A Guide to Render Cleaning in 2023

Are you struggling to keep your property or the exterior of a property you manage looking fresh and clean? Render cleaners are essential for maintaining the appearance and value of your home or commercial building. We’ll explore the importance of regular render cleaning, various techniques, and considerations for different types of render. Let’s embark on a journey to unveil the secrets of effective render cleaning with the help of render cleaners!

Short Summary

• Render cleaning is essential to preserve the aesthetic and value of your property.
• Professional render cleaning services provide tailored solutions for any property or render type, guaranteeing the best outcome with eco-friendly and biodegradable chemicals.
• Different building types require different techniques. Residential properties should be cleaned using gentle methods such as hand cleaning or soft washing, while commercial buildings may need more powerful jet washing and steam treatments.

The Importance of Render Cleaning

 Preserving the aesthetic and monetary value of a home or commercial building is of utmost importance for property owners and property managers. Render cleaning plays a crucial role in avoiding deterioration and discolouration caused by algae and dirt.

With various types of render available, such as textured and smooth finishes, coloured or pebbled render, cement, lime, and clay render, it is essential to understand the specific needs of your property to maintain its curb appeal.

The Effects of Green Algae and Dirt on Rendered Surfaces

Rendered surfaces are prone to staining, damage, and decreased property value due to:

• Green algae
• Dirt
• Algae
• Mosses
• Lichens
• Exposure to weather conditions
• Atmospheric pollution
• Carbon stains
• Graffiti or accidental damage

These factors contribute to staining and discolouration on render surfaces.

Neglecting fungus growth on rendered surfaces can lead to considerable damage, so it’s essential to address these issues promptly and effectively.

Preventing Damage and Discoloration

To prevent damage, discolouration, and the need for expensive repairs, it’s crucial to maintain regular render cleaning using appropriate cleaning chemicals. For delicate surfaces, soft wash cleaning methods are recommended.

At Spectrum we have cleaned over 600 commercial properties using our unique PAST process of cleaning and restoring render.

If algae has caused extensive discolouration, it’s best to seek the services of a professional render cleaning company for an alternative treatment and a light steam clean instead of using a jet or pressure washer.

Render Cleaning Techniques: Soft Washing vs Pressure Washing

 When it comes to render cleaning, there are two primary techniques: soft washing and pressure washing. Both methods have their pros and cons, so it’s essential to understand the differences and choose the one that best suits your property’s needs.

Soft washing is gentle and doesn’t damage the building’s substrate, while pressure washing can be more effective at eliminating persistent dirt and grime. Let’s delve deeper into these techniques to help you make an informed decision.

Soft Washing: A Gentle Approach

Soft washing is a low-pressure cleaning technique that uses jet sprays and nozzles to clean rendered walls effectively without causing any damage. It’s a less intrusive method compared to high-pressure washing and doesn’t cause harm to rendered walls.

Soft washing is ideal for cleaning K rend and other delicate render surfaces with a mild detergent. The gentle nature of soft washing ensures an even, pristine finish that will leave your property looking its best.

Pressure Washing: When to Use It

Pressure washing is a powerful cleaning method that can be used to quickly remove dirt, grime, and other contaminants from outdoor surfaces such as driveways, decks, and siding. However, caution should be exercised when using pressure washing for render cleaning, as incorrect use can lead to damage of surfaces, including painted surfaces if the pressure is too high.

In some cases, pressure washing may be appropriate for large areas or stubborn dirt, but it’s essential to use the correct technique and equipment to avoid potential harm.

Render Cleaning Techniques: How We Do It at Spectrum

Whilst jet washing and softwashing will get you results we have found that it doesn't deliver the quality of results our clients are looking for. After years of maintaining modern render and cleaning over 700 rendered facades we have come up with a four stage process that is non abarasve and has helped us transform the face of buildings across the uk.

After spending over 250K in new reseach and development around render and the maintenance implications and options we dvised a four stage non abarasive process. We train all of our staff in the full PAST approach. Let us tell you some more about it.

P.A.S.T: The ultimate method for cleaning render.

