July is here, and that means summer is in full swing! We all love the warm sun and the long days. But July also brings heavy summer storms. One minute you are grilling hot dogs, and the next minute, the sky turns gray. Huge rain droplets start falling, and the wind begins to howl.
Once the storm passes and the sun comes back out, you might look at your home and feel a bit sad. The wind has blown wet leaves all over your driveway. The heavy rain has splashed mud all the way up the side of your house. It looks like a big mess!
Don't worry. Cleaning up after a storm is easy when you have a plan. You want your home to look its best for those summer porch nights. In this guide, we will show you how to safely wash away the debris. You'll learn how to get your siding and your driveway looking brand new again.
1. Safety First: Look Before You Clean
Before you grab your hose or start moving branches, you must stay safe. Storms can be tricky. Sometimes they leave behind hidden dangers.
Take a slow walk around your yard. Look up and look down. Are there any big branches hanging by a thread? Is there any glass on the ground? Most importantly, look for power lines. If you see a wire on the ground, do not go near it! Call your power company right away.
If everything looks safe, you can start picking up the big stuff. Use gloves to protect your hands. Pick up the large branches and piles of leaves. Once the big debris is gone, you can see the dirt and mud that the storm left behind.
2. The Secret to Clean Siding: Soft Washing
Have you noticed those brown mud spots on your beautiful siding? When rain hits the ground hard, it kicks up dirt. That dirt sticks to your house. If you leave it there, it can stay for a long time. It can even make your house grow green stuff like algae.
For your siding, you don't want to use super strong water pressure. Using too much force can actually hurt your house! It can crack vinyl or peel paint. Instead, you'll want to use something called soft washing.
Soft washing uses special soaps and very low water pressure. It is like giving your house a gentle bath. The soap does all the hard work. It breaks down the mud and kills any tiny living things that shouldn't be there. Then, a gentle rinse washes it all away.
You'll be amazed at how bright your house looks after a soft wash! It's the safest way to make your home shine without any risk of damage.
3. Power Through the Driveway: Pressure Washing
Your driveway and walkways are different from your house siding. Concrete is tough. It can handle a lot of weight and a lot of water pressure. After a storm, your driveway might have leaf stains, mud, and gray grime.
This is where pressure washing comes in. Pressure washing uses a strong stream of water to blast away deep-down dirt. It gets into the tiny pores of the concrete and pushes the mud out.
When you pressure wash your driveway, you'll see a huge difference. The dark, muddy spots will disappear. The concrete will go from a dull gray to a bright, clean white. It makes your whole property look much neater. Plus, cleaning the driveway stops you from tracking mud into your house on your shoes!
4. 5 Benefits of a Post-Storm Cleanup
You might think about waiting until the end of summer to clean. But cleaning right after a storm is a much better idea. Here are five reasons why:
- Stops Permanent Stains: Wet leaves left on concrete can leave dark brown stains. Mud on siding can be hard to remove if it sits in the hot sun for weeks. Cleaning early saves you trouble later.
- Prevents Slippery Surfaces: Wet mud and moss on your walkways can be very slippery. Cleaning them makes it safe for you and your family to walk.
- Boosts Your Home's Value: A clean house looks like a well-loved house. If you are thinking of selling or just want to be the best-looking house on the block, cleaning is key.
- Saves You Money: Keeping your siding clean prevents damage. It's much cheaper to wash your house than it is to replace siding or paint!
- Keeps Your Family Healthy: Storms bring moisture, and moisture can lead to mold. Washing away the storm debris keeps those icky things away from your home.
5. Why You Should Choose a Professional
You could try to do all this work yourself. But summer is for relaxing, isn't it? You'll spend hours lugging hoses around and scrubbing. Sometimes, it’s better to let the pros handle the heavy lifting.
At Red Moose Exterior Cleaning, we have the right tools for every job. We know exactly when to use soft washing for your siding and when to use pressure washing for your driveway. We save you time and make sure the job is done perfectly.
You won't have to worry about renting a machine or climbing on ladders. You'll just get to enjoy a sparkling clean home. We love helping our neighbors in Charlotte, Huntersville, and Cornelius get their homes back in top shape.
6. How to Get Started Today
The July sun is hot, and that mud is drying fast! Don't let the storm's mess stay on your home. You'll feel so much better when you see your house shining again.
Here is what you'll need to do next:
- Walk around your house and see where the mud and debris are.
- Clear away any big branches or trash from your yard.
- Decide what needs cleaning. Does your driveway look dark? Does your siding have mud splats?
- Give us a call!
You can visit our How It Works page to see how easy we make it. We’ll come out, give you a quote, and get to work. Before you know it, the storm will be a distant memory, and your home will be the star of the neighborhood.
Are you ready to wash away the storm? Contact us today and let Red Moose make your home look like new again!