Elevating Home Value Through Regular Exterior Home Maintenance: A Community Effort

In the ever-fluctuating real estate market of cities like Vancouver, where the dynamic is as variable as the weather, maintaining your home goes beyond mere upkeep—it’s a strategic investment in your property’s future value. However, this strategy isn’t limited to the interior or the immediate exterior of your home. Services such as gutter cleaning, window washing, and sidewalk power washing play a pivotal role in not just preserving but significantly enhancing your home’s curb appeal and, consequently, its market value. The Impact of Exterior Maintenance on Home Value A home that shines with cleanliness and structural integrity naturally stands out, attracting more interest from potential buyers and, in turn, elevating its market value. Consider gutter cleaning: it’s not just about preventing water damage; clean gutters contribute to the overall aesthetic of your home, signalling meticulous care to prospective buyers. Similarly, sparkling windows and well-maintained sidewalks offer a visual appeal that speaks volumes about the homeowner’s attention to detail, further boosting the property’s attractiveness and value. The Power of Community in Real Estate Value The concept of enhancing home value through maintenance takes on a new dimension when applied on a community-wide scale. When neighbours collectively commit to regular maintenance of their exteriors, the neighbourhood as a whole becomes more appealing. This shared commitment to beauty and upkeep doesn’t just elevate each individual home’s value; it enhances the desirability of the entire neighbourhood, making it a sought-after location for prospective buyers. In competitive markets like Vancouver’s, a well-kept neighbourhood can be a decisive factor for buyers, potentially increasing property values across the board. A Strategic Contribution to Financial Health This collective effort in home maintenance transcends aesthetic benefits, morphing into a strategic investment in the community’s financial health. Regularly employing services like gutter cleaning, window washing, and power washing sidewalks and decks ensures that homes not only maintain their value but also contribute to the overall appeal and marketability of the neighbourhood. It’s a cycle of care that rewards not just the individual homeowner but the entire community, showcasing how shared values and actions can lead to mutual financial benefits. Imagine a Stronger Community and Higher House Value  Investing in regular maintenance tasks such as gutter cleaning, window washing, and sidewalk power washing is a proven strategy to increase your home’s resale value. More importantly, when this practice becomes a community-wide effort, it significantly boosts the attractiveness and financial standing of the entire neighbourhood. It’s a clear indication that when homeowners come together in the pursuit of maintaining their properties, the result is a stronger, more desirable community that stands out in the competitive real estate market. Contact IMAGINE Maintenance for a free estimate on all of your exterior house cleaning needs. Ask us about our Value Bundles (something to consider for you and your neighbour!) and save time and money! 

The First Thing Customers Notice About Your Business

Did you know, your business faces its first judgement before anyone even steps through the door? Here are the exterior cleaning tips we recommend to make sure your curb appeal remains in tact. Keep The Sidewalks Clean Before people even enter your premises, they have to navigate an often unsightly sidewalk, stepping over gum, cigarette butts and garbage. A simple pressure washing service can renew the ground floors outside your building to give them the look of being freshly poured. Remove Moss and Algae From Your Awning Whether you have a fabric or glass awning, both need regular cleaning. Awnings are often forgotten about which means people don’t always notice when they begin to look a bit dirty. Awning cleaning can make a surprisingly big difference on the overall look of your building. But don’t take it from us, hear what property management company Warrington PCI have to say, “Our commercial building is comprised of mixed use tenancies which consist mainly of high-end retail. Thus, the appearance of this area is extremely important. We recently contracted IMAGINE Maintenance to clean the awnings at the retail level and found their work to be coordinated efficiently and completed in a timely manner which reduced any inconvenience to our Tenants. Their cleaning methods made the awnings appear almost brand new. We would definitely recommend this company”. Make Sure Your Windows Shine After we finish a window cleaning appointment, we like to look at the building next door to see what a big difference clean windows make. And we’re not exaggerating when we say it makes a big difference – it really does. We do however notice that people often don’t think about window cleaning in Vancouver until summer. It should really be seen as a year round maintenance task. Did you know that a building with cleaner windows is actually warmer? That’s a great excuse to schedule a window cleaning appointment during the cooler months too. Another thing to consider at this time of year is gutter cleaning. Vancouver is well known for its huge amount of rain and that, combined with fallen leaves can cause gutter clogs which can result in water overflowing onto newly cleaned windows. Our gutter and window cleaning team are able to offer maintenance tips so that once we’ve gone, you’ll be able to maintain the curb appeal you, and your customers, desire. “We’ve been using IMAGINE Maintenance to do the annual top to bottom high dusting and window cleaning at our North Vancouver retail shopping center for 5 years. They have a proven track record for understanding our needs, planning ahead, staffing appropriately, and coming to the job prepared. They’ve proven time and again that they can meet our expectations on time and have provided valuable insight to the condition of our building above what we thought we already knew.“ — LONSDALE QUAY MARKET If you’d like to find out how our annual maintenance package can solve all of these issues in one visit, contact our Vancouver exterior cleaning team today today.

