3 Things to Remember When Cleaning Your House's Exterior

It's a wonderful time of the year

Exterior house cleaning is not something that most of us think about very often. Truth be told, most of us even neglect it, but making sure that the exterior is reasonably clean can't only make our homes look better but also help prevent expensive fixes in the future. When was the last time you cleaned your house's exterior? If you are having a hard time remembering the exact date or even the year it was done, this is a good time to start thinking about it. So before you start your exterior house cleaning project, here are a few things to keep in mind to make the most out of your investment.

Although we would love to keep our home's exterior looking squeaky clean year round, it's just not a possibility with the Cincinnati winter. So you probably have to put it off until winter ends. However, it's important not to put it off for too long. Winter storms will takes its toll on your house's exterior, and a thorough cleanup is one of the best ways to prolong the life of your exterior finish.

Time to DIY!

Or is it? Well, it depends. How are you planning on doing your house exterior cleaning? The most common methods range from pressure washing to using a garden hose and some scrubbing. The reality of it is that the best method really depends on your home. Is your home's exterior sturdy enough to put up with a pressure washer? Are you absolutely sure? These are important questions that you need to be able to answer. Because you really don't want to break anything. When in doubt, just go to the professionals. Hire a company that has the experience to make the right recommendation for your specific situation. Also going with a professional service will help you save time and money. No last minute runs to the hardware store to buy supplies, they will just take care of everything, but if you are bent on going the DIY route, make sure you take the time to thoroughly inspect your home before starting.

What about the concrete?

Nothing looks worse than an oil stained driveway. Yuck. Since you're already working on the rest of the exterior, this is the perfect time for concrete cleaning. How bad is the concrete looking? Is it heavily stained? Just a drip of oil here and there? If you don't want to worry about it and just leave it looking like new, then a pressure washer is the way to go. If you don't think it's that bad, then some water, detergent, and scrubbing should take care of it. Whatever your situation, a thorough concrete cleaning will make sure your house looks the part. As the winter comes to an end, make sure you keep a note on your calendar for when to start your house exterior cleaning. It will definitely make you feel better each time you get back home.