Housewashing Benefits And Signs You Need An External Soft Wash

Your home is your sanctuary and castle. When we’ve had enough with the outside world, it’s where we go to seek comfort and be ourselves.

Like a soothing blanket or faithful pup, our home can make us feel better. But like those things, it also needs to be nurtured and needs a good wash from time to time. We like to feel good about how our home looks because it’s a part of us and our lives.  

In this blog post, we’ll explain why soft house washing is important to keep your home looking in top condition. And we’ll reveal the most common signs it’s time you booked an external house wash to keep it sparkling and maintain its value.

Benefits of soft house washing

Over time, the exterior of your home can start to look dull, tired and dirty; even decrepit if it’s not cared for. Instead of spending thousands of dollars on landscaping or an expensive and stressful repaint job, a professional soft house wash is often all it takes to make it look brand new again.

In fact, if you are considering a paint job, you ought to do a mould killing soft house wash first anyway. It’s widely acknowledged as the best preparation for the paint and will help it to last longer, saving you money in the long run. Bear in mind that washing with just water, or water and sugar soap, won’t do the job effectively to kill the mould. But a professional mould killing soft wash will.

Like everything, your home needs to be loved, cleaned and maintained in order to keep it in top condition. For example; house washing can stop algae and mould from eating into the house exterior surfaces and prolong the paint life.

Not only that, but housewashing can reduce the chance of sickness as a result of mould and mildew spores. That’s right, mould and mildew have been known to cause respiratory problems, common allergic reaction symptoms, nervous-system disorders and depression. A professional house wash is a small price to pay for you and your family’s health.

Housewashing vs. pressure cleaning

A lot of people think that since they have a brick house, they are safe to pressure wash their home.

Think again!

Old brick and mortar are actually quite soft. It can easily be blasted away with high-pressure cleaning. So, the safe and recommended way to do an effective house wash is with mould killer, hose water and a broom. This is called a soft wash.

Soft washing of timber houses is highly recommended to prevent paint stripping, for the longevity of wash and to prevent the house filling up with water from high-pressure cleaning techniques.

Here at Mount Gravatt Pressure Cleaning, we’ve visited brick homes where the mortar has been almost completely blasted away and paint stripped from timber clad houses by pressure washing. This can incur a huge expense if the house needs to be repainted as a result.

Don’t take the risk! Get a soft house wash.

Indicators you need a house wash

Below are the most obvious signs you’re well overdue for a house wash.

1. Mould on exterior walls, eaves or gutters

Mould is usually black or green in colour, occurring in various forms. It happens due to our humid climate and dampness, being generally predominant on the southern side of the house. It also often arises where trees and bushes shade or hug the house exterior.

2. Dark external walls via pollution from busy roads

Dirt, mould, dust and grime can accumulate on the walls of your home and turn them dark in colour quickly, especially if you are located on or near a busy traffic road. This grime looks even worse if your house is a light colour, as many are in Queensland.

Housewashing can be done at any time of the year and will undoubtedly add value to your home, giving it a great presentation without costing you a tonne of money. We highly recommend a soft wash pre renting or selling to achieve the best possible price.

How often should you get your house soft washed? A general rule of thumb is every 2-3 years depending on your location, any surrounding vegetation and the quality of the paint applied to the exterior of your home. Keeping an eye on the exterior will let you know when it’s time to act.

So, have a good look at your home this weekend; look up and consider whether it’s time you got a housewash to keep it looking pristine (remember, soft wash only!)

If you’re still not sure, feel free to contact David at Mount Gravatt Pressure Cleaning and Soft House Washing. We’ll walk through the process with you and answer any concerns you may have.

Ladder Safety

Last year Alfred Health released a study into ladder-related falls, which found a sharp increase in serious injury resulting from a ladder fall, particularly among the ‘baby-boomer’ generation.

Below are some tips to follow for safe ladder use. Note that if you are over 55 or inexperienced, that the recommendation is to hire a professional. So remember, I am your man when it comes to cleaning solar panels and gutters.

Follow these tips to remain as safe as possible when using a ladder ...

• Avoid climbing a ladder if possible

• If over 55 years of age, hire a professional

• If inexperienced in ladder use, hire a professional

Ladder inspection

• Do not use a ladder if timber steps are splintered or cracked, or if metal steps are twisted or warped

• Check the ladder for any loose screws, hinges or rungs

• Clean off any mud, grease, oil, or other slippery liquids that may have accumulated on the ladder

• Do not make temporary repairs of broken or missing parts, as these may fail during climbing

Ladder set-up

• Never place a ladder on uneven ground or flooring

• Use the 4-to-1 rule: ensure that the ladder is 1 metre away from the wall at the base for every 4 metres that the ladder rises. The upper and lower sections of an extension ladder should overlap to provide stability

• Do not place stepladders or single/extension ladders on boxes, countertops or unstable surfaces to gain additional height

• Before using a stepladder, ensure that it is fully open and that the braces between the two sections are fully extended and locked

• Ensure that the ladder is leaning against a stable structure, which cannot break or move away

Ladder safety

• Wear a helmet when climbing a ladder

• Ensure that shoes have slip-resistant soles

• Maintain 3 points of contact on the ladder at all times ie. two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot

• Do not over reach – descend and move the ladder if required

• Leaning too far to one side, or reaching too far overhead can destabilise the ladder. Your umbilicus should not go beyond the sides of the ladder

• Have someone stand at the base of the ladder to brace it and observe the climber

• On a single or extension ladder, never stand above the third rung from the top and never climb above the point where the ladder touches the wall or vertical support

• The highest standing level on a stepladder should be two steps down from the top

• Do not stand on the top plate, side braces or back section of a step ladder

• Do not overload the ladder. Use only light weight hand tools whilst standing on the ladder

• Avoid using a ladder after drinking alcohol

• Avoid using a ladder if prone to fainting, or are taking medications that predispose to dizziness

So beware of the ladder. It might seem like a simple job, but is it worth the risk? Remember if you are over 55 or inexperienced - hire a professional. We can help with cleaning your solar panels and cleaning your gutters.

Show us your plight. We'll manage the height.
Phone David on 0409 483 645.

Article courtesy of Alfred Health