House walls · prices checked 28 October 2026
House washing in Limerick
Green render, red streaks, black lichen. Here's why walls are soft washed, how it's done and what it typically costs.
Prices checked against each source on 28 October 2026. Each figure links to its source. How we check
House walls are soft washed, not pressure washed. A cleaning solution is sprayed on at low pressure, left to kill the algae and lichen, then rinsed off. A high-pressure jet on render can crack it, blow out patches and drive water into the wall.
HomePros.ie's 2026 guide gives €4–€7 per m² for house exteriors, roughly €400–€800 for an average two-storey home (VAT not stated). Squeeky Clean in Wicklow lists render soft washing from €200 for one side to €500 for four, incl. VAT.
Why render turns green
Render holds a little moisture, and in a wet, mild climate that's enough for algae to grow. The north-facing gable, walls behind trees and anywhere a gutter overflows go green first. Red and black streaks are usually algae and lichen too. Wash it off with a jet and the spores in the render are still there, so it comes back fast. A soft wash kills them, which is why the wall stays clean for longer.
Soft washing or pressure washing walls
| Soft wash | Pressure wash | |
|---|---|---|
| How it cleans | A solution, applied at low pressure, kills algae and lichen | A jet strips growth off the surface |
| Risk to render | Low when applied correctly | Can crack render, blow off patches and mark painted finishes |
| Water in the wall | Little | Can force water behind render and into window frames |
| How long it stays clean | Longer, because the growth is killed | Shorter: spores left in the render regrow |
| Plants and paintwork | The solution has to be kept off them | Lots of water and debris |
Squeeky Clean's price list calls this "Softwashing – External Render Cleaning" and says its prices are for a basic treatment, with all jobs priced individually (Squeeky Clean price list (Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow), 2026 prices incl. VAT).
Prices for washing a house
| What's washed | Price | VAT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| House exterior, per m² | €4–€7 per m² | Not stated | HomePros.ie, 23 Jun 2026 |
| Average two-storey home | €400–€800 | Not stated | HomePros.ie, 23 Jun 2026 |
| Render soft wash, 1 side | from €200 | Incl. | Squeeky Clean, Wicklow, 2026 |
| Render soft wash, 2 sides | from €300 | Incl. | Squeeky Clean, Wicklow, 2026 |
| Render soft wash, 3 sides | from €400 | Incl. | Squeeky Clean, Wicklow, 2026 |
| Render soft wash, 4 sides | from €500 | Incl. | Squeeky Clean, Wicklow, 2026 |
Checked 28 October 2026. Squeeky Clean is an out-of-area comparison. We looked for a Limerick power washing company that publishes its own price list and didn't find one we could cite. So the ranges here come from national guides, with a Wicklow price list for comparison. Treat them as a guide, not a quote.
How many walls?
Companies often price by side. A bungalow or a single gable is one or two sides. A semi-D usually has three to wash: the front, the back and the gable. A detached house has four. An end of terrace is like a semi-D. A mid-terrace has a front and a back. Count the walls that need doing, not the whole house, if only the north side is green.
What the job involves
- Check the walls.The render type, any cracks or blown patches, the paint, the windows and what's growing. Cracks are pointed out before cleaning.
- Protect.Plants, ponds, cars and doors are wetted, covered or moved. Vents and sockets are protected.
- Apply the treatment.The solution goes on at low pressure from a hose or a pole, working up the wall.
- Let it work.It's left for the time the product needs. Heavy lichen may need a second coat.
- Rinse.The wall is rinsed at low pressure, top down, with the windows and sills.
- Look again.Some staining fades over the following days and weeks as the dead growth weathers off. Ask what to expect.
Painted render, dash and stone
- Painted render. A soft wash cleans the paint. If the paint is chalky or flaking, cleaning can show that up. Repainting may be the better fix.
- Dashed walls (pebbledash). Low pressure only. A jet can knock stones out.
- Silicone and acrylic render. Many makers recommend a gentle clean. Ask the company what they'd use.
- Brick and stone. Usually fine with a soft wash. Old soft brick and lime mortar need care.
Questions to ask before anyone starts
- Will you soft wash or pressure wash the walls?
- What product do you use, and how do you protect plants and pets?
- How do you reach the top of a two-storey wall?
- Is the price per side, per square metre or for the job?
- Is VAT in the price?
- What should the wall look like on the day, and a month later?
Roof and walls on the same visit
Moss washing off a roof stains walls and fills gutters. If the roof needs cleaning too, have it done first, then the walls. Our sister site covers that: need your roof done too?
Listing a company's prices here doesn't mean it's the company we pass your request to.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to wash a house in Limerick?
HomePros.ie's 2026 guide gives €4–€7 per m², roughly €400–€800 for an average two-storey home, VAT not stated. Squeeky Clean in Wicklow lists render soft washing from €200 for one side to €500 for four, incl. VAT.
Can you power wash render?
It's not a good idea. A high-pressure jet can crack render, blow off patches and push water into the wall. Render is soft washed at low pressure.
How long does a soft wash last?
Longer than a jet wash, because the algae and lichen are killed, not just stripped. How long depends on shade, trees and which way the wall faces.
Will the green come back?
Eventually. A wall that stays damp and shaded regrows fastest. Fixing an overflowing gutter above it helps.
Do I need to be home for a house wash?
Someone should be there at the start to agree what's being washed and where the tap is. Close windows and move the car before they arrive.
Sources (2)
Prices and facts on this page were checked against these published pages. We are not connected to these businesses.
- Squeeky Clean price list: squeekyclean.ie
- HomePros.ie: homepros.ie
Check the price, then get it done
Three taps show what your job typically costs. Or call 087 162 1846 between 8am and 8pm, or send a photo on WhatsApp. We pass it to one local power washing company that covers Limerick.