Whether you’re looking to sell your home or feel it could do with a bit of upkeep, the first place to start is with a comprehensive external house washing. This is often one of the most overlooked aspects of home maintenance, despite making a massive difference to the property’s structure as well as its value. Here’s a look at how and why external house washing is a must for your Brisbane home.
What are the Different Types of External House Washing Services?
Depending on the type of property you own, where it’s located, and the length of time it’s gone without an external wash, there are various options for getting it clean. Here are some of the more popular methods.
1. Pressure Washing
Cleaners will use equipment which creates a high-pressure stream that removes the more ingrained dirt, mildew, mould, and other surface contaminants. This is often used to clean everything from vinyl and wood to brick and concrete. If not performed by a professional, however, it could result in serious property damage.
2. Soft Washing
This is a similar concept but the equipment will allow for a lower-pressure wash, with professionals using special cleaning solutions to remove dirt, mould, and algae. This is best suited to more delicate surfaces that could be damaged by a hard wash, such as painted wood and sidings.
3. Chemical Washing
Specialised cleaning agents and chemicals are used to break down and remove hardened dirt and stains. Often a chemical wash will be administered before a soft or pressure wash to better clean the home exterior, especially if there are tough stains.
4. Steam Cleaning
This external washing technique is often used on brick and concrete as a way to effectively remove dirt and grime. This is not suitable for all surfaces and requires specialised equipment and industry knowledge to get it right.
5. Biological Washing
This is another great technique that uses biological agents to break down enzymes or bacteria-based solutions. This is great for removing organic matter such as moss and algae, and is an environmentally friendly option for stain removal.
What are the areas that need external washing?
An external building wash can be quite an intensive undertaking when done correctly, but it’s well worth the effort for the final result. Different areas might require different cleaning techniques depending on the building material and level of grime. Here’s what to consider with each section.
1. The roof
Before tackling the roof, you will need to trim any overhanging branches, and remove debris such as leaves, twigs, and moss. These items will create a rich ecosystem that attracts dampness and can damage your roof tiles. Once cleared, the high-pressure cleaning can begin.
2. Gutters
Your gutters will collect a large amount of debris over time, getting blocked and preventing the free flow of water. The gutters should be next on your list to clean after the roof.
3. Windows
Window cleaning and maintenance is important, but can be quite a challenging task for harder-to-reach windows such as those on apartments. Over time, heavy winds can blow debris onto the edges, with grime building up and scratching the surface. You need to remove the debris before carefully cleaning the glass.
4. Sidings and Walls
If you allow dirt to accumulate along the vinyl siding of the building, it will eventually weaken the material’s integrity and cause respiratory issues over time. The brick walls will also need regular cleaning, but a brick-safe solution specifically for this surface.
5. Garage Door
The garage door is exposed to the elements, and can often accumulate debris around the mechanics, causing faults if not cleaned regularly. This will require a similar cleaning process to the vinyl siding.
6. Driveway
Your driveway deals with a lot of daily traffic, as well as oil spills. Once the remainder of the home has been cleaned, it’s best to give the driveway a high-pressure wash.
How to protect your home and save money with external house washing
External house washing will reduce maintenance costs in the long run and ensure your property retains its value over time. But unless you have the equipment, solutions, and know-how, it’s best left to industry professionals. For the best exterior home and office cleaning in Brisbane, get in touch with Kleen Genie!