With spring in full swing, and sunshine finally streaming through our windows, many homeowners are starting to pay attention to outdoor maintenance.
With winter leaves left to sit in gutters, dirt layering our window ledges, and clumps of moss popping up around the back garden now is the perfect time to get the house spic and span.
We sat down with Luke Joyce, founder of thecleaningcompany.ie, themaintenancecompany.ie and thepaintingcompany.ie for some expert advice.
The Dublin man started his subscription-based cleaning business when he found himself struggling to help his mother book in reliable and qualified tradespeople to complete simple but necessary jobs around the house.
"I kept getting let down by people and it was just a really clunky process," he explained. "I kind of thought it shouldn't be that difficult."
Having studied Entrepreneurship at Maynooth University, Joyce decided to cater to this gap in the market by founding his very own cleaning company in 2020, one that would provide a range of services.
"My nanny gave me her Toyota Yaris so I was using that as me van, driving around," he laughs. "It kind of grew and grew and I then launched the first subscription window-cleaning service around 2021-2022. That really took off."
Operating nationwide, and with 13 vans on the road (the Toyota Yaris has finally retired), Joyce says his team are booked and busy at this time of year with window washing, roof cleaning, power washing, and gutters being the most popular requests.
Streak Free Windows
According to Joyce, vinegar and water are key ingredients to sparkling windows. If the glass is especially grimy, he suggests adding a drop of washing-up liquid to conjure up some suds.
Wash the mixture with a sponge or cloth and dry with a lint-free or microfibre cloth to stop any specs of dust from sticking to the glass.
The final step? A bit of newspaper to wipe up excess water and deliver a streak-free shine.
Sturdy gutters
Gutters are quite deep meaning that if you can spot leaves and grass sprouting from the top, it probably means they are well overdue a clean.
All this debris can add a lot of weight to the gutters and block water which could lead to external water damage or dampness entering the home.
While commercial buildings and larger properties may need inspecting twice a year, Joyce says that a once-a-year clean is fine for most households.
Joyce recommends that any gutters that are above the reach of a step ladder should be left to the professionals: "Before they step foot on a ladder, our lads have to get training and have to be fully insured - it's a big process before they even step on a ladder. They're on them everyday so they're used to it, while homeowners are probably only doing it once a year. I'd always recommend a professional."
In terms of maintenance, cracks and leaks may mean it's time for a replacement as gutters have a lifespan and replacement parts can be tricky to source.
Roof cleaning & chimneys
Happily, for the most part, roof cleaning is a once-a-decade job.
Chemical treatments can be applied to the roof after it is scraped clean to prevent any organic growth: "If it's done properly and you have the right environment, it should last 10-plus years."
A clean roof will make any cracked tiles or structural issues far more visible, which should make maintaining your home more efficient.
Joyce also encourages homeowners to have their chimneys checked in early spring to assess for damage and prevent birds from nesting in the warmer weather when the chimneys aren't in use.
"Once that happens, there's nothing you can do until September," he explains. "We certainly wouldn't do anything during summer."
Power washing
The warm weather has us flooding into our gardens lately, which means many of us have realised just how much of a spring clean our outdoor spaces need.
"People start to clean it when they start to use it," says Joyce. "That's just human nature."
While he acknowledges that power washers can be bought or rented easily these days, he suggests bringing in a professional where possible.
Not only are industrial machines more effective, but not all surfaces can withstand high-pressure and should simply be rinsed rather than washed.
"Each job is different but most things can be power washed - if the person knows what they're doing."
