Moonworks Expert Interview Series: Dave Notte

Dave Notte is the managing director at Shack Shine, a house detailing services company, specializing in everything from window and house washing to gutter cleaning. We recently asked Dave for tips on keeping your home’s exterior sparkling. Here’s what he had to say:

When and how often should we be washing our homes’ exteriors?

This varies on multiple factors such as the terrain and climate you live in, the age of your home, and the materials it’s made out of. Many of our customers choose to get their siding washed in the spring so the exterior of their home is nice and shiny for the summer.

What is the correct way to wash a house? What are the dos and don’ts of cleaning a home’s exterior?

Each type of exterior will require its own unique method for proper cleaning. The most important thing to note in this whole process is ensuring the proper techniques are used for all the different types of materials out there.

Shack Shine uses multiple methods from a light scrub with a brush and water to a commercial grade pressure washer. Methods and techniques will differ depending on the house, the type of siding, and essentially how dirty the house really is. Using the wrong method can cause damage to the exterior of your home and potentially void any warranties you may have.

Shack Shine recommends not using any harsh chemicals to wash the exterior of your home as some cleaning agents and products can harm paint and other surfaces. If you do decide to use chemicals, ensure the products are approved for your specific type of exterior.

What are the risks of not keeping the exterior of a home clean?

Dirt, dust, mildew and other debris will accumulate on the siding as well as other surfaces of your home and set in over time. This will eventually leave stains on the exterior of your home, which often become difficult to remove. The harder a stain becomes, the more damage it will require to remove it. When a stain is too stubborn, the only option left is to paint over it. A dirty exterior can also attract bugs, germs and other neighborhood pests to your home which can cause further damage, as well as pose potential health risks.

What are the most important exterior home maintenance projects homeowners should tackle regularly?

One of the most important maintenance tasks for your home is a regular gutter cleaning. It is essential to clear gutter drain water safely away from your home into the perimeter drain. If your gutters overflow, water can enter the building envelope causing rot and other damage.

What areas of the home do you find homeowners are most likely to overlook or forget about?

Many homeowners often forget about gutter cleaning. Because of where the gutters are located, it’s tough to see what’s going on inside of them. It doesn’t take the heaviest of rainstorms to clog up gutters as they can very quickly begin to overflow. The best way to prevent this is to schedule a regular time for cleaning your gutters throughout the year.

How often should homeowners be cleaning their windows?

How often homeowners should be cleaning their windows will depend on the climate they live in. At Shack Shine, many of our customers have us come in and clean their windows twice a year. Windows tend to attract an abundant amount of dirt and debris which sticks to their surface. The longer things sit on the window and bake in the sun, the harder it is to get the window clean. Spring time is our peak season for window washing as the sunny weather really shows off the dirt and streaks on windows. Many Shack Shine customers also bring us in for a fall window washing service to clean off everything that has accumulated over the spring and summer.

What are best practices for window cleaning?

When cleaning windows, the most most important thing to consider is safety. Shack Shine uses extension poles in order to minimize the use of ladders. Most windows are cleaned from the ground which is much safer than placing ladders all over your home. Shack Shine uses purified deionized water for washing windows in order to get a spot free shine.

What are the benefits to homeowners of making sure their home’s exterior sparkles?

Your home is your biggest investment, and we believe you should be proud of it! What better way is there to show your pride than ensuring your house is shining at all times. Regular maintenance is one of the best ways to add to the resale value of your home. A clean and well maintained home will increase the curb appeal of your property and signal to potential buyers that your house has been well looked after.

What other exterior home improvement projects are smart investments for homeowners?

Power washing is one of the best ways to add instant curb appeal to your home. A freshly washed driveway, walkway, clean exterior gutter surfaces and sparkling siding and trim looks amazing from a street view. Your neighbors will definitely take notice.