Spring has sprung in the Pacific Northwest. Or at least it has arrived. The weather itself is a little fickle, but that is another topic.
The topic at hand is getting the exterior of your home ready for warmer weather: an exterior spring cleaning checklist. What does it take to make the outside of your home look refreshed, clean and ready for enjoying backyard BBQ season? This is also one to keep in mind if you are considering putting your home on the market.
Here are six things for your exterior spring cleaning checklist.
1. Clean gutters and install leaf guards
The first item on your spring cleaning checklist is to clean out your gutters. Gutters and downspouts can get clogged with leaves, twigs, and other debris during the winter. If they are not cleared out, this blockage leaves standing water to collect and eventually overflow, which can damage your roof and foundation. Thus, costly repairs could be in order. That can be avoided by doing the dirty, and some might say, unpleasant, job of getting on a ladder to get those gutters cleaned!
After you have cleaned out your gutters, consider installing leaf guards like this to help prevent debris from getting in.
2. Clean your deck
Item two on your exterior spring cleaning checklist: clean your deck. Your deck has been through a lot during the winter months, from snow, ice and rain to dirt and debris. Over time, the finish on a wooden deck breaks down. Sun and weather naturally age the boards. Water penetrates into the wood where mold and mildew can build up and lead to rot. A thorough annual cleaning and application of fresh sealer will preserve the beauty of your deck and make it last longer.
Start by sweeping off any debris or dirt, then wash the deck with a deck cleaner or a solution of warm water and soap. Rinse thoroughly and let it dry completely before applying any sealant or stain. It might not be one of your favorite things to do, but the work will pay off in the short term, as you enjoy a clean deck surface area to enjoy when the weather is nice, and in the long term as you have peace of mind that you are maintaining your deck for maximum life.
3. Wash your house
If you’re reading this article, you are probably someone that cares about the appearance of your home and neighborhood. Maybe you’ve noticed other homes where grime and mildew build up on the siding. It gives the home a dirty, poorly-maintained look. That’s why we recommend washing your house each spring to keep it looking great.
A soft wash is an effective method for cleaning many types of home exteriors without damaging surfaces. Whether you are using soft or pressure washing, you’ll need a pressure washer. If you don’t own one, they are available for rent at places like Home Depot. Or you can call a professional to do it for you.
4. Pressure wash all walkways
A spring pressure wash of your driveway, patio and walkways will get rid of the winter buildup of dirt, their accompanying weeds, mildew, oil and discoloration. We don’t mean to be tough on winter, but winter is tough on the exterior surfaces of the home. So maybe it deserves it.
Taking the time to clean those surfaces will not only make them look better, they extend their lifespan–algae and oil will erode your concrete over time. With regular power washing, you can prevent cracks and untimely aging, so your concrete surfaces last for much longer.
5. Touch up paint
Over time, the exterior paint on your home can begin to peel, fade, take on water damage, or get extra wear on one side due to weather. These are all reasons you should consider applying touch up paint when needed. Taking preventative action with touch ups before the wear and tear deteriorates further can save not only extend the life of your paint job, but also save you more costly repairs and repainting down the road.
Doing touch-up paint is straight-forward for the determined DIY-er. This article shares some tips on how to do it the right way.
6. Clean the moss off of your roof
The final step in our exterior spring cleaning checklist is cleaning the moss off your roof. If you have noticed it growing, it’s important to remove it as it can cause damage over time. How does it damage your roof? It acts like a sponge, absorbing large amounts of moisture and resulting in your roof being constantly wet. If this moisture travels underneath the tiles, it could rot the wooden components of the roof, threatening structural integrity and leading to costly repairs.
To clean the moss, use a solution of bleach and water to kill it, and then use a brush to remove it. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and avoid using a pressure washer as this can damage your roof.
Like everything else in this list, it is all about prevention!
Conclusion
These six items for spring cleaning the exterior of your home are all a good practice for a number of reasons. One, you’ll maximize your pride of ownership with a well-maintained and visually pleasing exterior. You can enjoy your home with no worries of being embarrassed about what the neighbors and passersby think. Two, it contributes to being a good neighbor–one that sets an example of cleanliness for your neighborhood. Third and finally, you’ll save yourself time, expense and heartache in the long run by staying on top of minor issues before they turn into major, costly repairs.
Having those assurances is more than enough reason to fire up the grill, crack open up your favorite beverage and enjoy the fruit of your labor with your loved ones.
As always, if you’d rather hire out any of these tasks, we’re available to visit local homes and provide a free estimate. Click here to get on our schedule.