Frequently Asked Questions

Pressure washing uses high-pressure water to blast away built-up dirt, oil, and staining from hard surfaces like concrete, brick, and retaining walls. Soft washing uses low pressure combined with professional-grade cleaning solutions to safely remove algae, mildew, and oxidation from more delicate surfaces like vinyl siding, stucco, and painted wood without causing damage. The right method depends on what surface you are cleaning and what is growing or staining it.

Yes, soft washing is actually the recommended method for vinyl siding because high pressure can crack panels, force water behind seams, and strip paint or oxidation unevenly. The low-pressure application paired with biodegradable cleaning solutions breaks down algae, mold, and dirt at the source rather than just blasting it off the surface. This approach cleans more thoroughly and is far less likely to cause any damage to your home's exterior.

High-pressure washing can dislodge granules from asphalt shingles, void manufacturer warranties, and shorten the life of your roof, so RBJ Exterior Solutions uses a soft wash method for roof cleaning instead. A low-pressure application of biodegradable cleaning agents kills and removes black streaks, moss, lichen, and algae without the force that causes damage. This keeps your roof clean and your warranty intact.

Those black streaks are caused by a type of algae called Gloeocapsa magma, and they will not wash away with plain water. A soft wash treatment applies biodegradable cleaning agents at low pressure to kill the algae at the root level, which causes the streaking to break down and rinse away. Treating the roof this way also slows regrowth compared to pressure washing alone, which only removes the surface appearance without killing what is causing it.

Yes, window cleaning pairs well with house washing because the rinse process from siding work can leave pollen, soap residue, and mineral spotting on exterior glass. Professional window cleaning goes beyond hosing by removing hard water deposits, oxidation, and environmental film from the glass, frames, and sills. Bundling both services in one visit means your entire exterior gets addressed at the same time, which saves you scheduling multiple trips.

Professional window cleaning removes hard water deposits, oxidation, and environmental film that a standard hose rinse leaves behind. A trained technician cleans the glass, frames, sills, and screens using the right tools and solutions for each surface, including purified water rinse systems that help windows dry without spotting. The result is noticeably clearer glass without streaks, mineral haze, or leftover pollen film.

Most Baltimore-area homeowners benefit from gutter cleaning at least twice a year, typically once in late spring after pollen and seed drop and again in late fall after leaves have finished falling. Homes with heavy tree cover may need cleanings more frequently to prevent compacted buildup that blocks water flow. Clogged gutters can overflow and cause water damage to fascia boards and foundations, so staying on a regular schedule is worth the effort.

When gutters stay clogged, rainwater overflows the sides and runs down the fascia boards, siding, and foundation instead of draining safely away from the home. Over time this can cause wood rot, foundation moisture problems, and landscape erosion around the base of the house. A full gutter cleaning removes leaves, debris, and compacted buildup from both the gutters and downspouts so water moves through the system the way it should.

Yes, pressure washing with surface cleaning equipment and high-pressure water removes oil stains, tire marks, rust, and embedded dirt from concrete driveways more effectively than scrubbing by hand or using a standard hose. For older or heavily saturated oil stains, a pre-treatment solution may be applied before the pressure wash to break down the staining before the rinse. Results vary depending on how long the stain has been there and how deep it has penetrated the concrete.

Wood decks can be pressure washed, but the pressure level and technique matter quite a bit because too much force raises the grain, splinters the wood, or drives water into areas that accelerate rot. RBJ Exterior Solutions adjusts pressure and method based on the deck material, whether that is pressure-treated wood, composite, cedar, or another surface. Cleaning a deck before resealing or staining also helps the new finish bond properly to the surface.

Fence washing removes dirt, mold, mildew, algae, and weathering buildup from wood, vinyl, and metal fencing. For wood fences, cleaning before re-staining or sealing is especially worthwhile because a clean surface holds the finish longer and more evenly. Vinyl fencing responds well to soft washing, which removes green and black biological growth without the risk of warping or surface damage that high pressure can cause.

A good starting point is looking at each surface separately and noting what you see, whether that is green algae on siding, black streaks on the roof, oil on the driveway, or mineral haze on the windows. Different surfaces need different methods, and combining services in one visit is usually more efficient than scheduling them separately throughout the year. RBJ Exterior Solutions can assess your home's exterior and recommend which services make sense based on what is actually present, so you are not paying for work that is not needed.