5 Easy Ways To Give The Outside Of Your Home A Mini-Makeover

Looking for ways to improve the appearance of your home? And more importantly on a budget? Our years of patio, window, gutter and awning cleaning have made us experts in knowing how to make the outside of a home look great! Here are some simple tips you can implement today. 1. Outdoor Lighting Brighten up those dark nights with some stylish outdoor light fittings. They are a great way to make your home more welcoming even during the Vancouver’s gloomiest of days. As summer is just around the corner, why not try some fairy lights too. But beware, the extra light may highlight some areas that’ll need your attention. But don’t worry, if you notice you’re in need of some a pressure washing or an awning cleaning appointment, we’re here! 2. Awning Cleaning Since we’ve mentioned awning cleaning – it is a great way to spruce up your curb appeal. Perhaps you’ve noticed our vans around Downtown Vancouver? If so, we’ve probably been attending awning cleaning appointments at some of your best loved retails stores and restaurants. Businesses know the impact, freshly cleaned glass and fabric awnings have on creating a positive image. So if they’re doing it, why not do the same at your home? 3. Window Plants Whether you live in an apartment or house, some plant filled window boxes can turn your home into one good enough to star in a fancy home design brochure. The best thing about it? You can tend to the plants through the window from the warmth of your own home. As passers by will be begin to admire your pretty window plants, make sure they don’t get distracted by dirty windows. Staying on top of your window cleaning will be a must! 4. Welcome Mat If you’re wanting to make your home more welcoming, there’s no better place to start than with a welcome mat. Whether you opt for a traditional one, or a personalized one, you and your guests will feel suitably welcomed every time you reach the front door. 5. Window Shutters If you’re ready for a slightly larger change, try installing some window shutters. Not only do they look great but, for those times in between window cleaning appointments, close the shutters and nobody will see the dirty windows! Once you’ve finished giving your home a mini-makeover, contact us to add the finishing touches. Whether you’re interested in multiple exterior cleaning services or just window, gutter or awning cleaning, you can request a quote or appointment using our online form today.

Do You Need Window Cleaning? Consider Curb Appeal.

Scheduling somebody to clean your windows, then your awning, and then your driveway can be a hassle. This is why our Curb Appeal offering allows you to book everything in one go whether your building is residential or commercial. Next time you go to book us to clean your windows, consider whether your awning, driveway or gutter could need some attention too. Our team are experienced in all areas of exterior maintenance so can easily see to all the work your building needs to improve its curb appeal. We are able to combine all of the following services into one visit, window cleaning, awning cleaning, pressure washing, exterior cleaning (includes roof cleaning), gutter cleaning (Vancouver gutters can get very full in fall so think about planning ahead). Simply contact us to discuss your property and its needs and we’ll schedule you in for a visit from one of our friendly team members. A single visit from IMAGINE will leave your home or building spotless!

