Do you know that washing outside of a house often comes as an afterthought for many homeowners? Cleaning different parts of a house’s exterior shouldn’t be something you do when you have extra cash. Instead, it should be an essential part of the routine maintenance of your home.
Different parts of your home’s exterior are continuously exposed to the sun and harsh environmental conditions. With time, dirt, pollen, insects, and plant debris accumulate on your home’s exterior. These elements will damage your home and make it aesthetically unpleasing. Thus, you will eventually see the need for pressure washing in your home.
Why Should You Routinely Clean the Outside of a House?
A recent report by Cleaning Business Today indicates that pressure washing your home’s interior is one of the most effective ways to prevent long-term damage. It helps remove mold and mildew, especially after a rainy season. Washing also removes the layer of grime that may have built up during the wintertime.
Remember that if you don’t remove mold and algae, they will feed on the surface paint. They can weaken essential structures, significantly affecting the structural integrity of your home. Some of the elements can find their way into your home, causing varied allergic reactions.
Other reasons to regularly pressure wash parts of a house exterior include:
- Preventing expensive repairs
- It helps prepare your home for repainting and refinishing
- It removes safety and health hazards
- It enhances your home’s property value and curb appeal
Since pressure washing your home’s exterior is a time-consuming and daunting task, you should contact a cleaning professional. Hiring a professional will save you money, time, and effort in the long run.
Which Parts of a House Exterior Should You Pressure Wash?
Experts suggest that you clean your home’s exterior every six months or once a year. This frequency depends on various factors, such as the material used to make the exterior parts and the climatic conditions of your neighborhood.
Here are seven parts of a house exterior that you should pressure wash routinely:
- Siding
The siding is a crucial part of your home. Besides making your home appealing to look at, it keeps pests away and lowers energy bills. It also protects the frame of your house against a wide variety of harsh elements.
Your siding will look less attractive over time due to the build-up of dirt, mold, mildew, rust, grease, and dust. You can try to clean the siding with a solution containing 30% vinegar and 70% water.
Apply this siding wash using a soft cloth, broom, or soft-bristled brush. Remember not to use abrasive materials as they can damage the siding, especially the vinyl one.
However, this DIY route is not effective. You will need to purchase supplies and tools for the job. Also, it will take a lot of your time. Thus, it’s recommended to contact a professional cleaner for pressure cleaning.
Routine siding cleaning protects your home by removing moss, mold, and algae, which are likely to cause significant repair issues. If you want to sell your home, siding cleaning can improve its curb appeal and attract many potential buyers.
Regularly cleaning your home’s siding is also good for your health. It helps get rid of dust and other allergens. More importantly, it improves your indoor air quality.
How do you know if your siding needs pressure washing? You should watch certain signs, including:
- An unexplained increase in cooling and heating costs
- Rusty nails
- The boards look uneven while seams shift
- The siding begins warping
Contact a pressure washing expert right away if you notice these tell-tale signs. Without routine washing, the siding will fail, leading to expensive repairs.
- Patio
A patio is a great addition to any home. This paved area outside your home is more of a recreational spot. The place allows you to unwind and enjoy fresh air without being hit by the sun or drenched in the rain. A patio is also an entertainment area, especially when planning a get-together or barbecue with friends and family.
Like other parts of a house exterior, the patio is susceptible to the accumulation of algae, mold, and other organic stains. Experts recommend an annual pressure washing of this essential part of your home to help retain its natural color.
If you don’t have a pressure washer, you can use soapy water and a stiff brush to clean your patio. Alternatively, you can use vinegar, primarily if you notice stubborn stains. You can also visit your local store and purchase a classic patio cleaner.
However, expert pressure cleaning is recommended if you want thorough cleaning. A pressure washer leaves your patio spotlessly clean and prevents algae, and black spots build up over time.
There are several tell-tale signs your patio needs professional cleaning, including:
- Slick spots covering different places on your patio
- Splinters on a wooden patio
- A strange smell due to mildew and mold growth
These signs indicate that something is wrong with your premier outdoor space. Contact a pressure washing expert urgently.
- Deck
Like a patio, a deck is an amazing addition to your home. It adds aesthetic appeal to your house’s exterior and boosts your home’s value. A deck adds usable space to your home for different activities, such as cooking on the grill, eating, and relaxing. More significantly, it gives you an additional place to host family gatherings and parties.
If you don’t clean your deck routinely, it will develop splinters, permanent stains, and even mildew and mold growth. Grime may also accumulate on the deck, causing it to rot more quickly and warp.
You can wash your deck at home without the help of an expert. All you need is a broom, bucket, garden hose, stiff scrub brush, and oxygenated bleach. However, cleaning the deck yourself may not effectively remove all the stains.
Thus, you should consider pressure washing your deck. If you choose this route, you are assured of efficient cleaning. A pressure washer can help eliminate all unwanted particles and even residue caked on hidden surfaces.
