Living in Wilmington, NC means enjoying coastal weather, beautiful beaches, and warm summers. It also means preparing for the occasional hurricane or tropical storm.
After a major storm passes through the area, homeowners are often left dealing with more than just fallen branches and yard debris. Rain, wind, standing water, dirt, leaves, and organic material can leave the exterior of a home looking completely different.
Once the immediate cleanup is finished, professional exterior cleaning can help restore your property and remove the buildup left behind by the storm.
How Storms Affect Your Home’s Exterior
Hurricanes and tropical storms can expose your home to large amounts of rain and wind in a relatively short period.
That weather can move dirt, mud, leaves, pollen, and other debris onto surfaces around your property.
You may notice buildup on:
- Driveways
- Sidewalks
- Patios
- Siding
- Fences
- Decks
- Exterior walls
- Outdoor living areas
Even areas that normally stay relatively clean can become dirty after a significant storm.
Rain Can Leave Behind Dirt and Grime
Heavy rainfall can wash soil and other debris across your property.
As the water moves across driveways, walkways, patios, and other surfaces, it can leave behind muddy or dirty areas once everything dries.
What initially looks like a minor mess can become much more noticeable once the surface dries.
Professional pressure washing can help remove this surface buildup and restore the appearance of concrete and other durable exterior surfaces.
Wind Can Spread Organic Debris
Strong winds can blow leaves, branches, pine needles, and other organic material throughout your property.
Some debris is easy to pick up by hand, but smaller particles can become embedded in textured concrete and other exterior surfaces.
Removing the larger debris first and then professionally cleaning the affected surfaces can help restore your property after the storm.
Your Driveway May Need Extra Attention
Driveways can take a beating during severe weather.
Mud, leaves, dirt, and organic material can collect on the concrete, particularly in areas where water flows across the surface.
After everything dries, you may be left with:
- Mud stains
- Dark discoloration
- Leaf stains
- Dirt buildup
- Green organic growth
Pressure washing can remove much of this surface buildup and make the driveway look significantly cleaner.
Check Your Sidewalks and Walkways
Don’t forget about the areas people use to access your home.
Sidewalks, walkways, front steps, and patios can collect dirt and organic material during a storm.
If these areas remain damp or shaded afterward, algae and other organic growth may also become more noticeable.
Keeping these surfaces clean can improve both the appearance and usability of your outdoor areas.
Storm Moisture Can Encourage Organic Growth
Wilmington’s naturally humid environment already creates favorable conditions for algae and mildew.
A major storm adds even more moisture to the equation.
If surfaces remain damp for extended periods, organic growth may become more noticeable.
This can be particularly common on shaded siding, concrete, fences, decks, and other exterior surfaces.
Don’t Pressure Wash Storm Damage
It’s important to understand that pressure washing isn’t a substitute for storm-damage repairs.
If a hurricane has damaged your roof, siding, gutters, windows, or other structural components, those issues should be addressed first.
Look for signs such as:
- Missing shingles
- Cracked siding
- Damaged gutters
- Broken windows
- Loose exterior materials
- Exposed areas of the home
Cleaning should come after necessary repairs and once the property is safe.
Roof Cleaning Requires a Different Approach
Storms can leave leaves and other debris on your roof.
However, homeowners should be careful about attempting to clean roofing materials with high-pressure equipment.
Asphalt shingles and other roofing materials can be damaged by excessive pressure.
If your roof needs cleaning after a storm, a professional can determine whether soft washing or another appropriate cleaning method is needed.
What About Fences and Decks?
Fences and decks can collect dirt, leaves, and moisture during severe weather.
Wood surfaces can be particularly sensitive to excessive pressure.
Professional cleaning can help remove surface buildup while preparing the material for additional maintenance such as staining or sealing when appropriate.
If your deck or fence was already weathered before the storm, post-storm cleaning can also be a good opportunity to evaluate its overall condition.
When Should You Pressure Wash After a Storm?
There’s no need to rush outside with a pressure washer immediately after a hurricane.
First, make sure the property is safe and that any necessary storm cleanup and repairs have been completed.
Once the area is safe and surfaces have had an opportunity to dry, you can evaluate what actually needs to be cleaned.
For larger storms, professional cleaning may be especially helpful because there can be significantly more buildup than a homeowner can reasonably remove with a garden hose.
Can Pressure Washing Remove Salt and Coastal Buildup?
Coastal properties can also experience exposure to salt and other airborne contaminants.
A major storm can move additional moisture and debris across exterior surfaces.
While pressure washing can remove many contaminants from appropriate surfaces, the cleaning method should always be selected based on the material being cleaned.
Different surfaces require different levels of pressure and cleaning techniques.
Storm Cleanup Can Improve Your Home’s Appearance
After spending time cleaning up fallen branches and other storm debris, homeowners may notice that their property still doesn’t look quite right.
That’s because much of the remaining mess isn’t necessarily large debris.
It’s the dirt, mud, organic material, and staining left behind on the surfaces themselves.
Professional exterior cleaning can provide the finishing step that helps your property look clean again.
Don’t Forget About Gutters
Heavy storms can also fill gutters with leaves and other debris.
Clogged gutters can prevent rainwater from draining properly and may cause water to overflow.
After a major storm, it’s a good idea to inspect your gutters and make sure they are functioning properly.
If they are difficult or unsafe to reach, professional gutter cleaning can help remove accumulated debris.
Getting Your Wilmington Property Back to Normal
Hurricanes and tropical storms are part of living along the North Carolina coast.
While you can’t control the weather, you can control how you maintain your property afterward.
Once repairs and major debris removal are complete, professional pressure washing and exterior cleaning can help remove the dirt and organic buildup left behind.
From driveways and sidewalks to siding, patios, fences, and other exterior surfaces, a thorough cleaning can help your Wilmington, NC property look like itself again.
If your home has been left dirty after a hurricane or tropical storm, don’t assume the buildup will disappear on its own. Addressing it sooner can help restore your property’s appearance and get your exterior maintenance back on track.