I just bought a bank sale property as a home. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into, but I didn't realize how much work would be involved in bringing it up to livable standards. Of course, it depends what you mean by livable standards since everyone's standards are different. Nevertheless, the exterior of the property is covered in mold, moss and mildew. The driveway has oil slicks and other stains that shouldn't be there. The roof looks like it is about to give way because of the plant life living there.
But, it's in a great location and I got it for a fraction of the price of other homes in the neighborhood. Because the house looks awful, has been neglected for many years and nobody wants to commit themselves to do the work on it, I got a bargain. Not without a challenge, though.
Before making my offer, I'd decided I would pick up the gauntlet and attempt to get this house back to it's former glory. It was going to take some work, but it will be worth it in the end.
Once we closed on the property, my biggest challenge was not bursting into tears every time I pulled into the driveway. The exterior was so ugly, filthy and overgrown that if I was going to continue with the project, I'd need to clean up the outside first.
The landscaping is a disaster and very overgrown, yet there are many beautiful flowering shrubs next to the house, that I want to keep. However, if the house exterior was clean and tidy, albeit overgrown, I could still feel good about coming home. Plus I wouldn't make enemies of my neighbors.
That's when I decided to call in a pressure washing company near me.
Arriving in a crew cab truck, and towing a large water tank, the team piled out. The first thing the team leader asked me was if I had any concerns. I mentioned that I wanted to protect the flowering trees and shrubs near the house. I asked if they'd be exposed to damaging chemicals. Apparently they cover the plants with protective tarps, before they start and that was part of their regular preparation with every pressure washing service. But they said they would also thoroughly soak the gardens with water to dilute any of the chemicals if they land on the ground around the plants.
Wow. Good thinking!
I gave the head guy a brief rundown on how I'd just moved into the place; and because the house was so under-maintained for years; and because they pretty much cover every square inch of the property as they're pressure washing; and because I was worried that there were exterior elements that might need work... Would they mind keeping an eye out for loose/broken shingles, or windows, siding, tiles, paving stones, rotting window frames, torn/missing window screens, yadda yadda?
I was assured they would, even though I know and they know, that it's not part of their job, I was really impressed with their willingness to help out. He'd make sure the team knew to mentally note anything loose, broken or rotted, as they were cleaning.
Even though they came with a crew, they took most of the day to pressure wash the exterior of the house, the roof and gutters, the driveway, the porch, the patio, the low brick wall (on the perimeter) and all vertical and horizontal surfaces around the property. What a job! But they pressure washed it beautifully!
The mold, moss and mildew were gone. The driveway oil slicks were gone and so were all of the other stains. It was like a new house! I was so happy with the results, I asked them to pressure wash the windows and screens while they were there.
Now that the outside is clean, I can start on getting it painted and repair the items they mentioned. At least now, it's not an eyesore to me or the neighbors. And I'm not stressed out every time I pull into my driveway. By the way, I can't imagine hiring anyone else for pressure washing services. These guys and gals were the best. To book your pressure washing appointment, visit the website here.