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Spring Cleaning the Exterior of Your Home

It’s almost spring! The days are getting warmer, and you’re looking forward to the spending time on your deck or in your yard. It’s also time to look at doing some upkeep of your home; the winter’s been long, and some wear is showing.

Wash the Exterior Walls

Fall and winter have led to a lot of dirt and grime stuck on your home. It looks dingy and worn; a lot of that can be removed by washing the walls.

You can do this with a brush, hose, and bucket if need be, but the easiest and fastest way is to use a power washer. Make sure it is one rated for home use – too weak won’t clean well, and too strong could cause damage. (The power washer will help lighten a lot of your spring cleaning chores; plan your cleaning schedule to take advantage of it). Start at the top and wash your way down each section; if you choose to use a detergent, only use one that is appropriate for use in a power washer and on the type of surface you have – brick, vinyl, wood, stone.

Clean the Windows

While you are washing the walls, get the windows as well. (Don’t use the powerwasher – you don’t want cracks.) Use a soft cleaning cloth and window cleaner or a vinegar/water spray.

Check Your Roof

The storms of fall and freezes of winter could have caused damage, and you don’t want to wait until a spring storm shows that there are leaks. Have your roof professionally inspected by Chappell Roofing today, and avoid the expense of more complicated repairs and possible internal damage.

Clean and Repair Concrete

Whether it’s your driveway, walkways, or garden walls, check for any cracking caused by the freeze/thaw cycles and patch it up. The powerwasher is great for cleaning driveways, sidewalks, and patios as well.

Wash Your Deck

Spray it down with the appropriate cleaner, then wash it with the powerwasher (or your hose and a scrub brush if you don’t have a power washer). This gets rid of any dirt that may have set in over the course of the winter.

Neaten Landscaping

Trim back bushes, branches, and shrubs.  Freshen up gravel or mulch and take the time to note what you want to include in future gardening plans. Pick up branches that have fallen over the course of the winter.

Clean Out Gutters

Clear your gutters of all the leaves, sticks, and debris that blew in over the winter. Check to be sure they are in good repair while you are at it.

Check Outbuildings

Be sure your garden or tool shed, barns, garage, or other outbuildings are in good repair. Have their roofs inspected, wash the walls, check for needed repairs just like you did the house.

If you decide that updating your roof is something you should do this spring, call Chappell Roofing today for your quote!
Happy spring cleaning your exterior!
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Spring Clean The Outside Of Your Home: Part 2

 

In this second part of our blog series highlighting how to spring clean the outside of your home, we will discuss the final items to check off your list to take to get your home sparkling for spring!

Gutters

On a safe and stabilized ladder, begin scooping large debris items near the downspout of your gutters with a trowel or plastic scoop. Once the large debris is cleared, locate to a space far from the downspout and use a hose to clear the finer debris through the gutters. Running water through the gutters will also help you spot a leak!

Garage

A large step when attempting to spring clean the outside of your home is tackling the garage. A lot of times garages are filled with everything from trash to treasure, so it’s best to sort it out, dump the trash, and either sell or store the treasure. When going through your garage, create three piles in which to designate your belongings. These three categories should be a “keep” pile, a “toss” pile, and a “donate” pile. You could also create a “sell” pile if you are interested in having a garage sale after the cleaning process. If you don’t already have one, install a shelving unit along your garage wall to store bins of your remaining items after sorting. Be sure to label your bins to easily access them.

Paint The Rough Spots

Did winter leave your house looking rough around the edges? Slapping a new coat of paint on the trim of your house and doors is the perfect way to get a clean, fresh look for spring. 

Repair your Roof

Last but not least, repair your roof! Spring brings a lot of showers, so a leaky or damaged roof just won’t do. This is where we come in! Whether you need a repair or complete replacement, we can help! Please call us today for all of your roofing needs to ensure your home is ready for spring! Give us a call or fill out an online quote form today!

 

 

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Spring Clean the Outside of Your Home: Part 1

Spring is almost here and that means it’s time to spruce up your home inside and out! Winter weather can take a toll on the outside of your home with cold and moist temperatures, high winds, and falling leaves/ branches. Now that the weather is heating up, there has never been a better time to get outside and start cleaning. In this two part series, we will discuss the checklist of what and how to spring clean the outside of your home!

Clean or Repair Screens

Dirt shortens the life of your screens, so make sure and keep them clean to avoid the hassle of replacing them. Remove screens from doors and windows, and spray gently with the hose outside where you will have plenty of space. If necessary, gently scrub the screens with a toothbrush and soapy solution. Rinse gently, dry them down with towels, and replace them back to their original location.

Wash Windows

Let that spring sunshine beam in streak-free! Use your favorite solution or create your own! Most people say all you need when you wash windows is two parts water to one part vinegar and one part soap. Lather solution onto windows, removing stuck-on dirt and grime, and then use a squeegee to avoid streaks. Wipe the squeegee blade clean with each swipe to avoid leaving behind marks and streaks. Dry with a static-free cloth and enjoy clean and gleaming windows!

Brighten Bricks

With a garden hose, begin from the top of your brick and work your way down, lingering on darker, dirtier spots. For spots especially dirty or moldy, mix one cup of chlorine bleach with one gallon of water in a bucket and apply it to the bricks using synthetic-bristled, or natural brush. Rinse solution off with the hose. Your bricks will be sparkling!

Dust Off That Deck

First, sweep up the debris off your deck because once the surface is wet, removing debris will be more difficult. Wet your plants and greenery around the deck, so that soap will slide off of them. If you are still worried about the plants, cover them with plastic drop clothes. When choosing a solution, be sure to use one that is the most beneficial to your deck whether it is wood, concrete, or any other surface. Scrub deck gently with water and solution, and rinse off.

Remove Leaves & Weeds From Lawn

Nothing says fall and winter like fallen leaves, but you are ready for spring! Gather all fallen leaves from your lawn and remove all unsightly weeds. Either pull weeds from the root or kill with a weed-killing solution to ensure they will not return. This will give your yard the spring pick me up it needs!

 

In our next blog, we will discuss even more ways to spring clean the outside of your home! Nothing says spring-cleaning like repairing a damaged roof! Please give us a call or fill out an online quote form so we can help you today!