Why does white masonry show dirt so quickly?
Because there is nothing to hide it. The same thin layer of algae that goes unnoticed on a sand-coloured house reads as a dark streak on a white wall, especially below windowsills, parapets and gutters where rain runs.
Stucco and painted masonry are also porous. Growth roots into the texture rather than sitting on top, so blasting at high pressure only cuts it back — and it can etch the finish and leave a visible pattern of passes that is worse than the original stain.
How do you get white walls clean without streaks?
By working the whole elevation at once. We wet the wall, apply the cleaning solution evenly from the bottom up, let it dwell, and rinse from the top down in one continuous pass. Stopping halfway is what creates the tide marks people see after a rushed wash.
White roofs get the same soft wash at under 500 psi. Courtyards, fountains' surrounds and limestone-look pavers are cleaned separately at moderate pressure, and any rust or irrigation staining is treated with a dedicated remover rather than more force.
- White stucco and masonry walls — full-elevation soft wash, no lap marks
- White roofs — low pressure only, downslope
- Courtyards and pale pavers — moderate pressure and a thorough rinse
- Rust and irrigation stains — treated with a remover, not pressure
How often should an Alys Beach home be washed?
Most owners here book a wash every 6 to 9 months to keep the walls bright, because on white masonry the first streaks are visible long before the growth would be noticed elsewhere. Waiting a full year usually means heavier staining under every sill.
Alys Beach has strict design standards. Washing does not change the colour of a building, but if a wall needs repainting or sealing afterwards, confirm the finish with the community before any work goes ahead.