1. Clogged downspouts
What causes it
All kinds of things fall onto your roof and gutters. Sticks, dirt, leaves, pine needles, and pollen can build up in your gutters. This debris will cluster around the top of your downspout and can cause clogs inside the gutter downspout or around the basket at the top of the downspout. Clogged downspouts need to be fixed immediately, as they can lead to gutters overflowing with water and subsequent roof or foundation damage on your home, which can cost thousands of dollars to repair.
How to fix it
Regular gutter cleaning service 2-4x per year* will ensure your downspouts remain functional. Make sure your gutter cleaning contractor flushes out your downspouts with water to clear any clogs and test that all downspouts are 100% working. Gutter cleaning service is essential for the weather and vegetation of Richmond, VA.
*Note: We suggest one cleaning in the spring or summer and at least two cleanings in the fall and early winter months as best practice.
2. Excessive dirt and debris build-up on windowsills
What causes it
Spiders, insects, pollen, tree debris, rain and moisture, bad seals on your window sashes, and screens or storms that trap debris on your sills are all common causes of dirty sills. Dirty windowsills are almost a guarantee in humid climates with seasonality. This problem is not only unsightly, but dirty windowsills can lead to the accumulation of mold and allergens and permanent discoloration to your window frames.
How to fix it
Our customers continued to ask us about deep-cleaning service for their windowsills while we were out cleaning windows. So, we introduced our “Premium” window cleaning service, designed specifically to address this problem. We use special tools, including a track brush, compressed air, and a hand vacuum, along with bleach and a microfiber towel, to provide detailed cleaning of window tracks and sills in addition to the window glass.
3. Hard water stains on windows
What causes it
Hard water staining or water spots are caused by water containing dissolved silicates or minerals drying on your glass. It is often the result of groundwater from a sprinkler system or runoff from roofing or brick siding. Hard water staining is not easily removed with traditional cleaning methods, it clouds up your glass, and it can cause permanent etching of glass if left unchecked.
How to fix it
Traditional maintenance window cleaning will not impact hard water stains. Spotless recommends either the use of vinegar or specialized hard water residue removers plus manually scrubbing with a moderately abrasive sponge.
4. Skylights with streaks and dirt
What causes it
We find skylights are often the most neglected windows on the home. Due to their height and presence on sloped roofing, they can be difficult for window cleaners to reach. Irregular maintenance cleaning, bird droppings, and direct exposure to tree debris and sunlight can leave your skylights cloudy and tarnished. This creates a terrible aesthetic in some of the most prominent areas of your home.
How to fix it
Window cleaners can often access skylights on a flat or low-slope roof to clean them by hand. As a homeowner, you should be incredibly wary of any window cleaning company that says they will walk on a steeply pitched roof to clean skylights. Not only is this a violation of OSHA safety regulations, but it can lead to unfortunate accidents on your property. Spotless cleans almost all skylights with carbon fiber water-fed extension poles. If used properly, water-fed poles produce a great cleaning result on difficult to reach windows like skylights without the associated risks of working on a pitched roof.
5. Green algae on vinyl, wood or aluminum siding
What causes it
Your siding says a lot about how well you take care of your property. Over time, airborne algae can settle on your home siding and spread very quickly. The worst cases of green algae on the home are caused by moisture, lack of sunlight (we typically see more algae on the north side of the home), and existing dirt and debris, which can play host to organic molecules. Green siding hurts your home’s curb appeal, but it can also leave permanent stains and contribute to siding oxidation.
How to fix it
Do NOT hire a pressure washing company if the contractor states that they are going to clean your siding with high pressure. The best way to clean dirty home siding is through a softwashing process. Softwashing service uses a chemical cleaning agent (which usually contains soap and sodium hypochlorite), along with a low-pressure rinse, to gently remove green algae and mold. This process takes less time, does not risk damage to your home, and kills organics at their source to produce a longer-lasting clean. Softwashing service is the way to go for green algae.
6. Vinyl siding oxidation
What causes it
If you have vinyl siding on your home, you will likely have to deal with oxidation at some point. Vinyl siding oxidation causes your siding to have a cloudy and “splotchy” or uneven appearance. If you run your finger across the siding’s surface and a powdery substance comes up, that is oxidation. The first cause of this is lack of regular cleaning, and it is exacerbated by exposure to the sun’s UV rays and the natural aging process of the substrate.
How to fix it
Oxidation removal is a multi-step process. First, the homeowner needs to softwash the siding with a traditional cleaning agent like sodium hypochlorite. This removes all organic material. Next, you should apply a specialty oxidation removal cleanser. There are a few different options out there, but Eaco Chem is a manufacturer that has several good products available. If you follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and dwell time, a gentle post-rinse should easily remove oxidation from your siding and restore an even appearance to your home exterior.
7. Mold and mildew on walkways and driveways
What causes it
Concrete, brick and stone are all popular substrates for home exterior features and outdoor hardscaping. These materials are porous, which means that moisture absorption takes place easily. The presence of moisture along with a lack of sunlight can cause mold and mildew and even green algae to form on your walkways, patios, and driveways in as little as a few months. This problem is a slip and fall hazard for you and members of your family.
How to fix it
Pressure washing service, using moderate to high pressure, is the best way to fight back against mold and mildew. Pressure washing works well to restore a new appearance to porous substrates like concrete, brick, pavers, and exposed aggregate. If you have brick or stone hardscapes, make sure your power washing contractor looks closely at the mortar joints. Sometimes use of pressure is not advisable on only patios and walkways as it can cause further damage to aging mortar joints.
8. Wood decks and fences turning grey
What causes it
Radiation from the sun’s UV rays creates a chemical reaction with the wood’s cellulose, and, over time, this causes the wood to lose its natural appearance and take on a grayish hue. No one wants their deck or fence to have a dull appearance! Further, continued aging can reduce the life of your wood surfaces.
How to fix it
Deck cleaning and brightening can be done with oxygenated bleach (cleaner) and oxalic acid (brightener). There are many cleaner/brightener products available over the counter that work together to lift dirt from wood surfaces and neutralize the pH of the wood to help bring back natural color, so make sure you choose the appropriate chemicals for your wood surface and follow manufacturer’s instructions. Light pressure washing and manual brushing are often needed along with these chemical cleaning agents to clean and restore your deck to its full potential.
9. Black streaks on your gutters
What causes it
When your gutters are filled with natural debris and shingle dust, soiled water can overflow during rainstorms and stain the exterior of your gutters. If gutters are not flowing properly, it doesn’t take a very long time for your gutters to become permanently stained with black streaks that we in the industry call “tiger stripes”. Oxidation, or degradation of your gutter paint, can result if the striping is not removed quickly.
How to fix it
Usually, a traditional softwashing process does not provide enough abrasion to fix gutter striping. Gutter whitening service, or gutter brightening service, is the proper next step if you don’t see any improvement after exterior softwashing. Gutter brightening involves the manual application of a cleaning agent with either a mop or soft- or medium-bristle brush. Gutter brightening chemicals marketed specifically for this purpose can very often be dangerous in contact with human skin, so you need to be very careful to use proper PPE and post-rinse the ground to avoid unintended damage if you choose a traditional gutter brightener product. We prefer to use Simple Green, which is a biodegradable green cleaner that is a safe and effective way to brighten most gutters.
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We hope this article gives you some ideas about ways you can help prevent damage and improve conditions on your property! Contact or call us today if you have any questions or there is any way we can help with YOUR exterior cleaning problems. 804-231-0749
