Most of us have no problem getting started on spring cleaning inside the house. Getting rid of the kids’ old toys, donating clothes that you don’t like anymore, cleaning out the fridge (what even was that in that Tupperware?), and doing an overall wash of the floors and countertops are easy first steps.
But what about exterior home cleaning? Do you know what you need to add to your spring cleaning checklist to get the outside looking just as refreshed as your inside?
The exterior of the home is almost more important seeing as that’s what others see most often and can greatly affect the home’s value and curb appeal.
With this in mind, we’re going to give you some exterior home cleaning tips and steps that you should take this cleaning season.
Dedicate Time to Your Roof
As one of Boston’s top roofing companies, we’re obviously most concerned about all things roofing. While many homeowners know about getting their roof checked out once in a while and maybe will get limbs & debris off the roof, not many have a proper roof maintenance & cleaning schedule.
But you should! When a roof is damaged or needs roof repair, it can greatly affect your entire home leading to more serious issues and more expensive damages.
Start with the basics: clean off any debris, moss, branches, etc that have accumulated on the roof over the fall and winter. Be safe. If you can’t reach or don’t have the tools to reach, contact a professional.
Next, unclog and thoroughly clean your gutters to get ready for the spring storms & wind damage that comes with them. Cleaning out your gutters also helps get the exterior of the home looking neater and cleaner.
This is also a great time to simply look at your roof and identify any damages or issues that need to be inspected by a professional.
Curious about potential roofing issues you could have?
Check out our residential roofing section for a list of common problems and our many solutions! Find that here.
Your Home’s Siding
As the barrier between you and the outside world, it makes sense that siding gets dirty, stained, and/or mildewed over time.
Oftentimes the most basic method works the best. Simply rinse the siding with your hose and then scrub with soapy water and a long-handled brush before rinsing with the hose again.
For tougher stains, mold, mildew, algae, etc, consider power washing services or using a stronger hose like a garden sprayer. You can also add small amounts of oxygen bleach to your water solution (don’t use chlorine bleach! It can damage your home’s siding).
Be careful if you decide to DIY powerwash, too. Inexperienced users can easily damage their homes, so you might want to leave that to professionals.
The Driveway
Stained and weed-filled driveways tend to look messy, uninviting, and uncared for. Take the time this spring cleaning season to fix it up.
Power washing is a great way to eliminate hardened stains. As with siding, it might be best to hire a professional to do this in order to avoid any potential damage. You can also to a preliminary rinse and wash with soap and water yourself to see what stains you’re dealing with.
If you have weeds poking through cracks in the driveway, pick those out and toss. Try filling the cracks in with sand before re-filling with cement or dirt in order to lessen the number of weeds that re-grow (and make it harder to grow back at all).
Oil and grease stains can first be treated with absorbent material (cat litter is a great option!) and then scrubbed with detergent (laundry detergent works). Tire marks can be removed with special solvents and grease stain removers.
Both asphalt and concrete driveways can be sealed by a professional in order to discourage staining and damage to the area. This works for garage floors as well.
Yard Work
If you have a yard, it’s important to follow a regular maintenance schedule to avoid overgrowth and other issues that can make it look messy and unhealthy.
Start by giving your grass a nice trim along with any necessary pruning of trees, bushes, shrubs, etc.
Then, go through the area and weed out any, well, weeds as well as any invasive species or unwanted wild plants that entered into the area.
If you want to go above and beyond, creating flower beds or even planting a few flowers in your yard can brighten up the entire exterior and make you feel in the spirit of spring.
Exterior Home Cleaning Tips for an Efficient Spring Cleaning
We hope these exterior home cleaning tips and steps will help you create a streamlined and easy spring cleaning schedule for your home! Each step is important for creating a safe and clean living space, so take your time and be thorough.
If you need any help at all or find any roofing issues in your process, don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation, advice, or services.