EXTERIOR · WOOD SIDING
WOOD SIDING CLEANING
The Gold Standard, Every Time.
Cedar, cypress, stained lap — wood is alive and needs to be treated that way. We clean, neutralize, and brighten in one controlled pass.
Get A Free EstimateOur Process
How We Deliver The Gold Standard
Assessment
Identify wood species, existing finish, and any failing stain. Flag areas that need hand-detail work.
Clean
Wood-specific cleaner applied at low pressure, lifting tannin stains, mildew, and weathered grey.
Neutralize & Brighten
Oxalic-based brightener restores original wood tone and balances the pH so the new finish lays down properly.
Inspection
Walk-through with the homeowner. We photo-document grain recovery.
Real Work, Real Results
Before & After
NE Florida Context
Why Wood Siding in Coastal NE Florida Ages Differently
Cedar and pine siding in Northeast Florida develop black streaks — a combined effect of tannin bleed and biological staining — within 12 to 18 months in high-humidity zones. Coastal NE Florida compounds the standard wood aging factors: salt air deposits on the siding surface, year-round high humidity prevents wood from fully drying between rain events, and Florida's UV intensity at this latitude is aggressive. The result is that wood siding here grays, streaks, and shows biological growth faster than the same materials installed in a temperate northern climate.
The black streaking most homeowners notice is not mold or dirt alone — it is tannin oxidation accelerated by biological organisms using the tannin as a nutrient source. Cleaning removes the organisms and the surface staining, but the underlying tannin chemistry in the wood means that retreatment or resealing is the permanent answer. Cleaning buys time — typically 2 to 4 years of extended paint or stain life.
Pre-Treatment Inspection: What Matters Before Chemistry Touches the Wood
Before any chemical is applied to wood siding, FCPE inspects all caulked joints and painted edges. This step is not cosmetic — it is structural. When caulk is missing or cracked along a window frame or trim joint, water infiltration during the cleaning process can enter the wall cavity and cause rot in the framing behind the siding. A cleaning contractor who skips this inspection and applies chemistry and pressure to a compromised joint can create a rot problem that costs far more to repair than the original cleaning cost. We identify and flag these conditions before beginning and note them on the job record so the homeowner can address them with their contractor before the next rainfall.
What Goes Wrong With Incorrect Chemistry on Wood Siding
Direct sodium hypochlorite application to unpainted wood siding at concentrations above 2% accelerates the gray weathering process and can strip the natural oils from cedar — the oils that make cedar weather-resistant in the first place. Once stripped, the wood dries faster, checks more readily, and requires refinishing sooner. The correct dilution for soft natural wood (cedar, pine) is 0.5% to 1% sodium hypochlorite with a surfactant to improve dwell. Painted wood siding is more tolerant and can accept up to 2% — but the painted surface is the constraint, not the wood. Any contractor who uses a single concentration across all wood surfaces is guessing, not operating.
Wood Siding Types and Their NE Florida Behavior
| Siding Type | NE Florida Aging Pattern | FCPE Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar (natural / stained) | Black tannin streaks within 12 months in shaded coastal zones. Oil depletion from UV + humidity combination. | 0.5–1% SH with surfactant, low pressure, oxalic brightener to restore tone after cleaning. |
| Pine (painted) | Paint manages tannin bleed but biological growth colonizes paint surface — dark streaks along laps are mildew on the paint, not inside the wood. | Up to 2% SH acceptable on painted surfaces. Low pressure to protect paint adhesion at edges. |
| Cedar Shake | Higher surface area per linear foot means biological growth accumulates faster than on flat lap. Irregular profile requires longer dwell time for chemistry to reach all surfaces. | Extended dwell time, careful rinse to flush chemistry out of shake profile without driving water into overlaps. |
| Cypress | Naturally resistant but coastal humidity exceeds cypress's tolerance at year 5–8 without maintenance. Gray weathering and cracking in sun-exposed south and west elevations. | Low pressure, pH-neutral or mild SH chemistry. Brightener only where wood tone needs restoration. |
The Honest Answer About Repainting
Homeowners frequently ask whether cleaning means they can skip repainting. The answer is honest: cleaning removes surface contamination and biological growth, and that extends the life of existing paint by 2 to 4 years by eliminating the organisms that degrade paint adhesion from beneath. But weathered or chalking paint — paint that smears when you rub it — must still be repainted. Cleaning cannot restore the binder in paint that has already failed. What cleaning does guarantee is that any new paint applied to a freshly cleaned surface bonds correctly and lasts its full expected cycle. Applying new paint over biologically contaminated siding is one of the most common reasons paint fails prematurely. Clean first, always.
Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked
Will this strip my stain?
No — we clean with wood-safe chemistry at the correct dilution. If stain is already failing, we'll document it and recommend a re-stain timeline. We do not apply high-concentration chemistry that would damage the existing finish.
Can you clean cedar shake and lap together?
Yes — we adjust dwell time and pressure per section. Shake needs more dwell because of the irregular profile; lap needs more rinse to clear chemistry from the shadow lines along each course.
How soon can I re-stain after you clean?
Typically 48 to 72 hours once moisture content drops below 15%. We'll tell you what we measured and what our recommended window is based on the current forecast.
I have missing caulk around my window frames — does that affect the cleaning?
Yes, and we'll flag it before we start. Applying water pressure to a joint with missing caulk can drive water into the wall cavity. We document any compromised joints on the job record so you can address them before the next rain event.
Will cleaning help my siding look better before I paint?
Cleaning is the required first step before any paint application. New paint applied over biological contamination fails prematurely. We can coordinate timing with your painter so the surface is cleaned and dried within the painter's prep window.
Ready When You Are
Book Your Wood Siding Cleaning Quote
St. Johns, Duval, and Nassau counties. Same-day callback if you reach us before 5pm weekdays.
Prefer to submit online? Our estimate form takes 60 seconds and you’ll get a same-day response.
Start My Free EstimateOr call (904) 466-1622
Exterior Vetting
What to ask your exterior cleaning contractor
Exterior cleaning around Northeast Florida homes requires the right method for each surface, not one pressure setting for everything.
When do you soft wash versus pressure wash?
Siding, stucco, painted trim, screens, and roofs need soft washing. Concrete and some hardscape can handle controlled pressure when the operator knows the surface.
How do you protect plants, pools, and runoff paths?
Ask about pre-wetting, controlled application, rinsing, and water movement around landscaping, pool decks, and drainage areas.
What chemistry do you use for organic growth?
The answer should be specific to algae, mildew, tannins, rust, or irrigation staining. One generic cleaner is not a property-care system.
Are the exterior specialists trained only for exterior scope?
FCPE keeps exterior discipline separate so the tools, chemistry, safety expectations, and surface knowledge stay focused.
Do you document the finished work?
Before and after photos, scope notes, and surface observations create accountability after the truck leaves.
