After the spring we’ve had, it’s likely the exterior of your home casts a yellow-greenish hue from the plethora of pollen that’s been coating the Lowcountry. Although your home is doing its job to protect you and yours from the elements—not just pollen, but dirt, insects, birds, acid rain, smoke, pollutants, and car exhaust—these intruders are constantly coating your home with grime and soil that discolor and damage your property if you don’t take charge.
Simply hosing down the outside walls won’t do the trick, and cleaning techniques that involve tiresome scrubbing by hand and use of chemicals aren’t always the best option either. Here are a few reasons why pressure (or power) washing by a professional at least once or twice a year is the best alternative and should be a part of every homeowner’s routine:
Prevent damage. Winter grime, mold, mildew, moss, algae, and stains can cause serious damage to your property if left unchecked. Mold damages painted surfaces and concrete coatings and feeds on the paint and finishes, thereby removing them. Crevices are especially susceptible to the accumulation of dirt, algae, and grime. Power washing removes dirt and grime and prevents it from turning into permanent damage.
Save money and preserve value. Your home is an investment you should protect. Preventative maintenance can go a long way towards keeping your property’s value and avoiding costly repairs. By making pressure washing a part of your consistent maintenance routine, you can take years off an older home and keep it looking new for years to come. It’s also the most cost-efficient way to wash your entire exterior. Pressure washing will brighten your home’s appearance, even making it easier to sell and at higher value.
Prime surfaces. If you are planning to refinish, resurface, or paint the exterior of your home, a professional power wash should be step number one. It will prepare the existing surface to ensure that you have a clean, smooth surface on which to paint. The same goes for re-staining your deck or refinishing your pool: pressure washing first ensures that surfaces will hold on to their new finishes. Pressure washing reaches areas within crevices and cracks much better than other cleaning solutions. Any coating you apply on a surface won’t adhere properly or last as long if the old paint, dust, grime, and mildew aren’t removed first. Prime your surfaces before any renovations by getting them professionally pressure cleaned.
Protect your family’s health. Dust, grime, and mildew not only affect your home’s appearance, but also your family’s health. Removing them yearly with a pressure washing helps keep you and your pets from getting sick. More than 20 million adults and 6 million children in the U.S. suffer from seasonal allergies that are triggered by pollen, mold spores and dust mites, all of which are eliminated by power washing.
Protect the environment. Choose a professional team that uses eco-friendly solutions to pressure wash your home’s surfaces. These non-toxic washes are safe for pets and children. The solutions should also be safe for your grass, plants, and other landscape around your home. Many companies are even EPA-certified, which means their detergents are biodegradable but still tough enough to remove all mold, mildew, dirt, and debris.
Save time. Pressure washing is simply the most efficient way to clean your home’s exterior. Your time is valuable, so efficiency is key when it comes to cleaning. Letting professionals power wash your home means you won’t have to deal with mixing cleaning solutions, climbing ladders, and scrubbing strenuously at stubborn stains. A professional power wash can accomplish in minutes what would take hours by hand.
Restore curb appeal. Pressure washing is a restorative process. Your house gets a makeover without you having to spend a lot of money on renovations. By removing years of stains and baked-on dirt, a good power wash will refresh your home’s exterior and turn years back on the clock. Spending money on landscaping and other renovations doesn’t make good sense if your home’s exterior is not part of the effort. No matter the surface, power washing your home is the best way to get rid of mold, mildew and stains on your home’s siding, driveway, deck, and fencing. A fresh look is a great way to feel pride in your home and is a way to contribute to the overall beauty of your neighborhood.
Increase property value. If you’re looking to sell your home, power washing could be the difference between making a sale or not. Exteriors degrade, discolor, and oxidize as time passes. Because of this, your property can lose value. Power washing will help seal a new paint job, keeping it free from peeling and chipping. According to a recent survey published by Consumer Reports, a good pressure washing along with any needed paint touch-ups and exterior enhancements will increase the value of your home by as much as 5 percent. Obviously, a good-looking house is much easier to rent or sell.
Avoid injury. Attempting to pressure wash your home yourself subjects you to the risk of possible injury. The job requires using water and standing on a ladder, which can lead to a debilitating fall and possibly big medical bills. Leave the job to an insured professional company.
Pressure washing protects the value of your home and allows it to look it’s best. It keeps harmful pollutants from building up on the exterior of your home, which can lead to expensive repairs down the road. It increases your home’s value, and it also protects the health of your family. Power washing is the most effective and efficient way to clean your home’s exterior and safeguard your investment, your time, and your family’s health.
