3 Words that Define Home Maintenance

Cleaning, clearing and inspecting: three words that define long-lasting home maintenance.  

When it comes to homecare, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Where is someone supposed to start when addressing their home’s upkeep? Interior or exterior cleaning? Hedge trimming? Gutter cleaning? Replacing filters—inspecting for leaks? The list goes on and on. 

 

Whether it’s weekly, monthly or yearly home maintenance, it all boils down to one crucial thing: cleaning.
Maintaining your property doesn’t have to be daunting. Blue Wave Pressure Washing is here to simplify your personal home inspection process! Our cleaning checklist will set you on the way toward excellent home health! 

 

Get Started ASAP and learn the essential health checks for protecting your greatest investment—your home. From pressure washing to property inspection, we’ll give you the best tips to get you on your way. Having been in the cleaning business for over 20 years, Blue Wave Pressure Washing has pretty much seen it all, so we know just how to keep your home in tip-top shape for all seasons.

 

Inspect your Roof and Attic

Without frequent checks, roof leaks have the insidious potential to go undetected for a very long time. When left unattended, leaks more often than not turn into a horrible source of mold, mildew, and costly repairs. A bad enough roof leak can damage your ceiling insulation and even be harmful to your personal health. 

Proper home maintenance starts with staying informed and proactive. 

Signs you may need roof leak repair:

• Missing shingles
• Granular loss
• Flaking paint
• Buckling
• Water penetration.

If you notice any of these damage indications, it may be time to bring in a professional to assess your home maintenance needs.

 

“…it is a very small aspect of a roof, but damaged flashing can cause immense damage under the surface.” First American Roofing & Siding, Inc.

 

Inspect Gutters

Are your gutters free from debris? Moving on from the roof, let’s take a look at our gutters! Gutter cleaning is essential for proper drainage and preventing some of the external damage that occurs through seasonal wear and tear. 

You don’t want rainwater running down the soffits and fascia of your home, and you definitely don’t want critters nesting in your drains. Make a point to inspect and clean out your gutters at least twice a year in both the spring and fall! 

Signs your gutters need some care: 

• Debris accumulation
• Plant growth
• Sagging
• Staining
• Unwanted pests

If climbing ladders and mucking through a clogged gutter sounds out of your comfort zone, don’t hesitate to call Blue Wave Pressure Cleaning. Blue Wave’s gutter cleaning service has the expertise and equipment to handle the job safely and effectively! 

“Gutters need to be cleaned at least twice a year – in the spring and in the fall. If you have pine trees near your home, needles will need to be removed every three months to reduce the potential for clogging the gutters and downspouts.”  Home Depot

 

Check your HVAC filters, Inside and Out!

Following proper home maintenance standards, we encourage you to inspect your HVAC filter monthly—at a minimum! Actual cleaning and replacement may only need to be done every 3 months, but it pays to stay ahead of the game (especially during high-use seasons)! 

Consequences of a dirty filter:

• Mold, mildew and bacteria growth
• Poor air quality
• High electricity bills
• Potential furnace failure

Be sure to check your filters frequently and clear out any significant debris and dust!

Important Tip: Remember, most air filters are directional. Make sure your replacement is facing the right way!

“If you have more than one heating and/or air conditioning system, then you definitely have more than one air filter.” Hannabery HVAC 

 

Clear Debris & Trim Shrubs/Hedges

Outdoor home appliances need love too! 

Feel like your air conditioning unit isn’t working as it should be? That means it’s probably time to check around your outdoor AC for overgrown hedges and weeds. Too much overgrowth can make it difficult for air to properly move through your unit. This blockage can lead to poor airflow and stress on the unit’s condensing coils—meaning, costly repairs and hotter temperatures!

A good practice for this aspect of home maintenance is to trim back at least 2 to 3 feet of clearance for your AC. Your wallet will thank us later!

While on the topic of landscaping, we can’t forget about clearing overgrowth away from your house’s foundation. Along with hurting the integrity of your foundation, excess weeds are a cause of mildew, eroding landscapes, pests, and water retention. 

Lawn care may seem like a chore, but it’s truly essential for regular home upkeep!

 

“Foundation plantings gained popularity around older homes as a way to block the view of their unsightly foundations. This practice is no longer recommended because of how the plants hold water around a home and compromise the integrity of its foundation.” Hunker 

 

Inspect All Concrete Around your Home

Look for cracks, crumbling, and dark spots.  These are signs that you need to do some repair work so that temperature influxes don’t uproot the concrete even more.  In the event you have dark spots and staining, don’t wait because they won’t go away on their own.  Call Blue Wave for a complete pressure washing.  Get that dirt and grime up before it leaves permanent stains. 

“Successful long-term repair procedures must attack the causes of the cracks as well as the cracks themselves.”  Science Direct 

 

In addition to the above, there are many other home maintenance projects that need to be addressed year-round, but starting out with the 3 little words; cleaning, clearing and inspecting will give you a giant head start to maintaining a beautiful and efficient home.

Whatever type of maintenance you need, you are not alone, there are professionals ready and willing to help. 

Homeowners across Raleigh, Durham, and Cary have raved at the incredible difference that Blue Wave Pressure Washing has made to their properties.  Whatever the size or shape of the project, we stand ready to provide clients with the Blue Wave Guarantee: dedication to deliver a quality work product, through responsive personnel and timely services. 

If you’re ready to get started cleaning, contact the experts at Blue Wave Pressure Washing today.

“A home operates with the seasons, coming to life in the spring and hunkering down for the winter.”   Ronda Kaysen with The New York Times, Real Estate division.

 

Want some more tips? Check out our article 5 Reasons to Pressure Wash Before Winter!