The Question That Every Homeowner Asks
I get this question quite often and I always reply with,
“Well, how often should I get a soft wash in Devon?”
I almost get the same response every time,
“Oh, it’s been a wee while now.”
Or…
“I honestly couldn’t even tell you.”
I get it, we don’t tend to think about the exterior of our home. We only really think about keeping the inside clean because this is what we see every single day.
It’s the same for your car, you might clean it every few weeks, your floors every few days, and your windows every few months.
But as I said from my own experience, for most homeowners in Devon, the answer is “not nearly enough.”
Devon’s constant rain, coastal air, and shade create the perfect environment for algae, moss, and lichen to thrive.
While they make your roof and render look very tired and dirty, they also slowly eat away at surfaces, trapping moisture and causing permanent damage.
This blog post is going to answer this question, “How often you should soft wash your home in Exeter or anywhere across Devon.”
I will help you understand what signs to look for, and how regular maintenance can actually save you a lot of money down the road.
Why Devon Homes Need Soft Washing More Often
Devon is one of the most beautiful places in the UK (in my opinion) with its sandy beaches and picture-esque red cliffs.
But I think you’ll also notice, it’s also one of the wettest places in the UK.
Between the near-constant drizzle, coastal humidity, and shaded gardens, it’s no surprise that algae and moss build up much faster here than in drier parts of the country.
Devon is basically like the perfect petri dish for algae and moss to grow and thrive.
Here’s why a soft wash in Exeter, Exminster are so important especially coming into the wettest months of the year:
- Rain and moisture: The damp air feeds algae, helping it spread quickly across render, roofs, and patios.
- Shade from trees: Areas under trees trap water longer, accelerating moss growth.
- Coastal salt: Salt in the air from Devon’s coast leaves residue that attracts dirt and discolouration.
The Exeter Gutter Cleaner provides soft washing in Broadclyst, Silverton, & Upton Pyne, basically we offer soft washing in Devon and its surrounding villages.
We are here to help everyone from this beautiful part of the world, and we also want to keep enjoying this beautiful part of the world, but at the same time we want the exterior of our homes clean and protected.
The Ideal Schedule: How Often Should You Soft Wash?
While every property is different, here’s a general rule of thumb for homeowners across Devon:
✅ Every 12–18 months:
For most homes, an annual or 18-month soft wash keeps render, roofs, and patios clean and protected and will reduce the damage on your render significantly.
✅ Every 6–12 months (if surrounded by trees):
If your home is shaded or near woodland, the dark shaded area is ideal for moss and algae, and you will see them return a lot faster, so a twice-yearly clean is recommended.
✅ After heavy storms or long damp periods:
Storm debris, leaves, and moisture can accelerate organic growth, a quick inspection afterward can save you from long-term staining.
Soft washing isn’t just about making your home look good, it is also to prevent long-term damage.
A regular soft wash in Exeter is far cheaper than a full house repaint or render repair later.
The Cost of Waiting Too Long
From what I can tell from soft washing for the last couple of years is that, many people just look up and think,
“It’s just a bit of green, I’ll deal with it later.”
But here’s what happens when you wait too long:
- Moss traps water that freezes during winter, expanding and cracking the render.
- Algae eats into paint and surfaces, causing permanent staining.
- Damp from the walls seeps inside, creating mould patches and musty smells that are very hard to get rid of.
- Roof tiles loosen as moss wedges underneath them and then this moss expands, cracking the tiles & increasing the risk of leaks.
From small homes in Exminster to large properties in Silverton.
The story’s always the same,
“We thought we’d wait another year,”
Then this is followed by a much bigger bill.
A simple, regular soft wash could have prevented it all.
The Signs Your Home Needs a Soft Wash Now
I am going to list out the signs to look for on the exterior of your home, and if you spot any of these then it’s time for a clean.
And the good thing is, you don’t need to climb a ladder or be an expert to know when it’s time for a clean.
Just take a walk around your property and look for these warning signs:
- Green streaks appearing on render or walls
- Dark patches forming on roof tiles
- Slippery patios or driveways
- White, chalky residue near gutters (a sign of trapped moisture)
- Flaking paint or small cracks starting to form
If any of these sound familiar, it’s already time for a soft wash.
The longer you wait and put it off, the more these issues multiply and they will only get worse when winter hits.
Why Soft Washing Lasts Longer Than Pressure Washing
Now I have to mention this because many people will read the above section, see the signs and think,
“I’m not paying someone to do all that. I’ll just rent out a pressure washer and do it on the weekend.”
While pressure washing may look effective (and fun) at first, the truth is it only removes surface dirt, it doesn’t attack the root of the problem.
Soft washing, on the other hand:
- Kills growth at the source instead of blasting it around.
- Protects delicate render and tiles from cracking or erosion.
- Keeps surfaces cleaner for longer, sometimes up to 12–18 months.
A home owner that we did soft washing for in Exminster told us that her husband used to pressure wash the exterior of their home for years.
Every couple of months he’d have to do it again and again.
I thought I was about to hear how he pressure washed half of the render off the walls, but thankfully this wasn’t one of those stories (and I have heard stories like this before)
After switching to soft washing, they didn’t need another clean for over a year, and the finish still looked brand new.
That’s the power of treating the cause, not just the symptom.
Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Book
If you’re reading this in autumn or early winter, you’re in the danger zone, the combination of cold nights and heavy rain is brutal on homes.
As I said earlier, the algae and moss hold moisture, which then freezes, expanding and cracking render and roof tiles.
A professional soft wash in Exeter or across Devon now acts as a shield.
It clears the organic growth, reduces moisture buildup, and protects your property before frost and storms can cause damage.
Plus, getting a soft wash in Devon now means you’ll enjoy a brighter, cleaner home through the darker months, no more having to come home and see your home being infected by dark green streaks stretching out across your render.
How We Keep Devon Homes Looking Their Best
At The Exeter Gutter Cleaner, we’ve spent years helping homeowners across Devon restore and protect their properties.
We use a specialist soft washing system that combines:
- Biodegradable cleaning solutions that kill organic growth at the root.
- Low-pressure application that’s safe for render, roofs, and patios.
- Thorough rinsing and inspection to ensure lasting results.
We provide soft washing in Exminster, Upton Pyne, Broadclyst, Heavitree, and Marsh Barton, and we always get the same reaction:
“It looks like a brand new home!”
With over 46 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviews, our results speak for themselves.
Final Thoughts: A Simple Routine for Long-Term Protection
Think of soft washing like an annual check in with the doctor, just to make sure everything is working as it should, and to prevent any surprises that will come out of nowhere.
This regular clean will keep your property looking great, prevent expensive damage, and give you peace of mind knowing your roof and render are protected, no matter the weather Devon throws your way.
So before the next downpour of rain, take a quick look at your walls, roof, or patio.
And take that list of bullet points from the previous section and go out and take a walk around the outside of your home. If you see any of the signs, then it’s time for a clean.
To book a soft wash in Devon you can call The Exeter Gutter Cleaner today or fill out the form below to book your professional soft wash in Devon.
Clean now, protect for months, and enjoy a home that looks just as good as the day you bought it.