Heading into the cooler months, it’s always a good idea to make sure your home is ready for the coming autumn and winter seasons. While the spring and summer may be great times to enjoy your outdoor living spaces, they also bring organic growth, staining and debris to your property and exterior surfaces.
We believe a community should always stick together. Even if Carolina Power Washing isn’t on your “honey-do” list right now, we know how to make sure your home investment is protected and maintained against the elements. Here are a few tips for ensuring your exterior and property are all prepared for the changing weather.
- Save Your Siding – Vinyl siding is durable, reliable and versatile. It’s also prone to oxidation, particularly in Southern heat and humidity. If you’re cleaning it yourself, be sure to opt for a soft-wash with a detergent-based product, not a pressure washer. High-pressure cleaning can void any warranty you may have on your siding and can permanently damage your property.
- Driveway Maintenance – Stained, dingy concrete dragging down your curb appeal? Make sure you blow leaves, pine needles and other organic debris away from the surface to prevent future stains.
- Guard Your Gutters – Gutter replacement is expensive and stressful. While cleaning them, be sure to check for cracks in any seams, as well. A quick bead of silicone sealant can prevent moisture from facilitating rot behind the gutters.
- Keep your Eyes Peeled – Cleaning your gutters is a necessary home maintenance, and it also gives you the perfect opportunity to inspect other areas of your home’s exterior. While you’re cleaning, be on the lookout for any visibly loose shingles or fascia. Make sure all your gutter hangers are correctly fastened; none are loose or in danger of becoming detached. Addressing these seemingly minor issues right away can prevent them from becoming big—and costly—problems.
- Don’t Forget the Downspouts! – About 80% of the clogs we find are in downspouts, not the actual gutter channel. Depending on where the debris has become lodged in the downspout, you may be able to clear the clog with a garden hose or plumber’s snake.
Extending the life of your home’s exterior means paying attention to certain areas to stave off the need for expensive and disruptive repairs. With a relatively small investment of time and energy, you can potentially delay the need for costly concrete, gutter, siding and roof replacements.
Don’t wait to get a jump on your fall cleaning! The sooner you address eyesores and damage, the better positioned you are to protect your most significant investment – your home!