Improve Your Curb Appeal To Get Your Home Sell-Ready

Simple outdoor improvements such as window cleaning, awning cleaning and gutter cleaning can give those potential buyers a good first impression within seconds. Our Curb Appeal package helps improve the overall look and feel of your property – from the inside, out! Before people even step through the door of your home, they will be making judgments on the outside, so make sure they aren’t bad. Dirty windows, awning, gutters and driveways can make your home less desirable. Our Curb Appeal offering takes care of all of that. We know that selling property requires a lot of effort and you probably have a long list of things to do inside your home so let someone else take care of the outside. Contact us to discuss getting all exterior cleaning completed in one visit. Our experienced, insured team work meticulously to ensure your home is free or moss, algae and smears. While IMAGINE works on the outside, you can try these home-selling tricks inside. We all love the smell of freshly baked goods and home-buyers are no different. Studies have shown that houses that have recently baked breads or cakes before a viewing result in a higher offer. A citrus smell has shown to work best so try baking a lemon loaf or muffins. Whilst you are focusing on the kitchen, remove kettles and toasters to give the impression of more countertop space. Let the viewer imagine their own belongings in the space. A kitchen is a very important room for most house-buyers so if yours hasn’t been modernized for a few decades, it could be worth investing in some new cupboard doors. Investing in doors rather than a new kitchen can lead to a good return. Remember neutral colours and simple handles are best. Ever noticed how high-end retail stores are brightly lit? People spend more money in bright locations. If you have energy saving lightbulbs, swap them to bright ones before any viewings. This will be especially helpful if you are selling your home in winter. If you have lived in your home for years, you may have built up a large amount of clothing and shoes which may all be squashed into your built-in closets. Take 50% of your belongings out to allow viewers to see how much room they’ll have. When a person is viewing a house, not only are they looking at what property they can buy, but also what lifestyle they can buy. If your car is an older model, borrow or hire an executive car to sit in your driveway when you have viewings to impress potential buyers. By following these tips, you will improve your chances of a quick sale. Window washing and gutter cleaning are important to arrange before house viewings but get in touch with us to discuss how our complete Curb Appeal offering can make your home give the impression it should before anyone even steps inside.

CURB APPEAL: Algae Attacks!

DIY or hire-a-guy, don’t overlook this effective step to refresh your home’s exterior. Removing algae from your home is like fighting off a zombie horde, it just keeps coming back. In the Vancouver area we see over 161 rainy days per year. This wet environment, combined with cloud cover provides the perfect environment for zombie/algae growth on your home. How to defeat this relentless foe? Algae are simple organisms that rapidly grow in moist environments and produce their own food. They are extremely beneficial in many ecosystems and help to support life on Earth but are less than ideal on the walls of your home. Luckily, algae in of itself is fairly simple to remove, however you may find the purchase cost of equipment or working from ladders to access all the exterior surfacing on your home reason enough to call in a pro. For those DIY’ers up to the task, prepare to get dirty. Make your plan Before you start killing zombies cleaning, there are a few things you need to do to prepare first. • Cover sources of electricity. Either shut off power to exterior lights at the breaker, or cover fixtures with plastic sheets and duct tape. Also make sure all windows are shut tight. • Prepare the workspace. Ensure all lawn furniture, kids toys are moved out of the way. If plants can’t be moved, cover them with plastic • Stock up Like any good zombie attack you’ll need to stock up on supplies. • Weapons Solution: 1 cup tsp, 4 litres of bleach, 20 litre’s of water. You can strengthen the solution if needed, but this is a good place to start. • Gear Put on some grubby clothes you don’t mind getting ruined, eye protection and gloves are a must too. • Tools Ladder, long extending pole with a brush (possibly a pressure washer, more on that later) Start your attack With your solution mixed and your goggles on, start by scrubbing at the bottom and working your way up. Rinse as you go. This is very important as you don’t want the solution to dry as it can leave the siding spotty looking. When rinsing, be thorough and rinse all the way to the ground, each time until you’re done. For an extra bonus, scrub the exteriors of your gutters and downspouts. You might find this tedious and slow and think using a pressure washer is a great idea, but its use comes with a word of warning. Your siding is designed to shed water down your house, standing from an low vantage point and spraying up with a pressure washer can easily force water behind your shingles, rot the underlay and encourage mold growth. Aside from that, its very easy to be inconsistent with the spray pattern, come too close and chip or crack the siding. If feel its worth the risk to pressure wash, here are a few tips. • Use very low pressure, the lowest amount that does the job. • Never spray at an upward angle. Ladders will be required, use a short pressure wand and maintain 3 points of contact with the ladder • Start from the top, and work in sections equal to your reach • Spray away from doors and windows Congratulations! You have successfully beaten off the algae attack. Saved the day, won the girl (or guy) and did your part to make your neighbourhood a nicer place. – See more at: https://imagineservices.ca/blog/algaeattacks#sthash.bxNbwwNk.dpuf

