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Top Five Fall Maintenance Checklist

Top Five Fall Maintenance Checklist

Flatwork Cleaning, Gutter Guards, Newsletters

The Season has officially changed, and the inevitable Fall tasks are knocking at the door. No need to fret, Allbrite compiled a Fall Maintenance Checklist for you. It’s important to prep your home for each Season to ensure the longevity and the integrity of your home. Spending the time maintaining your home regularly will help avoid major headaches and ultimately save you money in the long run. Whether you are able to do the things on this checklist, or if you need to hire a professional, it’s vital to ensure they are completed!

1. Gutter Debris Cleaning-

Get your gutters cleaned from all debris! Your gutters are there to divert water away from the foundation of your home so keeping them clear and running smoothly is important.

2. Inspect Your Roof-

From top to bottom you want to check your roof for misshaped, loose, or missing shingles. Check the metal flashing around vents and chimneys for any damage. If you have a leak, stopping the problem before wind and ice start will help prevent disasters.

3. Pressure Wash Flat Surfaces-

Front porch, walkways, driveways and any stepping stones that are used on a regular basis should be free from green algae and mildew. Pressure washing these surfaces before Winter comes will help avoid those nasty slip and falls.

4. Winterize Your Outdoor Faucets-

Shut-off any valves that lead to your outdoor faucets before freezing temperatures. This ensures your outdoor faucet doesn’t freeze and burst.

5. Heating System Inspected-

Before you know it, you’ll be switching to your heating system. It’s a good idea to have your system checked by a professional before using to ward off any future issues.

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What Is Artillery Fungus?

FAQ

Our number one question that we get asked all the time is “What are those tiny black spots on our vinyl siding?” I’m here to tell you those tiny black spots are called “shotgun fungus” also known as Artillery Fungus. The scientific name is Sphaerobolus Stellatus.

This fungus gets it’s name because it expels from it’s fruiting bodies like a cannon. The mature spores can fire masses in the air up to several feet! This can reach second story vinyl siding – yikes! These tacky spores latch on to surfaces and are not only a nightmare but next to impossible to remove.

So where does this fungus come from exactly? The main culprit is infected mulch. Artillery fungus thrives in cooler, moist, and shady areas. If you notice artillery fungus on your siding, the infected mulch is not far away.

Unfortunately, Allbrite doesn’t have a recommendation for removal of the fungus. Pressure washing does not remove the spores. If a company tells you they can remove the spores RUN! That’s a fast track to damaged siding. The best solution is prevention. Especially if you have white vinyl siding. If you must have mulch by your siding, we do recommend to routinely check your mulch. If you start to notice black spots, remove the mulch immediately.

What Is Artillery Fungus? Read More »

Soft Wash Roof Cleaning Ellicott City, Maryland

Before & After Photos, Roof Cleaning

 

Learn more about our Soft Wash Roof Cleaning Service.

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Soft Washing vs. Pressure Washing

FAQ, House Washing, Roof Cleaning

What is the difference between soft washing and pressure washing?

It’s simple to nail down the difference between the two exterior cleaning methods.

  • Pressure washing is the use of high-pressure water spray on a surface to remove mold, mildew, dirt, grime, mud and more.
  • Soft washing is a low-pressure cleaning process with the use of chemicals on a surface to remove and break down lichen, mold, algae, bacteria, moss, dirt and more.

Soft washing is an alternative cleaning process for delicate surfaces such as roofs or vinyl siding. Allbrite’s team is trained in both pressure washing and soft washing methods to deliver you professional and knowledgeable service. To learn about the benefits of an Allbrite soft wash cleaning, click here. 

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How to Combat Clogged Gutters

Gutter Guards

As we transition into a new season, the leaves are starting to fall and our To-Do list has started to grow. Are your gutters ready? We now offer the best gutter guard solution in the industry!

We are now offering gutter guard installations with the most durable, professional product on the market – Raindrop Gutter Guards! 

Your gutters play a vital role in protecting your roof and in protecting your home as a whole. Proper drainage is important in maintaining your home and clogged gutters.

In an effort to have your gutters cleaned less often and decrease required maintenance, Raindrop Gutter Guards, in our opinion, is the best gutter guard system on the market! We never offered this service before because there wasn’t a product we stood behind. Now we are confident and excited to offer Raindrop Gutter Guards!

The versatility of Raindrop Gutter Guards is unmatched. It fits on most home, and most roof styles. Strong, durable & long lasting material is made from it’s own unique blend of polypropylene. This is a type of thermoplastic polymer resin that does not absorb water, does not mold or otherwise deteriorate, rubber-like composition, lightweight and very flexible.

The importance of proper drainage with your gutter system are:

  • Avoid Foundation Problems
  • Prevent flooding
  • Prevent water staining on brick and stone
  • Decreases cracks and settling of sidewalks, patios and driveways

If you would like a FREE estimate for gutter guards or have any questions, please give our family a call at 410-ALLBRITE (410.255.2748).

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Benefits of Allbrite’s House Washing

FAQ, House Washing

When hiring a contractor it’s important to always get 3 standard estimates. Then compare each company and what they have to offer in order to make an informed decision based on your budget and needs as a consumer. 

When comparing Allbrite’s house washing service to other contractors in Maryland remember that our house wash includes the brightening of gutters and the cleaning of the downspouts, the soffits, siding, flashing, windows (rinsed), and shutters if present. 

Yes, you read that right — Gutter Brightening is included in our house wash!

 

We have a saying at Allbrite – think of your home as a face. The windows are the eyes and the gutters are the teeth. We aren’t going to wash the face of your home without brushing the teeth of it as well. 

With each house washing service, we hand scrub every gutter to remove the oxidation staining which removes the black streaky lines and faded coloring. 

There’s a difference between cleaning gutters and brightening gutters. We can clean your gutters the same way we will clean your siding (this will remove the mold, mildew and algae that’s on the face of the gutters) but that will not remove the black streaks.

Removing the black streaks is a separate process and requires more detail but it’s always included in our house washing service.

If you have any questions about our House Wash, check out our FAQ House Washing  page.

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