How to Prepare Your Home’s Exterior for Winter

Category Archive: Latest News

1. How to Prepare Your Home’s Exterior for Winter

   October 17, 2017 8:48 pm

   Winter weather can be tough on all of us. Aside from being a little unpleasant for us humans, it can also be pretty hard on the exterior of homes. The good news is, there’s something you can do to keep your house happy and in good shape to handle the elements. It’s as simple as taking the time to complete a good deep clean before the season hits.

   Top Exterior Cleaning Tasks for Winter

   When it comes to prepping your home for winter, there are a few things you should pay attention to. Of course, your concerns will be slightly different depending on where you live. (You won’t worry so much about things freezing up if you live in a warmer climate.) Just follow these guidelines as they apply to where you live, and your house will love you for it.

   Gutter cleaning

   It’s very important to clean out your gutters before it gets too cold. If your gutters are clogged up with leaves and debris, they can get backed up and fill with water. When the first heavy rainstorm hits, your gutters can overflow, causing water to leak out and damage your home’s siding, roof, or foundation.

   

   When the temperature drops, any water that is trapped in your gutters can freeze, causing them to sag under the increased weight. They could even fall down or pull away from the house completely. This could result in costly repairs, which you definitely want to avoid!

   Thankfully, you can avoid these problems by making sure you clean out your gutters at the end of fall or early winter. This will ensure that water can flow freely through them, preventing damage during a rainstorm or after a snowfall.

   House washing

   Have you ever noticed the surface of your house looking a little green or extra dirty at the end of a long winter? This is likely due to the buildup of mold, mildew, moss, and algae on those outdoor surfaces. These substances can flourish in winter weather conditions, thanks to the often damp weather. Any accumulated dirt can also help create ideal conditions for them to grow during the season.

   They can grow on just about any surface, including wood or vinyl siding, stucco, and more. The good news is, it’s easy to help make these surfaces last longer. A good cleaning before the winter weather hits can help prevent it from taking hold. This can be in the form of a good scrub, or power washing, depending on the surface. During the house washing, it’s also a good time to clear away debris and clean the foundation of your home. This helps to prevent damage, and also helps you spot any existing damage.

   

   Pressure washing

   Mold mildew, moss, and algae can also grow on ground surfaces such as patios, decks, and driveways. Without regular cleaning, these substances can start to break down the materials, which could mean you’ll need to replace them a lot earlier than anticipated. Cleaning these surfaces before winter can help prevent them from building up over the cold months, which can lessen the damage over time, and ensure they last longer.

   Window washing

   Dirty windows can do more than just make your view a little less pleasant. They can actually make it harder for the light to make its way inside your home. By some estimates, dirty window glass cuts daylight by 20%, which can not only have an impact on your mood but also your heating bill.

   Sunlight reflects off of the smudges, which means it’s can’t get in to heat the inside of your house during the day. Dirt and smudges can also make windows less efficient at conducting heat in general, which means you’ll probably need to crank up the heat in order to stay warm during the winter months.

   

   Another thing to consider is that glass is porous, and over time, any dirt (or salt from snowstorms) that accumulates will start to break down the surface. Once this happens, you’ll need to replace your windows. Of course, this can be quite costly and is definitely something you want to avoid doing. Thankfully, keeping your windows clean will ensure your windows last longer and don’t need to be replaced earlier than they should be.

   Keeping up with a regular maintenance schedule will certainly save you money on repairs in the long run. So make sure to give the outside of your home a good clean before winter! You’ll be glad you did.

2. Why Fall is an Important Time to Clean your Gutters

   September 13, 2017 6:53 pm

   You know you have gutters (also called eavestroughs in some areas) on your house and you know you have to clean them every once in awhile. What you shouldn’t do is leave them until they’re already clogged up before you clear them out. It’s important to make sure all that debris is gone before winter arrives. Here’s why you should make sure those gutters get cleaned out every fall, no matter where you live.

