Don’t Neglect the External Cleaning of Your Home
Keeping the exterior of your home clean not only looks better but helps the roofing and siding last longer. When the exterior of a home is taken care of, the home value is higher than a neglected exterior home. It is important to take the material used for a roof or siding into account when choosing the cleaning method. The idea is to clean the exterior materials without damaging them.
External House cleaning
When homeowners think of spring and fall cleaning, they often limit that cleaning to the interior of the home. But, the exterior needs periodic cleaning also. Periodic rains and snow are not enough to clean the exterior of a home. Starting with the roof, the exterior needs to be cleaned periodically to protect the materials from damage from soil, mold, and other contaminants. A clean, well-maintained house will keep its resale value and look better.
When budgeting for external cleaning, start with the roof. As the highest point, the water, cleaners, and soil will run down off the house. This mixture can make contact with the siding and windows. Once the roof is clean, the siding and windows need a good cleaning. This total cleaning of the house exterior will make the house look newer and well-maintained.
Cleaning the Roof Correctly
It is not enough to hose down a roof and some cleaning methods can cause roofing damage. It is important to choose shoes the correct cleaning method for the type of roofing and the condition it is in. It is now time to decide whether to hire professional roof cleaners or to do the job yourself. To clean the roof, follow these steps:
- Examine the roof to determine its condition. Are there missing shingles, cracked flashing, or other visible problems? Is the roof old and worn out? Repairs should be made before the roof is cleaned.
- Determine what type of material was used for the roof. Different kinds of roofing materials call for different cleaning methods. Roofing materials include asphalt shingles, tiles, metal, and wood shingles. Do a little research to determine the best cleaning method for your roofing type.
- Get ready to clean the roof by reading the instructions and gathering all the materials that will be needed for the job. Having everything in place as the job starts will make the work go faster and lead to a better result. Supplies may include a pressure washer, cleaning solutions, a garden hose, a safety harness, a leaf blower, safety goggles and protective clothing, a pump sprayer, and other equipment depending on the roof to be cleaned.
- Don’t forget or forgo safety measures. A fall from a roof can be fatal. Roof cleaning can be a dangerous task. Make sure to use a sturdy ladder firmly in place for stability. Use a safety harness, safety goggles, and protective clothing including nonslip, sturdy shoes. Clean the roof on a calm day with no winds or storms in the forecast.
- Use this step-by-step cleaning process. Clear the roof of any debris, apply the cleaning solution, rinse the roof well, clean or treat remaining stains, then rinse again. If advised, apply protective sealants or coatings.
Anyone afraid of heights or inexperienced in home maintenance should consider hiring professional roof cleaners such as Rejuv Exteriors. The homeowner must be physically able to do the amount of climbing and work required to clean a roof. Consider the cost of purchasing all the equipment and materials needed to clean a roof and compare that to what a roof cleaning company will charge. It may be more cost-effective to hire the job done.
