Spring might seem like it’s too far away, but it will be here before you know it. When you start spending more time outside, you might notice all the dirt and grime that has built up over the long winter sleep. The moist conditions might have allowed mold or mildew to spread, and mud, salt and other debris may have taken a toll on your exterior.
Spring is a time of renewal, so it’s also the right time to clean your house and make it feel as fresh and new as the blooms coming up all around you. Here are a few things you can do to give your home’s exterior a thorough spring cleaning:
Wash the Windows
You’ve been looking out your windows all winter long at a dreary landscape. Now that spring is here, you may realize that a dingy film on your windows was making that landscape seem more dreary than it might have to be.
Clean your windows and get a fresh perspective! Remove all the screens and wash them in soapy water, and thoroughly clean the glass inside and out.
Though you can wash your windows yourself, it’s a job that’s better left to the professionals. A professional window washer has the tools and materials to get the job done right and quickly. A professional window washer will also be able to reach all the places you can’t — like attic and second-story windows — and can perform the job safely.
Clear the Gutters
You should have cleaned your gutters after the major fall leaf shedding, ensuring that they were clear for the winter snow. However, even if your trees looked barren over the winter, they were still shedding leaves at a rate you may surprise you. You may not even realize it until you look in your gutters and see that they are full of dead leaves, pine needles and other debris.
Spring rains are coming, so it is important that you clear out your gutters now. Hire a professional if you don’t want to take care of this dirty job. A professional will also inspect your gutters for signs of any damages or loose fasteners. It is important that your gutters are in top health before the spring season begins.
Clean and Inspect the Roof
Winter may have taken a toll on your roof. Ice could have caused your shingles to break or become loose because of the expansion and contraction. Piles of snow may have caused mold or moss to grow. Now is the time to inspect your roof for any signs of problems.
Look for any loose or broken shingles and remove or repair them. Hiring a roofing contractor is highly recommended for this work, as it can be easy for a homeowner to overlook problems or to make mistakes in making the repairs.
When you hire the roofing contractor for the inspection, ask to have the roof cleaned. Not only will this remove unsightly marks, but it will also remove potentially damaging moss and mold, which can spread to your home and cause health problems.
Pressure Wash the Driveway and Walkways
Moss and mold can also build up on stone surfaces like your driveway and walkways. Snow may have been sitting on these surfaces all winter long, creating moist conditions that are perfect for moss and mold to grow. Allowing these substances to remain can cause the surface to break down or to become very slippery and unsafe.
Fortunately, your driveway and walkways are perhaps the easiest exterior surfaces to clean. Just have them pressure washed to remove all the grime and any staining. You may need a special cleaner for very tough stains.
Clean the Exterior
Your home can look dingy and old after a year of collecting dirt, dust, pollen and more. Give it a good cleaning in the spring to brighten up the look and make it seem more inviting.
Different surfaces require different approaches, so it’s best to hire a professional for the job. For example, pressure washing might be recommended for brick, but it might be too harsh for vinyl siding. By working with a professional, you ensure a good cleaning without damaging the surface.
Spring is a great time to get a fresh start. Make sure your home looks its best by giving the exterior a thorough cleaning. Not only will you make your home look great, but you’ll also protect the materials from wear, thereby protecting your long-term investment.