   

   Leaves Collecting in Your Gutters

   The first signs of fall are unmistakable—the air gets a little crisp and the leaves on the trees begin to change color. It’s a gorgeous sight, but it’s also a sign of a whole lot of work ahead. After all, those leaves will soon fall off those trees and many of them will end up in your gutters.

   While it’s still dry out, the leaves won’t cause much of a problem. However, as soon as you get your first heavy rain storm, the problems will start to pop up. If your gutters are filled with leaves, the rain can’t drain out properly. When this happens, your gutters will overflow and the water could cause water damage to walls, soffits, fascia, siding, basements, and even your foundation.

   If water does back up in your eavestroughs, the debris and pooling water can start to eat away at the gutter materials, which can cause holes and leaks. Once you have holes, it might not be a simple fix—you could end up having to replace your gutters entirely.

   On-going Maintenance for Healthy Gutters

   As you may have guessed, gutters are not cheap to replace. This is why regular gutter maintenance is so important. A small investment of time and money now will save you a ton in the future.

   How often you clean your gutters depends largely on where you live. If you live in an area without any trees around, you can probably get away with cleaning your gutters just once a year, since they aren’t filling up with leaves and other debris as quickly. Of course, if there is a tree close to your house that does lose its leaves, you might have to clean them more often.

   

   If you live in a place surrounded by plenty of lush, green trees, you’re going to need to clean your gutters a whole lot more often than those who live in desert climates. Most leafy trees lose leaves in the fall, which makes a fall cleaning essential. The type of trees you have nearby also makes a difference—if you have trees like pine or any tree with needles, you might need to clean them 3 or 4 times a year. If you have a tree with falling blossoms, you might need an extra cleaning in spring.

   Winter is Coming

   The risk of clogged gutters doesn’t end once the leaves have fallen off the trees. If you don’t clear them out before winter, all that debris and water sitting in your eavestroughs can freeze when the temperature drops. When it’s frozen, any water from melting snow has nowhere to go, and can seep through your roof, causing water damage.

   When the water and debris freezes, it also gets heavier, which could cause the gutters to sag. The extra weight can also cause the hardware that secures the gutters to the house to pull away from the house, or even come loose completely. In this scenario, your gutters could completely fall down, which would mean you will need to replace them or at least reinstall them.

   

   If you want to ensure your gutters last a long time, keep up with a regular maintenance schedule. Fall is the perfect time to clean them, no matter where you live. So make sure you add gutter cleaning to your fall to-do list!

3. Why Cleaning Your Outside Windows is Important

   August 14, 2017 10:16 pm

   Cleaning the outside of your windows is something most of us probably tend to put off. After all, nothing bad can happen if we decide to ignore it, right? Wrong. Letting dirt and grime build up on your windows can do a whole lot more damage than you think. Read on to find out exactly what you could be facing if you don’t get those windows cleaned regularly.

   Benefits of Regular Window Cleaning

   The most obvious benefit of having clean windows is being able to enjoy the view! Whether your windows look out onto a cityscape or views of the wilderness, there’s something so calming about being able to sit and look out the window. It’s good for the soul and keeping your windows clean is essential if you want to make the most of your views.

   Regular cleaning also makes it easier to keep them clean in the future. If you leave them for too long, it might not be so easy to get them sparkling clean, since it’s harder to remove caked on dirt and grime. Basically, you’ll be saving yourself a big cleaning job in the future if you keep up with a regular cleaning schedule.

   

   Improves Curb Appeal

   Curb appeal isn’t only important when you’re looking to sell your house. It’s something you should try to keep up all year long. After all, it feels good to have the best looking house on the block, doesn’t it? Having dirty windows might not seem like the sort of thing that would make a huge difference to your home’s curb appeal, the truth is, it does.

   If you let dirt and grime build up on the outside of your windows, your house will start to look older and more run down. When you keep those windows clean and clear, you’ll keep your house looking great for years to come.

