Safe House Washing Tips to Prevent Window and Trim Damage
Grabbing a high-powered sprayer and washing your home without a plan can lead to a very expensive afternoon. Many homeowners think that more pressure always equals a cleaner surface. But this is exactly how glass gets cracked, and wooden trim gets shredded.
Preparation Is the Secret Sauce
Before you even turn on your water, you need to take a walk around your property to check for any gaps or loose pieces of trim. If you see a crack in the caulking around a window frame, that is an open invitation for water to seep inside your walls and start growing mold.
You can use a bit of waterproof tape or even some plastic sheeting to cover areas that look fragile or old. Checking the weather is also a smart move. A windy day will blow your cleaning soap onto the glass, where it will dry and leave ugly streaks before you can rinse it off.
Soaps and Suds That Play Nice
The type of cleaner you choose makes a huge difference in how your trim looks once the water dries. Some heavy-duty chemicals are great at eating away mold. However, they can also strip the paint right off your window sills if they sit there for too long.
You should always wet down the plants and the wooden trim with plain water first, so the wood is already saturated and cannot soak up the harsh cleaning solution. If you use a gentle, biodegradable soap, the dirt will still come off. You will not have to worry about your white trim turning a strange shade of yellow. Testing your soap on a small, hidden spot of the trim is a clever way to make sure the paint will not bubble or peel when you start the real work.
The Right Way to Rinse
When it is finally time to wash away the soap, you should always start from the top of the house and work your way down to the ground. This prevents dirty water from running over the sections you just cleaned. It also keeps the pressure away from the bottom edges of the windows, where water likes to hide. You should hold your spray wand at an angle rather than pointing it directly at the glass. This encourages the water to slide off instead of pushing against the frame. If you notice a stubborn spot of bird mess or tree sap, use a soft brush to scrub it gently instead of turning up the pressure on your machine.
While washing your own home can be a rewarding weekend project, sometimes the risk to your windows and expensive trim is just too high for a DIY attempt. If your house has multiple stories or intricate woodwork, hiring a professional team can often lead to much better results without the stress of potentially causing damage. When you need house washing services in Seattle, WA, contact Clean425.
