Simple ways to reinvigorate your render and exterior walls

This is a collaborative post

With so many new build developments popping up all over the UK in recent years, their contemporary style has seen a new trend in how render is applied to exterior walls. With pebble dash also still going strong in parts of the country, giving that timeless quality to cottages and terraces, the entire concept of render itself appears to have been rejuvenated into a modern trend.

However, like anything, it doesn’t look too great when it’s covered in grime, dirt, algae and debris. In fact, render doesn’t perform particularly well under such conditions, which is why it’s worth giving it a good clean at least once every year. Here’s how to do it yourself:

Know your materials

Period properties are likely to be covered in lime render, which is a more porous material than more modern applications. If your home is Victorian, Edwardian, or older, lime mortar is likely to be the render on the exterior of the building.

The majority of homes built in the 21^st century, particularly those with a pebble-dash finish, are likely to be coated in a cement-based mineral render. More modern properties, however, will have been finished with an application of acrylic, silicone, or mounocouhe render. 

Before gathering your cleaning materials, establish which coating is present on the outside of the property.

Address the algae

First of all, you’ll need to get rid of any algae present, which may have built up over time due to rain, excessive shade, or high humidity. A quick rinse of the walls from your garden hose, or a less pressured jet from a power washer, will moisten the algae. 

The next step is to a mould-killing solution, which can be a simple, homemade mix of water and powdered bleach, or a product you buy. Apply the solution to the algae-covered areas and scrub with a stiff-bristled brush until the buildup is gone.

Remove the dirt

Even after just this first step, the affected areas of your walls will already be looking a little brighter. You may also have a clearer-sighted idea of where other dirt has built up, and stains especially will now look starker against the rest of the wall.

Using a warm power wash, set to less than full power to avoid damaging the coating, spray the walls until stains and dirt have been removed. If some of the buildup is a little more persistent, a little elbow grease and a sponge should take care of it.

Prevention is the best cure

When all algae, dirt and stains have been successfully removed, there are many products you can buy that can prevent their return for the foreseeable. An annually applied coating of fungicidal wash can be the best preventative measure against the buildup returning any time soon.

If any of your render has suffered damage over time, your best bet is a local render specialist, or a multi-skilled roofing or building company, such as Findley roofers in South Shields. Often, you’ll find that companies specialising in render will also offer a cleaning service too, but you’d certainly save money by cleaning it yourself at least once every year.