This means it will become cracked, chipped, flaky and maybe even discoloured. This can be worsened by rain or flooding.
Render that is poor quality should be redone as soon as possible as this can lead to all the problems listed above. Poorly adhered render can crack, crumble and flake even when it's only been installed for a short amount of time!
Render is only suitable for use on brick, concrete or stone. If you've just found, purchased or entered a property with other wall materials and it has render that seems like it needs cleaning, the likeliness is that the render is failing.
Render will not properly adhere to other materials, meaning it will eventually crack, blow or break away from your wall. Cleaning render will unfortunately not help this.
If you've tried to clean your render yourself, or there's been a particularly bad hail storm or anything like that and it's left your render damaged, you may need to consider rerendering.
You can patch repair and clean the render, but if the area that needs repairing is too large, it simply isn't cost-effective to patch repair and then clean the render.
If your render is in need of a clean, contact NW Wash today for a free no-obligation quote!
Render cleaning involves the removal of dirt, stains, and organic growth from the exterior surfaces of a building, enhancing its appearance and preventing damage.
It's recommended to clean your property's render every two to five years to maintain its appearance and integrity.
We employ soft washing and low-pressure washing techniques, tailored to suit the specific type of render on your property, ensuring effective and safe cleaning.
Yes, regular render cleaning can extend the lifespan of your property's exterior by removing harmful substances that can cause decay and damage over time.
Our render cleaning methods are safe for most types of render, as we adjust our techniques and cleaning solutions to match the material's specifications.
Signs include visible stains, discolouration, algae or moss growth, and a generally dull appearance, indicating that your render would benefit from cleaning.
