# Got an HOA Letter About Dirty Siding? Do This | Pressure Wash 901 > What HOA violation letters about siding or roof staining actually mean, typical deadlines, and the fastest, cheapest way to get back in compliance. ## Got an HOA Letter About Dirty Siding? Do This An HOA violation letter about siding or roof staining almost always means algae or mildew, not damage, and it is usually fixable with one soft wash before the deadline. Published 2026-08-16 by Pressure Wash 901 · Memphis & the Mid-South ## What the letter is actually citing Most HOA violation notices about the exterior of a house are not about paint condition, cracked siding, or anything structural. They are about appearance, specifically dark streaking on siding or roof shingles. In Memphis, Collierville, Germantown, and the rest of the Mid-South, that dark staining is almost always Gloeocapsa magma, a algae that feeds on the limestone filler in asphalt shingles and also grows on vinyl and fiber cement siding in shaded, humid spots. HOAs use general language like "exterior maintenance," "unsightly condition," or "mold and mildew" in the covenant, but what the inspector is actually flagging is almost always this dark growth, plus general dirt buildup, cobwebs, and pollen film on the siding and soffits. The letter is a compliance notice, not a damage report. It does not mean the siding needs to be replaced or that the roof is failing. It means the surface needs to be cleaned. ## Typical deadlines and what happens if you miss them Most HOA covenants give homeowners somewhere between 14 and 30 days to correct a violation after the first notice, though this varies by community and is spelled out in your specific HOA's governing documents. A second, unresolved notice can escalate to a formal hearing, a fine, or in some communities a lien process. We are not attorneys and this is not legal advice. Read your specific letter and your HOA's covenants for the exact deadline and escalation steps that apply to you, and call the HOA management company directly if the letter is unclear about the timeline. What we can tell you from the maintenance side is timing for the cleaning itself. Once it is scheduled, a house wash for an average home is typically a same day job. That means if you get the letter today, you have plenty of room to book a cleaning and clear the deadline comfortably, as long as you do not wait until the last few days. ## The cheapest compliant fix Replacing siding or a roof to solve an algae stain is not necessary and not what the HOA is asking for. The fix that resolves the overwhelming majority of these letters is a soft wash of the siding, and if the roof is also cited, a separate roof-safe soft wash treatment for the shingles. Soft washing uses a low pressure application of a cleaning solution rather than high pressure spray. It is the correct method for painted surfaces, vinyl siding, fiber cement, and shingle roofs because it kills the algae and mildew at the root and rinses it away without stripping paint, forcing water behind siding panels, or damaging shingle granules the way a pressure washer would. For a typical house, pricing runs about 18 cents per square foot of house, with a $149 minimum per visit. A quote is free and we provide it in writing within 24 hours from photos you send us, valid for 30 days, so you can get a firm number before the HOA deadline without anyone having to come out for an estimate visit. ## What to send back to the HOA Once the cleaning is done, most HOAs want proof the violation was corrected, not just a phone call saying it is handled. A simple, effective response includes: - A dated photo of the cleaned siding or roof, taken from roughly the same angle as whatever prompted the complaint - The date the work was completed - A short note referencing the violation letter or case number if one was assigned We are glad to have the completion date and scope of work available if a homeowner needs to reference it in their response to the HOA, since we keep records of the jobs we complete. ## How fast this can actually move The realistic timeline from a homeowner's perspective looks like this. Send photos of the siding or roof and we return a written quote within 24 hours. Once you approve the quote and pick a date, the cleaning itself is typically completed in a single visit. Payment is due on completion, and every job comes with a 48 hour satisfaction guarantee, so if anything looks off after the work is done, we come back and address it within that window. Given that most HOA deadlines run two to four weeks, there is generally no need to panic when the letter arrives. The bottleneck is usually scheduling around weather, not the work itself, so the earlier you request a quote after getting the letter, the more flexibility you have on dates. ## When it is more than a cleaning issue Occasionally what looks like algae staining from the ground is actually wood rot, siding damage, or a roof leak, and cleaning alone will not resolve the underlying issue or satisfy the HOA long term. If we get to a job and see something that looks structural rather than cosmetic, such as soft or delaminating siding, we will tell you plainly rather than clean over it, since that is a repair matter outside what pressure washing addresses. ### Free quote in 24 hours Send a few photos and your address. Written price, no obligation, valid 30 days. ### Related services - House washing - Gutter cleaning - Window cleaning ## Questions **Q: Will pressure washing damage my siding when trying to fix an HOA violation?** Not when the correct method is used. Vinyl and fiber cement siding should be soft washed with low pressure and a cleaning solution rather than blasted with a high pressure spray, which can force water behind panels or strip paint. That is the method we use on all house washing. **Q: How long does it take to clean a house after getting an HOA notice?** For most homes, the cleaning itself is completed in a single visit, generally within a day. The main time factor is scheduling and weather, not the length of the job, so booking soon after you receive the letter gives you the most flexibility before any deadline. **Q: Do I need proof for the HOA that the cleaning was done?** Most HOAs want a dated photo showing the corrected exterior along with the completion date. We can confirm the date the work was completed if you need that information for your response to the HOA. ## Send a photo. Get a price. Flatwork at 12 cents per square foot, house washing around 18 cents, $149 minimum per visit. Written quote within 24 hours. --- Pressure Wash 901 · (901) 264-0572 · pressurewash901@gmail.com Collierville, TN 38017 · Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm Request a quote: https://pressurewash-901.com/quote.html Source page: https://pressurewash-901.com/hoa-letter-dirty-siding.html