Soft Washing in Mona Vale

Walls near the ocean take the wind first. Mona Vale Dunes, reached from Golf Avenue, covers over 8 hectares and exists partly to trap windblown sand, while dune plants there are valued for coping with wind and salty spray. Homes just behind this strip can gather salt and fine grit on eaves and rough render, where a shower of rain may do little to shift it.

On the Pittwater side, shade and damp may matter more than salt. Winnererremy Bay and the foreshore reserves running from Mona Street towards Rowland Reserve are sheltered from the surf, and the low ground around them has a wetland past. Mould, algae and mildew tend to favour walls and eaves that stay shaded and slow to dry, so south-facing sides and spots behind dense planting deserve a close look.

Then there is the middle of the suburb, where Pittwater Road widens into a four-lane dual carriageway and meets Mona Vale Road. Soot film from traffic can dull the facades nearest the road, and shop-top housing approved along Pittwater Road will sit in the same air.

Render, painted brick, face brick, weatherboard and cladding are all treated, along with eaves and fascia. Pressure stays low across each of them, and the solution is what does the work.

Mould and grime are more than a cosmetic issue on a painted wall, because the film holds moisture and hides early signs of wear. Removing it gently can put off a repaint, and it lets you see whether the paint underneath actually needs attention.

Low pressure matters on the surfaces most exposed to weather. High-pressure water can etch render, lift tired paint and drive moisture into mortar joints, so soft washing avoids that risk while still cleaning the wall. For an owner with an older post-war house, this is the difference between freshening the place up and creating a repair bill.

The products used are biodegradable and eco-friendly, and they are safe around gardens, pets and children. That counts for something on a block where the planting runs close to the walls, or where a pet has the run of the yard once the crew has packed up.

Strata buildings benefit from having a clear record. Before-and-after photos show a committee what was done to which elevation, which helps when owners ask what their levies paid for. New apartment buildings also start out with clean facades, and regular washing is a modest way to keep them looking that way.