Your home can be beautiful, your home can be sparkling. But not without your patio and siding sparkling too. To truly elevate your curb appeal, make it a priority to clean patio and siding regularly. You have to absolutely get all the dirt off your patio and siding.
That’s what this blog post is about. So we will show you 5 things you should attack to get that sparkling and fresh home feeling you so badly crave.
5 Things Making Your Patio and Siding Dirty
#1 Overall dirt
A lot of customers will assume the culprit of dirty walls, patios, and stone features is simple dirt. It can be—especially in areas with high winds and dry air. This can be a “catch-all” term if you’re not aware of what else is causing the discoloration of your surfaces.
Dirt can be deposited to walls and patios in a number of ways, including normal wear-and-tear and general use. This doesn’t take much effort to remove. The biggest concern when dirt is found on surfaces is the aesthetic appeal. Power washing is a simple solution for this and an effective way to clean patio and siding, restoring their original look quickly and efficiently.
#2 Moss
Moss doesn’t always cause damage to surfaces, but it can be quite unsightly and on surfaces like patios, it can be a safety hazard since it can become slick. Moss tends to grow in moist environments, so if you have a side of the house which doesn’t see much sunlight (including under patios and around gutters), then moss can grow rampant. To reduce buildup and improve your home’s appearance, it’s a good idea to regularly clean patio and siding areas where moss is likely to thrive. Moss tends to be easy to remove and isn’t an immediate threat.
#3 Algae
Algae can easily grow on and around roof shingles. It consumes the calcium carbonate and powdered limestone, often found in roof shingles. This creates black streaks on roofs, which many people find unpleasant. Like moss, this isn’t usually a risk to the structural integrity of your home, but removing it can be very simple and can vastly improve the look of your home.
#4 Weeds and plants
No one likes seeing dandelions or other plants peeking through the driveway or bricks. There are many ways to fix these problems, ranging from remedies made from things around the house or commercial weed killers. Thorough cleaning using a power washer can also be useful once the plants are dead. Without proper treatment, the plants can spread and it could increase the number of cracks in brick and concrete.
#5 Mold and Mildew
Mold can cause many health issues as some people have severe allergies to certain types of mold. Black mold can be especially harmful to humans and animals. Chlorine solutions in a power washer can often keep mold from regrowing on concrete and other stone. Mold and mildew can also leave gross stains, leading to different stain treatments to return the surface to its original luster. This is where a professional will come in handy.
Both mold and mildew love vinyl siding, making it essential to clean patio and siding regularly to prevent buildup. Power washing can usually remove these gross growers from surfaces with a few simple chemicals. Both mold and mildew can cause the most problems out of the other culprits we have discussed.
Arizona Window Washers Power Washing Services
If you suspect you have a mold or mildew problem, contact us immediately as mildew can cause respiratory problems, as well as damage to nearby plants, and mold can cause a lot of different problems ranging from allergies and respiratory problems all the day to joint pain, migraines, and mental changes. Read here for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it important to clean patio and siding regularly?
Regularly cleaning your patio and siding helps maintain your home’s curb appeal, prevents the buildup of dirt, moss, algae, weeds, mold, and mildew, and can even improve safety by removing slippery moss and harmful mold.
What are the most common causes of dirty patio and siding?
The main culprits making your patio and siding dirty are overall dirt, moss, algae, weeds or plants, and mold or mildew growth. Each requires specific cleaning methods for effective removal.
Can I clean the patio and siding myself, or should I hire a professional?
You can clean patio and siding yourself using power washing and household remedies for dirt and weeds. However, for mold and mildew, especially black mold, it’s safer and more effective to hire professionals who use proper chemicals and techniques.
How does power washing help to clean patio and siding?
Power washing is a highly effective way to clean patio and siding because it quickly removes dirt, moss, algae, and weed residue, restoring surfaces to their original look without damaging them.
What are the risks of not cleaning the patio and siding regularly?
Neglecting to clean patio and siding can lead to unsightly discoloration, slippery moss hazards, plant damage causing cracks, and health risks from mold and mildew exposure.
