Exterior Cleaning Guides for Middle Tennessee

Surface & Material Guides

• How to Clean Vinyl Siding Without Damaging It

  Vinyl siding is easy to clean and easy to damage. Learn the right pressure, cleaners and technique, plus why water behind the panels causes problems.

• How to Clean Exterior Brick (and Painted Brick)

  Brick is tough but mortar isn't. Learn how to remove mildew, algae, efflorescence and red clay from brick homes without eroding the joints.

• How to Clean James Hardie and Fiber-Cement Siding

  Fiber-cement siding is durable but the painted finish isn't bulletproof. Here's how to clean Hardie board without voiding the warranty or damaging paint.

• How to Clean Stucco and EIFS Safely

  Stucco and EIFS are porous and easy to gouge. Learn how to remove mildew and dirt with a soft wash and why pressure washing can cause hidden water damage.

• How to Clean Composite Decking (Trex, TimberTech and More)

  Composite decks aren't maintenance-free. Learn how to remove mold, pollen and grease stains from Trex and similar boards without voiding the warranty.

• How to Clean and Restain a Wood Deck in Tennessee

  Pressure-treated pine and cedar decks gray fast in Tennessee sun and humidity. Learn the clean, brighten and stain process and how often to redo it.

• How to Clean and Seal Concrete Pavers

  Clean, re-sand and seal: the right order for paver patios and driveways, plus polymeric sand tips and how often to reseal in Middle Tennessee.

• How to Clean and Seal an Exposed Aggregate Driveway

  Exposed aggregate driveways lose their shine and loosen stones without sealer. Learn how to clean and seal them and how often in Tennessee.

• How to Clean and Reseal Stamped Concrete

  Stamped concrete patios fade, haze and get slippery as the sealer wears. Learn how to clean, fix cloudy sealer and reseal for color and traction.

• How to Clean Flagstone, Limestone and Travertine Patios

  Natural stone is sensitive to acids and pressure. Learn how to clean and seal flagstone, Tennessee limestone and travertine patios safely.

• How to Clean Painted Brick Without Peeling the Paint

  Painted brick needs a gentler clean than bare brick. What removes mildew and dirt, and what strips or flakes the paint.

• How to Clean Cedar Siding and Shakes

  Cedar grays, mildews and stains. How to clean it without raising fibers, and when to plan for re-staining.

• How to Clean Stone Veneer on a House

  Manufactured and natural stone veneer collects dirt, algae and runoff stains. Safe cleaning methods and what to avoid.

• How to Clean Limestone Exteriors, Steps and Trim

  Limestone is soft and sensitive to acid. How to clean limestone walls, steps and trim safely.

• How to Clean and Seal a Travertine Pool Deck

  Travertine pool decks collect algae, sunscreen and pool-chemical residue. How to clean them and when sealing helps.

• How to Clean a Flagstone Patio

  Flagstone patios grow algae and moss in the joints and lose mortar or gravel. How to clean them without loosening stones.

• How to Clean an Asphalt Driveway

  Asphalt is softer than concrete. How to clean oil, dirt and algae off blacktop without damaging it.

• How to Clean Block and Stone Retaining Walls

  Retaining walls stain from soil, runoff and algae. How to clean segmental block and stone walls safely.

• How to Clean a Metal Roof

  Metal roofs collect dirt, algae and chalking. How to clean painted metal roofing without scratching the finish.

• Chalky Aluminum Siding: How to Clean It

  Older aluminum siding leaves white chalk on your hand. What causes it, how it's cleaned, and when it points to repainting.

• How to Clean a Concrete Pool Deck Without Harming the Pool

  Pool decks collect algae, sunscreen and dirt. How to clean concrete pool decks safely, keep rinse water out of the pool and reduce slipping.