Owning a property seems to come with a long list of maintenance that constantly need to be done: clearing gutters, testing smoke alarms, cleaning and preventing mould, painting, general repairs and maintenance to name a few. This list is already quite exhausting and expensive and then you hear about power washing your home!
What exactly is power washing? In short, it is the use of a machine or pump that produces high level of water pressure to clean the outside of your home. But why do I need to do this, you may be asking?
The most obvious benefit of a clean house is that it is visually appealing and increases the value of your property. A clean freshly washed house says you are serious about maintaining your valuable investment and it is more attractive to potential tenants who take similar pride in their homes.
However, there are a lot more advantages.
Protects the paint and prevents premature damage and saves on costly maintenance: The outside of your home is continuously exposed to the elements and over time salt, moss, mould, algae, lichen, air pollution and grease build up. All of these have a detrimental effect on your home’s paint work. The paint will break down and will no longer be doing what it is meant to, namely protecting your cladding. If the cladding is not properly protected, moisture is absorbed which in turn can result in serious issues such as rot and decay. This is not easy or inexpensive to repair.
Power cleaning can prolong the life of your paint meaning you can go longer periods of time without having the very expensive paint costs.
Pressure cleaning will also get rid of spider and bugs which otherwise could find their way into the wall cavities and nest.
Undoubtedly, the most important benefit is that the health of your tenant is protected. All the grime, mould and mildew that accumulates on your property’s exterior surfaces can be dangerous and can trigger many allergies.
Knowing all these benefits, you might wonder why people don’t power wash their homes every week? But cleaning your home’s exterior too often can damage the paint and even the siding itself. In other words, you don’t want to power wash your home too frequently or put it off for too long. You want to perform this task when it is just right.
So, how often or when should you power wash your home?
AFTER BAD WEATHER STRIKES
As the wind whips dirt and debris around and rain or snow sends moisture down the siding the exterior of your home is really taking a beating. Unless more bad weather is forecast, it is recommended that you give your home a power wash if it has been hit particularly badly after a storm. Doing so won’t just freshen up your home, but it will also help you get a better look at any damage that might need fixing.
WOODY OR HEAVY FOLIAGE PROPERTIES require more frequent washing due to the high humidity and potential low sun exposure from the trees. This can cause more external moss and mould damage.
PREPARING FOR A NEW COAT OF PAINT
Power washing your home will help remove any old, peeling or chipping paint so a new coat of paint can better stick to the surface. Generally speaking, you can go about 5-7 years before needing to repaint the exterior, but if the paint has a good surface to attach you can get an extra year or two.
PART OF ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
The best way to take good care of your home’s exterior is to treat power washing as a part of routine maintenance. Generally, most experts recommend that you wash your home every 6 to 12 months. By power washing your home on a regular basis, you can protect it and maintain its beautiful appearance. This not set in stone as it may need to be adjusted due to any of the above factors.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you wish us to arrange a power cleaning of your home.
Auckland – Bronwyn Brown Ph: 021 841 089
Hawkes Bay – Lindie Thomas Ph: 021 284 1089
Warm regards,
The Benchmark Property Management team