Who requests building washing
- Property managers of apartment and condo buildings
- HOA boards scheduling a community-wide wash
- Retail and restaurant owners keeping storefronts, awnings and entries presentable
- Owners of office buildings and business parks
- Owners getting a building ready for painting, sale or new tenants
What's typically cleaned
- Siding, stucco, brick and painted walls
- Concrete and tilt-up walls
- Entryways, awnings, canopies and signage
- Sidewalks, plazas, parking areas and dumpster enclosures (see concrete cleaning)
- Gutters and downspouts on low-rise buildings (see gutter cleaning)
Window washing is often a separate trade. If you want both, say so in your request.
What builds up on Seattle buildings
- Green algae and mildew on shaded walls, especially north faces and walls beside landscaping.
- Black streaks below rooflines, parapets and window sills, where dirty runoff drips down.
- Spring pollen that coats ledges, awnings and horizontal surfaces yellow-green.
- Traffic film on buildings along arterials and near highways.
- Efflorescence, the white mineral deposits that show up on brick and concrete when water moves through masonry. It needs the right cleaner, not just more pressure.
Planning a commercial wash
- Timing. Early-morning, weekend or after-hours work keeps crews away from customers and tenants.
- Notice. Residents usually need notice to close windows and clear balconies.
- Access. Taller walls may need lifts, which affects scheduling and sidewalk use.
- Runoff. Wash water should be kept out of storm drains, which in Seattle generally flow to creeks, lakes and Puget Sound. Ask how the provider captures or diverts it.
- Recurring service. Many properties set up a yearly or seasonal schedule so buildup never gets heavy.
What affects the cost of building washing
- Building height and total wall area
- Surface types, from durable concrete to delicate stucco and painted trim
- How heavy the algae, staining or efflorescence is
- Lift rental or other special access
- After-hours or phased scheduling
- Runoff control requirements and how many areas (walls, walkways, parking) are included