Most exterior problems start small. A bit of green on the patio. A smear on the windows. A gutter that drips a bit more than it used to. Then one day you look up and the whole house looks tired.
We clean the outside of homes across Harrow, Pinner, Stanmore and North West London every week. Here are ten signs your home needs a full exterior clean, and what to do about each one.
10 Exterior Cleaning Signs to Look For
1. Green or Black Patches on Paths, Patios and Driveways
This is algae or moss. It spreads in shade and damp. What to do: have the surface cleaned before it takes hold.
See our pressure washing service.
2. Slippery Surfaces
If your path or steps feel slippery when wet, there’s probably a film of algae on them. It’s a trip hazard. What to do: clean it, and don’t wait for a fall.
The HSE has guidance on preventing slips and trips:
3. Moss on the Roof
Moss holds water against your tiles. What to do: get it removed with a method suited to the tiles, and treated to slow regrowth.
Read about our roof cleaning service.
The NFRC has guidance for homeowners on roofing:
4. Overflowing Gutters or Plants Growing in Them
If water pours over the edge in rain, or you can see weeds in the gutter, it’s blocked. What to do: get it cleared and the downpipes checked.
Not sure? See signs your gutters are blocked.
5. Dark Streaks Down the Walls
Streaks under the gutters or around downpipes mean water is getting where it shouldn’t. What to do: fix the gutter first, then clean the wall.
6. Weeds and Moss in Block Paving Joints
Growth in the joints makes paving look tired and can loosen it over time. What to do: clean it with care, as a hard jet can blast the sand out.
7. Dull, Smeary Windows
If the glass still looks cloudy after you wipe it, the frames and ledges are probably dirty too. What to do: a proper clean of the glass, frames and sills.
8. Dirty Solar Panels
Dirt, moss and bird mess can build up on panels. What to do: have them cleaned safely, as they’re on the roof.
9. Green or Grey Decking and Walls
Decking and garden walls go green or grey in damp, shady spots. What to do: clean them with the right pressure for the material.
10. You Can’t Remember the Last Time
If the answer is years, or you’re about to sell, let or host a big family do, it’s time. What to do: book a full exterior clean.
A Quick Exterior Cleaning Checklist
- Roof: moss, slipped or cracked tiles
- Gutters: overflow, weeds, sagging
- Walls: streaks, green patches
- Windows: smears, dirty frames
- Paths and driveway: algae, weeds, slippery spots
- Solar panels: dirt and bird mess
Do a walk round twice a year, in spring and autumn.
The Bottom Line
If you can tick off three or more of these, your home is due a full exterior clean. Dealing with it early is easier than waiting until it becomes a repair.
Elite Spotless Solutions covers Harrow, Pinner, Stanmore, Ruislip, Northwood, Watford and across North West London. Call 07751 890709 for a free quote.
Frequently asked questions
The main signs are green or black patches on paths and patios, moss on roof tiles, overflowing gutters, dark streaks on walls, weeds in paving joints, dull windows and slippery surfaces. Dirty solar panels are another. If you spot two or three of these, a full exterior clean is probably due.
Do a slow walk round the outside a couple of times a year, ideally in spring and autumn. Look at the roof, gutters, walls, windows, paths and driveway. Green growth, stains, overflow and slippery patches all tell you it’s time to act.
Not always. The green or black film is usually algae or moss, and it makes surfaces slippery when wet. The HSE publishes guidance on preventing slips and trips, and a slippery path at home is a trip hazard for you and for visitors.
It can be. Moss holds moisture against roof tiles, and over time that can contribute to damage. It’s best dealt with early. Cleaning it off with a method suited to your tiles is better than leaving it to build up.
Look for water overflowing during rain, plants or weeds growing in the gutter, sagging sections and dark streaks on the wall below. Any of these means the gutter is blocked or damaged and needs clearing.
Dark streaks under the gutters and around downpipes often mean water is overflowing or leaking. Algae can also grow on damp walls. Clear the gutters first, then have the walls cleaned so the streaks don’t come back.
A simple checklist helps. Check the roof for moss, the gutters for overflow, the walls for stains, the windows for smears, the paths and driveway for algae and weeds, and any solar panels for dirt and bird mess. Repeat it twice a year.
UK homes face a lot of rain, damp and shade, so exterior maintenance mostly means keeping roofs, gutters, walls and hard surfaces clean and clear. Regular cleaning stops small problems turning into repairs. It also keeps the house looking cared for.
It’s a sensible step. First impressions count, and a clean roof, driveway, windows and entrance make a house look cared for. Gutters and roof moss are worth sorting too, because buyers and surveyors may notice them.
Some of it, yes. But roofs and gutters involve working at height, and the HSE publishes guidance on the risks. Pressure washing can also damage some surfaces if it is done wrongly. If in doubt, ask a professional.
Yes. We clean windows, gutters, roofs, driveways, patios and solar panels across Harrow, Pinner, Stanmore, Ruislip, Northwood, Watford and Bushey. We’re based in South Harrow (HA1). Call 07751 890709 for a free quote.
Call 07751 890709 or use the contact form. Tell us which of the signs you’ve spotted and we’ll talk you through what needs doing. We give a fixed price before work starts.
