Outdoor Adventures

SPRING CLEANING YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR

In your home, you’ll realise when maintenance jobs need doing and rooms need cleaning. But particularly during the winter months, any deterioration to the outside of your property is likely to go unnoticed until the brighter spring days.

THE ROOF

If any part of your roof is north facing, near trees or both, you are very likely to see a build-up of moss. Not only is this unsightly, but moss absorbs water meaning your roof is constantly wet. If this moisture travels underneath the tiles, it could rot the wooden components of the roof. What to do? If your roof is at a low level or can be accessed from an upper window, gently brush the surface to loosen the build-up. Of course, this is likely to brush the moss into the gutters, which is another job to be dealt with. Generally though, unless you happen to own the specialist equipment to ensure you are safe on a roof, this really is a job for the professionals.

THE GUTTERS

Even if you don’t live particularly close to trees, somehow leaves and twigs will get blown into your gutters and as mentioned above, some moss is likely to accumulate too. Some debris will get washed away and will mulch down, but more often it’ll just build up. If your gutters are overflowing every time it rains, it’s time to address the problem. Having a quick look into your gutter to locate the blockage is going to need a really long ladder and a pair of thick rubber gloves to clear the slimy mess. A professional will have a camera on a pole to see where the worst spots are and to help them clear out all the winter debris. Ask about having gutter guards fitted too, to help prevent future build-ups.

FACIAS AND SOFFITS

If you still have original facias and soffits on your house it’s likely they are made of wood. There are two choices if yours look tatty and the paint is peeling. Repainting is the lower-cost option but it won’t last that long and is fiddly to do. Replacement facias and soffits are made of uPVC and will last for years. It’s well worth considering replacing the guttering at the same time.

PATHWAYS

Clearing paths is one outside job that doesn’t involve you risking life and limb by climbing a ladder. The inexpensive method is a bucket of water and a stiff brush, although it won’t give you the best results.

A jet washer is very thorough and is reasonably affordable, although of course you need to store it, which is a nuisance given you only need to use it once or twice a year. So yes, you can do this yourself, but it’s blooming hard work! Your arms will get quite a workout controlling the pressure washer hose or sweeping a brush. You also need to take care not to dislodge the mortar between paving slabs.

WINDOWS

Methods of cleaning glass have been around for years. Vinegar is said to be very effective, if rather unpleasant smelling, and of course proprietary cleaning fluids are very affordable. This is another one of those jobs that is hard work though, and while it’s easy to access the inside of your windows, the upper floor of the outside is much more difficult. Furthermore, a one-off clean is not enough. Where other parts of your house won’t notice if it’s been a year since they were cleaned, you are looking at your windows all the time. It’s better to set up a regular arrangement – typically every six to twelve weeks – then you can just ‘set and forget’. A window cleaning company will usually have a pole system and they use purified water, meaning that the windows dry sparkling clean.

IN SUMMARY

There are many jobs around the home that you are probably capable of doing yourself to save the pennies. But when it comes to the outside, it’s going to need specialist tools, it can be dangerous and it’s physically taxing. These external tasks don’t need to be done very often and a specialist will have the equipment, the safety training and the insurance to do the job efficiently and quickly.