Plymouth's Exterior Cleaning Specialists
Render Cleaning & Softwashing Plymouth
Southside Better Roofs offers render cleaning, render softwashing and general exterior cleaning across Plymouth, the South Hams and east Cornwall. We use low pressure and the right cleaning solution for your surface, and every job starts with a free, fixed written quote.
- Method chosen to suit each surface
- Softwashing and controlled pressure washing
- Free fixed written quotes
No pushy sales · Same-day reply · 10-year insurance-backed guarantee
A simple, considered approach.
Why render goes green and black
Damp sea air and shaded walls let algae, lichen and mould settle on render, especially on north-facing elevations. The staining spreads year on year and makes a well-kept home look tired.
Common problems we clean: green algae on render, black staining, red algae, mould and mildew, lichen spots and general organic growth on green or dirty walls. House softwashing and exterior wall cleaning remove all of these without damaging the finish.
Render types we clean
- K Rend cleaning and softwashing — low pressure to protect the through-coloured finish.
- Silicone render cleaning — gentle treatment that keeps the water-repellent surface intact.
- Monocouche render cleaning — softwash rather than jet wash.
- Painted and coloured render cleaning — cleaned without stripping the paint or fading the colour.
Signs your render needs cleaning.
If any of these sound familiar, a professional clean will sort it.
Green algae on walls
Most common on north-facing and shaded elevations.
Black or red staining
Mould, lichen and red algae marking the surface.
Mould & mildew patches
Damp walls let organic growth take hold and spread.
A tired-looking home
Staining makes a well-kept house look neglected.
Render softwashing — gentle exterior cleaning
High-pressure jet washing can scar render, strip paint and force water into cracks. Softwashing uses low pressure with a cleaning solution that kills growth at the root, then rinses it away. The surface comes up clean without being blasted, and the treatment keeps working after we leave.
The right clean for your surface.
Softwash, controlled pressure or hand removal — chosen to suit your home, not the other way round.
Send us photos for a free softwashing quote
Snap a few photos of your green render, staining or exterior walls and send them on WhatsApp. We'll look at the surface and reply with the right cleaning method and a free, fixed written quote — or arrange an assessment if we need to see it in person.
Exterior softwashing beyond render
The same low-pressure approach works on walls, fascias, soffits and other exterior surfaces. Many customers combine it with roof cleaning, gutter cleaning or conservatory cleaning so the whole outside of the house is done in one visit — see all our exterior cleaning services. Homeowners in Sherford often book render softwashing to keep newer homes looking like new.
How we clean — four clear steps.
Assess surface & condition
We look at the surface, its condition and access before recommending anything.
Choose the method
Softwash, controlled pressure or hand removal — picked to suit the surface.
Clean & protect
The clean itself, with a biocide treatment where it helps keep growth away.
Tidy up & photos
Everything left clean and tidy, with before and after photos sent to you.
Why choose Southside Better Roofs for exterior cleaning.
Local Plymouth team
Based at the Barbican, covering Plymouth, Devon and east Cornwall.
Method chosen per surface
We never blast a delicate surface — the approach is matched to your home.
Free fixed written quotes
A fixed price in writing before any work begins — no obligation.
Before & after photos
Photos of the finished work sent to you, so you can see the difference.
Why choose us
- Local team — based at the Barbican in Plymouth.
- Method matched to your surface — low pressure where it matters.
- Free, fixed written quote — agreed before any work begins.
Green algae, black staining, red algae and lichen on render
The marks on dirty render look different but usually share one cause — organic growth living on the wall:
- Green algae removal — the most common sight on Plymouth homes, thriving on damp, shaded and north-facing walls.
- Black staining — often mould, mildew or lichen, spreading across the surface year on year.
- Red algae — leaves red or orange streaks and spots, especially in coastal air.
- Mould and mildew — dark patches where walls stay damp and never dry out.
- Lichen — hard, crusty spots anchored into the render surface that rinsing alone leaves behind.
- Organic growth — of every kind, killed by softwash treatment rather than rinsed off, so the results keep improving over the weeks after cleaning.
Because softwashing kills the growth rather than just washing the surface, the marks fade gradually over the following weeks instead of coming straight back.
House softwashing and exterior wall cleaning
As well as render, we carry out house softwashing and exterior wall cleaning. The same low-pressure treatment lifts dirt and organic growth from painted brickwork, pebbledash and other wall finishes, and can be combined with render cleaning so the whole house is done in one visit. Where a wall only needs a lighter clean, we'll say so rather than quote a bigger job.
Render cleaning in Sherford
Many Sherford homes are finished in through-coloured render, which is best cleaned by softwashing rather than jet washing. We provide render cleaning in Sherford with free, fixed written quotes and before-and-after photos sent after the job — see our Sherford exterior cleaning page.
Frequently asked questions.
Do you offer render cleaning in Plymouth?+
Yes. We clean and softwash render and other exterior surfaces across Plymouth, the South Hams and east Cornwall. Every job gets a free, fixed written quote.
What is render softwashing?+
Softwashing applies a cleaning solution at low pressure to kill algae, lichen and black or green staining, then rinses it away gently. It cleans render without blasting the surface the way a high-pressure jet can.
Can you clean painted, K Rend or silicone render?+
We look at the render type and condition first and choose a method to suit it. Low-pressure softwashing is usually the safest choice for modern through-coloured and silicone renders.
Why is my render turning green?+
Green render is algae growing on damp walls, most often on north-facing or shaded sides and near the sea. Black stains are usually mould or lichen, and red or orange stains are often a type of algae too. Softwashing kills the growth rather than just rinsing the surface.
Can you pressure wash K Rend?+
No. K Rend and silicone renders are softwashed at low pressure — high pressure can scar the surface, strip the finish and force water into cracks. Softwashing kills the algae, lichen and staining at the root, so it doesn't come straight back.
How long does softwashing last?+
Softwashing kills the growth at the root, so walls stay clean for longer than after a rinse alone. How long depends on shade and exposure; we'll tell you what to expect for your walls when we quote.
What other exterior surfaces do you clean?+
As well as render we clean walls, fascias, soffits and other exterior surfaces. Tell us what you need cleaned and we'll include it in your quote.
How much does render cleaning cost?+
We give free quotes only. The price depends on the size of the walls, access, the render type and how stained it is, and is agreed in writing before work starts.
Get your free quote
Tell us a little about your conservatory and we'll come back to you within 48 hours. No pushy sales, no obligation.
Send us photos for a free render cleaning quote
Snap a few photos of your green render, staining or exterior walls and send them on WhatsApp. We'll look at the surface and reply with the right cleaning method and a free, fixed written quote — or arrange an assessment if we need to see it in person.