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Spring in Arlington means pollen season, severe weather season, and the most important exterior maintenance window of the year. Your home has been through the mild but damp North Texas winter, and before summer heat locks everything in, spring is the time to assess, clean, and protect every exterior surface.
Use this checklist to make sure nothing gets missed — and to prioritize what needs professional attention versus what you can handle yourself.
Gutters — First Priority
Gutters are the highest-priority item on any spring exterior checklist because clogged gutters cause cascading damage to almost every other part of your home’s exterior.
Check for: Leaves, seed pods, pine needles, and debris accumulated since fall. Look for any sections that have pulled away from the fascia board or appear to be sagging. Check downspouts for blockages by running a garden hose into the top — the water should flow freely out the bottom.
What to do: Schedule a professional gutter cleaning that includes manual debris removal, downspout flushing, and a flow test. In the Arlington area, this is one of the smartest $150 to $200 investments you can make each spring.
Why it can’t wait: If gutters overflow during spring storms — and DFW gets heavy rain from April through June — water pours directly down your siding and pools at your foundation. Fascia board rot, foundation erosion, and basement moisture are the common results.
Roof — Inspect and Clean If Needed
You don’t need to get on your roof to do a spring inspection. A pair of binoculars and a few minutes in your yard will tell you a lot.
Check for: Dark black or gray streaks running down the shingles (algae), green patches near the ridge or under tree branches (moss), any shingles that appear lifted, missing, or cracked from winter wind, and debris — branches, leaves, or accumulated material in valleys.
What to do: If you see black streaks or green growth, schedule a professional soft wash roof cleaning. This is not a job for a pressure washer or a garden hose — it requires the right low-pressure equipment and cleaning solutions. If you spot damaged shingles, contact a roofer.
Why it matters in spring: The algae that causes black streaking has been growing slowly through the winter. Spring rain gives it a fresh surge of growth. Cleaning it now prevents the damage from compounding through summer.
Siding and Exterior Walls — House Washing
Step back and look at all four sides of your home. Walk the perimeter slowly.
Check for: Green or black growth near the foundation or lower siding panels (mold and algae love the shaded, moist area near mulch and soil), discoloration or chalky oxidation on vinyl or painted surfaces, cobwebs and insect nests in eaves and corners, general dullness or a layer of pollen that’s been worked into the surface by winter moisture.
What to do: Schedule a professional soft wash house washing. This removes all organic growth, pollen, and general buildup safely from your siding type — vinyl, brick, stucco, or Hardie board.
North and west-facing walls: Pay special attention to these. They get less direct sun, stay damper longer, and almost always have the heaviest mold and algae growth.
Driveway and Concrete Surfaces
Check for: Oil stains in vehicle parking areas, algae or green growth along the edges and shaded sections, tire marks, mineral staining or discoloration from winter runoff, and any cracking or heaving in the slab.
What to do: If your driveway has significant staining or it’s been more than two years since it was cleaned, spring is a great time to schedule a professional concrete cleaning. For oil stains specifically, professional degreaser pre-treatment is necessary to get real results.
Don’t forget: sidewalks, front entry walkways, back patio, and pool deck if you have one. All of these benefit from spring cleaning and are typically inexpensive to add to a driveway cleaning job.
Windows and Window Frames
Check for: Grime and algae buildup on window frames and sills, damaged or missing caulking around window edges (a key entry point for water), screens that were damaged by winter wind.
What to do: Window frames and sills can be cleaned during a house washing service. Damaged caulking should be addressed by a handyman before summer rain season to prevent water intrusion.
Fences and Deck (If Applicable)
Check for: Mold, mildew, or green algae growth on wood surfaces (very common after a damp winter), gray weathering on untreated wood, loose boards, or posts that have shifted.
What to do: Wood fences and decks benefit from soft washing to remove organic growth. After cleaning, this is also the right time to apply a sealant or stain if the wood is due. Sealing right after cleaning extends the life of the wood significantly.
Exterior Lighting and Outlets
Check for: Wasp nests or spider webs in exterior light fixtures (very common in spring), moisture inside any exterior outlet covers, and that all bulbs are working heading into the longer spring evenings.
What to do: This is a quick DIY item. Clear any nests, wipe down fixtures, and replace bulbs as needed.
Foundation and Drainage
Check for: Soil that has eroded or settled away from the foundation (creating a low spot where water can pool), downspout extensions that are cracked or disconnected, and any visible cracking in the foundation.
What to do: Foundation issues beyond minor cosmetics should be assessed by a professional. For drainage, make sure all downspout extensions are directing water at least 4 to 6 feet away from the foundation — not pooling next to it.
Spring Cleaning Priority Order
If budget or time means you can’t do everything at once, here’s the order we recommend for Arlington homeowners:
- Gutters — highest damage risk if neglected heading into storm season
- House washing — highest visual impact and surface protection value
- Driveway and concrete — curb appeal and stain prevention
- Roof — every 2–3 years, prioritize if you see visible growth
Ready to get your Arlington home’s exterior in top shape for spring?
Stegmeier Pressure Washing handles house washing, gutter cleaning, roof washing, and driveway cleaning throughout Arlington, TX and surrounding DFW communities. Call or text (817) 773-8984 or get a free quote → and we’ll take care of the whole list.