CURB APPEAL: Roof Cleaning

Protect your investment with an essential cleaning service, or get the competitive edge in a buyers market. There is a war happening right now on your roof, and your roof is losing. Enemy camps of black algae known as Gloeocapsa magma have infiltrated. They are building in numbers and soon your roof will be over-run. But all is not lost. Know the enemy Sun Tzu in the Art of War notes you will only be victorious if you know yourself and know your foe. At first glance, the black streaks on your roof appear to be nothing more than dirt, easy to wash off right? Infact, those black streaks are a living organism called Gloeocapsa magma and this airborne bacteria has found a great home on your roof. Todays fibreglass roofing shingles are manufactured with a limestone filler which holds moisture and organic material longer and is a great food source for bacteria. There is some controversy whether this algae does damage itself, but it does affect the roof’s ability to reflect the sun’s rays which causes a heat buildup, not only causing an increase in cooling costs, but can also affecting the life expectancy of a shingled roof. Algae is also a precursor to moss growth which can damage roofing materials in a few ways. It holds water against your roof which can lead to rotting, and can expand and contract with freezing temperatures. Moss likes to grow near the edge of shingles which can lift up the shingles over time, and has root-like structures called rhizoids that can cause pitting of the shingles. Choose your weapon Now that you know what you’re up against you can more clearly plan your attack. But like any good battle commander knows, choosing the right weapon is key for success. An all-out frontal assault with a pressure washer is highly discouraged by both the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) and The National Roofing Contractors Association ( NRCA) as you’ll likely remove a high degree of the granule surfacing that protects the roof from ultra-violet radiation. Chemicals are the weapons of mass algae destruction and come in a variety of proprietary blends, but the same results can also be achieved by mixing some common household chemicals. Solutions range from one cup TSP, 4 litres of bleach and 20 litres of water, to one cup TSP, 10 litres of bleach, 10 litres of water. First, ensure all windows are closed and there are no cars in the driveway. Pre-rinse landscaping & plants, and periodically rinse during the cleaning process. Using normal safety precautions while handling bleach and using ladders disperse the solution onto the roofing surface using a garden sprayer. A soft bristle brush can be used to loosen large clumps of moss, but heavy brushing should be avoided.  Allow the detergent to sit for five minutes and do not allow it to dry. Rinse and repeat as necessary. Plan your defense Moisture, cloud cover and shade promote rapid algae growth, and with 160 rainy days in Vancouver its easy to see that we have the perfect climate for algae.  Reapplication can be required as early as six months after the initial treatment to maintain the appearance of the roof, or the installation of zinc strips along the roofline can provide ongoing defence against the growth of algae. Whether you choose to DIY or hire a professional, roof cleaning is a fraction of the replacement cost and essential to maximizing the lifespan of your roof. – See more at: https://imagineservices.ca/blog/roof-cleaning#sthash.xOmUqtzT.dpuf

How to improve curb appeal

Tips for sprucing up your home. Curb appeal is the attractiveness of your home’s exterior when viewed from the street, and is so important because it sets the tone for your entire home. Whether you are listing your home for sale, or keeping up the maintenance as pride of ownership, an inviting exterior creates a welcoming and cared for attitude to buyers or guests. Assessing This is a challenging exercise for most everyone, to see their home with the fresh eyes of a buyer. We tend to become accustomed to what we see everyday, including faults. Decide right now to stop thinking of your property as a home, its a house – a commodity you want to sell for the highest dollar possible. Walk across the street from your home or far enough to get a good view. 1. What is your first impression of the house and yard 2. What are the best features? How can you enhance them? 3. What are the worst features? How can you minimize them? 4. What can you do yourself? What do you need professional help with? Park where a potential buyer would and walk towards the house, looking around if it were your first visit. Is the approach clean and tidy? Make a list of the problem areas you discover. Tackle clean up and basic repair chores first. Enhancing – Kill moss and algae on the house, sidewalks, roof, fence patio, and driveway. – Clean windows and gutters. – Mow the lawn, get rid of weeds, edge sidewalks. – Trim tree limbs that are near or touching the roof – Polish any hardware – Touch up cracked paint – Purchasing a new house address – Add colourful plants to existing flower beds – Installing lighting along driveway or sidewalk. The Front Door This is the part of your house that says “Welcome.” Highlight this area with decorative touches such as adding a small grouping of potted plants. Paint or replace your front door and put out a new welcome mat. If your home is inviting from the street, people will imagine its attractive inside too. Stay tuned for more in-depth articles and DIY tips for curb appeal. – See more at: https://imagineservices.ca/blog/how-to-improve-curb-appeal#sthash.Hv5tXqBl.dpuf