Cooler Weather Offers a Chance to Clean Up Summer's Grime

There is a noticeable change in the air this time of year. After months of sticky summer humidity, we're finally enjoying cooler mornings, crisp afternoons and the kind of weather that makes working outside a pleasure rather than a chore.

While the humidity may have moved on, it often leaves a few reminders of what moisture can do to a home. Take a walk around your house and look closely at your siding, porch railings, steps, and shaded areas. You might notice green patches, dark streaks, or a dingy film that wasn't there in the spring. Months of warm, damp weather create ideal conditions for algae, mildew and other organic growth to take hold, particularly on the north side of a house or anywhere that doesn't get much direct sunlight.

Since we aren't quite into the thick of leaf cleanup season yet, and it's not cold enough to put away the outdoor tools, mid-October is a good time to tackle some of the grime that's been building up around your home's exterior.

Start with the siding.

Green algae and other discoloration can develop in areas that stay damp, particularly behind shrubs, beneath overhangs and along shaded walls.

Fortunately, you don't necessarily need to drag out the pressure washer to address it. Products like Wet & Forget and other exterior cleaning solutions are designed to treat organic growth on siding, decks, and other outdoor surfaces. Some are sprayed on and left to work gradually with the help of rain and weather. They generally won’t damage your landscaping or plants, although I would take care around vegetable gardens. 

Just remember that these aren't instant fixes. Depending on the product and the amount of buildup, it can take weeks or even months to see the full results. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions, including temperature requirements and precautions for pets and vegetation.

Don't overlook porches and railings.

Porches are another place where summer moisture tends to linger. White railings, columns and trim can develop dark spots or green discoloration, especially where there's limited airflow.

A gentle cleaning can make a noticeable difference. Before reaching for a strong chemical or pressure washer, check what cleaning methods are recommended for your particular surface. Painted wood, composite materials, and vinyl don't all respond the same way.

Be careful with pressure washing too. A lot of pressure can damage paint, force water behind siding, or splinter wood. More pressure isn't necessarily better.

Pay attention to what's underfoot.

Algae and other organic growth aren't just unsightly. They can make steps, walkways, and decks surprisingly slippery, particularly after rain.

Check shaded entryways, concrete steps and areas around downspouts where water tends to collect. These are worth cleaning before fallen leaves and colder temperatures make footing even more unpredictable.

If you're using a cleaning solution, make sure it's approved for the surface and follow any instructions about rinsing or keeping people and pets off the treated area.

Look for the reason it's growing.

Here's something I always tell homeowners: Cleaning is one thing, but understanding why a problem keeps coming back is just as important.

If the same section of siding turns green every year, take a closer look. Are shrubs growing too close to the house? Is a gutter overflowing? Does a downspout empty right next to the foundation? Is there an area that never gets enough sunlight or airflow to dry out?

Sometimes a little pruning, improved drainage, or a simple gutter repair can make a bigger difference than another round of cleaning.

And remember, not every dark stain is mold. Algae, mildew, dirt, and other buildup can look similar. If you suspect significant mold growth or moisture damage inside the home, that's a different issue that deserves professional attention.

Take advantage of the weather while you can.

One of the nice things about October in Connecticut is that we often get a stretch of beautiful, comfortable days before winter settles in. They're perfect for smaller outdoor projects that are easy to put off during the heat of summer.

Choose a day that meets your cleaning product's temperature and weather requirements, and pay attention to the forecast. Some treatments need several hours without rain, while others shouldn't be applied when freezing temperatures are expected.

A little attention to what summer left behind can help keep your home looking its best and give you one less thing to worry about when spring rolls around.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Decorating Mistakes That Can Damage Your House

After last week’s column about sprucing up the outside of your home for fall, I got a good follow-up question: What’s the best way to decorate without damaging the house?

It’s worth talking about because we’re entering several straight months of outdoor decorating. Pumpkins and Halloween decorations will soon give way to Thanksgiving wreaths and then holiday lights and garlands. And every year, homeowners unintentionally make holes, trap moisture, or damage parts of their homes in the process. So before you start decorating, here are a few things I’d avoid.

Don’t Put Holes in Your Siding

This is probably the biggest one. Vinyl siding is designed to shed water, and putting a screw or nail through it creates a hole where there shouldn’t be one.

Instead, look for siding hooks and clips designed to slip into the seams of vinyl siding without puncturing it. There are also exterior-rated removable hooks that work on certain surfaces.

The same rule applies when the Christmas lights come out. There are inexpensive clips made specifically for attaching lights to gutters, shingles and other surfaces without putting holes in them.

Be Careful With Brick and Masonry

Brick may seem indestructible, but that doesn’t mean you should start drilling into it every time you want to hang something.

If something truly needs to be permanently mounted, it should be done with the proper fastener and in the proper location. For temporary seasonal decorations, look for alternatives such as brick clips that grip the brick without drilling.

And if you do need to drill into masonry, know what you’re drilling into first. Brick, mortar and manufactured stone aren’t interchangeable.

Don’t Hang Heavy Decorations From Gutters

Gutters are another tempting attachment point, particularly during the holidays.

Lightweight light clips are one thing. A heavy wreath, garland or decoration pulling on the gutter is another. Gutters aren’t designed to support much additional weight, and a heavy decoration combined with wind, rain, snow or ice can pull sections loose or affect their pitch.

