You expect your home’s exterior to handle a lot: moisture from precipitation like rain, snow, and ice; encounters with pets, birds, and bugs; branches, leaves, and pollen from nearby trees and plants, among other factors. The outside of your home is also the first impression that you give to your friends and neighbors. House washing is an important part of keeping your home looking and functioning its best, but it’s important to understand all the options available before beginning the process.
Why Wash Your House?
In addition to boosting your home’s curb appeal, house washing supports the long-term stability of the building. Removing mold, algae, mildew, dirt and mud, bird droppings, and other grime from the surface increases the longevity of the exterior’s materials, helps you prevent internal damage from water or mold, and allows you to identify areas that need repairs. When you wash your home exterior for a deep clean, you should include all the components, such as glass windows and doors, decks, patios, entryways, siding materials, gutters, and the roof.
Types of House Washing
To clean your home exterior without damaging any of its features, consider these three different types of cleaning methods. (Hint: option three is the least damaging and most thorough).
- Pressure Washing uses highly pressurized jets of water (2000-3000 psi) to blast away undesirable materials from surfaces. The power of the jets means that this method is only completely safe to use on very hard materials such as concrete or stone. Other materials can be easily damaged by the high pressure.
- Power Washing is very similar to pressure washing but uses warm or hot water and steam instead of cold water. It poses the same risks to materials as pressure washing does.
- Soft Washing uses a combination of water and cleaning solution applied at a lower water pressure (150-300 psi). The low flow means this method is safe for fragile materials such as vinyl and wood siding, brick and mortar, roof shingles, and glass, along with hard surfaces. Cleaning solutions include antimicrobial agents to help keep growth from returning.
Regular exterior cleaning will keep your home fresh and healthy for the long term. Contact us to learn more about our range of house washing services.