10 Outdoor Spring Cleaning Projects
Spring cleaning is not exciting for a lot of us. But it has to be done. As the holidays and winter end and we start looking forward to spring and warmer weather, something within us tells us to get our homes in order by cleaning, organizing and getting rid of things we’ve piled up throughout the winter.
But who says spring cleaning is only for the interior of your house?
The exterior of your house could likely use a little refreshing after a cold, dreary winter, too!
It’s Time For Home Exterior Cleaning
Here are home exterior cleaning projects that will really improve the curb appeal of your house in Berkeley, and, more importantly, will offer much-needed maintenance and care that will save money in years ahead.
1. Gutter Cleaning
Spring is the optimal time to clean out your gutters, since a lot of leaves and debris accumulated during the fall and winter. Pollen is at its highest during spring, making a mess in your gutters and downspouts if they are not cleaned.
Plus, pests and critters are searching for places to build homes during spring, so having your gutters cleaned out will help to prevent an infestation in your home.
Gutter cleaning will consist of cleaning the inside and outside of your gutters, removing mold, mildew and rust stains and returning them to a nice appearance.
2. Window Cleaning
Exterior window cleaning is necessary for spring cleaning. Ground floor windows shouldn’t give you too much of a problem, but any second and third floor windows will be a bit tougher to reach.
Cleaning windows by hand is an exhausting job, and will require a lot of supplies, not to mention going up and down a ladder! A soft wash or professional cleaning of your exterior windows is the perfect way to get the panes and the outer frame clean.
3. Pressure Washing
You aren’t going to want clean gutters and windows on a dirty house. That means you will want to pressure wash your house too!
Pressure washing is quick, effective and doesn’t cost very much. You can clean your house, patio furniture, concrete patios, wood and stone porches and walkways with not too much effort. It will remove dirt and mud so they will not stain your house, and you can also prevent the spread of mold, mildew and allergens.
4. Driveway Cleaning
Clearing off your driveway and giving it a deep cleaning might seem strange since you’ll be driving on it, but, a clean, well-maintained driveway can increase the curb appeal of your house.
A professional pressure washing company can do wonders when it comes to driveway cleaning, whether it’s pavement, asphalt, brick or another material. Also think about adding a gravel or mulch border to your driveway to really make it pop!
5. Patio Cleaning
Your patio probably gets the most use throughout the summer, so it can be easy to forget about it during the winter when you are not doing a lot of outdoor entertaining, relaxing or grilling. Your patio could be in pretty rough shape the first time you walk onto it in spring.
Soap and water – and a little hard work – are sometimes be enough for patio cleaning, but if you notice signs of mold or mildew, you might need to think about a more aggressive option, like power washing, to ensure that friends and family can safely enjoy your patio all summer long.
6. Roof Cleaning
Algae and moss are common home roof issues in Berkeley. While you are cleaning the exterior of your house, it’s an excellent time to clean your roof as well, but you’ll have to use a different process than what you use for the rest of your home’s exterior.
If you start to notice streaks on your roof, algae is most likely the cause. Moss is fairly obvious, too. These contaminants cannot be scrubbed off shingles, nor can you power wash the roof of your house. Both of these methods will ruin the shingles on your roof.
The best method for roof cleaning is to spray the shingles with a half-water, half-bleach mixture and leave it sit. This will eliminate any organic organisms on your roof without lowering its lifespan.
7. Tidy up the Front
The front of your house is what most people see, so make the best impression possible for visitors and for yourself! Returning home to a clean exterior will improve your day, and will even motivate you to spend a lot more time outside.
You can clean your front porch with soap and water or a good power wash. Clean cobwebs and mud off of the front door, and consider painting it for a bright look! Clean overlooked areas including the porch ceiling, light fixtures and ceiling fans, too.
8. Organize Garden Tools
You’ll be spending more time outside, so spring is a wonderful time to organize the things you’ll need for outdoor work.
Gardening tools, as well as pool care equipment, should all have a specific place outside your house – a place that it is safe from weather and out of sight so it is not a constant eyesore. Taking the time to organize in the spring allows you to appreciate the exterior of your house so much more during the time of year when you spend the most time outside.
9. Lawn Care & Landscaping
Your yard, trees and bushes make a huge impact on the overall look of your house.
Eliminate weeds near your flower beds and walkways and driveway, till up areas where you’ll be planting in the future and sweep off walkways. You can also spray pre-emergent weed poison to make yard maintenance easier on yourself throughout the next few months. Trim all bushes too.
10. Clean the Grill
After being unused for months, your gas or charcoal grill could use a good cleaning, too. Leftover grease and food particles from your grill are definitely unappetizing, but they can also make you and your family sick.
Wipe it down to remove leftover ash, then scrub the grates with a scrubber (so you don’t leave behind metal particles that can get into food) and a dish soap or degreaser.
You could probably finish these jobs over the course of a few weekends but it is going to be a lot of hard work. Instead, give us a call! Berkeley Pressure Washing offers professional residential exterior cleaning services for driveway cleaning, patio cleaning, pressure washing, roof cleaning and more!