HardiePlank (you’ll also see it written Hardie Plank, HardiPlank, or Hardi Plank) is one of the most popular sidings in Greater Houston, and for good reason. It’s tough, it holds paint well, and it stands up to our weather. But it isn’t immune to the green, black, and gray film that shows up on so many Houston homes. At APro Pressure Washing, we’ve been cleaning Houston homes since 1995, and damage-free soft washing of HardiePlank siding is one of our specialties.
Why Mildew Grows on HardiePlank in Houston
Houston humidity is the main culprit. Fiber cement siding has a textured, painted surface, and when it stays damp for long stretches, mildew, algae, and mold find plenty of places to settle in. The north and shaded sides of a house, walls behind shrubs and trees, and areas near sprinklers usually go first. Pollen and dust stick to that damp surface too, which gives the growth even more to feed on.
Left alone, that buildup doesn’t just look dingy. It can make a well-kept home look tired and older than it is, and it keeps coming back thicker each season.
Why We Soft Wash HardiePlank Instead of Using High Pressure
It’s tempting to think more pressure means a cleaner house. With HardiePlank, it usually means trouble. High pressure can etch or strip the painted finish, leave wand marks, and force water up behind the overlapping boards where it doesn’t belong.
Soft washing takes a different approach. We use low pressure combined with cleaning solutions that do the real work, breaking down mildew and algae at the source instead of blasting the surface. Then we rinse gently. The result is a cleaner, brighter siding finish without the risk that comes with high pressure, and growth that doesn’t rebound as quickly as it does after a surface-only blast.
What We Clean
When we soft wash a HardiePlank home, we’re looking at the whole exterior picture, not just the boards:
- HardiePlank / fiber cement lap siding, panels, and trim
- Soffits, fascia, and eaves
- Window frames and exterior trim
- Porches, columns, and covered entries
- Gutter exteriors
Have a mix of materials, like Hardie siding with brick or stucco accents? Just let us know. We’ll walk through what’s on your house and how we’ll handle each surface. If you’d like to see the full scope of our whole-home service, visit our house washing page.
Mike and Tracey on Every Job
APro is family-owned. We’re Mike and Tracey, and we personally service each property. We don’t send out subcontractor crews, so the people you talk to on the phone are the same people taking care of your home. We’re insured, and we’re proud of the 1,700+ Google reviews our customers have left over the years.
See It in Action
Want to see what this looks like on a real home? Read our post on mildew removal from Hardi Plank siding in Sugar Land, TX for a closer look at the process and the results.
Serving Greater Houston
We clean HardiePlank homes across Greater Houston, including Houston, Spring, The Woodlands, Katy, Cypress, Sugar Land, and the surrounding communities.
Current Specials
We often run a house wash special. Our $199 special covers one side of the home (left or right side) on Hardie or other siding, plus a $99 driveway add-on with a whole-house wash. Stucco is not included in the $199 special. See the details on our specials page.
Get Your HardiePlank Cleaned
Ready to get your siding looking fresh again? Call or text Mike and Tracey at 281-660-3474, or send us a message through our contact form. We’ll talk through your home and get you a quote.
HardiePlank Cleaning FAQs
Is soft washing safe for HardiePlank siding?
Yes. Soft washing uses low pressure and cleaning solutions instead of high pressure, so it removes mildew and algae without stripping the painted finish or forcing water behind the boards. It’s the approach we use on HardiePlank homes across Houston.
How often should HardiePlank be cleaned in Houston?
Because of Houston humidity, many homes start to show mildew again within a year or two, especially on shaded sides. Most homeowners do well with a soft wash every one to two years, or whenever you start to see green or black film returning.
What’s the difference between pressure washing and soft washing?
Pressure washing relies on high-pressure water to blast dirt off a surface. Soft washing uses low pressure plus cleaning solutions that break down mildew and algae, then a gentle rinse. On HardiePlank, soft washing cleans thoroughly while avoiding the finish damage high pressure can cause.
How much does HardiePlank cleaning cost?
It depends on the size of your home, how many stories it has, and how much buildup there is. Call or text us at 281-660-3474 or use our contact form for a quote. You can also check our specials page for the current $199 one-side house wash special (stucco not included).