As a car owner, you probably recognize the value of a regular car wash as part of your automotive maintenance. Cars are exposed to the elements and collect dirt and debris. Washing your car regularly can protect the paint and extend the longevity of the vehicle, with the added bonus of looking shiny and sharp.
Given the benefits of car washes, you might wonder what other big investments can be protected by way of a good scrubbing. If a car that is used outside needs regular washing, does that mean we should be washing our houses? Maertin Heating and Cooling is here with the answers!
While structures like houses, garages and sheds are exposed to the elements, they don’t move around in gritty and grimy environments like our cars. They do still collect dirt, grime and debris from pollen, trees and leaves over time, dulling the appearance of the home and in some cases providing opportunities mildew to develop. Experts recommend washing the outside of your home once or twice a year, in the spring or fall, for many of the same reasons we wash our cars: to preserve the exterior surface and extend the useful life of the structure. Routine washing also helps identify any external concerns early before they become bigger structural issues. It also demonstrates pride in your home and in your neighborhood.
Washing a house and washing a car involve a lot of the same options but in different scales. You may want to hand wash a 2-door vintage sportscar, but won’t want to hand wash a 2-story vintage home. You may need a high pressure spray to degrease your car’s bumpers, but you can’t drive your home and its softer wood siding through a local car detailing center. When washing your home, you’ll need to determine what kind of cleaning is required – just a rinse or a proper wash with cleaning agents, how much pressure you need, and how to get the water to all the places that need to be washed.
In truth, a garden hose and a good scrubbing may suffice to wash a house, but hand scrubbing even a small home would be labor intensive. Beyond the surface area, spraying and scrubbing hard-to-reach areas such as under eaves or anything over one story can present a real challenge. For that reason, many homeowners turn to pressure washers that can spray further and harder, removing the need for scrubbing and speeding the process. Pressure washers also make it easy to add cleaning agents or if your home is prone to mildew, a mildewcide. The drawback to pressure washers that force needs to be carefully controlled and applied. In inexperienced hands, all that pressure can blast away not only the dirt, but also the top protective layers of your home’s exterior surface.
Vinyl siding can take the most pressure of conventional building materials, while seemingly strong surfaces like brick and stucco require lower pressures to prevent damage, breaking and water intrusions. Wood needs an even softer touch, as high pressure can gouge wood and create deep penetrations.
Windows and vents should always to be covered to protect from damage and to keep water from getting into the home. Many experts advise against pressure washing structures because pressurized water is more likely to find its way into any gaps or holes that exist. Pressure washing a home that isn’t watertight runs the risk of introducing water into the walls of the structure, creating a bigger problem for homeowners.
If you feel comfortable reaching all the spots that need spraying, and understand the careful mix of cleansers and water pressure for your home, buying or renting a pressure washer might make sense. Be advised that commercial models and rentable or industrial-grade models have different maximum pressures; high pressure water can actually cut through concrete.
If you’d feel more comfortable with someone else making those choices and wielding that power, professional pressure washers have the equipment to clean your house quickly and safely. Be sure to check references and carefully read reviews before hiring someone. You may want to ask neighbors for references and recommendations.
Cleaning the outside of your home each spring makes your home look newer and better cared for. It also helps you identify small problems before they become big issues.
Is your HVAC equipment ready for spring? Contact us now so we can schedule an appointment for a maintenance check and tune up as soon as the weather is right!
