Anyone who owns and/or lives in a house in a humid climate will understand what I mean by housecleaning--the outside of the house that is. The northern side of your home will almost always be prone to growing mildew and mold in Tennessee. Throw in the fact that perhaps your heat pump is also located on the northern side (a good thing since the unit is not in direct sun) and you might as well get out the scrub brush and bleach every few years and get to work. I've lived in my home more than eleven years now and this is the third time we have washed the house. But this was the best time because I hired my son to do it for me!
A lot of people use a pressure washer to wash their homes. My neighbors sometimes do this and the first time I washed my house I actually hired someone to do it and he used a pressure washer. I don't like using a pressure washer on my house though and I'll tell you why. The first time I had the house washed (2003) I hired a man who used very caustic chemicals and a pressure washer to rinse it all off. After he left the house looked good. It really did. But within the year the mold and mildew was back and I was not impressed. I felt like the mold was not completely cleaned off just by the chemicals and pressure washer.
The next time I found the time to clean the house was in May 2007. I distinctly remember it because my son, his wife at the time, and their newborn baby had come for a visit. This time I personally washed the house using three simple things; water, bleach, and a soft brush. The house looked great and actually seemed to stay looking clean for a lot longer (about three years) than it did when the professionals came and washed the house in 2003.
The weather has been great and the Jimster needed to earn some money so I hired him to wash the house. He did it the same way I did in 2007 (I told him to). And I just cannot believe what a difference a little bit of elbow grease and bleach makes on a house. It looks like a new house! I hope the job lasts a good several years. Isn't Jimmy cute? I'll tell you all a secret--it's only secret from teenagers--if you put teens to work or make them go do physical activity their whole attitude and demeanor changes and they get happy. When teens are happy parents are usually happy too. Jimmy took a great deal of pride in cleaning the house. Of course the $100 I paid him probably helped a bit too.
While cleaning the house I couldn't help but notice the beautiful fall skies and wonderful views of the moon we have had here in Tennessee....
in the garden....
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden
Jimmy is certainly a handsome young man! Oh yes, your house looks good, too, Tina:)
ReplyDeleteI don't suppose he drive down to Spring Hill and do our house? ;) I've been meaning to get to it all year. I pressure washed it a couple years ago but having a neighbor (not there anymore) who burned construction debris all the time has layered the house with a combo of soot and mold. Icky.
ReplyDeleteTina, I have a few chores for the Jimster! He did great job and your house looks fabulous. gail
ReplyDeleteYour house looks great. The Jimster isn't bad looking either. lol Good genes there.
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference, Wow!! My grandson also looks great! The moon in the afternoon looked so good up here also. The last 4 days have rained so did not get to see it but finally today it is sunny again. I love seeing it along with the sun.
ReplyDeleteJob well done Jimster! We hose spray (nozzle jet setting), clean water on the siding of the house monthly during the humid days. Keeps the mildew off and us happy. Our next house will be all brick, well, that is the plan anyway. LOL...
ReplyDeleteyes ! that is the right way as we have laerned also!!....It takes 2 weekends to do my 2 story...and use the pressure to rinse.
ReplyDeleteI hate mildew. Nicely done:) Now if I could have some help at our place....:)
ReplyDeleteGood for you to hire Jim. It does look a lot better. I am amazed at how fast the green molds grow....glad you figured out a way to keep it at bay for a couple years.
ReplyDeleteYou have to try Wet and Forget. Works great and it will last longer than a year.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of that before so I had to Google it. It sounds perfect and I will give it a try next time. Thanks!
DeleteYou have to try Wet and Forget. It will amaze you and it really is easy. It will last longer than a year for sure
ReplyDeleteThat is a job I am glad not to do up here. Good you have a willing son to do it for you. Another reason for no power washing is that it forces water inside the outer cladding. It gets inside walls and mold and fungus can grow.
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference. Not something we encounter here. We get some dust stuck on the areas under the patio and porch but that's about it. Looking good!
ReplyDeleteNoticing the mold and mildew suddenly on the fence now that we are having constant rain
ReplyDeleteNoticing mold and mildew on the fence now with the constant rain...we also have that problem here with the humidity even though we have such a cold winter
ReplyDeleteIt was good and interesting to read your experiences.And ya jimmy is amazing!Your house looks really great! House cleaning is very interesting task but its better to leave it to the hired professionals.
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ReplyDeleteWashing by hand is ALWAYS better than the power washes, especially with window cleaning. Power washing is cheaper but you get what you pay for. Anyway, Tina, it was a pleasure talking to you and again, thanks for the call the other day. Your house looks great! ~ Greg from Dallas
Thanks Greg and ditto!
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ReplyDeleteWashing by hand is ALWAYS better than the power washes, especially with window cleaning. Power washing is cheaper but you get what you pay for. Anyway, Tina, it was a pleasure talking to you and again, thanks for the call the other day. The house looks great!