Spring is a time for renewal and rebirth and that makes it the perfect time to take stock of your home’s exterior and do some spring cleaning. Curb appeal isn’t just important if you are selling your home. Curb appeal also shows pride in home ownership and elevates the look of the whole neighborhood.
Keeping the exterior of your home clean can also prolong the life of building materials, such as siding, roofing and gutters.1
Cleaning your home’s exterior also has the added advantage of allowing you to discover areas that need work before you have to invest major money on a repair project. If you live in an area with a high pollen concentration, it is best to do your exterior cleaning after the peak pollen season.
Contacting a home improvement company to do an exterior inspection is a great way to get started.
Here are 3 main areas that need the most attention and why its best to call a professional.
Roof Cleaning
It is wisest to start at the top of your home and work your way down. If your roof is fairly new you can just visually inspect it from the ground, making sure there are no loose or missing shingles. If your roof is older, or you can’t see all areas of the roof from the ground, it is best to hire a professional roofing contractor to inspect the roof for any damage.
Algae is a common problem on roofs, especially on the north-facing side of roofs. Algae also forms on roofs that are shaded by trees. Blue-green algae appears as a black mold-like stain or streak which is especially easy to spot on light-colored asphalt shingles.2 While this type of algae doesn’t actually harm the roof materials, it is unsightly.
Darker shingles will hide the algae and shingles that contain copper granules prevent this type of algae from forming. Pressure washing will damage shingles, so getting rid of algae is best left to a professional.
Gutter Cleaning
Gutter cleaning is essential to maintain the stability of your home’s foundation and to ensure that the gutters do not get clogged with debris that will cause ice and water to back up under the shingles.
Gutter cleaning is a job best left to a professional, but you can do-it-yourself if you take care. Never place your ladder against the gutter, as it can damage the gutter.3 Make sure you have a sturdy ladder and that it is on level ground. You can clean out your gutters by hand or you can use a wand that connects to your hose. Many of these wands have a head that can pivot making it easier to flush out whatever has accumulated in the gutters.4
Siding Cleaning
As an exterior product, vinyl siding can accumulate dirt, grime, and stains from pollen, bird and insect droppings, spider webs, rust and most commonly, mold and mildew.5 Removing mold, mildew and debris can keep your siding from prematurely aging, fading and discoloring.
The frequency of cleaning your vinyl siding depends on a number of factors including exposure to moisture and proximity to trees. Some home require yearly cleaning and some can be cleaned every other year if you visually can’t see any debris build-up. If the siding is older and fragile or has gaps, it is best to forego the power washer and clean it by hand. Some manufacturers caution against using a power washer so it is best to check your warranty materials.
There’s a lot of surface area with siding and can be quite a challenge for most people.
The Vinyl Siding Institute recommends hand-washing using a soft cloth or soft-bristled brush with a long handle. For this job it is best to start at the bottom and work your way upwards to prevent streaking. There are many cleaning solutions on the market to clean vinyl or you can make a solution using common household items such as vinegar and water.6 If you have landscaping near the foundation of the home it is best to find a cleaning solution that won’t harm tender plants.
Cleaning siding is also a job where hiring a professional may be your best solution. They have all the equipment, skill and manpower to get it done safely and efficiently.
Contact a Trusted Home Improvement Contractor Near You
Excel Home Improvement in Romulus has proven to be a top choice for roofing, siding and gutters year after year. We keep homes throughout Southeastern Michigan looking great on the outside so that everything on the inside is safe and comfortable. Our home improvement services include roof installation, siding installation, and gutter installation with warrantied products and guaranteed quality work. Call and speak with a Specialist today!
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1, 3 How to Clean the Exterior of Your House Like a Pro by Ginny Bartolone, 1/11/2024
Link: https://www.angi.com/articles/how-clean-your-homes-exterior.htm
2 Getting Algae Off My Roof,
Link: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/roofing/21193415/how-to-get-algae-off-roof
4 Your Guide to Spring Cleaning Your Home’s Exterior by Donna Boyle Schwartz, 8/18/2015
Link: https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/your-guide-to-spring-cleaning-your-home-s-exterior-48766
5. 6 How To: Clean Vinyl Siding, by Donna Boyle Schwartz and Bob Vila, 9/29/2020
Link: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-vinyl-siding/