PAST is a four stage treatment and includes the following steps:

P = Planning and preparation
A = Application of biocide
S = Steam *the most important part
T. =Targeted treatments and retreatment of the process where necessary.

We have used this PAST process to transform hundreds of buildings across the UK.

Choosing the Right Render Cleaning Chemicals

Selecting the right render cleaning chemicals is crucial for effectively eradicating algae growth and enhancing the appearance of the render without causing any harm. Various render cleaning chemicals are available in the market, so it’s essential to choose eco-friendly and biodegradable options that won’t harm your property or the environment.

Let’s explore these options further.

Biodegradable and Eco-Friendly Options

Using biodegradable and eco-friendly cleaning chemicals is a responsible choice, as it reduces the risk of damage to your property and the environment however it is not always possible to acheive the desired result. Some popular options include:

• RenderKleen
• BacClear Pro BAC50
• SynergyClean Pro
• BioClear Pro – 40% DDAC
• BioClear Pro 50 – 50% DDAC
• ClingFilm Pro
• SafeClean Eco
• Sodium Hypochlorite (bleach)

These chemicals are cost-effective and easy to use, making them an ideal choice for both residential and commercial properties.

Avoiding Harsh Chemicals

It’s vital to avoid harsh chemicals that can damage and harm the environment. Utilizing harsh cleaning chemicals for render cleaning can detrimentally impact the render, potentially cause skin irritation upon contact, and negatively affect the environment.

Therefore, it is imperative to use eco-friendly and biodegradable cleaning solutions to mitigate these risks.

Types of render brands we can clean

There are many different render brands that all seem to have their own special methods for maintaining render. We have cleaned every single one of them and nothing works better than the P.A.S.T method taken by Spectrum.

Weber render cleaning

Weber render products are successfully manufactured to produce high standards and durable finishes.

However, in order to ensure this rendered coating continues to look as impressive as it should, you're going to need a render cleaning service at some point.

There are many render manufacturers that communicate in very different ways to maintain and restore render. This can make it all extremely confusing.

If you are not sure your rendered building can be cleaned, our team can happily carry out a free sample to show you the possible outcome.

K-rend render cleaning

K- Rend render is mineral-based and processed using limestone, providing a natural-looking finish.

However, even though k-rend is renowned for its durability, it's not invincible to the harsh elements that the weather can impose.

Render cleaning without professional expertise can cause irreparable damage to the substrate. It's very important that you choose a contractor that understands the properties of each type of render in order to treat it correctly.

K-Rend needs a specially formulated cleaning solution, gently applied with a specific method to effectively kill the algae and spores to prevent future re-growth.

Our P.A.S.T. process is designed to clean and restore K-rend render to a like-new condition with no risk to the substrate.

Monocouche render cleaning

The word 'monocouche', in French, simply translates to 'one coat.'. As this brand traditionally applies its render in two parts, bonded together and forming one strong coating.

Moncouche render is cement-based that provides a breathable and durable surface.

Our team of experts teach surveyors and property managers through our CPD programme how to best maintain each render type. So rest assured you will be in the safest hands.

Sto render cleaning

Known for their award-winning high-quality render finishes, Sto is another popular render manufacturer.

Keep your Sto render looking its best all year round by choosing Spectrum as your render cleaning contractor.

Wetherby render cleaning

Wetherby Building Systems Ltd has been in the render manufacturing industry for years now, offering a range of render and brick slip systems.

Now when it comes to cleaning and maintaining your Wetherby render, it's essential that your chosen contractor has a certain degree of care and the correct equipment.

Not only is our render cleaning team experienced with an eye for detail, but they're also IRATA trained. This means that there's no need for scaffolding and the risk of damage (from erecting the set-up and then taking it back down) is avoided.

Parex render cleaning

Parex is another popular render brand that is renowned for its quality and seamless finish.

Many render manufacturers communicate about lots of different ways to maintain render and it can become very confusing.

No matter what brand of render you have, Spectrum has the cleaning solution.

if you find yourself thinking that your render can't be cleaned, reached or restored, then get in touch with our team and we will happily carry out a free sample to show you the possible outcome.

