House Washing in Stilbaai
A house that stands closed for most of the year collects everything: green streaks on the shaded walls, a salty film on the sea side and cobwebs under every eave and light. We soft-wash the outside so the house looks cared for when you drive in, without blasting the paint off.
What builds up while the house is closed
Walls that face away from the sun stay damp longest after dew and rain, and in a coastal climate that is enough for algae and mildew to take hold. On light-coloured walls it shows as green-grey streaks under windowsills, down from the gutters and along the bottom of boundary walls.
The sea side of the house has a different problem: a dull, salty film that makes paint look chalky and old before its time. And under the eaves, around outside lights, in the corners of the stoep and behind shutters, spiders have had months to themselves. Cobwebs and old egg sacs at the front door are often the first thing guests notice.
Why soft washing, not pressure washing
Pressure washing a painted wall strips paint, forces water in behind cracks and window frames, and leaves the roots of the algae behind, so it grows back quickly. We apply a diluted, biodegradable treatment at low pressure that kills the growth at the root, then rinse it away. The wall comes clean without damage and stays clean for longer.
Before we start, we wet the garden beds and plants next to the walls so nothing is affected, and we rinse them again afterwards.
What we wash
- Exterior walls, plaster and render.
- Eaves, fascias and soffits, with cobwebs and old nests removed.
- Outside lights, gates and burglar bars.
- Boundary and garden walls.
- Braai areas, outdoor showers and stoep walls.
- Garage doors and shutters.
Before you repaint, or instead of repainting
A lot of coastal houses get repainted when all they needed was a proper wash. Once the algae and salt film are off, you can see whether the paint is actually failing. If you are planning to repaint, a soft wash is also the right preparation, because paint doesn't bond well to a wall that still has growth on it. We'll point out any cracks or flaking we find, so you know what to tell a painter.
Pricing
House washing starts from R1,200 for an average single-storey home. A whole house, walls and boundary walls included, is typically R2,500 to R5,000, depending on size, storeys and how much growth there is. It is included in our Full Arrival Ready package.
Areas we cover
We work across Stilbaai on both sides of the Goukou River, in Stilbaai West and Stilbaai East, as well as Jongensfontein and Melkhoutfontein. Further along the coast or inland? Ask us. We can often fit it in.
House Washing FAQs, Stilbaai
Will soft washing damage my paint?
No. It is low pressure, and the treatment is diluted and biodegradable. If paint is already flaking, loose flakes may come away, and we point those out before we start.
Do you remove cobwebs from the eaves?
Yes. Cobwebs and old spider nests under eaves, around lights and in the corners of the stoep are cleared as part of every house wash. Active wasp or bee nests need a pest specialist, and we'll tell you if we find one.
How long does it stay clean?
Usually well over a year. Walls in full sun stay clean longest; shaded walls close to the sea grow back sooner.
Do I need to be home?
No. We need an outside tap, a plug point and access around the house.