   Extends the Life of Your Exterior Windows

   As you likely know, replacing the windows in your home is not a job that comes cheap. It can be extremely expensive and is something you want to avoid having to do very often. However, if you let your windows go for too long between washes, you might have to replace them a lot sooner than you think.

   Glass is porous, which means that over time, dirt, grime, and even salt from harsh winters can start to break down the glass. Once the glass is weakened, it becomes more susceptible to breaking. Caked on dirt can also cause discoloration and permanently damage the opacity of the glass, leaving you with windows that always look a bit dirty, even when they are clean.

   You can also cause damage to the seals around the frame of the window, which can cause air leaks, fogging, and condensation that has a negative implication for energy bills and can cause mold issues.

   

   .

   It Brings in Natural Light

   We, humans, are sensitive creatures—we need exposure to natural light in order to feel good. Dirty windows can affect how much light actually gets inside your home since the dirt can actually block out portions of sunlight. This can make it seem darker and more gloomy inside your home, which isn’t helpful for our moods.

   But did you know that this same issue can make it more expensive to heat your home too? In the winter months, the sunlight streaming through the windows actually helps to keep your house warm. But if those windows are covered in dirt, not as much sunshine gets in, leaving you with a higher heating bill at the end of the season.

   Saves You Money in the Long Run

   Spending the money to have your windows professionally cleaned now will save you money big time down the road. As we mentioned earlier, replacing your windows is not a quick, easy, or cheap process. It can be extremely expensive but can be avoided by simply taking the time to keep up with regular maintenance. After all, you want to do everything you can to protect your investment, right?

   

   With regular cleanings, you can keep the glass in good shape and ensure your windows will last a long time. Your home will love you!

    

4. Shining the Neighborhood

   July 25, 2017 11:05 pm

   At Shack Shine, we understand your home is important to you and that’s why we’re in the business of helping our customers have the shiniest homes on the block. Our jobs allow us to cross paths with many people in our communities and maintain valuable relationships. You could say we’re passionate about our work and our communities alike. This passion is what led the Shack Shine team from Vancouver Metro South to help a local family with the maintenance of their outdoor space on Friday, July 21, 2017.

   

   Surrey BC resident Nadia is a single mom who moved into her current home about 4 years ago. A demanding schedule and juggling life between work and her family makes it challenging for Nadia to upkeep the curb appeal of her home. And it certainly isn’t something she has the resources to do. Shaun Bicego, Gavin Simpson, and Kit Hulbert run Shack Shine operations in Surrey. During a routine job, they were introduced to Nadia through a customer. After hearing Nadia’s story the trio wanted to pay it forward and help. They offered to detail her home free of charge.

   “What a wonderful feeling it was when they told me they would like to help me,” says Nadia. “Their generosity will go a long way for me, something I will never forget.” Donated services included power washing, gutter cleaning, and window washing. A crew of five technicians worked to detail Nadia’s home and completed the project within a few hours. “It’s nice to be able to give a neighbor a helping hand,” says Shack Shine technician Keith Winsor, “we’re glad we could help.”

   At Shack Shine, we believe in giving back and helping out in the communities we call home. We’re shining neighborhoods one home at a time.

   Learn more about the Shack Shine Vancouver Metro South team here

   

5. How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters?

   July 20, 2017 10:23 pm

   Most homeowners know that their gutters need to be cleaned every so often. But it’s likely that everyone has a different idea of just how often they need to be cleaned. Is it once a year? Twice a year? Or should you just wait until you notice a problem? (Just kidding, don’t do that!)

   How Often Should Homeowners Clean Their Gutters?

   How often you clean your gutters largely depends on where you live. More specifically, it depends on what type of climate you live in, and what kind of plants are around your home.

