House washing is more than just aesthetic maintenance for your home. It’s a crucial preventative measure for your home. Neglecting annual maintenance can lead to premature decaying of materials. This blog will explore the dangers of neglecting house washing and having an annual maintenance plan for the exterior of your home and or buildings.
When you don’t perform regular house washing, several issues can arise that can impact both your home and your bank account.
Here’s what can happen:
Accumulation of Dirt and Grime: If you can see dirt, grime and other organic material accumulating on your exterior walls, windows, or roof, it’s time for a wash. Neglecting regular house washing allows dirt, dust, and grime to accumulate on your home’s surfaces leading to a dull and neglected appearance. This can diminish the overall street appeal of your property. Remember paint and product warranties usually ask for a regular wash to remove organic material for the warranty to remain valid.
Visual Impact: Over time, surfaces can become covered in dirt, mould and stains, making your home look neglected and uninviting.
Mould and Mildew Growth: One of the most immediate consequences of not doing a regular house wash is the growth of mould and mildew. Mould and mildew thrive in dirty, damp environments. This can lead to respiratory problems and allergic reactions among family members. Mould growth thrives in a moist and dirty environment and just looks horrible.
Algae and Lichen: Structurally, mould can eat away at wood and other materials, compromising the integrity of your home.
Lichen: Lichen might not seem harmful at first glance, but its presence can lead to significant damage over time. These organisms can cause etching and staining on roofs, walls, and other exterior surfaces, leading to premature degradation of materials. An annual maintenance program will help to hinder the growth.
Pest Infestations: Accumulated debris, dirt and other organic material can attract pests, including insects and rodents. This can lead to infestations and further property damage.
Financial Implications
Deterioration of Exterior Materials
- Long-Term Damage: Neglecting to wash your home can lead to the deterioration of paint, walls, and roofing, which may require costly repairs or replacements.
Increased Maintenance Costs
- Compounded Repairs: Ignoring regular maintenance can lead to more significant issues down the line, resulting in higher maintenance and repair costs. For example, if the clear coat on your paint is dull, cracked or paint is flaking there is a good chance that it is no longer protecting what is behind it. This could lead to costly repairs.
- Gradual damage and what does that mean for your insurance: Check out the gradual damage clause in your insurance (Gradual Damage Insurance Council of NZ PDF)
“Insurance isn’t designed to cover gradual damage. This is because problems that cause damage slowly can often be avoided by taking care of your property and doing regular maintenance. The sooner an issue is found and fixed, the less likely it is to cause damage later on.
Reasonable care and maintenance Keeping things in good condition is an important requirement of most insurance policies. If you fail to do it and suffer a loss as a result, your insurer might not pay your claim.”
Skipping regular house washing can lead to a host of problems that could affect both your home’s condition and your health. Think about always being market ready. You never know when you might just want to make your next move.
Safety Hazards
Slips and Falls: Moss and Mould can create slippery surfaces on walkways and patios, increasing the risk of accidents.
Unpleasant Odours – Musty Smells: The buildup of dirt, mould, and organic material can lead to unpleasant odours around your home.
What needs to be on your annual maintenance plan
Frequency of House Washing: Most paint and product warranties ask for an annual wash of your house depending on local climate and construction materials. Geothermal and Sea spray areas can be every 6 months. This is because in these areas you can see premature decaying of paint and products due to contaminants in the air.
Gutter Cleaning: Keep gutters clean and trim overhanging branches to minimise dampness and organic debris on your home’s exterior. Depending on the amount of tall trees or vegetation around your home a gutter is cleaned at least annually or more often if you do have tall plantings. Most insurance companies would support this being on your annual maintenance plan.
Roof Cleaning Treatments: To keep the roof cladding free from organic materials a treatment around every 2 to 3 years is suggested. This will again depend on what you have planted around your home and how much natural sunlight the roof gets.
Regular house washing is not just a maintenance task—it’s crucial to protect your investment, your bank balance ,your health and the longevity of your home. Don’t wait for the damage to become apparent. Contact Elite Property Wash today to discuss your annual maintenance and to schedule your next house washing service.