How to prepare for your exterior cleaning service
A little preparation helps your exterior clean go smoothly. Whether you’re planning ahead or already have a visit booked, here’s what to get ready before we arrive.
Having roof treatment or BugBlock as well? You’ll find those preparation instructions here too. Follow the sections that apply to your booking with Blast Away Guys in Northland and Auckland.
Find the preparation instructions for your booking
- Exterior cleaning checklist: windows, plants, access and water supply
- Roof treatment: tank water and weather
- BugBlock: interior and exterior preparation
Having roof treatment and using tank water? Read the tank-water instructions below before your visit. Downpipes must stay disconnected until at least 40 mm of rain has fallen after treatment.
Your exterior cleaning checklist
Close all windows and exterior doors, clear the areas being cleaned, secure pets and check your outside water supply. Tell us about any plants you want protected. These are important steps for every exterior wash.
What about my plants during exterior cleaning?
Please tell us before your visit if you have sensitive plants or are concerned about any of your plants. Point out which plants in particular you would like us to look after so we can plan their protection.
If you will be home, you can wet those plants down before we start and rinse them afterwards. If you will be away, our team can do this for you.
For particularly sensitive plants, or plants you feel need an additional barrier, we can bring plastic painters’ drop cloths to protect them. Let us know beforehand so we can bring these with us.
Move items away from the areas being cleaned
Move outdoor furniture, pot plants and other movable items away from the surfaces included in your booking. For a deck or driveway clean, clear that area too.
Bring in washing, shoes, doormats, cushions and anything you do not want getting wet or coming into contact with cleaning products.
If something is too heavy to move, tell us before the day so we can discuss it. There is no need to tackle a heavy lift on your own.
Close windows and doors
Check every window and exterior door, including any upstairs or in rooms you rarely use.
Older wooden joinery and worn seals can let water through. Place old towels along the inside windowsills as a precaution, and let us know about any existing leaks. Use towels you do not mind being bleached if cleaning solution gets through. Water or cleaning solution entering through leaking joinery can also affect curtains, carpets and furniture.
Do I need to be home for exterior cleaning?
You do not usually need to be home for exterior cleaning, provided we can access the booked areas and water supply. Please make sure we have a number we can reach you on if a question comes up.
Unlock gates we need to use and let us know about gate codes, shared driveways or other access arrangements. Move vehicles out of areas being cleaned and keep the route to your outside tap clear.
How do I check my water pressure?
Low water flow can make a wash take longer. A quick bucket test helps us plan:
- Place a 10-litre bucket under your outside tap.
- Turn the tap on fully.
- Time how long the bucket takes to fill.
If a 10-litre bucket takes 1 minute 10 seconds or more to fill, please let us know before your booking. This flags low flow so we can plan for your visit.
The bucket test checks water flow rather than measuring pressure directly. A fill time of around 50 seconds can still be workable for a wash. If the bucket takes 1 minute 10 seconds or more, advance notice helps us prepare. Low flow without warning may mean extra time, an additional charge or rescheduling. We will discuss this with you first.
Tell us if your supply uses a tank or an electric pump, if water is limited, or if power will be unavailable. Advance notice gives us a chance to discuss what the job needs.
Keep pets and children away from the work area
For an exterior wash, keep pets securely away from the areas we are cleaning. Let us know where they will be and flag any access instructions so we do not accidentally open their enclosure.
Keep children away from hoses, equipment and the work area while the team is working.
If your booking includes roof treatment
Will my roof treatment go ahead if rain is forecast?
Blast Away Guys cannot apply a roof treatment in rain or high winds. If the weather prevents us from carrying out your treatment, we may need to reschedule. We monitor the forecast and aim to give you as much notice as possible.
A changeable forecast can mean an appointment needs to move more than once. We will keep you informed and work with you to arrange another suitable time.
What if it rains after my roof has been treated?
Rain 15 minutes after we have applied your roof treatment is okay. By then, the product has had enough time to absorb and begin working.
