If you opted for roughcast when building your home, or if you bought a house with a slightly faded roughcast facade, this article should be of interest to you! Roughcast is, in fact, a type of finish that can suffer from lack of maintenance, but also from the effects of bad weather. Applied indoors, the problem is the same, and plastered walls always require specific maintenance. Here’s a tip: find out how to clean a rendered wall to keep it in good condition.
Here are a few tips on how to do it effectively.
Preparation and assessment
Before you embark on cleaning your rendered wall, it’s crucial to prepare the ground properly and assess the condition of the surface. Here are a few steps to follow for effective cleaning:
- Inspect the wall: Take the time to examine your roughcast wall to identify the dirtiest or most damaged areas. This will enable you to target your cleaning efforts where they are most needed.
- Clean the surrounding area: Remove dirt and debris from around the wall to prevent it from spreading during cleaning. This will also facilitate access to all parts of the wall.
- Protect plants and objects: Use tarpaulins or plastic sheeting to cover plants and surrounding objects. This will protect them from cleaning products and dirt.
- Equip yourself properly: Wear protective gloves and goggles to avoid the risk of burns or irritation caused by cleaning products.
By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your rendered wall is ready for a thorough cleaning, and that you’re working safely.
High-pressure cleaning, an ultra-efficient solution for roughcast
If your home’s facade is finished in roughcast, one of the best investments you can make is to buy a high-pressure cleaner.
Simple to use, fast and, above all, highly effective, it will restore your facade to its original appearance. In principle, this type of cleaning works perfectly on all types of rendering. This method can also be used on an interior rendered wall, with care. However, some poor-quality plasters can tear off on contact with the high-pressure jet. For this reason, it’s advisable to carry out a test beforehand.
High-pressure cleaning removes dust, stains, mold and mildew that may have invaded your rendered façade.
For even more spectacular results, you can also use a washing product. In this case, vinegar or another detergent will clean your rendering thoroughly. Don’t forget to rinse with clean water.
Use: exterior only
What are the alternatives for cleaning a rendered façade?
There are many ways to clean a rendered façade by hand, without having to use a machine like the one mentioned above. Here are a few examples of effective maintenance methods that will give you excellent results.
1 – Bleach
Bleach cleans and whitens at the same time. It’s also ideal for eliminating the fungi responsible for black marks and mildew.
For optimal cleaning, bleach should be used diluted in water (the ideal dosage is 1 L of bleach for 4 L of water). It’s also important to wear full protective clothing, goggles and gloves when using bleach.
If you have a sprayer, application will be very easy. If you don’t have one, you can use a broom and a jump to apply the product outdoors, or a sponge indoors. Leave to work for around 1 hour. After this time, rinse the facade with a hose to see the results.
Warning: bleach is an aggressive product and should never be sprayed on plants. Protect plants before cleaning, and avoid direct contact with them.
Use: indoors (well-ventilated only) / outdoors.
2 – Hydrochloric acid
Hydrochloric acid is perfect for sanitizing and restoring shine to a rendered facade blackened by pollution, dust, moss or even mildew and other fungi.
The correct dose of hydrochloric acid for this purpose is 500 ml of acid for 5 liters of water. Simply place the solution in a spray bottle and spray over the entire rendered façade. Indoors, application with a sponge is sufficient. The action time is very fast, since you can rub it in and rinse it off after just 2 minutes. Once rinsed off, you’ll see all stains disappear and enjoy a spotless facade for many months to come.
As with bleach, this product should be used with care, and with full protective equipment, including gloves and goggles.
Use: indoors (well-ventilated only) / outdoors
What are the natural solutions for cleaning a rendered façade?
It’s perfectly possible to clean a rendered facade using natural, environmentally-friendly products. White vinegar, diluted with water, is particularly effective for eliminating mildew and deodorizing surfaces. It’s also safer to use and safe for surrounding plants.
1 – Household spirit vinegar and coarse salt
If you’re a fan of natural, homemade products for cleaning a rendered facade, this solution should be of interest to you! It involves creating your own biodegradable cleaning solution using spirit vinegar and coarse sea salt.
This product is highly effective against stains, but also kills the organisms responsible for fungus and mould growth. What’s more, it requires no rinsing, which saves time and water.
To make this natural cleaning solution, simply mix 50% water, 50% vinegar and add coarse salt. If stains resist, simply concentrate the vinegar and coarse salt further.
The product can also be applied by spraying. Then scrub the wall with a brush or large sponge, and wait 15 minutes. If stains persist after this time, don’t hesitate to repeat the operation.
Caution: if your mixture is particularly concentrated, avoid touching your plants as much as possible, as this may damage them.
Use: indoors/outdoors
2 – Clay stone
Clay stone is a 100% natural cleaning product that cleans and maintains plastered facades and walls. It’s a multi-purpose cleaner that cleans, polishes and shines surfaces without ever scratching them.
As a household product, it comes in paste form. It’s easy to use: simply lather the clay on a sponge and rub it into the wall. Be careful, however, not to apply too much of the product, as this may result in the need to rinse surfaces for too long. Rinsing with water is necessary to obtain a clean finish.
Use: preferably indoors.
Precautions and advice
When cleaning your roughcast wall, it’s essential to take certain precautions to avoid damaging the surface or causing health problems. Here are a few tips to follow:
- Avoid abrasive chemicals: Abrasive or corrosive chemicals can damage roughcast or paint. Use cleaning products designed specifically for plastered walls, which are gentle and effective.
- Use the right products: specific cleaning products for roughcast walls are formulated to clean thoroughly without damaging the surface. They are often gentler and more respectful of the material.
- Don’t scrub too hard: Scrubbing too vigorously can damage roughcast or create scratches. Use a soft brush or sponge to gently clean the surface.
- Rinse with clear water: After cleaning, use clear water to rinse the wall. Dirty water or chemical residues can leave marks and damage plaster in the long term.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to clean your rendered wall effectively, while preserving its integrity and avoiding health risks.
Summary and final tips
To sum up, here are the steps to follow when cleaning a rendered wall:
- Prepare the site and assess the condition of the surface: Inspect the wall, clean the surrounding area, protect plants and objects, and equip yourself properly.
- Use specific cleaning products for roughcast walls: Choose gentle, effective products designed for this type of surface.
- Avoid abrasive or corrosive chemicals: they can damage plaster or paint.
- Use clear water to rinse the wall: This will prevent residues and keep the plaster clean.
- Don’t scrub too hard: Use a soft brush or sponge to avoid damaging the surface.
By following these steps and tips, you’ll be able to clean your rendered wall effectively and keep it in good condition. Don’t forget to take precautions to avoid damaging the surface or causing health problems. With these tips, your rendered wall will look as good as new, and your home will be more beautiful than ever. Now it’s up to you! With all these tips, you now know how to give your rendered walls and facades a touch of sparkle!
