Softwashing & Render Cleaning · South Wales
Render & Softwash CleaningAcross South Wales —Algae Gone, Finish Intact
Low-pressure biocide treatment that lifts algae, moss and grime from render, K-Rend and painted masonry without cracking, chipping or forcing water into the substrate. Long-lasting, professional finish.
- Owner-led by Joshua Evans — same face on every job
- Fully insured for domestic & commercial work
- Written quote within 24 hours of your photos
- Serving South Wales — Port Talbot, Swansea, Bridgend, Neath, Cardiff
What softwashing & render cleaning actually involves
What it is
A chemical-led, low-pressure clean using a professional biocide applied through soft-wash equipment. The biocide kills organic growth on contact and the render is rinsed down — the finish does the work, not brute pressure.
Who it's for
Homeowners with rendered elevations that have gone green, black or streaky. Particularly common on north-facing walls, gables and anything shaded by trees.
When you need it
When you can see green or black staining, when render looks tired even after rain, or before repainting — cleaning is a fraction of the cost of a re-render.
Why do it properly
Render is porous. High pressure drives water behind it and pops the finish off in patches. Softwashing kills the growth chemically so the surface only needs a gentle rinse.
What happens if you leave it
Every job we quote for is easier — and cheaper — than the one that follows it. Here's what tends to happen when this gets ignored.
Algae eats into the render, not just onto it
Green and black algae aren't just cosmetic — they hold moisture against the finish and slowly break down the top layer. Left long enough, patches start flaking and you're looking at re-render costs instead of a clean.
Pressure washing render is a one-way ticket
Every year we get calls to fix render that a well-meaning cleaner attacked with a jet washer. Once the finish is chipped or blown off, it can't be pressure-fixed. Softwash is the only professional route.
Untreated growth spreads onto neighbouring surfaces
Algae and moss on render seed the surrounding fascia, guttering and driveway. Cleaning the wall alone and leaving the source colonies untouched means you'll be back to square one within a season.
Our process
The same repeatable system on every job — so you know exactly what you're paying for and exactly what you're getting.
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1
Photo-based quote within 24 hours
Send us photos of the affected elevations. We come back with a written price — no doorstep visits, no pressure.
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2
Site prep & masking
Windows, doors, garden furniture and planting protected before any chemistry goes near the wall.
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3
Biocide application
Professional soft-wash biocide applied at low pressure. It penetrates the organic growth and starts killing on contact.
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4
Dwell time & gentle rinse
The biocide is left to work, then the render is rinsed with a soft flow of water. No blasting, no gouging.
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5
Final walk-round & sign-off
We walk the elevations with you, confirm the finish and note anything worth flagging (e.g. hairline cracks that a re-paint should address later).
What you actually get out of it
Concrete outcomes — not vague promises.
Render stays render
No chipped edges, no blown patches, no water forced into the substrate.
Kills, doesn't just rinse
The biocide destroys the organism at the root — regrowth is slower and lighter.
Uniform finish
No streak lines from an inconsistent jet-wash pattern.
Safe around windows and joinery
Low-pressure application means no water pushed past seals.
Great before repainting
A softwashed wall is the ideal surface for a fresh coat — no ghosting through the paint.
Longer-lasting than pressure
Because we kill the growth, not just remove the visible layer, the finish stays cleaner for longer.
Drag to see the difference
Interactive before-and-after sliders from real softwashing & render cleaning jobs across South Wales.
BeforeAfter
BeforeAfter
Recent softwashing & render cleaning work
Real jobs from South Wales — during and after.
The detail most companies skip
Surfaces we softwash
Silicone render, sand-and-cement render, K-Rend and other polymer renders, pebbledash, painted masonry, brickwork and stone. Each surface takes a slightly different biocide dwell time and rinse pressure — the method is tuned to the wall.
Softwash vs pressure wash — the real difference
Pressure washing relies on mechanical force to blast dirt off. Softwashing relies on chemistry to kill and release the growth, then uses a low-pressure rinse to take it away. On render, softwash is the professional standard — pressure is a shortcut that costs more in the long run.
What biocide actually does
The biocides we use are specifically formulated for exterior masonry: they kill algae, lichen and moss at the cellular level, then break down in sunlight. They're not left as a residue coating your walls.
Commercial and multi-storey work
For blocks of flats, commercial buildings and taller elevations we scope access on a per-site basis and confirm the safest method before we quote. Method statements and RAMS provided on request.
Frequently asked questions
How much does render cleaning cost?+
Most standard 3-bed semis with typical algae fall between £250 and £600 for a full softwash, depending on elevations, access and how heavy the growth is. You'll get a fixed written price before we book anything in.
Will the chemicals damage my plants or grass?+
No. We mask off delicate planting and rinse down any overspray. The biocides we use break down in sunlight and don't leave a residue that damages lawns or borders when handled properly.
How long will the render stay clean?+
On a properly softwashed elevation, expect 2–4 years before you see meaningful regrowth. North-facing walls and heavily shaded elevations regrow faster than sunlit ones.
Is it safe on K-Rend and silicone render?+
Yes — softwash is actually the recommended method on modern polymer renders. High pressure on K-Rend is one of the fastest ways to damage the finish.
Do I need to be home while you work?+
Not usually. As long as we have access to a tap and a bit of yard space we can crack on. We'll message before and after with photos.
Can you clean render in Swansea and Cardiff?+
Yes. We softwash across Swansea, Cardiff, Bridgend, Neath, Port Talbot and the surrounding areas — no long-distance surcharges for standard South Wales postcodes.
What's the difference between softwashing and steam cleaning?+
Softwashing uses chemistry to kill growth on porous surfaces like render. Steam cleaning uses heat and pressure to shift stubborn stains on hard surfaces like patios or block paving. Different tools, different jobs.
Should I clean before painting my house?+
Yes — every time. Painting over live algae just seals the growth under a new coat, and it bleeds through within months. Softwash first, paint after.
Related services
Most customers pair softwashing & render cleaning with one of these — or ask about our full exterior reset. Not sure what you need? Send us a couple of photos.
Ready for a straight answer and a fair price?
Send a couple of photos and a postcode — you'll have a written, no-obligation quote within 24 hours. No pushy follow-ups, no hidden extras.
Owner-led · Fully insured · Serving Port Talbot, Swansea, Bridgend, Neath, Cardiff & across South Wales