   If you live in a desert climate where it’s very hot and dry, chances are there aren’t a ton of plants and trees around. That means you can likely get away with cleaning your gutters just once a year since they aren’t filling up with leaves and other debris as quickly. Of course, if there’s a tree right beside your house that does lose its leaves, you might have to clean them more often. 

   If you live in the woods, or a place surrounded by plenty of lush, green trees, you’re going to need to clean your gutters a whole lot more often than those who live in desert climates. Most leafy trees lose leaves, which will require you to clean your at least 2 times a year. The type of trees you have nearby also makes a difference—if you have trees like pine or any tree with needles, you might need to clean them 3 or 4 times a year. If you have a tree with falling blossoms, you might need an extra cleaning in spring.

   Of course, if you live in a place with super cold winters, you might end up having to worry about ice dams building up in your gutters. This happens when water freezes and clogs up your gutters, which can block the flow of water. Once the water freezes, it can start to weigh down on your gutters, causing them to sag. If you think you might have ice dams in your gutters, it’s best to call in a professional to take care of it, since it can be dangerous to try and deal with the slippery surfaces on your own.

   

   What Happens if You Don’t Do Regular Maintenance?

   So, what happens if you forget to clean your gutters, or willfully decide to ignore them? Well, a whole lot can go wrong. If you neglect to take proper care of your gutters, you will likely end up with damaged gutters that need to be repaired or replaced. However, it can get much worse than having to pay for new gutters—you could end up causing damage to other parts of your house as well. If your gutters start to overflow, you could end up with some serious water damage. (All of these potential issues are pretty expensive to repair, we might add.)

   Clogged Gutters and Downspouts

   The main job of gutters is to keep water away from the foundation of your home. When your gutters become clogged, that water has to go somewhere. It usually drips down, where it can cause all sorts of problems. It could cause problems with your foundation, or end up seeping into your basement and causing varying amounts of water damage. It can also get in behind wooden siding and cause the wood to rot. If you’ve ever had to deal with any amount of water damage in your home, you know how difficult it can be to repair. You might also end up having to replace damaged items, which could be costly.

   Mold and Mildew

   If you continue to ignore those gutters because they seem fine structurally, there could be another problem brewing inside the gutters. When you leave debris to sit in your gutters, it can start to grow mold and mildew. While this might not seem like a huge problem at first, what you need to know is that mold spreads very quickly. It can easily spread to the inside of your home, causing a host of issues, the most concerning being health problems. Many people are allergic to mold, and it can make you quite sick. It’s also tricky and expensive to get rid of, so it’s best to stop it before it starts.

   Roof Damage

   If there’s one thing most homeowners want to avoid replacing, it’s probably their roof. It can be quite a disruptive process. So if you want to keep your roof in good condition, you’ll want to make sure your gutters are in good shape. If you let those gutters get clogged up, overflowing water can end up seeping onto the roof. When this happens, you could end up with leaks, which will cause damage to your roof and the inside of your home. Water damage is difficult to deal with, and as you likely already know, it’s usually pretty expensive.

   

   So, if you want to ensure your home stays happy and healthy for as long as possible, it’s important to keep those gutters clean!

6. 6 Common Gutter Problems Homeowners Should be Aware Of

   June 13, 2017 4:09 pm

   You probably don’t spend your days thinking about the health of your gutters. If you’re like most people, you don’t think about them at all! Unless, of course, something goes wrong. So why are gutters so important, and why should you pay attention to them?

   Gutters serve one main purpose; to channel water away from the foundation of your home. Obviously, it’s important to keep your foundation in good shape, since that’s literally what is holding up your entire home. In order to keep water away from the foundation, your gutters need to be kept in good condition. That’s a pretty good reason to make sure they’re in good condition.

   

   Prevent Damage with Proper Gutter Maintenance

   Don’t worry. Keeping your gutters clean and free of debris isn’t all that hard. You don’t have to watch them every day to spot problems. All it takes is sticking to a schedule of regular maintenance. That means not just letting them sit month after month. If you commit to regular yearly maintenance, you’ll ensure that your gutters will last for many years to come.

