Render cleaning FAQs
The questions we are asked most about render, soft washing, pricing and how we work. Cannot find yours? Send us a photo or give Stephen a call and we will answer it straight.
Render and staining
Why has my render gone green or black?
That is living growth — algae, lichen or a surface mould — feeding on the damp surface. Render holds moisture, and the damp Midlands climate lets the growth take hold, worst on shaded and north-facing walls. The render itself is usually fine underneath.
Is the staining damaging my render?
Left long enough it traps damp against the surface and looks worse every year, but in most cases the render is sound. A proper clean lifts the growth and lets you see the wall is fine. We will tell you honestly if anything underneath needs attention.
How do I know which render I have?
Send us a photo. We will tell you whether it is K-Rend, monocouche, painted render, Weber or something else, and how it should be cleaned.
Why is one side of my house worse than the others?
Almost always it is the north-facing or shaded side, which stays damp longest, so algae grows there first and thickest. Walls near trees, hedges or a dripping gutter go the same way.
Our method
What is soft washing?
A low-pressure cleaning method that uses a proper biocide to kill algae, lichen and mould at the root, then rinses gently. The solution does the work, not the pressure, so the surface is never blasted. Read more about how soft washing works.
What do you actually put on my render?
A professional biocidal treatment — a product authorised for soft washing exterior surfaces, used at the dilution stated on its label. It kills the algae and lichen at the root, which is what stops the staining coming straight back. We will always tell you exactly what is going on your walls, and are happy to show you the product and its label before we start.
Does it use bleach?
There is a real difference between someone decanting generic or pool-grade bleach into a sprayer and a cleaner using a product authorised for this work. We use an authorised biocide made for render, applied at the dilution stated on its label — not neat household or pool-grade bleach. Getting the product and dilution right is the core of doing the job properly, and it is worth asking any cleaner to confirm they do the same.
Are you trained and insured to use these products?
Yes. We carry public liability insurance, follow COSHH for handling and storage, and use authorised products according to their labels. Before any of that, Stephen spent years as a Local Authority Cleaning Inspector — the rules around this work are not an afterthought here, they are where the career began.
Why not just use a pressure washer?
High pressure tears at soft render, strips the colour or paint, and forces water into the wall. It also only knocks the top off the growth, so it grows back fast. The render makers themselves warn against it. We never pressure wash render.
Will soft washing damage my render?
No — that is the point of it. The low pressure protects the surface while the solution does the cleaning. It is the method K-Rend, Weber and the other manufacturers recommend.
How do you protect my plants, pets and garden?
With method, not promises. Before we start we pre-wet the planting around the walls, apply the treatment at the correct dilution rather than mixing it strong, and rinse down afterwards so nothing pools or runs into a drain. We will ask you to keep pets indoors while we work and until surfaces are dry. If there is anything close to the wall you are concerned about, tell us first and we will cover or move it.
Is there a smell?
There can be a mild chlorine-type odour during the work and for a short while after, which clears as the surfaces dry. We keep your open windows and doors in mind while we work, and rinse everything down thoroughly.
Can you clean my render without ladders?
Yes. Soft washing is done from the ground using low-pressure equipment that reaches the full height of most homes. No ladders leaning against your walls.
Will the staining come back?
Far more slowly than after a pressure wash. We kill the growth at the root and the biocide keeps working for months, so most homes stay clean for a few years. Shaded and north-facing walls may need a touch-up sooner.
How often should render be cleaned?
For most Midlands homes, every three to five years keeps it looking right. We give you an honest view at the assessment rather than booking you in too often.
Pricing and booking
How much does render cleaning cost?
As a guide, most terraces and semis are £300–£600 and detached homes £600–£1,400, with commercial quoted per site. You get a fixed price after a free assessment. See our pricing page for what changes the figure.
Do you charge for a quote, and is there a deposit?
The quote is free with no obligation, and there is no deposit. You pay on completion, once you are happy, by bank transfer or card.
How long does a job take?
Most homes are done in a day. A large detached house or tricky access can take a little longer. We give you a clear time when we quote.
How quickly can you come out?
We can usually get out for a free assessment within a few days, and book the work in soon after. Closer towns like Burton and Tamworth are often quicker still.
Areas and travel
Which areas do you cover?
We cover render cleaning within about 45 miles of our Swadlincote base, across the East and West Midlands. See the full list on our areas page.
Do you charge for travel?
Most of our area sits inside standard pricing. For jobs beyond about 35 miles we are upfront about any travel, and it is always included in the fixed price you agree.
These cover the what and the why of render cleaning. If you are weighing up who to actually trust with the job, see the questions to ask before you hire a render cleaner — the things worth checking before anyone touches your walls.
Still got questions? Start with the free guide
Stephen's plain-English guide to looking after render, drawn from 25 years on the tools. No jargon, no hard sell — just what helps your render and what harms it.
- Why render goes green, black and red — and what it really is
- The one mistake that ruins render, and how to dodge it
- A simple checklist to keep your walls clean for years
Sent straight to your inbox. No spam, just the guide.
Question we didn't answer?
Send us a couple of photos of your render and we will tell you the staining type, flag any problems, and give you an honest fixed price — usually within 24 hours. Prefer to talk? Call Stephen on 01283 293283.