What's the difference between soft washing and pressure washing?

Soft washing uses a biocide treatment to kill algae, lichen and fungal growth, then rinses it away at low pressure. Pressure washing relies on force alone, which is fine on hard surfaces like paving but risky on render and old brick pointing.

How often does render need cleaning?

It depends on aspect and exposure — shaded, north-facing or coastal-exposed elevations tend to need attention more often than sheltered, south-facing ones. Most properties do well with a clean every couple of years, sometimes longer.

Do you offer a free quote?

Yes — send a few photos or ask for a site visit and we'll give you a proper quote based on render type, size and access, with no obligation.

What's involved in cleaning lichen off render?

Lichen is one of the more stubborn growths — it often needs a longer biocide dwell time than algae to break down properly. We treat it accordingly rather than rushing the rinse.

Can render cleaning be done in winter?

Yes, as long as it's above freezing and dry enough on the day — biocide needs to dwell on the surface rather than be washed off by rain straight after application.

Do you clean commercial and industrial premises?

Yes, we clean render, brick and block on shops, offices and industrial units, usually scheduling around opening hours so it doesn't disrupt business.

Professional Soft Wash Cleaning in Corbridge

Render gone green or brick streaked black in Corbridge? We soft wash K-rend, monocouche and pebbledash safely with biocide, never high pressure. Call Trevor for a quote.

Northumberland County Council · NE45 · 20.5 miles west of our Washington base

Why does render in Corbridge turn green on one elevation and stay clean on the other three? Usually it comes down to shade, prevailing wind and how much rain that particular wall sees — north and west-facing K-rend and monocouche hold moisture longer, and moisture is exactly what algae and lichen need to get established.

Algae and black streaking on render and brick tend to show up worst through autumn and winter, when Corbridge gets longer damp spells and less direct sun to dry walls out between showers. By spring the growth has often had months to get properly established.

Green algae streaking down a render elevation, black fungal spotting creeping across pebbledash, lichen crusting onto exposed brick — render and brickwork in Corbridge take a battering from damp, shade and salt-laden air, and pressure washing, the instinct of most contractors, cracks and blows render coats that were never built to take it.

Proof, not just promises

Before-and-after photos
Every job documented so you can see exactly what changed.
Biocide trained (2024)
Treatment applied to a proper standard, not a quick spray-and-go.
Fully insured
Covered work from a trained operator, not a side gig.
Spill management trained
Runoff and product handled responsibly around your property.

The biocide we use

We use professional-grade biocide formulated to kill algae, lichen and fungal growth on render and masonry, applied at rates matched to the surface and how established the growth is. We're biocide trained (2024), so it's used correctly rather than sprayed on and rinsed off too soon.

Soft washing vs pressure washing: why it matters

Pressure washing forces water directly at the render surface, and on K-rend, monocouche and pebbledash that can crack the coating, blow sections off the wall entirely, or strip the texture back to bare aggregate.

Soft washing does the opposite. Biocide does the actual cleaning work, and the rinse afterwards is at low pressure — just enough to carry the dead algae and lichen away without stressing the render or the brick pointing underneath. The result looks the same on the day either way, but only one of those methods leaves the coating intact a year later.

Homeowners

Protecting new-build render finishes

If your home has monocouche or K-rend and it's only a few years old, the last thing you want near it is a pressure washer — it's thin enough that aggressive cleaning can strip or crack the coloured finish. Soft washing keeps the render looking new for longer, without the risk.

Render cleaning on exposed, high-ground properties

Properties on higher or more exposed ground around Corbridge take more wind-driven rain, and that constant wetting pushes render and brick towards black streaking and algae faster than a sheltered property nearby.

Exposure also means growth can come back quicker after cleaning, so we're upfront about that rather than overselling a one-off clean as a permanent fix — biocide treatment slows regrowth, it doesn't stop weather doing what weather does.

Access on site

Most render and brick cleaning jobs just need reasonable access to an outside tap or our own water supply, and enough room to set up equipment near the elevation being cleaned — tight side passages or gated access are worth mentioning when you book so we can plan for it.

Render & Brick Cleaning (Soft Wash) near Corbridge

Render & Brick Cleaning (Soft Wash) in Corbridge — common questions

We soft wash render and clean brick across Corbridge, using biocide treatment and low pressure to lift algae, lichen and black streaking without risking the render coat or old mortar. Fully insured and biocide trained (2024) — get in touch for a quote.

Never pressure washed, always soft washed — biocide treatment and low-pressure rinsing for render and brick in Corbridge, with results that last because the growth is actually killed, not just moved.

From Victorian brick terraces to modern K-rend estates, we adjust our soft wash approach to what's actually on the wall. Fully insured, biocide trained (2024), and covering Corbridge and the surrounding area.

Not sure if your render needs cleaning?

That's not just something we say — it's the reason we soft wash instead of pressure wash. Get a quote for render or brick cleaning that won't put your walls at risk.

Request a quote Call 07501060609

Render & Brick Cleaning (Soft Wash) in Corbridge — the elevation part-way through treatment, just off the A69

Render & Brick Cleaning (Soft Wash) in Corbridge — the finished render drying in the sun, a few minutes from Hexham