Ever heard the phrase, “Winter is coming”? Now that summer is starting to slip away, fall is the perfect time to prep your home for winter. Maintaining your home can save you a lot of time and money in the long run. If the exterior of your home is well-cared for, its lifespan will increase, keeping your mind at ease and your wallet full. Here are some easy exterior fall cleaning tips to add to your fall cleaning list.
EXTERIOR WALLS
Check your exterior walls for signs of plant growth, dirt, mold, or peeling paint. Giving your home a nice pressure washing will not only make your home look squeaky clean, it will also help your siding to repel the cold and wet that comes with winter. If you do encounter peeling paint, power washing is an easy way to strip it away. After washing, allow the surface to dry before applying a fresh coat of paint. If you need any help with power washing, or with painting, Power House Services are here for you.
GUTTERS
Cleaning out the gutters is not a fun task, but it is vital to maintaining your home. Gutters that are not properly cleaned and cared for can cause leaks. During the cold, wet months of winter, dripping water can pool on the ground and seep into your home’s foundation, causing it to become unstable. In our experience we have found that gutters not being cleaned out is one of the main reasons for rotten wood on the exterior of the home. The best time to take care of the gutters is to wait until the leaves around your home have all fallen. We recommend cleaning your gutters one to two times a year. If you are unable to climb a ladder please give Power House Painting a call.
CHIMNEY
Taking care of your chimney is also an important part of fall cleaning. Before starting up a cozy fire, call in a chimney sweep company to do an inspection and thorough cleaning. Ensuring that your chimney is sturdy and that it has no obstructions is important. Obstructions may cause smoke to come back into the house or a fire to start in an unexpected area. The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends that you have your chimney inspected once a year.
DRIVEWAY
We all know that when water freezes, it expands. This is one way cracks can appear in your driveway or sidewalk. Water seeps in, freezes, and expands. A way to combat that is to re-seal your driveway each fall. Start by pressure washing the surface to remove any paint, oil, or gasoline. Once the surface has dried, roll or spray sealant on. Asphalt requires an asphalt or acrylic sealer, while concrete needs acrylic and siloxane sealants.
FENCES AND DECK
Using a pressure washer to remove any plant growth, mold, or dirt can help your wooden surfaces look brand-new. The sun, wind, rain, and snow are not kind to structures left outside. Ask Power House Painting for our recommendations on which attachments and detergent you should use.
GARBAGE CANS
Help your garbage can out by giving it a quick power wash. It’s the easiest way to get the stink out without actually climbing in to scrub the can yourself. Your garbage can will thank you!
We’ve all heard of spring cleaning, but fall cleaning is just as important. It’s the perfect time to be outdoors, giving your home some TLC. The more you care for your home, the more it will be there to take of you. Power House Services are here to help you with all your painting, pressure washing and home improvement needs. Give us a call this fall!
For more information on fall cleaning, check out bombayoutdoors.com/outdoor-entertaining/fall-cleaning-tips/