How do you know your deck needs a pressure wash? Some vital signs to watch include:
- You notice exposed splinters
- Strange smell due to rot and mildew growth
- Allergic reactions when you spend time outdoors on the deck
- Discoloration and other signs of sun damage
- Your deck looks dirtier than usual
These signs are indicators your deck needs a pressure washing overhaul. Without routine cleaning, your deck will gradually waste away. The boards will become weak and bend when you step on the deck.
- Driveway
Do you know that about 70% of American homes have driveways? If your driveway is clean and well-kept, it will help your house stand out from the rest. In fact, a well-maintained driveway can reflect what is inside your home. If you want to sell your home, a driveway can increase its resale value.
Due to daily traffic, your driveway will accumulate grime from foot traffic and vehicles. Other debris and stains from the environment will also make it dirty. Thus, you need to pressure wash it regularly.
Pressure washing your driveway prevents mold, mildew, and other harmful growths. If you don’t remove these growths, they will eat away at your driveway, resulting in costly repairs and safety hazards.
A pressure washer also limits weeds growth. It’s normal for weeds to pop up in cracks in your driveway over time. If you don’t remove them, their roots can widen the cracks or damage concrete.
With time, you may notice mud, dirt, and oil stains on your driveway. If you don’t pressure wash it, the driveway becomes more slippery and unsafe. Also, these stains decrease the curb appeal of your home.
It’s easy to tell if your driveway needs pressure washing. The common signs to watch include:
- The driveway is unusually pliable and slippery
- The driveway looks dry, parched, and cracked
- Visible mud, dust, and other debris
Like other labeled parts of a house exterior, your driveway can benefit immensely from routine pressure washing, probably once a year.
- Fence
Have you installed a fence at home? Well, a fence helps protect your family and valuables. It defines correct boundaries and enhances privacy. More importantly, it is a great way to enhance your home’s curb appeal.
When did you last pressure wash your fence? Fence experts recommend fence cleaning every two to three years to preserve the overall function and natural look.
Think about a wood fence, for instance. It doesn’t have exterior shell protection, making it vulnerable to the sun. However, regular pressure washing can help remove the sun damage.
Today, many homeowners prefer vinyl fencing since it is weather-resistant. Like a wooden fence, a vinyl fence also requires occasional pressure washing to remove the build-up of water and dirt stains. In other words, cleaning your fence keeps it clean all year long.
You can tell if your fence needs cleaning if you take a close look at it. You will notice that it’s covered with gunk or grime. You can also notice mold and mildew growth, spots, visible mazes, swelling, cracking, heaving, and bending.
- Roof
When did you last clean your roof? As people outline parts of a house exterior that requires routine cleaning, the roof is often forgotten. According to roofing experts, the roof needs professional cleaning at least once a year.
Roof cleaning makes it look better. Besides removing debris, pressure roof cleaning increases its curb appeal. A professional can also look for other signs of roof damage during cleaning, such as missing shingles.
Like the siding, your roof is exposed to different elements all day, every day. Debris and dirt will gradually collect on it. With time, you will notice dark stains caused by fungus, moss, and algae.
So, why is roof cleaning vital? First, it helps prevent ice dam formation. These are ridges that form on your roof after a storm or during winter. If you don’t remove the dams, they can lead to damaged shingles and leaks.
Routine roof cleaning also prevents moss, algae, and lichens. If you don’t remove these elements, they can make your roof look stained and blotchy. More importantly, they can significantly decrease your roof’s lifespan.
Failing to routinely clean your roof can lead to other problems, such as shingle damage, water damage, fungal growth, and decreased energy efficiency. Further, excess water can seep into your roof, leading to wood rot.
How do you know it’s time to clean your roof? Watch for the following signs:
- Black steaks that alter your roof’s original appearance
- Grime and dirt build-up
- The appearance of lichen and moss
- Clogged gutters
These issues can damage your roof and create other hazardous situations in your home. Consider professional cleaning to remove all the debris, restore your roof’s curb appeal, and increase your roof’s lifespan.
- Awning
Your awning holds functional and aesthetic importance. It is an essential exterior part of your home that improves the aesthetic of decks, entryways, and windows. Also, it provides shade and protection against different elements.
You should pressure clean your awning to prevent the build-up of mold, debris, mildew, and bird droppings. Dirty awning takes away the curb appeal of your home and leads to faster deterioration of the awning.
A dirty awning is a perfect breeding ground for mold and a wide range of bacteria. You can clean your awning yourself with a garden horse, long handle brush, broom, and cleaning agents.
If you aren’t sure how to go about it, call an expert cleaner. Schedule awning cleaning services if you notice these signs:
- Rainwater pools on the awning
- Your awning looks dirty or dingy
- It is difficult to close or open the awning
Remember that it’s better to protect your awning than replace it prematurely. One way to do that is through routine cleaning.
The Bottom Line
Pressure washing the exterior parts of a house is a great way to eliminate accumulated dirt and grime. It also helps give your home a new, sparkling look. However, the job should be left to experts. Hiring a professional pressure cleaner ensures the job is done quickly, efficiently, and safely. More importantly, it helps minimize environmental damage. If you want any exterior part of your house professionally cleaned, contact Advantage Pro Services today.
