Three cleaning tasks that I wouldn't handle myself and you shouldn't either - the reasons being they're best tackled by the experts
When it comes to cleaning the exterior of your home, the question of whether to do it yourself or hire professionals often arises. Here, we explore the benefits and drawbacks of both options, focusing on exterior render cleaning, black mould removal, and roof and gutter cleaning.
The Advantages of DIY
One significant advantage of DIY cleaning is the potential cost savings. By avoiding professional service fees, you can keep expenses down, especially for smaller jobs. Additionally, addressing issues like mould or clogged gutters promptly without scheduling professionals can help prevent more extensive problems from developing. Basic maintenance tasks, such as removing loose dirt or debris with gentle methods, can be effectively handled by homeowners.
The Risks and Downsides of DIY
However, DIY cleaning comes with its share of risks and downsides. Improper methods, particularly power washing, can strip protective coatings, damage render, siding, or roofing materials, and force water into cracks, which encourages mould growth and structural damage. DIY techniques often only remove surface grime and may leave mould and algae roots intact, causing rapid regrowth.
Roof and gutter cleaning involve working at heights, posing fall risks if proper equipment or safety measures are not observed. DIY mould removal products or drain and gutter cleaners often contain corrosive chemicals, which can degrade materials, produce harmful fumes, or cause pipe damage if pipes are older or delicate. Mistakes during DIY cleaning can lead to more extensive and costly repairs over time, such as water damage behind walls, damaged pipes, or weakened masonry. Proper preparation, like removing moss and patching cracks before sealants or cleaning, is needed to protect surfaces and ensure durability; inexperienced DIYers may miss these steps or do them poorly.
The Benefits of Hiring Professionals
Professional services offer several advantages that can outweigh the potential savings of DIY cleaning. Experts use safer, more effective methods like soft washing (low-pressure cleaning with biodegradable solutions) that safely kill mould and algae at the root without damaging surfaces. Access to professional-grade tools and sealants improves cleaning quality and surface protection. Professionals are trained and equipped to safely work at heights and handle hazardous materials.
Perhaps most importantly, proper cleaning and sealing by experts protect renders and roof materials from deterioration, water ingress, and mould recurrence, potentially extending the life of your property's exterior.
In conclusion, while DIY can be cost-effective for minor and straightforward cleaning, the risks of damage, ineffective cleaning, safety hazards, and hidden costs often outweigh the benefits. Professional services offer safer, more thorough, and longer-lasting results, typically protecting your home better in the long term.
Dr Jonathan Kirby, a developmental chemist at DryZone, Safeguard Europe, specializing in mould, echoes this sentiment, stating that black mould removal is not a DIY job due to potential health risks and the need for specialized cleaning solutions and techniques. Jess Thomas, the Managing Director of Drainage Central and an expert in the drainage and plumbing industry, shares a similar view, emphasizing the importance of hiring professionals for gutter cleaning to avoid risks and potential health issues.
Joyce French, a cleaning industry veteran with over twenty years of experience, advises against using a pressure washer for exterior render cleaning due to potential damage. She provides expert cleaning knowledge to homeowners, tradespeople, and news outlets through HomeHow.co.uk. Expert Joyce French also warns about the dangers of cleaning gutters yourself, as they can create an ideal environment for mould growth, exposing you to harmful spores if cleaned improperly.
Ultimately, the decision between DIY and hiring professionals depends on your comfort level, the complexity of the job, and your budget. However, considering the potential risks and the expertise professionals bring to the table, it's worth weighing the benefits carefully before tackling these tasks yourself.
[1] DryZone (n.d.). Soft Washing. Retrieved from https://www.dryzone.co.uk/soft-washing/
[2] Safeguard Europe (n.d.). DryZone. Retrieved from https://www.safeguard-europe.com/brands/dryzone/
[3] Drainage Central (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://drainagecentral.co.uk/about/
[4] HomeHow (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.homehow.co.uk/about-us/
[5] DryZone (n.d.). The Science of Mould. Retrieved from https://www.dryzone.co.uk/the-science-of-mould/
An alternative to DIY cleaning for your home's interior design can be the lifestyle choice of hiring professionals, particularly for more complex tasks like black mould removal. Furthermore, when it comes to home-and-garden maintenance, such as roof and gutter cleaning or exterior render cleaning, the benefits of hiring experts often outweigh cost savings, considering their access to professional-grade tools and expertise in safely executing these tasks.
