Spring cleaning tips for your exterior home maintenance

With warm spring weather comes a laundry list of maintenance tasks for homeowners

Ah, the joys of being an adult and owning your own home! It seems like there is always something to do. Spring cleaning is probably one of the biggest undertakings, as it involves basically checking and cleaning nearly everything in and out of the house. But, it’s an important part of maintenance and ensuring your home ages in good condition.

Today, we’re going to talk all about the exterior home maintenance that should be completed yearly at springtime. Of course, everything should be cleaned, but it also provides an excellent time to check out the condition of the house and start to prepare for big projects that you may come across. The best time to complete any big projects—like the roof, siding, gutters, windows, or foundation—is sooner rather than later. If you notice issues earlier it makes fixing the problem easier and often it’s more affordable.

Here are the things that should be cleaned and inspected.

The windows, screens, and doors — Check all screens for holes and clean them. If you find any holes that are bigger than a quarter, that means you are likely to get bugs inside your home. Either patch holes or replace the screen. Check out the frame and make sure it’s not damaged or in need of paint. Also, make sure all the hardware still there. You can also tighten and lubricate door hinges and closers. Lastly, clean the windows and the doors.

The roof and shingles — First, inspect the roof for any missing or damaged shingles. Look for shingles with missing granules, cracks, buckles, or are loose and replace them. Also check the surface flashing, eaves, flashing, and soffits. Hire a professional soft washing company to rid it of dirt, algae, moss and mildew.

Siding — Soft washing the siding to clean off dirt and kill any moss, mold, or mildew. Make sure the siding is still attached and in good condition. If you have any part of the house that’s wood, make sure it isn’t uncovered or unsealed. If you find wood, sand it, seal it up, and paint it.

Gutters and downspouts — Hire a professional to remove debris and leaves from gutters, inspect gutters and ensure they’re in good condition, reattaching any pieces that have come loose. Check for leaks by running a hose up on to the roof and letting it flow. If leaks are evident, use epoxy or caulking to seal.

Check the driveway, concrete, and deck — Make sure the driveway, paths, and concrete stairs are still in good condition, with no cracks. If they are dirty, Soft Wash them to remove dirt, mold, or mildew. Check decks and patios for deterioration or any loose pieces. Clean off the surface by soft washing and consider restaining depending on the condition of the wood.

Foundation — Inspect the foundation for any cracks. Also, look for leaning or bowing.

Landscaping — Clean out flower beds, trim back bushes, and plant new additions. Replace mulch if necessary.

Need help with your list of things to do? We’re here for you! Our team provides many exterior cleaning services, and even some inside ones too!

We can take care of things like:

• Cleaning exterior and interior windows
• Roof cleaning
• Cleaning siding, deck, walkways, and fences
• Cleaning gutter fronts, landscape rocks, and pavers
• Driveways
• Chandeliers, ceiling fans, and mirrors

Want to learn more about our exterior cleaning services? Contact us today! With one call to IDW we’ll clean it all, making your property look good as new. Reach our team at 419-339-3999.