A Handy Guide To Cleaning Your Home’s Outside Walls

Do you clean the outside of your home on a regular basis, or is it more of a hit-or-miss type of task? Whichever it is, spring is a perfect time to remove the buildup of dirt and dust and boost your home’s curb appeal. When starting on this task, you will want to make sure you include walls, gutters, and foundation vents as part of the cleaning process. Here are a few tips on how to effectively clean the outside of your house.

Gutters

Gutters should be cleaned at least once per year and typically spring and/or fall are the best times to do this. Starting with gutters is also a good idea because more than likely you will end up with some debris splashing against your house. To begin, you’ll need a ladder, a gutter scoop, and a bucket or tarp to cover the area below the gutters. Use a stabilizer to help keep the ladder secure. Long-sleeved shirts and rubber gloves are recommended. Use the scoop to remove debris from the gutters working from the inside of the home to the outside where the downspouts are located. Once you have removed all the debris causing blockages, flush the gutters and downspout with a garden hose to push out any remaining debris. Not only is this a good feeling, you will be grateful you did this during the next spring rain shower when your gutters drain properly.

Walls

How to clean exterior walls depends on the material used and the condition of the walls. If your home is made of brick, stucco, or wood shingles, use a garden hose. A pressure washer at high settings can damage these surfaces if used improperly. Brick can typically be safe to pressure wash, if you use low settings and are careful not to spray the grout directly with the washer stream. You should use a 45 degree angle instead and start by testing the pressure washer’s effects on a small, out of sight area first to ensure that your home’s brick setup can withstand the pressure washing.

For vinyl siding, you can definitely pressure wash, but again with caution. Make sure that your nozzle is a wider fan, around 45 degrees or more and isn’t set to be a more concentrated or direct stream. You should spray from top to bottom and don’t spray any one area for too long and make sure that the water stream doesn’t go directly between gaps in the siding to prevent water buildup and damage. For both brick and vinyl siding, you should start by standing at least 4 to 6 feet back from your house and then slowly work your way closer in order to get the desired cleaning effect. This reduces the initial spray impact that could damage or dislodge your home’s building materials.

Steps to Clean Your Walls

1. Prepare the House

Pick a warm, dry day for cleaning. Close all windows and doors. If needed, secure them with duct tape to prevent water from seeping in. Cover outside electrical outlets, light fixtures, and vents. Move objects such as furniture or planters away from the walls and cover landscaping with plastic sheeting. If pressure washing, keep children and pets indoors.

2. Remove Stains

If your wall has stains, remove them with a scrub brush, water and dish soap. Scrub the stain until it is removed. Avoid using chemical cleaners as they can damage plants. Once the stains are removed, you are ready to clean the exterior walls.

3. Clean Walls

Using a garden hose is the preferred method for cleaning exterior walls. It is less abrasive than pressure washing; however, it may be necessary if the walls are extremely dirty or heavily stained. Home improvement stores should carry siding cleaning nozzles for garden hoses. Some may come in a kit that includes a cleanser. If your walls are merely dusty, you can use water without a cleanser. If the walls need more than just water, pick a cleanser that will not harm plants. 

Start at the top and work down, cleaning a small section at a time. If a cleanser is used, rinse the siding following the same top-down process. Pressure washing requires a nozzle. The amount of pressure is measured in degrees, with the lower degrees creating the stronger spray. A 40-degree nozzle is recommended for non-professional use. Because pressure washing can damage a home, first test the pressure spray on a small area that is hidden from view. If the area appears to be damaged, use the garden hose method or call a professional.

As with the garden hose, start at the top and work down; however, the spray should contact the wall at a downward angle to prevent water from getting trapped. You will also need to move from side to side in a continuous motion. Stopping in one location can damage the exterior material.

Exterior Vents

Exterior vents appear on the foundation, in the attic, and around eaves. They allow air to circulate to prevent mold and mildew. If they become clogged with debris, they can’t circulate air or help your heating and cooling system operate efficiently. To clean, remove all debris from inside and outside the vent. Vacuum the vent and then wash with soapy water. Rinse. Repeat as needed until the vent is clean. If you find an animal has taken up residence, contact animal control to have it removed.

While it may sound like a larger sized project, once you get going, it really goes quickly. You will be amazed how nice your home will look after a nice wash for the springtime, and you will feel much better having accomplished a fantastic spring cleaning task. Have a great rest of your spring!