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Time to remove the layers of grime left behind on the exterior, now that the trees, hedges and vines have been removed. The only option was to hire a professional power washer to handle the job.
Way before the power washer came on the scene, I had to do the following:
Remove any remnants of the vines. (Removal of the vines cost $600)
Repair and fill the cracks.
Every opportunity I had, was spent on a six-foot ladder with a wire brush, brushing away more clinging tendrils or aerial rootlets from the vines. These rootlets left behind marks once removed. Walls over-run with vines make maintenance hard or impossible. Vines reduce air flow to walls and increase moisture retention, which can cause damage.
After tackling the rootlets, I proceeded to patch the cracks with Pre-Mixed Stucco Patch (Home Depot DAP brand All Purpose Stucco Patch 1-gallon tub) with an Anvil Plastic Putty Knife (Home Depot 3-Pack). My building is 1,500 sq ft, so I had to purchase several tubs of stucco patch. It took me a couple of weeks to finish the patch-up and then let it harden and cure.
The power-washing process by the professional went as follows:
A Detergent (like Simple Green Oxy Solve Total Outdoor Pressure Washer Cleaner 1-gallon) was applied in sections to loosen the dirt.
After the application sat for about 15 mins, heavily stained areas were cleaned with a rotating scrub brush attachment.
The grime was sprayed away from the treated area.
Note: When rinsing, always make sure you are using a low-pressure spray pattern and hit the wall at a 45-degree angle.
Vola!
Hey! Did you notice the punch of color on the door? Yassss! Carol's bringing the curbside appeal. All 3 doors were cleaned, prepped, taped, and spray painted with Rust Oleum's Protective Enamel Gloss Sunburst Yellow Spray Paint.
The first thing to do when contemplating a new design project, is to start with an inspiration piece. It can be a single item that inspires the entire the project. For me, it was the rectangle industrial building that I purchased. I wanted to retain the industrial style,
but add an unexpected punch of color. It was very important to me that, as a person came around the corner and caught a glimpse of the place, that they would say, "Oh wow," or "That's cool!"
My favorite place for inspiration is Pinterest. It's 'the place" for discovering recipes, home ideas, style inspiration and more.
Tip: Find a color palette you like for inspiration.
This project was very satisfying. It basically sets the tone for my vision. From here, I have a blue print and color palette to work from. I just upped my curb appeal. Real estate professional will tell you that is the most important factor in determining if potential buyer will take a first or second look.
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