Spring cleaning for your biggest investment.

Now that the days are getting longer and (kind of) warmer here in Eugene, it’s a great time to get outside and care for the exterior of your home – and not just for appearances sake. Curb appeal is one of the critical factors in creating desire when it comes time to sell your home, and deferring the maintenance chores below can end up costing you a lot more than giving up a weekend or two!

1. Get the gunk off (and out).
After the leaves fell in the fall you cleaned out your gutters, right? Well, most homes benefit from at least three cleanings – fall, mid-winter, and again in spring to remove storm debris. First get out the leaf blower and tackle the roof, then scoop the leaves (or if you live in the south hills, that thick carpet of doug fir needles) out of those gutters. If you don’t like heights, give me a call for qualified service people who can do the job for you.

2. Give your house a shower.
Plan the big wash when several dry sunny days are forecast – the hotter the better for quick, thorough drying. Before you start, trim back encroaching vegetation, keeping it at least one foot away from siding and trim. Plants are a potential invasion route for insects, and can thick foliage can stifle air circulation - promoting molds and rot. Use caution when spraying - pressure washers can do damage before you even realize it. Hire a pro, or do it yourself with a long handled brush, a bucket of suds designed for house washing, and your trusty garden hose. Be careful not to force water up under siding and take it easy around windows and doors – direct the stream of water down like the falling rain and you should be fine. This is the perfect time to inspect siding and trim for chipped, peeling, or chalky paint. If you find areas that need help, plan to touch them up yourself or hire a pro – the best painters book up early for the entire summer, so give me a call if you need a recommendation.

3. Check your deck.
Our seemingly endless wet winters can be particularly brutal to these large expanses of wood – now is the time to get yours in shape for summer grilling and outdoor entertaining. Clean debris out of the gaps between the boards to promote air circulation and prevent rot. (A drywall saw words great for this – but be careful!) While you’re at it check for protruding fasteners, cracked boards, wobbly railings, rot, or other damage and remedy these situations. Now it’s time to clean – avoid the pressure washer on a wood deck – the damage they cause can be unsightly and shorten its lifespan. Instead, use a stiff bristle brush and a non-toxic biodegradable detergent and/or wood brightener. After a good rinse and a couple of sunny days, apply a clear sealer or transparent stain.

Now that you’ve cleaned up your castle, lower the drawbridge and get out of there! Hike Mount Pisgah, tackle the Butte, visit our local parks, or head for the coast or the mountains to really get away from it all, and remember why we live in this beautiful part of the country.

Happy house cleaning,
Bobby

bobby@alternativerealtor.com
541 225-8081