Professional Render Cleaning Services: What to Look For

 If you’re considering hiring a professional render cleaning service, it’s essential to look for experience, accreditation, and tailored solutions for your property. An experienced and accredited render cleaning service guarantees safety, quality work, and peace of mind.

Let’s explore what to look for in a professional render cleaning service.

Experience and Accreditation

Choosing a render cleaning service with experience and accreditation ensures quality work and peace of mind. Accreditation guarantees that the render cleaning service is competent and proficient in the domain and utilizes the most up-to-date techniques and technologies to deliver optimal results.

Experienced render cleaning services possess the expertise and knowledge to detect and address potential issues before they become serious, ensuring the best results for your property.

We recommend looking into case studies the company shares, these will give you a huge insight into the companies credibility. If you want to review all of our render cleaning projects take a look at our render cleaning case studies.

Tailored Solutions for Your Property or the properties you manage.

It’s essential to find a clean render cleaning service that offers tailored solutions for your specific property and render type. Tailored solutions can offer an improved and streamlined cleaning process, safeguard the render from harm, and prolong its lifespan.

Whether you have a residential property or a commercial building, a professional render cleaning service that caters to your unique needs will ensure the best outcome.

DIY Render Cleaning: Proceed with Caution

 While DIY render cleaning may seem like a cost-effective option, it’s essential to be aware of the risks and challenges involved, including inadequate equipment and improper technique.

If you’re considering DIY render cleaning, proceed with caution and ensure you’re using the right equipment and techniques to avoid damaging your property.

Risks of Inadequate Equipment

Using inappropriate equipment for render cleaning, such as high-pressure washers or harsh chemicals, can result in damage, discoloration, and expensive repairs. It’s crucial to invest in the right equipment and use gentle methods, such as soft washing or hand cleaning, to avoid potential harm to your property.

Soft washing is a low-pressure cleaning method that uses a combination of detergents and water.

The Importance of Proper Technique

Using proper techniques when attempting DIY render cleaning is essential to avoid damage and achieve the best results. A low-pressure spray or soft wash with an appropriate cleaning solution and adjusting the nozzle to a fan action is suggested by many professionals but this process does not provide a lasting finish.

The PAST approach used by the Spectrum team has been developed over years of cleaning render. With four stages P.A.S.T it esnures that you get the best possible result from your render clean every single time. Our team are trained in the full P.A.S.T approach.

Regularly cleaning your render as soon as any organic or pollutant stains appear and at least annually will ensure the longevity and aesthetic appeal of your property.

Coloured Render: Special Considerations

Coloured render requires special attention and care when it comes to cleaning. Choosing the right cleaning process and understanding the differences between very light jet washing and soft washing is crucial to maintaining the appearance and preventing damage to your coloured render.

Let’s explore these special considerations in detail.

Choosing the Right Cleaning Process

Selecting the appropriate cleaning process for coloured render is essential to prevent damage and sustain the aesthetics of your property. Power or jet washing with clean water and a low concentration of mild detergent is an option.

Mixing in Green Wash is also an option. Green. Green. Wash has been formulated for a specific purpose: to be mixed with bleach in order to clean stained render. It can be used as a powerful cleaning agent when combined with bleach.

Very Light Jet Wash vs Soft Washing

Very light jet washing is a low-pressure technique of cleaning render that utilises a jet of water to eliminate dirt and debris. While it can be efficient in cleaning render, it may not be the most suitable approach for cleaning coloured render that has algae growth on it.

The jet wash can cause significant damage to a building if in the wrong hands. We have been called to support with many commercial rendered buildings where inexperienced contractors have simply turned up the pressure in order to try and get a pristine finish and in doing so actually cut through the layers of the render causing irreversable damage.

Soft washing is a gentle method that employs a combination of detergents and water to remove dirt and debris, making it more suitable for coloured render, howver you will find that simply softwashing will not result in a pristine finish especially where you have areas of heaving staining from carbon staining, pollution, graffiti or severe algae growth.

take a look at a recent project of ours which involved cleaning and restoring coloured render on a block of flats for a housing association.

Render Cleaning for Different Building Types

Render cleaning is not a one-size-fits-all approach, as different building types may require unique considerations and techniques. In this section, we’ll discuss render cleaning for residential properties and commercial buildings, highlighting their specific requirements and challenges.