   1. Gutters not Draining or Clogged Gutters

   The most common problem we see with gutters is clogging. When gutters become clogged, they can’t drain properly and can start to overflow during rainstorms. When the water can’t pass through properly, it can start to cause problems with your foundation. That’s why it’s so important to keep your gutters clean—you want the water to be able to flow through easily.

   To keep them free of debris, stick to a twice a year maintenance program. This might vary depending on the climate you live in, but usually, it’s a good idea to clear them out in late fall after most of the leaves have fallen, and in spring (in March or April) to make sure they’re clear for those April showers.

   If you feel like you’re dealing with an extra amount of debris, you can also look at installing gutter covers. However, these can be pretty expensive, and still require some maintenance.

   

   2. Sagging Gutters

   If you let your gutters clog up with debris like leaves, twigs, and standing water, overflowing water isn’t the only problem you’ll face. The weight from this debris can also cause gutters to sag. This is usually caused by loose hangers (the hardware that secures the gutters to the house), which pull out when they can’t hold the extra weight. You can often fix this by simply tightening the screws again, but it could also be caused by the hangers being spaced too far apart. In this case, you’ll need to install new ones, ensuring that they’re close enough together.

   3. Leaks and Holes

   If you notice a stream of water pouring down from the middle of your gutters, it’s likely that your gutters have sprung a leak. Leaks and holes can happen pretty easily and are usually pretty simple to fix. You can use gutter sealant to caulk the seams to repair leaky seams, while larger holes will need to be patched. Patching kits are easily found at most hardware stores, and are easy to use. Just make sure that when you’re patching a hole, you’re using the same material as the gutter to patch it—using a different material can cause erosion.

   4. Damaged Gutters

   Gutter damage can also happen in other ways. The main culprit being the weather. During a heavy rainstorm or windstorm, gutters can be knocked down or damaged. In this case, fixing them might be as simple as rehanging them, or you might need to replace certain sections. In this case, there’s not much you can do to prevent it, other than making sure your gutters are properly installed and aren’t already loose.

   

   5. Improperly Pitched Gutters

   In order for water to flow properly, gutters need to be angled (pitched) correctly. The slope should sit at the correct angle, which is at least a quarter inch for every 10 feet of gutter. If you think your gutters might not be pitched properly, it’s easy to tell. Just get up on a ladder after a rainstorm; if you see standing water, you’ll likely need to adjust the pitch. Sometimes this is as easy as bending it into place, but you might need to totally reinstall the hangers, which is a much bigger job.

   6. An Inadequate Gutter System

   Some homes just don’t have any gutters at all, which can cause all sorts of problems. It’s important to have a proper system in place to help prevent damage to your siding and foundation during rainstorms. If you need new gutters, it’s best to get them professionally installed. Doing so will help you avoid most of the common problems we discussed above. As for the type of gutters to choose, aluminum is a great choice. If you maintain them properly, they can last forever.

7. Why This Millennial Believes Franchising is the ‘Fastest Route to Financial Freedom’

   June 6, 2017 2:59 pm

   

   For baby boomers, the most coveted job was anything with stability — and if you were lucky enough to land one, you generally stayed put. This was on the heels of hard economic times when people couldn’t afford the risk of stepping out on their own.

   But 25-year-old Myles Reville is tired of our risk-averse society. To millennials, life isn’t about benefits and pensions and slaving away until retirement; it’s about doing what you love to build a future for yourself and your family.

   Myles decided he never wanted to work for someone else again — but starting a business alone as a millennial with debt seemed impossible. Aspiring entrepreneurs are often wary of franchise opportunities, but Myles broke the mold and found freedom in an unexpected place: as a franchise owner with Shack Shine. This is his story.

   

   O2E: Why should millennials consider franchising?

