These days, it’s more important than ever to make sure that every dollar in your budget really counts. While it’s always a good idea to trim unnecessary expenses, there are also things it just doesn’t pay to DIY. So, if you’re trying to decide whether professional house washing provides a good return on your investment, you’ve come to the right place.
Why House Washing is More Involved Than You Think
At first blush, exterior house washing can seem like one of those tasks anyone with a water hose and a ladder can manage. The truth is, there’s a lot more that goes into a comprehensive exterior clean-up than you might realize.
First and foremost, how you clean and what you use to get the job done can have far-reaching implications. In fact, if you choose the wrong supplies, you could find yourself facing expensive repair and correction costs. Turning a pressure washing machine on vinyl siding, for example, can disturb a natural oxidation layer on the siding that leaves near-permanent marks across the surface in its wake. Ironically dubbed “clean marks,” these eyesores are extremely conspicuous, drag down your curb appeal, and can be quite costly to address properly.
High-pressure cleaning tactics can demolish delicate trim work on your home’s exterior, lift shingles straight off the surface of your roof, separate gutters from the fascia, permanently etch concrete, and damage brick. In addition, organic debris will be blasted away, along with the paint or stain on wooden surfaces and sometimes the surface itself.
Safe, effective, and successful house washing doesn’t rely on the brute force of a pressure washing machine. This brains-over-brawn approach instead relies upon the expert knowledge of an exterior cleaning professional. In addition, organic staining due to microbial activity requires different cleansing agents than motor oil or rust. However, because powerful chemical cleaners are the most effective tools, in-depth knowledge of how these products work and the appropriate safety precautions are vital.
Another potential hidden cost of DIY house washing: your physical wellbeing. Cleaning out gutters is an essential home maintenance task that requires at least two people and involves balancing on a ladder along your home’s roofline while wrestling smelly, unpleasant debris into bags. The falling risk is considerable, especially if ladder use isn’t something you do regularly.
Cleaning your roof of lichen, mold, algae, and other debris is equally treacherous, but skipping these tasks isn’t advised. In addition to looking unkempt, full gutters present a very real structural risk to your home because they serve a necessary function, diverting water away from vulnerable parts of your home. Microbial activity can, in some cases, compromise the integrity of your roof while also looking grimy.
The Benefits of Thorough House Washing
Even if you have no intention of selling your home, it’s always a good idea to invest in your curb appeal. This is the first impression anyone arriving at your home is treated to, and it matters. Aesthetics aren’t the only concern at play, though. Thorough cleaning of exterior surfaces is an important part of maintaining your home, fending off damage from exposure to the elements and avoiding costly repairs down the road.
On your own, the project is likely to take several days. If you can only work on weekends, you can easily find yourself in a war of attrition against Mother Nature, never quite getting ahead on your upkeep schedule.
Carolina Power Washing is your one-stop shop for all things related to exterior house washing and outdoor cleanliness. From leaving roofs and gutters sparkling like new to removing stubborn clean marks from previous attempts gone awry and everything in between, Carolina Power Washing has you covered.