Residential properties often require a gentler approach to render cleaning, as the materials used are expensive.

Residential Properties

Residential properties often require special attention to maintain curb appeal and prevent damage caused by dirt, algae, and other contaminants. It’s essential to avoid pressure washing and instead utilise gentle cleaning methods such as hand cleaning or soft washing with a bleach solution for residential render cleaning.

Soft washing is a low-pressure cleaning method that uses a bleach solution to remove dirt and algae.

Commercial Buildings

Commercial buildings have unique requirements and considerations for render cleaning, including maintaining a professional appearance and adhering to safety regulations. Non-aggressive cleaning techniques such as soft washing and steam cleaning are suggested for render cleaning of commercial buildings to avoid potential damage to the rendered surface.

Soft washing is a low-pressure cleaning method that uses a combination of detergents and water.

If you want to see us at work here are a few of our recent commercial render cleaning projects: 

• Cleaning rendering the right way in kent. 
• No need to paint your render - clean it! 
• The impossible render clean - a tough but satisfying project! 
• 100 rendered elevations cleaned in 2 months! 

Summary

In conclusion, regular render cleaning is vital for maintaining the appearance and value of your property, whether it’s a residential home or a commercial building. By understanding the different types of render and the approproate cleaning techniques you can make better decisions for your properties.Remember to consider the unique requirements of your property don't hesitate to reach out if you need our help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best cleaner for render?

The best cleaner for render is steam and softwashing. This method will ensure that the render is completely cleared of light discolouration and algae growth, giving it a fresh new look.

What is the best way to clean rendered walls?

For the best results when cleaning rendered walls, we suggest softwashing and steam. This method utilizes a gentle detergent and next to no pressure to effectively clean the walls without damaging them.

With a pumping system and water fed pole with a brush attachment, you can expect to achieve optimal results.

Can I pressure wash render?

It is not recommended to use a pressure washer on render, as the pressure is too strong and can cause damage to the render surface.

If you have to clean it yourself gently wash with a soft brush and warm, soapy water.

What is the importance of regular render cleaning?

Maintaining clean render is essential in protecting both the aesthetic and structural integrity of any building. Neglecting to do so can result in damage to the facade, diminished property value, and potential health risks due to the growth of mold.

Regular maintenance of render is the best way to ensure that a building remains in good condition. This includes cleaning, repairing, and replacing any damaged render. Regular inspections should also be conducted.

What are the differences between soft washing and pressure washing?

Soft washing is a gentle cleaning process that utilizes biodegradable detergents and low-pressure water, while pressure washing uses a combination of high-pressure water and chemical cleaners to remove dirt and grime from surfaces.

Both methods can be used to clean your or your residents buildings but the PAST approach taken by Spectrum is generally considered to be the most effective at preserving delicate surfaces.

Render Cleaning with a Difference

At Spectrum, we are never satisfied. We are continually pushing the boundaries of equipment design and capability to enable us to provide our clients with unrivalled service. We 3D print and manufacture much of our equipment, which is why we can clean render up to eight floors high from the safety of the ground. No scaffolding, no access costs and incredible results every time.

Here are some more reasons why we are different from the competition:

We Clean All Stages of Soiling

With hundreds of render restoration projects completed successfully, we can demonstrate the success of our P.A.S.T. process. Just take a look at our projects page to find out more about some of the jobs we have successfully completed and why our clients love what we do.

Pioneering Cleaning Equipment

We have developed, 3D printed and patented much of our own equipment. This, and our skilled team of access specialists, enables us to steam clean up to eight floors high from the ground. That means that you don’t need costly and intrusive scaffolding. It also means we can get the job done in a fraction of the time. A great result all around.

We’re Experts in our Field

We have been researching and developing this cleaning process and have become experts in our chosen field. In fact, we are now offering CPD training to surveyors to teach them what we have learnt and to pass on our years of experience. This is what you get when you choose Spectrum.

Knowledge and Experience

Cleaning render is a very complicated process – even though we make it look easy. There are many types of render and varying stages of soiling. The state and type of render determines what method and products will be used to carry out the clean safely and effectively.