    

   MR: Society today is obsessed with mitigating risk. People are so afraid of failure that they get stuck in a corporate bubble working their lives away for someone else’s benefit.

   For young people with debt and little experience, the easy route is to follow along with the status quo. The alternative isn’t appealing; to start a business, you have to incur more debt first and you might not end up making any money. Capital can be hard to come by and it’s a hard thing to overcome for aspiring entrepreneurs.

   But with franchising, the cost of entry is far less than starting up on your own. At 25 years old, I’m already building real equity. Franchising makes business ownership possible for millennials, and it’s the fastest route to financial freedom.

   O2E: When did you decide to look into franchising?

    

   MR: I previously owned a College Pro painting business and that experience gave me the entrepreneurial bug. I left to try the corporate world because I thought that’s what I wanted — but within three months, I was absolutely miserable and hated working for someone else. So I started looking for opportunities that I could afford to get into, and that would work here in Toronto. I wanted a career I could have fun at while also making money.

   O2E: How did you find Shack Shine?

    

   MR: I was actively looking at different franchise opportunities but nothing held my interest. I live near the Toronto offices for O2E Brands and I used to walk by every day on my way to work. After I looked the company up on LinkedIn, I got a message from founder and CEO Brian Scudamore. He asked if I was interested in opening a Shack Shine franchise.

   I was on the fence at first because I was still exploring my options. But this opportunity literally fell into my lap and I knew I couldn’t let it pass me by. I talked with my partner and we both agreed that Shack Shine would work perfectly for us.

   I flew out to head office in Vancouver and drove my brand new Shack Shine van back to Toronto. I hired my first employees on the way and we hit the ground running when I got home.

   O2E: What made Shack Shine the perfect opportunity for you?

    

   MR: I like making decisions and I feel uncomfortable when my future is in someone else’s hands — so working in a corporate job was never conducive to how I operate. I’m a problem solver and I enjoy taking on responsibility. As a franchise partner, I get to take ownership of my own business and I have control over the day-to-day.

   At the same time, I have the support of the entire network. By choosing to do business in a proven system like Shack Shine, I’ve surrounded myself with successful, hardworking individuals that motivate me to build the strongest business I can.

   O2E: What’s on the horizon for you and your franchise?

    

   MR: I’m looking ahead to big-scale growth. I want to take my business to the next level by establishing massive roots in our community.

   I’m not as concerned about the money or how much I’m making personally (though it’s definitely a perk). My biggest focus is to the get the brand and the business going full-tilt on an operational level. It’s about creating a name for ourselves through our efficiency and quality of service.

   O2E: What advice do you have for people looking into franchising?

    

   MR: Just do it. It takes real guts to kick yourself over the edge but once you’re in it, it’s not as scary as it seems. Yes, it’s tough and you need to grind it out to be successful. But the franchise network is there for support and they have the right systems in place. If you use them properly, everything will roll out nicely.

    

   LEARN MORE

8. What is the Difference Between Power Washing vs Pressure Washing?

   May 25, 2017 10:28 pm

   We often hear the terms power washing and pressure washing being used interchangeably. But are they really the same thing? Or are they completely different? It might seem a bit confusing, but we’re here to help clear things up, once and for all.

   The short answer is this: they are the same, but different! (Don’t worry, the longer answer is a whole lot more helpful.)

   

   The basic function is the same: they both use highly pressurized water to help remove dirt and other materials from hard surfaces. While they are very similar processes, there are some key differences that determine how you use each service. Knowing these differences will help you determine which service you actually need to help get your home looking fresh and clean again.

   The Difference Between Power Washing vs a Pressure Washing

   As far as the water pressure is concerned, they both use similar amounts of pressure. How much pressure really just depends on the type of machine; a household unit won’t offer up as much power as an industrial machine.

   If we’re talking strictly about the types of the machines, there is one key element that differentiates a power washer from a pressure washer: a heating element. Both machines create a powerful stream of high-pressure water, but a power washer also heats up the water. This might seem like a small difference, but it actually makes a huge difference in how each is used.

