Jeff "King of the Castle"
With each season comes new cleaning tasks for your home’s exterior. You’ll often find leaves piled high, mud-caked heavily on the siding, and gutters fit to overflow when exterior upkeep is put on the back burner. However, a well-prepared pressure wash session can keep your home in excellent shape throughout the year.
Staying on top of pressure washing before damage sets in is key — but where do you start? Tackle each season head-on with this comprehensive guide.
Spring Cleaning: Banishing Winter’s Grip
As winter releases its grip, what remains is paint that has faded, siding covered in grime, and debris blanketing many areas. The pressure washer comes in handy here; put it into action for a thorough spring cleaning. Key areas needing attention are the siding, decks, patios, gutters, windows, and walkways. Adjust pressure and technique for delicate areas like windows versus tougher zones like brick patio pavers. Shield vulnerable landscaping with barriers.
Decide whether it’s a DIY project or if you need the equipment and expertise of professionals like a pressure washing Raleigh NC company. Factors like the size of your home, the complexity of the job, and your confidence level should steer you. Protect all outlets from water with plastic covers. Carefully move planters, decorations, and patio furniture out of harm’s way while working. Sweep first for loose debris.
Aim for early morning or evening washes to utilize milder temperatures and reduce the evaporation rate for more effective cleaning. Adhere to warning signs while wet. When you’re done, check nooks and crannies to prevent mold growth. Apply sealants to wood and concrete when dry to lock out moisture and prevent rapid re-soiling. It’s also important to remember that not everything should be cleaned with a pressure washer.
Summer Sparkle: Embracing Warm Weather Fun
Bask in summer fun with a refreshing pressure wash for your home. Target siding, decks, patios, pool enclosures, and outdoor living zones first. Fading or discoloration from constant sun exposure and baked-on residue from insects and shedding trees take their toll. Carefully inspect wasp nests under eaves to prevent stings mid-wash.
Adjust nozzles and pressure for gentle cleaning of older wooden decks and patios while still tackling gritty ground-in dirt on textured concrete and brick. South and west-facing zones likely need extra attention. Inspect painted areas for blistering or peeling. If found, consider repairing these areas before pressure washing to prevent further damage.
Seal outdoor wood again after cleaning and remove lingering algae, moss, or muddy sand around pool equipment and fences for easier summer maintenance. Don’t forget driveways, play equipment, and vehicles while you’re pressure washing everything else.
Autumn Glow: Preparing For Winter’s Chill
Crisp autumn air accompanied by trees shedding their golden leaves signals winter’s swift approach. Tackle autumn home pressure washing needs head-on so you enter the colder months a step ahead.
Paint is especially vulnerable to freeze and thaw cycles if sap, dirt, leaves, and debris remain stuck to surfaces. Carefully remove dense leaf layers from gutters, roof valleys, and overhangs first before pressure washing the rest of the house. Avoid simply blasting everything into gardens to prevent damage. Also, check downspouts and drainage areas for any blockages leaves may have caused.
Give patios, walkways, and driveways a wash, targeting new organic stains before slippery weather settles in. Pay attention to algae and moss regrowth on damp north-facing siding and fence lines, too. Adjust to cooler nozzle temperatures and thoroughly rinse treated areas if using chemical cleaners.
Aged wood entryways may need milder soap mixtures versus more stubborn mildew on vertical concrete surfaces. Take time when aiming at brick and stone to prevent damaging fragile mortar. Seal grout lines and wood steps once fully dry for an extra buffer against winter’s wrath.
Winter Watch: Maintaining Through the Cold
Winter transforms homes into sparkling ice palaces and simultaneously wreaks havoc on exteriors. Generally, avoid pressure washing in freezing temperatures due to the risk of ice formation and potential damage to surfaces. Instead, shift focus to minor cleanup and sealing projects during warm spells. Ignoring weather conditions is just one of the common mistakes of pressure washing.
Check for ice damming and interior leaks around the roofline. Carefully chip away buildup with a roof rake if found, allowing melted water to release properly. Use pressure washing to remove salt residue and snow mold from concrete steps and walkways, enhancing their appearance and cleanliness. Double-check safety on wooden steps and porches, too, if attempting washdowns over 32°F temperatures only.
Schedule eaves and trough cleanouts once winter relents, preparing for future spring washing. Take stock of current exterior conditions and age of paint or stain finishes while less enjoyable outdoor work ceases. Preparing your home’s exterior in other seasons can reduce the need for pressure washing in winter when conditions are typically less favorable.
Wrapping Up
Rejuvenating your home’s exterior through strategic seasonal pressure washing reaps rewards. Not only does tackling cleaning needs curb damage, but it also maintains aesthetic appeal and comfort. Adapting your technique to weather conditions and surface materials requires careful planning but is beneficial for effective cleaning.
Whether you DIY or hire a pro team, embrace pressure washing as essential, routine home maintenance rather than a burdensome annual chore. Keeping your castle sparkling and structurally sound from season to season ultimately boosts the enjoyment of your outdoor living space.
