As winter turns into spring, it’s time to start looking at spring cleaning tips that you can undertake yourself. People often focus on what they can do with their interiors, such as in the living room or the kitchen, but it’s also crucial to look at keeping the exterior of your home clean and to avoid further problems that could cost you money down the line.
Save yourself £2800 by following these 7 spring cleaning tips
1. Clear debris from your guttering
After the harsh winter months, there are plenty of different types of debris that can build up in your gutters, such as leaves and dirt. It seems pretty obvious, but it’s crucial to clean your gutters at the beginning of spring, as any rain or showers can cause unwanted excess water to build up, which can damage your home.
What happens if you leave it?
Any leaves or moss that build up can cause the guttering to break, which of course would need to be repaired. A bigger potential issue however is if the gutters overflow due to there not being enough room for excess water. If the water builds up, it can cause damp to seep through to your interior walls.
How much might it cost you?
As well as the physical problems that damp in your home can cause, on average a gutter replacement can cost around £700.
If you need to damp proof the internal walls, it can cost around £280 per wall.
POTENTIAL SAVING: £980
2. Inspect the loft insulation
While many people only tend to associate the need for insulation in their homes to be an autumn and winter issue, installing proper insulation can also help keep your home cool in the summer too. If you’re unsure whether you have insulation in your loft, you can inspect it or request the help of a professional to do so.
What happens if you leave it?
The cost of your energy bills could go sky high (or even higher than usual, with the recent price rises). Cold spots can also appear throughout the home if it is not properly insulated, while in summer, insulation prevents the house from overheating in warm weather, as it prevents heat transfer from out to in.
How much might it cost you?
It will depend on the type of insulation that you choose or require, but if hiring a professional it tends to cost around £350, a cost you can save on if you do it yourself.
POTENTIAL SAVING: £350
3. Wipe down window and door frames
Wiping down exterior window and door frames is important as part of your spring cleaning routine, and is easy to do. Start by removing any dust and loose dirt, before cleaning the frames with water and gentle dish soap.
Due to exterior doors and windows being open to the harsh elements across the colder months, it’s best to use paper towels to dry them down afterward to avoid transferring dirt and bacteria to other surfaces via a cloth or towel.
What happens if you leave it?
Window and door frames can discolour over time if they are not cleaned and wiped down regularly. This could lead to them needing to be painted over or even replaced, in extreme cases.
How much might it cost you?
Repainting an entire exterior door can cost around £225 on average, which can be avoided with a regular clean. External window frames can cost an exorbitant amount to repaint if quoted by a professional, which could be over £1500 depending on the number of windows in question.
POTENTIAL SAVING: £225
4. Check your roof tiles
Your roof may have a build up of moss, algae, mud, and other debris from the bad weather, which can lead to damage if they are not attended to. Dirt disrupts the natural flow of water off the roof and instead of funneling into the gutters, it can build up in pools of water on the roof instead.
What happens if you leave it?
If your roof isn’t cleaned properly and excess water does build up, the bonds between each tile can be damaged and affect the structural integrity of your home. It can also cause damp and other water damage, which can be costly.
How much might it cost you?
The average cost for roof tile replacement for up to five broken tiles is £170, which can stretch to £225 if cement bedding is required.
POTENTIAL SAVING: £225
5. Remove any moss and weeds from your outdoor paving or lawn
Neglecting your block paving or lawn at any time of the year can lead to problems, as unsightly weeds and moss can gather in the cracks between the paving or on the edge of the lawn. There are a few ways to go about sorting this issue, such as using a liquid weed killer, removing any weeds or moss by hand, using a pressure washer, or even a combination of the three.
What happens if you leave it?
If you don’t look after them then they could end up taking over your yard area. As well as being an unsavory eyesore, if the roots of the weeds get underneath the paving stones, they can cause a lot of unwanted damage.
How much might it cost you?
The average cost to clean a medium-sized driveway in the UK is around £300 if you call in a specialist, so keeping the yard clean yourself can keep more money in your own pocket.
POTENTIAL SAVING: £300
6. Pressure wash the side of your home
Cleaning the exterior walls of your home is extremely important on a regular basis, as dirt and grime can build up over time. It’s generally recommended that you wash your house every 1-2 years to help prevent moss and algae from growing and to protect the siding and paint. Cleaning can also save you money when compared to exterior painting, which can have much larger costs.
What happens if you leave it?
Moss on the side of your house can lead to roof damage if it spreads up the walls, and in severe cases can even cause the roof to lose its structural integrity.
How much might it cost you?
If you get a professional in to clean the external brickwork of your home, the average cost is around £597, which you could save if you undertook the task yourself.
POTENTIAL SAVING: £597
7. Clean the decking
If you have decking in your yard area, then the start of spring is an excellent time to look at cleaning it. As the weather heats up, you’re going to want to spend much more time relaxing out on the decking. Before you start, clear the whole area of any patio chairs and tables. Then, brush the deck thoroughly to remove as much dirt, dust, leaves, and moss as you can.
The next step would be to power wash the area to get rid of any remaining dirt, where you can mix water with a fit-for-purpose decking cleaner.
What happens if you leave it?
Blackening of your decking tends to happen particularly after a long and wet winter. Fungus can meet wet wood and react to form an unsightly black stain. This is a sign that you’re heading towards rotten decking, which is definitely something you’ll want to avoid.
How much might it cost you?
The average cost of getting your decking cleaned professionally is £92, which can be a heavy sum to fork out and is easily avoided if you take good care of the decking yourself.
POTENTIAL SAVING: £92
Regarding conducting exterior spring cleaning, Jenny Turner from Insulation Express says: “The importance of regular maintenance of the exterior of your home cannot be underestimated. With the price of energy skyrocketing in recent months, taking steps to help reduce your gas and electricity bills is certainly advised, such as installing the relevant insulation products where necessary to make your home as energy-efficient as possible.