   What is Power Washing?

   A power washer uses a high-pressure stream of very hot water to blast away dirt and materials from outdoor surfaces. The combination of high pressure and the temperature of the water make it better at removing all those truly stuck on materials from surfaces. It’s great for removing residue like salt, mildew, and mold from outdoor patios, decks, driveways, and more. The added heat also makes it particularly good at removing things like chewing gum from sidewalks. Power washing is also exceptionally great for handling grease stains on driveways or garage floors.

   

   It’s also useful for helping to control weeds and moss—the powerful blast of hot water can kill them and stop them from growing back right away. Power washing is ideal for any situation where the surface is heavily saturated or has a lot of dirt or other matter to clean off. Essentially, power washing is the more heavy duty option.

   What is Pressure Washing?

   Pressure washing is what you’ve most likely used at your home before. It uses the same high-pressure water blast as power washing but doesn’t use heated water. This regular temperature water still does an amazing job at blasting away dirt but doesn’t perform as well against moss, mold, or other tough stuck on substances. It still does an amazing job, but might not be able to get rid of tough stains on concrete.

   

   Certain Application Best Suited Based on the Job

   So, now that you know the main differences between power washing and pressure washing, it’s time to figure which one you need for your home. Which method you use depends entirely on the job.

   For regular household use, pressure washing is the way to go. It’s less harsh on surfaces, which makes it ideal for use on things like masonry, brick, and concrete. This is what you want to turn to when you’re looking to give your deck or patio a quick clean.

   For any larger jobs, like a large commercial space or an extra big driveway and patio space, go with power washing. The heated water usually helps to make the job go faster since the heat helps to loosen up the dirt. For that same reason, though, you have to be careful which surfaces you use it on. It’s best to stick to concrete and other hard surfaces when power washing, since the force of the hot water can do damage to softer surfaces.

   Whichever type of cleaning method you decide to do, keep in mind that it’s always best to hire a professional to take care of it for you. If you’re not properly trained on how to use a pressure washer or power washer, you could end up damaging the surface you’re working on. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

9. Spring Cleaning For the Outside of Your Home

   April 28, 2017 2:20 pm

   Winter is tough on us all. After months of harsh weather, we can’t wait for warmer temperatures and sunny days. A long winter can leave you feeling a little blue, but just imagine how it makes your house feel! After months of being blasted by winter weather, the outside of your house could definitely use a little TLC. So when it’s time to tackle spring cleaning on the inside of your home, it’s a good idea to think about cleaning the outside of your home as well.

   Wash those windows

   If you live somewhere that sees a little (or a lot) of snow, your windows are probably a whole lot dirtier than you realize. When salt and sand are put down on roads and sidewalks, it can quickly create a mess. As things melt, the salt, dirt, and sand ends up creating a film on the outside of your windows.

   

   Aside from not looking very nice, leaving all that dirt on your windows can potentially cause bigger problems. Glass is porous, so over time, all the dirt and salt residue that accumulates will start to break down the surface. That means you might need to replace your windows more often, which definitely isn’t cheap.

   Get ready for patio season

   As the weather gets nicer, you’ll find yourself wanting to spend more time outside, enjoying the weather. If you’ve got a patio or deck, it’s a good idea to get it cleaned before you set it up. After all the snow, ice, and rain, you’ll likely be dealing with some degree of moss or mildew buildup on your deck or patio.

   

   An easy way to clean your deck or patio is to get it pressure washed, though, for some tough stains, it might require some scrubbing. It’s also a good time to scrub down any patio furniture that has been stored outside, so it’s fresh and clean for you and your guests.

   De-gunk those gutters

   While you probably think about gutter cleaning as something you typically take care of in late fall, it’s a good idea to have them cleared out again in spring. You don’t want to have to deal with any blockages when those spring showers come. While you’re having the inside of your gutters cleaned out, it’s a good idea to give the outside a scrub down too. You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference it makes once you scrub off the dirt from the outer surface of your gutters.

