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The importance of maintaining clean home exteriors cannot be overstated. It’s not just about keeping up with the neighbours – although playing your part in maintaining the area’s aesthetics is admirable – the deterioration of your home’s exterior can have far-reaching health and structural implications. But don’t get too overwhelmed, because we’ve put together a useful home exterior cleaning checklist to minimise the hassle and keep your property in tip-top shape!
The home exterior cleaning checklist
Certain cleaning and maintenance will need to be carried out annually, while other tasks might need to be performed more frequently – but we’ll clarify that after each one. Here’s what you need to check on your home’s exterior.
1. The roof
It’s often best to start at the top and work your way down because debris that falls can be cleaned in the final stages. Getting onto your roof requires a ladder, a love of heights, and dedicated time to do some deep cleaning. It’s really best to get a team of professionals to do a deep clean if you don’t have the experience. Look for algae, mould, and fungi that might have started growing, particularly under shingles, as well as signs of water damage. Any cracked roof tiles will also need to be replaced.
How often? Your roof should be cleaned at least once a year, but you can check it every six months, particularly if you live in a damp area.
2. The gutters
Once again, you’re going to need a ladder on this one, so leave it to the professionals if you’re concerned for your safety. Gutters will get clogged with plant debris, dirt, and a host of other detritus if not cleaned out fairly regularly. Clean out the gutters and down drains, check for any nesting animals, and look out for leaks and rust. Any sign of these could mean your gutters or drains need replacing.
How often? Your gutters are part of a seasonal home maintenance checklist as they need to be cleaned in autumn and spring – so twice a year at least. But it’s worth checking them every three months to prevent any clogging.
3. The siding
Cleaning your home’s siding will ensure that it looks neat and fresh throughout the year. If you do this regularly, it’s simply a matter of washing the dirt and grime off the walls, but when left for too long, you can expect to be dealing with a lot of algae and mould. This is also the case in high-moisture, warm areas where there is quite a bit of shade. Cleaning the walls will prevent damage to wood, brick, metal and any other exterior materials. Make sure you check for any cracks, chipping, peeling, or other concerns that might require repairs, and clean out all your air vents for lower energy costs.
How often? It’s worth scheduling a siding clean once a year, probably best done at the same time as the roof.
4. The windows
If you live in a single-level property, then window cleaning isn’t such a challenge. However, if you live in an apartment block or have several levels, it’s worth getting professionals in to do the job. Windows can be cleaned with warm water and dish soap, and rinsed off thereafter. Make sure to inspect your window frames for spider webs, bug nests, mould, and algae.
How often? If you live near the coast, then you’ll probably need to clean your windows quite frequently, but on average four times a year should suffice.
5. The driveway, paths, and patios
You have finally reached ground-level and this is an area that will need a bit more attention. The driveway can suffer from grease spots as a result of cars parked there, while pathways and patios can get mould or mildew. Consider a commercial-grade degreaser with a high-pressure washer for the driveway. If you use your patio quite extensively for entertainment and cooking, then it will need a more thorough cleaning.
How often? We’d suggest cleaning the driveway and pathway areas two to three times a year, with the patio requiring more regular cleaning, particularly if it’s an extension of the home.
What are the benefits of regular exterior maintenance?
Besides that great feeling you get when your home is spick and span, there are a lot of benefits associated with this form of regular maintenance.
1. Preventing pest infestations
One of the most important aspects of your home exterior cleaning and maintenance is keeping pests under control. Once an infestation starts, it’s difficult to prevent it from spreading and the damage to your home and impact on residents can be detrimental. When checking the home, look out for any droppings, eggshells, or evidence of nesting such as leaves, dirt, and bits of paper. You can also keep an eye out for physical damage to your properties like holes in the walls and flooring. By preventing an infestation, you’re protecting the building’s structure and keeping your family healthy.
2. Repair any damages to the exterior surfaces
Regular checks help you identify evidence of damage to your property. Don’t delay in repairing this, as the longer you leave a problem, the costlier it becomes. By performing regular home maintenance, you’re preventing costly repairs and renovations down the line.
3. Improve air quality and safety
When thinking of air quality, you often limit yourself to the home’s interior, but the exterior of the home is just as important. By cleaning the roof, siding, and gutters regularly, you’re removing mould and algae, as well as pollen and dirt. This compromises the quality of the air in your home, and can be especially harmful to young children and the elderly. Some forms of mould and mildew can actually prove life-threatening in extreme circumstances, so it’s best to get on top of these cleaning requirements early on.
Why hire a professional home exterior cleaning team?
If you have all the time in the world, the right cleaning equipment, and all the necessary cleaning products, then taking on this home maintenance task is well within your reach. However, if you’re keen to have the job done properly without the time and hassle required, it’s worth hiring industry professionals like Kleen Genie. They specialise in house washing, roof cleaning, pressure cleaning, solar panel cleaning, gutter cleaning, and window cleaning – with the ability to identify any structural challenges that may need to be addressed. If you’re going to get the job done, get the job done right the first time with these cleaning professionals!