Use gutters for products specifically designed to attach there, not as an all-purpose hanging system.

Watch What You Put Against the House

Some of my favorite fall decorations are also some of the messiest. Pumpkins, hay bales, cornstalks and live plants all hold moisture. If they sit against wood trim, siding or a door for weeks, particularly during a rainy stretch, they can keep that area damp.

Give natural decorations a little breathing room. Check underneath pumpkins and planters occasionally, too. A pumpkin that looked great when you bought it can turn into a soft, leaking mess surprisingly quickly.

The same goes for outdoor rugs. If one stays soaked after every rain, periodically lift it and let the surface underneath dry.

Think Twice Before Using Adhesive

Not every product marketed as removable behaves perfectly on every surface. Adhesive hooks and tape can be useful, but check whether the product is rated for outdoor use and appropriate for the material you’re putting it on. Painted doors and trim are especially worth treating carefully. Pulling off a decoration in January and taking a patch of paint with it isn't the way anyone wants to finish the holidays.

When removing adhesive products, follow the manufacturer’s directions rather than simply pulling them off.

Remember That Decorations Move

Something that looks perfectly harmless when you put it up on a calm afternoon may behave very differently during the first windy October night.

Signs, wreaths, metal decorations and other hanging pieces can repeatedly bang or scrape against siding, doors and trim. Over several weeks, that movement can scratch paint and finishes.

Secure decorations well and pay attention to what they'll touch if the wind starts moving them around.

Don’t Forget About the Door

The front door tends to get more decorations than just about any other part of the house.

Before hanging a large wreath or sign, make sure it isn’t interfering with the storm door, weatherstripping, lock or door operation. Over-the-door wreath hangers are convenient, but very thick ones can sometimes prevent a door from closing or sealing properly. If you have to force the door closed once the decoration is installed, find another way to hang it.

A Little Restraint Saves Repairs Later

I’m all for decorating the house. Fall and the holidays are some of the best times of year to make the front of your home feel welcoming.

Just remember that most seasonal decorations will only be there for a few weeks. It doesn’t make much sense to create a permanent hole, stain or repair for something temporary.

Use the right clips and fasteners, keep moisture in mind, and pay attention to what you're attaching decorations to. When January rolls around and everything comes back down, your house should look exactly the way it did before you started.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Give Your House An Easy Fall Spruce-Up

Fall is one of the best times of year to give the outside of your home a little attention. The summer heat is behind us, winter weather hasn’t arrived yet, and a few small projects now can keep your house looking great right through the holidays.

Start With a Good Cleanup

Before you add anything, clean up what’s already there. Sweep the front walk and steps, clear leaves and debris from corners, and wash down porch furniture. Clean the glass on your front door and exterior light fixtures as both tend to collect more dirt and bugs than you realize.

If your siding is looking dingy, a gentle cleaning can make a big difference. Be careful with pressure washers, though. Too much pressure can damage siding, trim and painted surfaces or force water behind them. When in doubt, start with a garden hose, soft brush and an appropriate exterior cleaner.

Add Some Fall Color

Your summer flowers may be fading, but that doesn’t mean your planters have to be done for the year. Mums are the obvious fall favorite, but ornamental kale and cabbage, pansies, asters and heuchera can all add color during cooler weather.

You can also mix in natural elements that last longer than flowers. Pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks, branches, pinecones and small evergreens can carry your front porch from October well into the holiday season. Start with a simple fall arrangement, then swap out the pumpkins for evergreen branches or winter decorations later.

One tip: don’t overload the porch. A few larger, well-placed items usually look better than lots of small decorations competing for attention.

Look Up While You’re Out There

While you’re sprucing things up, take a few minutes to actually look at the house itself. Check trim and siding for cracks, loose pieces or peeling paint. Look around windows and doors for deteriorating caulk. Check porch railings and steps to make sure everything feels secure.

Fall is also a good time to look at gutters and downspouts. Make sure they’re securely attached and directing water away from the foundation. Small problems are much easier to address now than after freezing temperatures, snow and ice arrive.

Decorate Without Damaging Your House

Wreaths, garlands and holiday lights will be going up before we know it. Just be thoughtful about how you attach them.

Avoid driving random nails or screws through siding, window trim or roofing materials. Every unnecessary hole is another potential place for water to get in. Use clips and fastening systems designed for your particular siding, gutters or trim whenever possible.

And if something needs to be permanently mounted like a new light fixture, house numbers, mailbox or railing, make sure it’s properly fastened and sealed. The goal is to add curb appeal without creating a repair project for next spring.

Think About Lighting

As the days get shorter, exterior lighting becomes much more noticeable. Replace burned-out bulbs, clean dirty fixtures and make sure pathways and steps are well lit.

If your fixtures are old, rusted or dated, replacing them can be a relatively simple upgrade that changes the whole look of your entry. Just make sure new fixtures are rated for exterior use and installed correctly.

Make It Last Through the Holidays

The trick to a good fall spruce-up is creating a clean, welcoming base that you can easily transition into winter. Clean up the landscaping, make the small repairs, add some seasonal color and keep decorations simple. Then, when December arrives, you won’t have to start all over again. Add some greenery, lights or a wreath, and you’re ready for the holidays.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.