Why Soft Washing Is Ideal for Historic Aiken Homes

Why Soft Washing Is Ideal for Historic Aiken Homes

Aiken, South Carolina is renowned for its historical homes. When it comes to maintaining that history and beauty, cleaning them properly without causing damage is most important. Traditional pressure washing may appear to be the clear solution, after all, it’s used for cleaning most buildings to great success. 

The problem is that it often does a lot more harm than good to older structures of this age. Searching “soft wash near me” on Google is your best solution, as soft washing offers a much more gentle approach to cleaning that preserves these homes so that future generations can continue to enjoy them.

Understanding Soft Washing

Soft washing, which may also be referred to as soft wash cleaning, is a cleaning technique that uses low-pressure water and safe cleaning solutions to gently and carefully remove grime, mold, mildew, and other undesirable contaminants from the surfaces of a building. 

Traditional pressure washers use high-pressure water that can damage the delicate and aging exterior of historical buildings, soft washing is a much more controlled and precise method that ensures that the building can be safely cleaned without being permanently marred.

Soft washing uses a spray containing a mixture of water and environmentally safe detergents released at low pressure. The solution seeps into the surface and softens up the dirt and stains it comes in contact with. After waiting a short time for that process to take place, it’s then gently rinsed off with water, the process eliminating any chance of causing damage.

The Benefits for Historical Homes

Preserving Architectural Details

Traditional pressure washing is dangerous for historic homes like the ones in Aiken. Their ornate trim and moldings, delicate window panes, vintage brickwork, all of it are at risk of being damaged by that method, leading well-intentioned owners to have to spend more money attempting to repair what was lost. 

The low-pressure advantage of soft washing is that it won’t cause any erosion or distortion that would harm the very thing that makes these homes so special.

Effective Removal of Stains and Contaminants

Over time, historic homes can build up a large amount of contaminants. High-pressure washing may remove these, but they’ll often take parts of the building with it. Soft washing is just as effective, but far safer, and doesn’t need to use harsh chemicals or high pressure like traditional methods. 

The cleaning formula used in soft washing is designed to carefully loosen up dirt and stains and get them ready to be gently removed by a low-pressure spray that leaves your historic home thoroughly cleaned while maintaining the look that’s made it so special.

Gentle on Various Surface Materials

Historic homes in Aiken are made of a variety of materials, including wood, brick, and stone, with many of them having vintage siding as well. All of these materials are going to be very old and require delicate handling to ensure that no damage is caused in the cleaning process. 

Soft washing is perfect for this, and can effectively restore wooden facades, brickwork, and stone surfaces without causing things like discoloration.

Ideal for Roof Cleaning

While the walls and facades of your historic home are important, you can’t forget about their roofs. Older roofs can be severely damaged by high-pressure washing methods. 

By using soft washing instead, you prevent water from being blasted under your shingles, reducing the risk that water could leak into your home. It’s also able to remove the black streaks caused by algae without stripping away the asphalt granules that protect your roof from discoloration and UV rays.

Environmentally Friendly

Historic homeowners are conscious of the history that they’re living in. They’re aware that they’re helping to preserve the past while being careful not to harm the environment in the process. 

Soft washing aligns well with this mindset as the cleaning solutions it uses are biodegradable and safe for the structure and the ground it will ultimately soak into. By choosing soft washing, you can safely clean your home without any fear about your impact on the environment. 

Real-World Applications

Aiken is a historic home to many priceless landmarks, necessitating careful maintenance to preserve their integrity for the people to enjoy. Soft washing has been used to clean old buildings across the city with a proven track record of success. 

Property owners have seen the complete transformation of their vintage homes through this gentle cleaning method. It’s become a trusted solution for maintaining the city’s architectural heritage.

Long-Lasting Results

Soft washing has the advantage that the cleaning solution used in this process not only removes existing grime but also makes it difficult and slower for it to grow back. This means that your historical home won’t need to be cleaned as often, and reduce the financial burden of maintenance, all while retaining its charm.

Complies with Preservation Guidelines

Aiken is among many other historic locations where specific guidelines have been put in place to prevent the loss of the city’s living history. 

According to the City of Aiken Design Review Board’s “Old Aiken Design Guidelines”, section 5.1.12 on code compliance, the city requires that compliance with health and safety codes should be “carried out with a minimum of impact to the historic character of old buildings” and that owners should “strive to avoid loss of significant features and spaces”. 

With all the force found in high-pressure washers, there’s a much greater risk of violating these guidelines than using much more gentle soft washing methods. 

Conclusion

To ensure that your historic home lasts for many years, decades, and even centuries to come, you must choose a soft washing company that has a good reputation. 

Look for professionals who are familiar and experienced with historic building conservation, especially in the Aiken area. When searching for “soft wash near me” on Google, consider working with Veterans Pressure Washing. We understand how important it is to preserve the architecture that makes Aiken special. 

Soft washing is an invaluable tool for historical buildings. By going with us, you can rest assured that your home will be cleaned thoroughly and safely. Visit us today and let’s talk about how we can meet your home’s unique needs.

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