We send a separate roof treatment email before your visit. You can also read our roof treatment weather guidance. If you are unsure about your booking, contact us and we can talk it through.
Read more about our roof treatments and roof washing.
If your booking includes BugBlock
Complete the checklist for the treatment you have booked. If you have booked both interior and exterior treatment, complete both. These instructions apply in addition to the preparation for any exterior cleaning included in your visit.
If we are washing and applying exterior BugBlock during the same visit, we wash first and apply the treatment once the appropriate surfaces are dry.
When can people and pets go back inside?
For an interior treatment, people and pets must remain outside the house while we work. Wait approximately one hour after we finish, and until all treated surfaces are completely dry, before going back inside.
If anything is still damp after an hour, wait until it has dried. If you remain outside at the property, stay clear of the areas our technician is treating.
How do I prepare for an interior BugBlock treatment?
Before we arrive:
- Put away toothbrushes and other personal-care items you normally leave out.
- Remove or securely cover exposed food.
- Put away dishes, glasses, cutlery, cooking utensils and small kitchen appliances left on benchtops.
- Put away towels, pillows, exposed clothing and other personal items.
- Put away children’s toys, particularly toys that may be handled frequently or placed in a child’s mouth.
- Remove pet food, water bowls, toys and bedding from the areas being treated.
- Cover fish tanks securely and turn off air pumps during the treatment.
- Make sure we can enter every room included in your booking.
- Tell us about rooms or areas you do not want treated.
People and pets must be outside before the interior treatment begins.
How do I prepare for an exterior BugBlock treatment?
These steps apply to exterior treatment only. If you booked interior treatment only, you do not need to trim vegetation or arrange an exterior wash for that treatment.
- Wash before treatment, if washing is planned. Arrange house washing and exterior window cleaning before exterior BugBlock, so cleaning does not remove the treatment afterwards. A wash is not a requirement for every booking. Tell us if one is planned so we can arrange the order.
- Trim vegetation touching exterior walls. Cut back branches, shrubs and climbing plants that touch the walls being treated, where you can do so safely. This gives us access to those surfaces.
- Close all windows and exterior doors.
- Bring washing inside.
- Move pet food, water bowls, toys and bedding away from exterior areas being treated.
- Keep pets away from treated exterior surfaces until they are completely dry.
- If you remain outside at the property, stay clear of the areas being treated.
For exterior treatment, keep people and pets clear of the treatment area while we work and until treated surfaces are completely dry.
What about fishponds, aviaries, beehives and sensitive areas?
Fishponds, aviaries, beehives and other sensitive areas near the treatment area must be protected from potential overspray. Please tell us about them before our arrival. If you are unsure how to prepare them, contact us so we can talk it through.
Aftercare: looking after your BugBlock treatment
After an exterior treatment
Keep people and pets away from treated areas until the surfaces are completely dry. Follow any additional instructions our technician gives you.
Avoid washing treated exterior surfaces and windows after treatment. Washing, scrubbing or water blasting can remove the residual treatment and reduce its effectiveness. If you need window cleaning or other washing afterwards, contact us first so we can explain which areas to avoid.
When can I brush away spider webs?
Follow our technician’s advice on when to remove remaining webs. Use a dry, soft brush when advised, rather than washing or scrubbing the treated surface. If you are unsure, please ask us before removing them.
After an interior treatment
Return only after the waiting time our technician gives you and once treated surfaces are completely dry. Ventilate the house on your return as instructed.
Keep residual treatment on the intended surfaces. Ask us before washing treated areas. This does not replace normal food hygiene: clean food-preparation surfaces and any exposed food-contact items with clean drinking water before use, as instructed by our technician.
Booked BugBlock only? You can use our dedicated interior and exterior preparation guide.
Not sure about something? Ask us before the day
A quick message now can save a hold-up when the team arrives. If you need help with access, water supply or any of the preparation above, contact Novi and we will help you get it sorted.
Call 027 238 8738 or email info@blastawayguys.co.nz.
Still planning your clean? Find out about our house washing service.
