Spring brings out the home improvers, who step out to see what damage winter did and to what extent they can transform their outdoor spaces. They put down new mulch, edge flower beds, put in some shrubs, and see their lawns’ revival, which in turn improves the curbside appeal. What is often left out of this picture is the mess left behind after the landscaping crew leaves.
What they see as a refresh for the outdoors may, in fact, leave behind a layer of dirt, stains, dust, and debris on the structures that surround your home. Siding, patios, driveways, fences, and walkways are the ones that play host to the byproducts of spring yard work. What results is a beautiful new landscape, but the overall look of the property is still left unpolished because the outside elements are still looking weathered.
Identifying the typical issues that arise after spring landscaping projects will help homeowners to protect their investment and achieve the look they want.
Soil Splatter on Siding and Exterior Walls
Planters of flowers, shrubs, and trees often note that one of the main issues that comes up is that of soil splatter. As they plant, they move around loose dirt, which also gets watered in and thrown about. Even with care in landscape work, mud and damp soil still find their way to the bottom of siding, brick, stucco, or fencing.
This is even more so after the first spring rain. Wet soil mixed with mulch dust produces streaks that stick to the exterior walls. On light-colored siding, these marks stand out greatly, which in turn makes the home look neglected when in fact the yard is just being updated.
In many cases, what they see is a greater issue in foundation beds, which, at the time of installation, may have had the soil disturbed and not yet settled. Each time they water, the soil particles may be splashed up into the air and out of the bed; over time, this creates a visible layer of grime. If left unattended, this soil, which has worked its way out of the bed, can harden and become a greater pain to remove.
Mulch Dust and Color Transfer
Fresh mulch at once improves the appearance of garden beds by making them clean and defined, but it also produces fine organic dust. As they put in the mulch, spread it out, and work it in with a rake, tiny particles go into the air and end up on what is nearby.
This dust often lands on the following: This is what usually ends up happening:
- Walkways
- Porch steps
- Window sills
- Deck railings
- Garage doors
- Outdoor furniture
Dark mulch also has the tendency to leave behind dye residue, which is more noticeable in colored mulches. Black or brown dyed mulch products may bleed into concrete edges, stone edging, or pavers after watering. This results in dark staining that produces uneven spots, which in turn makes the hardscape look older than they are.
In that which the stains do not stand out against natural stone and concrete surfaces, many homeowners don’t see them at first. But when the rest of the landscaping settles in, the difference between the new beds and the stained areas becomes very apparent.
Walkway and Driveway Staining from Edging Work
Edging on landscape beds defines the clean, professional look of the yard, which is the effect of a pro. As for tools, they may use a hand edger or power edger or install stone borders, but with each comes the issue of dirt, grass left over, and fine dust that ends up on nearby hard surfaces.
Concrete sidewalks and driveways in particular see the most damage, as their porous surface, which is a characteristic feature of these types of concrete work, causes them to quickly collect dirt. What they may see is that recently cleaned-out lines of the sidewalk are very noticeable against the dusty pavement, which in turn gives the impression of a dull and mottled finish.
In some instances, rust-colored soil or clay-based dirt leaves a very hard-to-remove stain. Should a wheelbarrow, shovels, or bags of fertilizer be dragged over the pavement, they leave behind marks and residue also.
This issue at hand is that which many a time sees spring landscaping projects come up short. The flower beds may be picture perfect, but the stained walkway leading to the front door gives a different account.
Dust Buildup on Patios, Decks, and Outdoor Furniture
Landscaping projects put out much more dust into the air than the average homeowner thinks. They do a lot of digging, trimming, cutting of borders, and spreading of gravel, which all send up fine particles that go into the patios and outdoor living areas.
Dust buildup commonly settles on dust accumulations, which are typical of:.
- Patio furniture cushions
- Deck boards
- Pergolas
- Grill covers
- Glass doors
- Pool surrounds
Even if the dust is a small issue, it does make a difference to the look of outdoor spaces, which homeowners will be using more at that time of year.
This is a common issue that comes up after they put in what they have for their seasonal patio decor, or have had the weekend to clean the outdoor seating. What they had designed as an ideal entertainment area can instead very quickly become a place that feels worn and neglected.
Stains Around Stone Borders and Pavers
During springtime, when they do decorative pavers, stone borders, and retaining wall blocks that are installed for yard updates, the issue of mortar haze, dirt marks, and muddy runoff comes up.
When rainwater is used to set paver sand or wash stone dust, the runoff will spread to nearby concrete and stain other surfaces. If not treated, the area will dry, leaving a cloudy film, which in turn will cover the real color and texture of the materials. To restore the surfaces, many homeowners turn to trusted power washing companies in Allentown for a thorough cleanup.
This is because many homeowners who see their new landscape design still don’t pop as they had, which also results from not enough attention to the hardscape elements, which should also get equal care for the full picture to come together.
Why Cleanup Is Essential After Landscaping
After completion of any spring landscaping project, what is left out is surface cleanup. Without that final step, dirt, mulch particles, and stains may mar the work they just did.
A professional cleaning of the affected areas does the following:
- Remove soil splatter from siding
- Raise mulch dust off porches and patios.
- Clean stained walkways
- Restore driveway brightness
- Wash residue from stone borders
- Refresh decks and outdoor furniture areas
This last step they take creates a smooth transition between the landscaping and the home’s exterior.
Homeowners tend to use spring as a time to take care of leftover yard work and bring their property back to the way it should have.
Bringing Everything Together Visually
Beautiful gardens are a start to the home’s spring makeover, but they see the true transformation when all exterior spaces look like new.
Power washing is a key element in the overall property look. New flower beds stand out with clean siding. Bright walkways, which define edged borders. Fresh patios that bring the outdoor spaces back to life.
Without the aftercare that cleaning brings, even the best landscaping improvements may still feel like they are missing something. But once they clean out the grime, the true value of the seasonal touch-ups presents itself.
Spring is the time to refresh the home’s look, not to leave behind a mess. Taking that extra step to clean the siding, walkways, patios, and other surfaces will ensure that all details work as a set, which in turn allows the investment in curb appeal to really pay off.
We hope you found this blog post on The Hidden Mess Left Behind After Spring Landscaping Projects useful. Be sure to check out our post on Changes That Will Easily Boost Your Outdoor Space for more great tips!
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