How do you clean house soffits?

Mix 4 ounces, or 1/2 cup, of dish washing or laundry detergent to 2 gallons of warm water in a bucket.
Set your ladder in a stable position where you can reach one end of your soffit easily.
Soak a large sponge in the warm water solution and scrub it over the fascia and soffit working back toward the house.

Simply so, what is the best way to clean soffits?

You should clean soffit (eave) and other types of attic air intake vents at least every couple of years, if not annually. The best way to clean them is with blasts of compressed air to blow away dust, dirt and any loose insulation that may have fallen into the soffit area.

Also, how do you clean mildew off soffits? Removing Black Mold

Gather safety supplies before beginning work.
Hook up a pressure washer to the faucet.
Work in a continuous direction around the house.
Remove the black mold from underneath the eaves.
Mix a solution of three parts liquid chlorine bleach to one part water per 1 gallon in a bucket.

Besides, is it OK to power wash soffits?

Although it's safe to pressure wash soffits, there are few important things to remember: One key point to keep in mind is the water pressure. A high-pressure water blasting can be dangerous for your attic. Be aware of the falling debris when you pressure wash.

How do I know if my soffit is vented?

The only way to be sure is to crawl up into the attic and go near the roof edge to see if you can see any daylight indicating open soffit venting. You might see a little light where the roof sheathing meets the fascia board but that might be it. In that case, I'd leave the gable vents open and leave it at that.

35 Related Question Answers Found

How do professionals clean gutters?

You'll want to clean your gutters after doing a moss treatment.

Option A: Standing On a Ladder. To clean a stretch of gutter while standing on a ladder, work at chest height with your body facing the house.
Option B: Sitting on the Roof.
Check Elbows and Downspouts.
Run The Hose.
Clean Up.

How do you clean soffits and fascias?

Mix 4 ounces, or 1/2 cup, of dish washing or laundry detergent to 2 gallons of warm water in a bucket.
Set your ladder in a stable position where you can reach one end of your soffit easily.
Soak a large sponge in the warm water solution and scrub it over the fascia and soffit working back toward the house.

Are soffit vents necessary?

Static, roof-line, vents are effective for ventilation but generally aren't recommended due to issues with leaks. Soffit vents may leave air trapped at the top of your attic. Most effective ventilation uses a ridge-and-soffit continuous ventilation system, but even these designs can vary from roof to roof.

What does a soffit vent look like?

A soffit vent is simply a vent installed into the underside of your home's eaves (called the soffit) that permits fresh outside air to be drawn up into the attic. Cooler fresh air is drawn up through the soffit at the base of your roof and hot and humid air is expelled through the roof vents at the top.

How do you clean soffits before painting?

Cleaning the soffit with a cleaner and rinsing with clean water will ensure that you have a fresh surface for the paint to stick to. Make sure that you purchase an exterior paint that will work on aluminum and consider having your paint company add a bonding agent to make it last even longer.

Why are my gutters turning black?

The black streaks are caused by the runoff from your roof. It is a combination of dirt from your roof being washed off and asphalt from your roofing as it breaks down over time decomposing organic material that accumulates in your gutters. Next time you look at those black ugly streaks just remember you're not alone.

Will Simple Green Clean gutters?

Simple Green Gutter Clean removes dirt, grease, black streaks and mildew stains from gutters, eaves, siding, trim, window and door frames and other building exteriors. For use on metal, vinyl and plastic gutters. Safe for painted or powder-coated metal, bare steel and aluminum.

What is soffit and fascia on a house?

Typically a soffit is used in the area beneath the eaves on the exterior of a house to close the space beneath the eave. The soffit extends from the side of the structure to the edge of the eave. Fascia is used to create a barrier between the edge of the roof and the outside.

What does a soffit do?

The Purpose of Soffit. Like many parts of a home's exterior, soffit serves both an aesthetic and a functional purpose. Functionally, the basic mission of soffit is to protect rafters from the elements. Keeping moisture away from the rafters reduces the chance of mold, and helps preserve the life of the materials.

What is the best cleaner for gutters?

A simple solution of water and white vinegar works very well for cleaning the outside of the gutters, and won't corrode aluminum. You can also make a paste with a small amount of water and cream of tartar, which will act as a cleaner and gentle buffing agent in one.

How do you clean perforated vinyl soffits?

How to Clean a Vinyl Soffit

Spray the vinyl soffit thoroughly with the garden hose using a sprayer nozzle attachment.
Fill a bucket with 1 gallon of hot water and add 1/2 cup of all-purpose cleaner for general dirt and stains.
Dip a long-handled brush into the cleaning solution and scrub the vinyl soffit thoroughly.

When should I clean my gutters?

How Often Should You Clean Your Gutters? Like many other questions, the answer is, “it depends!” Many experts recommend cleaning your gutters at least twice a year– once in the late spring and once in the late summer/early fall. But there are a few factors that might make you reconsider.

What is soft washing a roof?

Soft washing is a cleaning method using low pressure and specialized solutions (typically bleach, water, and sometimes a surfactant) to safely remove mildew, bacteria, algae and other organic stains from roofs and other building exteriors. It is so named to differentiate the method from power washing.

How do you clean white aluminum soffit and fascia?

Step 1 - Prepare. Begin with a ladder to reach the aluminum soffit.
Step 2 - Clean. Now that the soffit is wet, you can use the cleaning pad to wipe down the aluminum using an aluminum cleaner.
Step 3 - Rinse. Once you are finished cleaning, you can rinse off the soap with the hose.

How do you seal soffit?

Place a tube of exterior silicone sealant into a caulk gun and lock it into place.
Position the caulk gun at the corner of the soffit where it meets the back of the house.
Run a bead of caulk back along the house on the exterior between the soffit and the edge of the front of the house.

What's more important PSI or GPM?

Which is more important PSI or GPM? PSI and GPM are both equally important when choosing a pressure washer. The PSI refers to the amount of pressure and GPM refers to the flow. PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) refers to the amount of cleaning pressure that the unit can produce.

Do I have to pressure wash before painting?

Pressure Washing is Critical

Pressure washing before painting is a chance to remove all dirt, debris, and cobwebs before painting. It's important to wash your house so that the new coat has the best chance to bond with the undercoat. The only way to remove this mildew is washing off with bleach.