Soft Washing in Herndon, VA

For contributing buildings in the Herndon Historic District Overlay, the Town’s own guidelines recommend that owners clean exterior walls “using the gentlest means possible” and avoid power washing. What the Town wrote is a recommendation to owners of historic buildings. It is not an endorsement of any company, ours included.

Clearly Amazing soft washes siding, stucco and other exterior surfaces on homes and businesses in the Town of Herndon, with low pressure and eco-friendly products, and our crews come from the Northern Virginia office in Sterling.

Call (703) 723-7770 for a free on-site estimate.

Brick, clapboard and the occasional stucco wall

The Town’s Historic District Overlay Guidelines, in the 2020 edition, name wood clapboard and brick masonry as the typical historic wall materials for contributing buildings. They add that in limited cases a wall has an applied finish such as stucco or parge. On cleaning, they say to use the gentlest means possible, to avoid power washing, and, if a wash is required, to use a light warm water wash of no more than 300 psi. That number is the Town’s ceiling in its guidance for contributing buildings. It is not a description of our equipment.

The Town labels this chapter’s entries recommendations, and also says the guidelines are what staff and the Historic District Review Board use as the basis for reviewing certificate of appropriateness applications. How that applies to your building is a question for Town staff.

Roofs, windows, trim and storefronts get the same advice

For roofs the guidelines say to keep the roof clear of debris, rust and vegetation with the gentlest means possible, and to avoid a power washer unless necessary. The same recommendation is repeated for foundations and chimneys, doors and windows, exterior wood trim and ornament, and storefronts.

That cleaning wording sits in the guidelines’ section for contributing buildings inside the Historic District Overlay. These are the Town of Herndon’s guidelines, not Fairfax County’s, and they do not reach a house outside the district. Which side of the line your address falls on is a question for the Town.

What the Town’s reference guide says about cleaning

The Town’s Historic District Reference Guide, last updated August 15, 2024, does not list routine cleaning, and it says it is not a complete list; it tells owners to consult staff. So we will not tell you cleaning is exempt, and we will not tell you it is reviewed.

Call (703) 723-7770 for a free on-site estimate in Herndon, or request one online.

What the job involves

Read the walls. We go around the building at the estimate and note what each surface is made of, whether siding, stucco, painted trim or something else. If the crew finds a problem such as a loose trim board or cracked siding, they photograph it and share the photos with you.

Wash. The wash is low pressure, and eco-friendly products go into it.

Protect the beds. Plants around the building get soaked. We manage the runoff path.

Areas we cover in Herndon

Our soft washing reaches Downtown Herndon and the Historic District, the rest of the Town of Herndon, and the McNair Farms and Fox Mill Estates neighborhoods. We soft wash commercial buildings as well as homes, and we quote HOA and condo common areas. Tell us your street and we will confirm coverage.

When to schedule in Herndon

The ideal seasons are spring and early fall, with mild days for the crew. Other months are welcome too, whether the reason is a listing, a family weekend, or a board lining up common-area work. Regular upkeep suits exterior surfaces.

Questions Herndon customers ask

What does the Town say about washing a historic building?
For contributing buildings in the Historic District Overlay, its guidelines recommend the gentlest means possible and avoiding power washing.

Can you soft wash stucco?
Yes. Soft washing stucco is part of what we do.

Does washing my Historic District house need a certificate?
The Town’s reference guide does not list routine cleaning, so we cannot say either way. Town staff can answer for your address.

Do you soft wash businesses?
Yes, commercial buildings are part of our work.

Clearly Amazing — Northern Virginia
43676 Trade Center Place, Suite 140, Sterling, VA 20166
(703) 723-7770

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