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How To Spruce Up The Outside of Your Home in 4 Simple Steps

Monday, 3 July 2017 | 0 comments

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As we tend to focus most our energy on keeping the interior of our homes ship shape and pristine, it’s quite common the outside of homes can look and feel a little neglected over time. The thought of sprucing up the outside of our homes can feel like a rather daunting and mammoth task and this is perhaps one of the main reasons why it tends to get pushed down to the bottom of our list of priorities.

However, cleaning up the outside of our homes doesn’t have to be such an overwhelming job. By following our simple steps you can have your home looking as good on the outside as it does on the inside, in no time at all.

Cleaning

It may sound a little strange the thought of cleaning the outside of our homes, however you’d be surprised at what a difference it can make. With the external facades of our homes being so exposed to the elements there’s no wonder they can look a little tired with time and need a spot of TLC.

The best way to set about cleaning the front of your house is with a pressure washer. Pressure washers, however, have different levels of pressure depending on the nozzle you use. So you will need to be careful that you don’t choose a nozzle that is too strong for the task of cleaning a house. Some nozzles are so strong they can actually take the paint work off some houses and even cars, so make sure you are choosing the correct nozzles.

If you are doing a DIY pressure washer job, then be very careful how you go about it. You will want to start from the top of your home and work your way down. Be mindful of the drains and gutters around your property. If you have too much pressure on these areas you can loosen your guttering over time and then you will have another DIY job on your hands. You will also need to avoid spraying windows as the pressure of the water can crack and even break them.

Whilst you are it, why not give the car a good clean too? Dirty and shabby looking cars can instantly bring down the look of a home, when sitting in the drive, looking sorry for themselves. So after you’ve cleaned down the outside of your home you will want to use your pressure cleaner and turn your attention to taking on the task of cleaning your car too. Again be careful with the nozzles you use as the red nozzle should never be used to wash cars, as the pressure from this nozzle will just strip the paint off your car. Therefore you will want a green, softer nozzle for car cleaning, which will also work for cleaning up your driveway and other outdoor items like, patio furniture.

Garage

As garages are such a well trodden outdoor area they definitely need a little bit of care from time to time to keep them in good condition. If your garage is looking a little bit shabby then you will really want to set about bringing it back to its former glory. A good old fashioned paint job is a top way to bring garage doors back life. Make sure you are using a highly durable, outdoor paint for this job, to make sure that the paint weathers well over time.

Concrete garage floors and driveways can also scream out for help over time as concrete holds oil stains, grease, tyre marks and marks from other vehicle fluids. The best way to go about cleaning your concrete floors is to firstly cover the area with a drying agent, cat litter actually works very well. Leave it there for 24 hours before removing. Then you will want to scrub the stains with a laundry detergent. There are commercial products for removing oil stains however a simple laundry detergent works just as well and is half the price.

Rust stains can be treated by applying oxalic acid, in a powdered form. Pour it over the rust stains, leave for around 5 minutes and then scrub the area and rinse. Pesky tyre marks can be dealt with by scrubbing them with a degreaser or chemical strippper which works to remove the concrete sealer. Once the stain has gone you will then want to reseal that area again.

Cleaning Rain Gutters

Rain gutters can naturally accumulate a lot of natural build up, which not only looks unsightly but can also create a whole host of problems for your home. Therefore it is really important to keep on top of the maintenance of your rain gutters. The experts recommend that you clean out your rain gutters at least once a year to make sure that they don’t get overly congested and blocked.

So, firstly, you will want to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands. You will need to use a good ladder, preferably with someone to hold the ladder steady as you move around the house, for extra stability and safety. Ladder horns are a good idea to make sure that your ladder doesn’t damage your gutters. Use a plastic scoop to remove all the built up debris and instead of throwing it down onto the lawn, use a plastic tarp to dispose of it all.

Garden

Regardless of the size of your garden or whether it is located at the front or back of your home, your garden needs attention and care in order for your home to look its best. Regular deweeding and looking after the shrubs in your garden is a regular job that needs doing at least once a month. Pruning and preening your prize flowers and plants will keep your garden looking in peak condition and will make your garden a space that you enjoy relaxing and unwinding in. You will also want to keep on top of all your garden furniture to keep the whole area looking ship shape and ready to enjoy over the wonderful summer months.

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