Sun dries a wall; shade keeps it damp. A north-facing elevation in Devon can stay wet for most of a winter day, and that is all the growth needs.
Hours of wetness, not rainfall
Both sides of a house get the same rain. The difference is how long the surface stays damp afterwards, and that is what decides whether algae can establish.
This guide sits under our Wall Cleaning & Softwash work, covering 20-mile radius of Plymouth.
Trees, fences and neighbours
A hedge two metres from the wall does the same job as a north aspect. So does a narrow side passage between two houses, which is usually the worst surface on any property we quote.
Quoting by elevation
You do not always need the whole house done. We price per elevation so you can treat the problem side more often and the rest on a longer cycle.
Questions we get on this
- Can I just have one wall cleaned?
- Yes, and for many houses that is the sensible option. We will tell you if the finish would look mismatched.
- Will cutting the hedge back help?
- Yes, more than any product. Airflow and light are the most effective long-term treatment there is.
- Do side passages cost more?
- Sometimes, because access and protection take longer. It is in the written quote either way.
Related reading
- Cleaning pebbledash without losing the stones
- Granite, limestone and Devon stone walls
- Composite and timber cladding maintenance
- Victorian terraces: cleaning a house with no side access