If you’re a knowledgeable homeowner looking to maximize the value of your house sale, you already know that increasing your home’s curb appeal will help you get there. You’re probably ahead when it comes to planting new flowers, sprucing up the gardening, and doing required repairs, but do you know what’s sometimes overlooked? Clean the exterior of your home. Cleaning restores a home to its former glory. Therefore, how do you clean the exterior of your home?
1. Check out the Roof
Begin at the top of your roof and work down to allow for the cleanup of any material that falls below in the latter phases. Before you begin, you should hire a roof inspector, particularly if you’ve not had it inspected in over a year. Algae, mold, and fungi grow on and beneath some shingles. These uninvited guests can erode the quality of your shingles and roofline over time. Due to the elevation and difficulty of this step, you may choose to employ a roof cleaning service. The professionals will select the appropriate hose power and cleaning supplies while keeping you down safely.
2. Clear the Gutters
Often, homeowners overlook gutter care as a necessary component of home cleaning. They do so as an afterthought. However, an improperly maintained gutter system can cause damage to your home’s roof and siding. The reality is that gutters should be fully inspected and cleaned once a year. This way, faults can be discovered and addressed before they become widespread. The best technique to clean your house’s gutters is to remove any accumulated debris and free any blockages with a gutter scoop. After removing dirt from the gutters, clean the downspouts or gutters using a garden hose to eliminate excess debris. You can also install a gutter guard in 5 inches or whatever size suits your needs to prevent clogging.
3. Wash Windows
Many homeowners dislike window washing because it requires a significant amount of time and effort, and this displeasure increases exponentially with the number of windows. This is because many people consider window washing a one-person activity and use the incorrect supplies. However, there is a better and more efficient method.
To begin, enlist the assistance of a member of the family to clean the exterior of each window as you clean the interior. Teamwork makes work more efficient and enjoyable. Then, using a 50-50 mixture of vinegar and warm water, clean the glass window and wipe it down using a newspaper.
4. Clean Outdoor Lighting Fixtures
Your property may be charming and have great curb appeal; however, a dirty lighting fixture may give the incorrect impression. While washing the glass panes within external light fixtures might be challenging, there is a technique to simplify the process. You need glass cleaners, serviettes, and two foam paintbrushes with the appropriate width for your outdoor light fixture.
5. Remove Stains from the Garage Floor and Driveway
Your driveway or garage’s concrete is permeable and susceptible to stains. Oil from automotive fluids, such as antifreeze and grease, will leave traces or stains on the concrete. Rust, mildew, mold, and fungi could also stain the driveway. As a result, the first step in cleaning the driveway and garage floor is to remove the stains. The simplest technique to remove oil stains would be to apply a drying agent to the discolored areas. Allow it to sit for a day before scrubbing the stain with any laundry detergent.
You might also use oil stain removers from a home improvement or automotive parts store. Wood bleach is required to remove persistent rust spots from the driveway and garage. Rub it on the spots and let it sit for a while. Rinse the area after scrubbing it off the concrete.
6. Clean the Siding
One of the most delightful aspects of the exterior house cleaning process is removing dirt, cobwebs, or algae from the home’s siding. To keep your home appearing new, clean the clean siding every 12 to 18 months.
7. Whether or Not to Use a Pressure Wash
For some materials, pressure washing isn’t the best option. When pressure washers are turned up excessively high, they can harm wood, brick, or vinyl. To be safe, choose a low-pressure setting while doing this yourself. To avoid damaging windows, ceilings, and soffits with the cleaning agent and pressurized water, keep away from them.
Conclusion
Cleaning the exterior of your home may appear daunting, but it does not have to be when you use these simple, time-saving recommendations and products to work smarter, not harder.
