Spring Cleaning – Not just for the Inside of the House
Spring Cleaning – Not just for the Inside of the House
If you followed our blog in the first months of the year, you might actually be ahead of the game on spring cleaning, by having decluttered every room in the house. Now that Spring has sprung in the Texas Hill Country and everything is blooming, the sun is shining and the great outdoors is calling, it is time to spruce up your outdoors.
GUTTERS
Start with the gutters. After a fall and winter of blowing leaves, they will need to be cleaned out. If not kept clean, trapped moisture can leave a house susceptible to moss and mildew. As a result, you may have major water damage to the roof and walls.
This winter, our area did not have a true freeze, but that is definitely not the norm here. So first thing after cleaning out all those leaves, check to make sure that the gutter has not detached from the house. Remove nests that may have been built in the gutters or on the eaves.
Inspecting Sprinklers and Spigots
Turn on your sprinkler system and check for damage that could have been done to the plumbing. Inspect all the sprinkler heads to make sure they are still working properly and pointing the direction you want them to water. Check the spigots around the house to make sure they are all working properly and didn’t freeze over the winter causing any leaks in the walls.
Window Screens
Opening the windows for the first time in the spring is a welcome relief from being sealed up all winter, but don’t forget those window screens. You want to clean the screens to allow proper air flow into the home.
To clean, place the screens on a flat surface (such as the driveway) and use mild soap and water with a soft brush to remove dirt and grime. Do not try to power wash your screens while they are on the windows because the force of the water can damage the screens. Make sure to clean both sides of the screen as well as the interior and exterior of the frame. Allow the screen to dry completely before reinstalling.
SPRING DECK PREPARATION and REFINISHING
Time to clean your deck or patio as well. BBQ season is fast approaching. If you have a wood deck, it needs to be maintained to prevent mildew, discoloration and splinters.
Here are some things to consider while getting your deck back in to shape:
- Inspect the entire s
tructure thoroughly to ensure it is safe and secure; - Make necessary repairs such as cracked railings, splintered planks, loose nails;
- Clean the deck thoroughly to remove embedded dirt, mildew, fungus stains and gray surface wood with an electric pressure washer;
- Reseal the deck also, if needed
If you have a patio:
- Concrete: Power Wash using a degreaser where you see stains
- Stone: Scrub with a liquid detergent, using bleach where you see mildew or mold, Rinse
- Paving Stones: Sweep and simply rinse off with the garden hose.
Thinking about adding a deck or patio? Start here!
Prepping your Patio Furniture for the Season
Plastic furniture and wrought iron furniture can be cleaned with a mild detergent. Wiping down all the sides and then rinsing with water is all you need to do.
Wicker furniture & Teak Furniture can be cleaned with a soft brush using oil based soap. Rinse with water. Teak Furniture may also need to be resealed with Teak Oil.
Aluminum Furniture can be cleaned the same way as plastic, but to remove scuff marks use a soft cloth damped with Soft Scrub. Certainly stay away from abrasive cleansers and brushes that might scratch.
Thinking about buying new patio furniture? Check out this guide!
Next week we will tackle the Garage.
Spring Cleaning
