Keeping up with cleaning for the exterior of your home enhances its curb appeal and protects it from damage – both of which help maintain its value. Routine cleaning prevents grime, mold, and mildew buildup, which can lead to costly repairs.
Let’s go over the simple, effective steps to clean your home’s exterior like a pro. Whether you’re sprucing up for a sale or just want to keep your house looking its best, you’re in the right place.
Why Exterior Home Cleaning is Important
Maintaining a clean exterior is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it greatly enhances your home’s curb appeal, making it more inviting and visually appealing.
A well-maintained exterior also protects your home from damage caused by dirt, grime, mold, and mildew. As time goes on, these elements can degrade your home’s materials, leading to expensive repairs.
Moreover, a clean exterior contributes to a healthier living environment by reducing allergens and preventing mold growth, which can affect your family’s health. Regular exterior cleaning is a small investment of time and effort that pays off in the long run.
Essential Tools and Supplies
If you don’t have the right tools, or worse, any tools on hand, a home exterior cleaning project will be harder than it needs to be. Before getting started, you’ll need:
- Pressure Washer: Ideal for removing tough dirt and grime from various surfaces. Ensure you have the appropriate nozzles for different cleaning tasks.
- Garden Hose: Useful for rinsing surfaces and applying cleaning solutions.
- Scrub Brushes: Different sizes and types for scrubbing areas that require a more delicate touch or hard-to-reach spots.
- Ladder: Necessary for reaching high places, like gutters and the upper parts of your siding.
- Cleaning Solutions: Choose eco-friendly options whenever possible. You’ll need different cleaners for various surfaces, such as siding, windows, and concrete.
- Protective Gear: Gloves, safety glasses, and possibly a mask to protect yourself from cleaning agents and debris.
- Buckets and Spray Bottles: For mixing and applying cleaning solutions.
Preparing Your Home for Cleaning
Before you start cleaning, it’s important to prepare your home and workspace to ensure the process goes smoothly and safely. Here are the steps to take:
- Clear away any furniture, potted plants, and decorative items from around your home. This will prevent damage to these items and give you clear access to all surfaces.
- Protect your plants and landscaping by covering them with plastic sheeting or drop cloths. This prevents damage from cleaning solutions and debris.
- Walk around your home and check for any existing damage, such as loose siding, cracked windows, or damaged gutters. Address these issues before cleaning to avoid exacerbating the damage.
- Ensure all windows and doors are tightly closed to prevent water and cleaning solutions from entering your home.
- For safety, turn off any exterior electrical outlets and lights that might come into contact with water.
- Plan to start from the top and work your way down to prevent dirty water from dripping onto areas you’ve already cleaned. This will save time and ensure a thorough clean.
Step-by-Step Guide
1) Begin at the Roof
You’ll need a ladder, a safety harness, a soft-bristle brush, an appropriate roof cleaner, and a garden hose.
- Safely climb onto the roof using a sturdy ladder and a safety harness.
- Apply roof cleaner according to the product instructions.
- Use a soft-bristle brush to gently scrub away moss, algae, and debris.
- Rinse thoroughly with a garden hose, ensuring all cleaner is washed away.
2) Move to the Siding
- Then, you should have handy your pressure washer, siding cleaner, garden hose, and a soft-bristle brush.
- Start by rinsing the siding with a garden hose to remove loose dirt.
- Apply siding cleaner with a pressure washer or a garden sprayer.
- Use a soft brush to scrub stubborn spots.
- Rinse thoroughly with a pressure washer on a low setting or a garden hose.
3) Windows and Doors
- Next, grab the glass cleaner, microfiber cloths, squeegee, and ladder (if necessary).
- Spray glass cleaner on the windows and doors.
- Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away dirt and grime.
- For a streak-free finish, use a squeegee, working from top to bottom.
- Wipe frames and sills with a damp cloth.
4) Driveways, Walkways, and Patio
Lastly, bring back the pressure washer, grab the concrete cleaner, and get a stiff-bristle brush.
- Clear the area of any debris or loose dirt.
- Apply concrete cleaner and let it sit for the recommended time.
- Use a pressure washer to clean the surface, starting from one end and working your way across.
- For stubborn stains, use a stiff-bristle brush and cleaner to scrub them away.
Other Recommended Maintenance
When it comes to many exterior components, regular gutter cleaning prevents water damage and mold growth. You’re ensuring that water flows properly and doesn’t overflow, which can damage the roof, siding, and foundation.
Taking care of your lawn and garden by mowing, trimming, and weeding enhances your home’s curb appeal and complements a clean exterior. So, inspecting fences for damage, rot, or rust, and cleaning them as needed help will help maintain their appearance. Applying a fresh coat of paint or sealant can protect fences from the elements.
Also, for decks and patios, regular cleaning and inspection for signs of wear or damage is essential. Staining or sealing wood decks can protect them from moisture and sun damage. Finally, inspecting the seals around windows and doors and replacing any worn or damaged seals can improve energy efficiency and prevent water intrusion.
When to Call a Professional
- Extensive Mold or Mildew: Professionals have the expertise and equipment to safely and thoroughly remove widespread mold or mildew, ensuring it doesn’t return.
- High or Steep Roofs: Cleaning high or steep roofs can be dangerous without the proper equipment and experience. Professionals have the necessary safety gear and training to handle these tasks safely.
- Stubborn Stains or Damage: For stains that don’t come off with standard cleaning methods or if you find damage during your inspection, a professional can provide specialized treatments and repairs.
- Intricate Detailing: If your home has intricate architectural details or delicate materials, a professional can clean these areas without causing damage.
- Pressure Washing Expertise: Lastly, using a pressure washer incorrectly can cause damage to your home’s exterior. Professionals know the correct pressure settings and techniques for different surfaces.
Conclusion
Keeping up with home exterior cleaning is important to its curb appeal and longevity. This guide provides you with simple steps to achieve a professional-quality clean and maintain your home’s appearance!
If you come across something concerning while you’re cleaning or want to schedule a home assessment in Florida or Alabama, reach out to Knockout Inspections today.