We all want great "curb appeal" whether we’re making our house a home or planning to sell. In fact, it’s estimated that a home with curb appeal can fetch 5% - 10% more when it is time to sell.

To keep your home in great shape, a little preventative maintenance can go a long way. Regularly cleaning your siding extends its life and helps prevent the cost of replacement. We’ll review some of the more common practices here.

Moisture can be an issue at any seam – against windows, doors and corner moldings. Complete a careful inspection of all joints and have an eye for cracked or damaged caulk that has pulled away, leaving a gap. Reapply an exterior caulk to ensure a good seal. For maximum adhesion, complete the job on a dry day that’s over 18 degrees Celsius. To avoid perpetuating any moisture issues, complete any repairs before cleaning.

If you need to replace a piece of siding, it requires a precise skill to remove the damaged piece while leaving the remaining pieces intact. Hiring a professional is likely in your best interest and will likely cost about $200 - $300 to replace one or two panels.

All types of siding collect dirt, mildew and grime, leaving the house looking a bit haggard. Cleaning this residue from your siding will not only improve the appearance of your home, it will also protect your investment. Mold and mildew will shorten the life of the siding so proactively removing it is a great strategy.

It will require a fair bit of effort, but a little elbow grease and some good music will go a long way! You’ll want to mix ½ cup of trisodium phosphate (TSP is available at most stores) with one gallon of warm water. Using a soft-bristled, long-handled brush divide your house into 10 foot sections and work at scrubbing away the grime. Always start at the top and work your way down, rinsing often.

You may encounter persistent, black stains that are likely mildew. Test the area by dabbing with some diluted bleach. If it disappears, it’s mildew and you can remove it using one part bleach to four parts water. Be sure to wear protective eye wear and gloves and rinse thoroughly with clean water.

If you don’t have the time or prefer to spend your weekends doing other things, you can hire a professional to power wash your house for approximately $300 - $500.

Alternately, you can rent a power washer and do it yourself for about $75/day. However, if you choose to use a power washer ensure you have enough experience and you don’t damage your home. Power washers are quite powerful and can strip paint, damage wood and power through mortar.

Think ahead and prevent the problem before it starts! If you work on keeping up with a regular maintenance schedule, you should be able to protect your home from costly repairs.

If you require assistance with any exterior cleaning or repair issues, reach out to Mission Exteriors. We will inspect and assess your home and provide you with the best solution.

Our team has over 30 years of combined experience in exterior services and provides homeowners with outstanding customer service. We’re on a mission to help your home look its best! Contact us today.