   

   Increase your curb appeal

   Think curb appeal is only important if you’re selling your home? Think again! When the weather gets nicer, everyone is out and about. It’s nice to have your home looking fresh with so many more eyes on it. By taking the time to pressure wash your driveway, clean your windows, and have the dirt and grime removed from your siding and the outside of your home, you’re actually also making sure that these surfaces last longer. If you don’t clean them regularly, it’s possible that they could deteriorate a lot quicker than they normally would.

   By following these spring cleaning tips, you’ll get your house looking great, while also ensuring a longer life for those outdoor surfaces.

10. Unfulfilled and Burnt Out: How to Know It’s Time to Become Your Own Boss

    April 24, 2017 5:41 pm

    

    A few years ago, Dan Vrskovy’s life was a blur of traffic jams, overtime, and crunching numbers. He was busting his chops to make a living for his family — but his work left little spare time for home life.

    He was unfulfilled, burnt out and ready for a change. So Dan and his wife quit their jobs and moved out West for a fresh start and to be closer to family. He was done with working hard to build a business for someone else — so he decided to make a future of his own. Here’s how he did it.

    

    O2E: How has your life changed since buying a Shack Shine franchise?

     

    DV: My wife and I both used to drive long commutes and put in long, hard hours at our jobs. We worked at big companies that didn’t give us much fulfillment, or allow time for each other or our dog.

    I always felt a disconnect between myself and my work. Now, I wake up everyday with a purpose to grow the business and be the best we can be. Our customer feedback has always been extremely positive. It’s very rewarding to hear that.

    O2E: How did you know it was time to make a change?

     

    DV: I was a chartered accountant for an oil and gas company in Calgary, Alberta. I really didn’t love being at a desk all day, every day.

    My wife and I decided that if we were going to work as hard as we were, it shouldn’t be for someone else — it should be for ourselves. We also wanted to be closer to family and to have a change of pace. So we moved to Kelowna, BC, where my wife joined her family business and I started Shack Shine Okanagan.

    O2E: Why did you decide to buy a franchise?

     

    DV: I initially was looking for accounting jobs but quickly realized the pay cut would be significant from what I had in Alberta. That’s when I started looking into self-employment opportunities.

    I figured I had three options: I could start a business on my own, purchase an existing business, or buy a franchise.

    I had very little small business experience and also little experience in any specific industry — so buying an existing business or starting my own would be a big risk. Franchising made the most sense.

    O2E: Why did you choose Shack Shine?

     

    DV: I have a friend who has been involved with Shack Shine from early on. He pitched it to me when they were first starting to franchise — but I wasn’t fully sold on franchising yet.

    Once I explored the other two options, it became clear that franchising was perfect for me. There’s a balance of owning your own business, but you also have the support of an established, proven system.

    I’ve also always enjoyed being outside and being active so that was a big reason why Shack Shine drew me in. It also seemed like a very recession-proof industry; there will always be demand for the services we provide.

    O2E: What advice would you give to people who are looking into franchising?

     

    DV: If you’re looking to be self-employed and you’re new to small business, you should definitely consider joining a franchise. The system provides so much support and gives you access to resources you’d never have without it.

    O2E Brands has been a great school for small business. I’ve learned more in the last year and a half with Shack Shine than I did in seven years of business school.

    O2E: Final thoughts?

     

    DV: It surprised me how much I’ve enjoyed creating and leading a team. With O2E Brands, I’m building something bigger than I ever could have done alone. I finally feel fulfilled by my career.

    I still put in long hours but it doesn’t feel like work. The administrative work I do (like scheduling, quoting and invoicing) can be done from home, so I can spend more time with my wife. It’s also gratifying to know that all the hard work is going towards building something of value — not for someone else, but for my family.

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