When was the last time you gave the outside of your home a deep clean? A few years ago? Never? Aside from basic sweeping and getting rid of cobwebs, many of us rarely ever give the outside of our home a deep clean. However, it’s an important task for maintaining curb appeal and for reducing wear and tear. In this post, we’ll explore some of the different areas of your home worth cleaning and how to clean them.
Patios and decks
Patios and decks can collect dirt, algae, moss and mildew over time. This organic matter and gunk doesn’t just make these areas look less inviting, but it can also cause damage over time – patio paving can start to erode and decks can start to rot if exposed to too much grime.
When deep cleaning these areas, start by sweeping the area clean. You’ll want to get yourself a stiff brush that will not only be able to get rid of leaves, but also help remove moss and algae. If weeds have started to grow between slabs or planks, these will need to be manually pulled out or sprayed with a weed-killer.
To get rid of more stubborn dirt stains, next look into chemical products. These can be applied to your patio or deck and left to soak in before being scrubbed away with a brush. Pressure washers are an alternative solution that can be used with chemical cleaners to rapidly lift dirt. Make sure to use the right pressure setting – decks will need a lower setting (1500 PSI) than patios (2500 to 3000 PSI).
Windows and doors
The outside of windows can get dirty over time as a result of dust and exhaust particles – especially if your home overlooks a busy road. This can make the frames look grubby and it can affect visibility and sunlight through your windows.
To clean the outside of your windows, you’ll need some hot water, soap, a sponge and a squeegee. Extendable squeegees are excellent for reaching higher windows and can save you having to get on a ladder. That said, you may find it’s easier and safer to simply hire a window cleaning company.
While cleaning exterior windows, it’s a good idea to also clean exterior doors. The condition of your front door is particularly important to consider, as it can impact how welcoming your home is. Every year it’s worth scrubbing the front of your door down and getting rid of any cobwebs around it. Glass doors can be cleaned much like windows with a squeegee, whereas wooden and metal doors are best cleaned with a sponge.
Roofing and siding
Moss, algae and debris can accumulate on roofs over time. If not cleaned off, this matter can cause certain roof materials to decay, leading to leaks and cold drafts. Cleaning also keeps your roof looking nice and may even help with energy-efficiency (if you’ve got solar panels, these will need to be periodically cleaned to keep them working properly).
You should ideally clean your roof every two years. Because this can be a dangerous job, it’s best to hire a professional roof cleaning service rather than attempting to clean your roof yourself. A professional roofer will know the best way of dealing with your specific type of roof and will be able to clean it safely and thoroughly. Specialists may be required for cleaning solar panels.
While cleaning your roof, you may also want to consider cleaning your siding. If you’ve got wooden siding, this will need to be occasionally cleaned to stop rot setting in (vinyl siding may be a bit more resilient, but can still get damaged and discolored over time). Siding can be cleaned by manually scrubbing it with a sponge or by using a pressure washer (the simpler solution). There are siding cleaning companies you can hire to carry out this cleaning task if you don’t want to do it yourself.
Gutters and drains
Gutters and downspouts help to direct water runoff from your roof into drains, so that it doesn’t pool around the base of your home and damage your foundations. If these gutters aren’t protected by a mesh (which most aren’t), they can end up getting lots of leaves and debris in them. Over time, this can cause blockages and water can start spilling out over the sides, causing foundation damage.
When it’s raining, check that your gutters are draining properly. If not, you may need to clean them out. This is something yourself can do yourself with a bucket, ladder and glove. Alternatively, you can hire a gutter cleaning company to do it safely and efficiently.
Make sure to also inspect drains around your property. If there’s a storm, you don’t want your property to flood because drains are clogged. You may be able to remove surface leaves and debris from drain covers, but the inside of drains will need to be cleaned by a professional – if drains regularly overflow or don’t drain properly, call up a professional company to take a look at them.
Driveways and paths
Driveways and paths need to be kept clean to stop them getting slippery and to keep them looking attractive. How you should clean them depends on the surface type.
You can use pressure washers to clean most driveways and paths. Asphalt driveways will require a lower pressure level than concrete driveways and paving. When cleaning concrete, you may also want to consider adding a sealant after to try to prevent future staining. Some stains can be very hard to get out of concrete, but there are certain chemicals out there that can help.
Gravel driveways don’t really need cleaning, but do need occasional sweeping to make sure pebbles are evenly distributed. Look out for weeds growing through gravel driveways and get rid of these to stop them spreading. Adding fabric weed barriers below gravel can help prevent weed growth while still allowing drainage, however over time these barriers can get damaged, allowing weeds to set in.
