I don’t about you, but I love a new year! That clean slate is a tremendous motivator when it comes to diets, fitness routines, and other personal wellness plans. But whether or not you’re hitting the gym with renewed vigor, why not make 2019 the year you establish a wellness plan for your home? Whether you are selling or staying in your home in 2019, it needs attention to stay in shape!
Home Maintenance 101 from the Tina Barletta Team
Here at the Tina Barletta Team, homes are our passion! That’s why we’re bringing you maintenance tips to enhance the physical look and condition of your home—a true fitness regime! Are you ready for the Tina Barletta Team’s first Tip of the Year to start shaping up your home in 2019? Here we go… 3, 2, 1…
Power Wash Your Driveway and Sidewalk!
My personal pet peeve is a dirty driveway. A dark driveway is depressing. A clean driveway always looks great. Same with dirty siding; it can make your home look older and ill-cared for. A little powerwashing takes years off your home’s life, lightens and freshens up your exterior, and removes harmful growths from wood siding.
How to Power Wash a Home
There are basically two ways to go about it. You can hire someone to do it for you (usually ranging from about $200 to $300), or you can do it yourself (cheaper, but could be a little dangerous if you’re not careful). Either way, there are a few steps you should take beforehand.
Before Power Washing…
To reduce risk of damage and increase the potency of your cleaning, here are some things you should probably do before breaking out the power washer.
- Repair any damages to siding beforehand.
- Clear the area of lawn furniture, toys, and moveable plants.
- Cover plants nearby to protect them from harmful detergents or chemicals.
- Cover any vents or openings with plastic and tape to avoid getting water inside your home.
- Wipe a light bleach solution on any mildew spots.
- Add detergent. This’ll make the job much easier and will require less pressure and potential damage to your home. Buy a detergent specific to your home’s siding.
- Avoid ladders.
- Turn off outdoor electricity (and make sure you scope out and avoid all power lines).
The Power Washing Process
All right, you’re prepped and ready! What’s next? First, attach your pressure washer to a garden hose and turn it on. You’ll have a siphon tube going into your detergent solution. Then, start spraying from the bottom and work your way up to avoid having detergent drip down onto dry areas.
Once the house is soaked with detergent, let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes, then, remove the soap solution and start washing down.
Other Home Power Washing Tips
It’s a good idea to power wash your home about every two years, especially for vinyl, wood, stucco, and brick homes. Power washing is also a great way to strip old paint and prep for new paint. Just be sure to let your home dry for a couple of days before you start painting.
More Home Maintenance Tips to Come Soon!
Stay tuned for Tip #2 on Lawn and Shrub Maintenance!
And as always, if you’re thinking of selling your home in Johnston County, NC, you know who to call… The Tina Barletta Team!