What are the risks of not cleaning your render?

Having a rendered building can look spectacular if it is well maintained. Modern renders are incredibly durable now, and should last 30 years. Despite their stability, you can help prolong their longevity with some simple maintenance.

Aesthetics

Everyone wants a home to be proud of. If you have recently had your property rendered and are in love with the results, you will be keen to make them last. This is a great motivation for many, but it is worth knowing the risks if you do not clean your render. Not only will it ruin the aesthetics of your house, but it may also cause permanent and irreversible damage.

Long Term Damage

With any exterior, you are always open to the elements. The natural growth of algae and moss, in addition to general dirt and grime, could spoil your render. Furthermore, moisture can have a disastrous impact on your property’s render. You can expect to see moisture under window sills or places where moisture can gather and drip. Another key feature that could damage your property is your gutters. If you have a gutter leak, the green and black debris will drip and stain your render if not cleaned immediately.

Avoid having to use heavy chemicals and instead use a soft pressure washer to gently clean the facades. Using a soft washing technique will prevent the render from cracking or flaking. If hairline cracks appear, these can allow frost to penetrate which subsequently will cause the render to “blow” where it expands and peels away from the brick. This is the worst-case scenario when it comes to render damage, as you will have to repair the sections that have blown. It is crucial that you clean your render regularly. If not, moss, lichen, and algae can grow on the surface which will prematurely “rot” the minerals in the render.

Council Eyesore Fines

The council can impose “eyesore” fines on owners of properties-which is not something you wish to receive. Anyone can report your property to the council if they feel that it isn’t well-kept and is contributing an eyesore to the area. You would also be expected to cover any costs of cleaning.

Additional costs

If your render is beyond the help of a quick clean, then you may have to replace it. Replacing render is not a cheap fix and with the toughness of modern renders, you shouldn’t have to replace the render if you are taking good care of it. Having your render fixed with temporary patching may be an option, but it leaves a visible contrast if the existing render is slightly weathered.

Maintaining render is completely manageable. It is recommended that you wash it every 6-12 months for the best results. Though it may be time-consuming, protecting your render will save you in the long run.

If you don’t have the abilities or tools to clean your render, contact Fox Exterior Cleaning today for your free quote.