Exterior Cleaning Guides for Middle Tennessee

Stain & Problem Guides

• How to Remove Oil Stains from a Concrete Driveway

  Fresh drip or years-old blotch, here's how to lift motor oil out of concrete, what makes stains worse, and when professional hot-water cleaning is needed.

• How to Remove Rust Stains from Concrete

  Orange streaks from sprinklers, patio furniture or fertilizer? Learn what causes rust stains on concrete and how to remove them without etching the surface.

• What Are the Black Streaks on My Roof?

  Those dark stripes on shingles are Gloeocapsa magma algae. Learn why they spread in Tennessee, whether they damage your roof, and the safe way to remove them.

• How to Get Rid of Green Algae on House Siding

  Green film on the shady side of your house is algae. Here's why it grows on Tennessee homes, how to clean it without damaging siding, and how to slow it down.

• How to Remove Mold and Mildew from Exterior Siding

  Black or gray spots on siding, soffits and trim are usually mildew. Learn how to tell it from dirt, clean it safely, and keep it from coming back.

• How to Remove Red Clay Stains from Concrete and Siding

  Tennessee red clay stains driveways, walks and siding after construction or heavy rain. Here's what works, what doesn't, and why clay needs a special cleaner.

• What Is the White Haze on My Pavers and Brick?

  White, chalky haze on pavers, brick or retaining walls is efflorescence. Learn what causes it, why new pavers get it, and how to remove it before sealing.

• How to Clean Pollen Off Your House, Porch and Windows

  Every spring Middle Tennessee turns yellow-green. Here's how to get pine and oak pollen off siding, screens and windows, and when it's worth waiting to wash.

• How to Clean Windows Without Streaks

  Streaks come from too much soap, dirty water and drying too slowly. Here's the squeegee method window cleaners use, plus hard-water spot tips.

• How to Clean Gutters Safely (and How Often in Tennessee)

  Clogged gutters cause fascia rot, foundation problems and ice dams. Learn how often to clean them in Middle Tennessee and how to do it without getting hurt.

• How to Remove Tree Sap from Decks, Concrete and Siding

  Pine and maple sap leaves sticky, dark spots on decks, driveways and siding. Here's how to dissolve it without damaging the surface underneath.

• How to Remove Tire Marks from a Driveway

  Hot-tire pickup and black tire marks show up on sealed and unsealed driveways. Learn why they happen and how to remove them without damaging sealer.

• How to Clean Bird Droppings Off Siding, Porches and Concrete

  Bird droppings are acidic, stain siding and concrete, and can carry pathogens. Here's how to clean them safely and keep birds from coming back.

• How to Remove Hard-Water Stains from Sprinklers on Brick, Glass and Siding

  White or orange arcs on brick, windows and siding come from irrigation. Learn how to identify mineral vs. iron stains and how to remove them.

• Got an HOA Letter About Mildew or a Dirty House? Here's What to Do

  Many Williamson County HOAs send exterior cleaning notices. Learn what they usually require, typical deadlines, and how to respond before fines start.

• Polymeric Sand for Pavers: When to Re-Sand and How It Works

  Why paver joint sand washes out, what polymeric sand does, and the mistakes that leave haze on pavers — with when to call a pro.

• How to Stop Weeds Growing Between Pavers

  Weeds in paver joints usually mean the joint sand has washed out. How to remove them and keep them from coming back.

• Moss on Your Roof: Why It Grows and How to Remove It Safely

  Moss holds moisture against shingles. How it differs from black algae streaks, and why scraping or pressure washing a roof causes damage.

• Why Sealed Pavers Turn Cloudy or White (and What to Do)

  White, milky haze on sealed pavers or concrete is usually trapped moisture in the sealer. Causes, and how it's fixed.

• Orange Fertilizer Stains on Concrete: Causes and Removal

  Small orange spots on driveways after lawn feeding are usually iron from fertilizer granules. How to prevent and remove them.

• Brown Leaf Stains on Concrete: How to Get Rid of Them

  Wet leaves leave brown, leaf-shaped tannin stains on driveways and patios. Why they form and how they're removed.

• Flaking Concrete (Scaling): Causes and How Sealing Helps

  When the top layer of a driveway flakes off, it's called scaling. Freeze-thaw and deicers are common causes. How sealing helps prevent it.

• How to Clean a Green or Dirty Vinyl Fence

  Green algae and dirt on white vinyl fences — what cleans them safely, and what scratches or yellows the vinyl.

• Removing Gum From Storefront Sidewalks and Entrances

  Black gum spots build up at shop entrances and walkways. How they're removed and how often businesses schedule it.

• Dumpster Pad Cleaning for Restaurants and Businesses

  Grease, odor and stains around dumpster pads attract pests. What cleaning involves and why wash water handling matters.

• Why Your Gutters Have Black Streaks on the Outside (and How to Clean Them)

  Those dark vertical stripes on gutter faces are stuck-on grime, not dirt you can rinse off. What causes them and how they're cleaned safely.

• How to Remove Grill Grease Stains from a Concrete or Paver Patio

  Grease under the grill soaks into concrete and pavers. What works on fresh drips, what older stains need, and what to avoid.

• Green or Black Algae on Your Driveway and Sidewalk: Causes and Fixes

  Green or black film on shaded concrete is usually algae or mildew, and it can get slippery. Why it grows and how to clean it.