Property Maintenance Cheltenham – Property Maintenance Cheltenham http://propertymaintenancecheltenham.co.uk Help to maintain your property in Cheltenham Mon, 30 Sep 2013 19:51:33 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.4 5 Steps for Overgrown Garden Clearance http://propertymaintenancecheltenham.co.uk/5-steps-for-overgrown-garden-clearance/ Mon, 30 Sep 2013 19:49:09 +0000 http://propertymaintenancecheltenham.co.uk/?p=38 Have you been putting off tending to your garden for a some time now or have you just relocated to a home with a neglected garden?

Although you actually know how overgrown it is, you also know that you that you have no idea to go about clearing it when you finally decide to clear it.

Clearing your garden is easy and it takes a few simple steps to get your garden looking clear all over again in less time than you actually expect:


Overgrown garden clearance imageFollow these simple steps to clear your overgrown garden:

1. Slash off the growth at the very top of the garden and clear it off the area. A slasher or cutter will serve this purpose effectively. You might want to use a scythe or trimmer to trim off particularly large overgrowth.

2. You’ll need a lawn mower for this step. Before using the mower to cut off the remaining overgrowth, make sure to properly clear the area after step one above, preferably with a rake, at it will stop your lawnmower from getting stuck as it cuts closer to the ground. A rotary mower does this perfectly but a Flymo style mower may be easier if your garden has been neglected for some time.

3. Dig out the remaining vegetation after cutting with the lawnmower as low as possible to the ground, making sure to churn up the soil, chop and dig out the overgrowth from beneath their roots. A rotavator comes handy in churning up the soil – you can rent these locally.

4. After churning up soil and digging up the roots you you will need to rake up and clear them from the area before proceeding to the next step. Otherwise, this will just grow back later if left in the soil. This step has to be done thoroughly so that only soil that’s free of pieces of roots and vegetation is left in the garden

5. Finally, clear the small remaining roots bits and pieces of vegetation by hand to bring the soil to a rough evenness.

Or use these simple steps to chemically clear your overgrown garden:

1. When using chemicals, the first thing is to thoroughly read the manufacturers instructions on all chemicals to be used before using them. Make sure to wear protective clothes and to take protective measures as instructed.

2. Obtain and carefully spray the whole area with a weedkiller. Aim for an even application of the weedkiller in the whole garden. Leave it an appropriate time as per the manufacturers instruction. This allows the chemical to take proper effect.

3. Once the time is up, thoroughly chop off the topmost overgrowth in the area with a slasher.

4. Spray the weedkiller so that it spreads easily. This is particularly important where there is a lot of overgrowth which would otherwise prevent the weedkiller from being effective.

5. Finally, take out the dead or slashed off vegetation and put it in the appropriate recycling bin.

Always remember to take precautions when using chemicals to clear your overgrown garden.

In most cases, overgrown garden clearance is best done mechanically without using many chemicals.

If you’d like help to get your overgrown garden back under control, request a callback using the box on the right or put your details in our contact form.

]]>
How to Clean a Driveway http://propertymaintenancecheltenham.co.uk/how-to-clean-a-driveway/ Mon, 30 Sep 2013 19:37:35 +0000 http://propertymaintenancecheltenham.co.uk/?p=34 Driveways are often neglected features of properties that need regular cleaning and maintenance.

Clean driveways give home exteriors an inviting look while dirty and unkempt driveways make properties appear uncared for.

Driveways can become dirty from accumulated dirt, road salt and vehicle fluids.

The longer stains remain on your driveway surface the more difficult it is to remove them.

Driveway cleaning imageThis means that regularly cleaning your driveway helps preserve its appealing look and make it longer lasting.

Concrete, tarmac, brick and stone driveway surfaces can be cleaned using few basic items:

Things that you need:

a) Broom
b) Long handle scrub brush
c) Liquid soap
d) Two plastic buckets
e) Garden hose/ hosepipe
f) Spray nozzle

How to clean your driveway

1. First and foremost sweep your driveway with the broom to remove branches, leaves and debris

2. Spray water from the hosepipe to all vegetation (i.e. plants, shrubs and grass) that surround your driveway to protect them from runoff.

3. Screw the spray nozzle into the hosepipe then spray water to the driveway to remove dirt and make the surface wet.

4. Add two table spoons liquid soap into two gallons of warm water in a clean plastic bucket. Mix the solution thoroughly.

5. Fill the other plastic bucket with clean warm water. The water will be used to rinse the long handled scrub brush.

6. Dip the long handled scrubbing brush in the warm soapy water that you prepared earlier. Scrub a five foot square section of your driveway surface with the soapy scrubbing brush. Regularly rinse the long handled scrub brush in warm water so as to avoid re-applying dirt to your driveway.

7. Spray each scrubbed section of your driveway with water from the hosepipe to wash away grime/ dirt and the soapy water.

8. Use the same process to clean the remaining sections of your driveway. Refill both buckets with fresh dish soap solution and rinsing water as required.

9. Spray clean water from the hosepipe to the entire driveway to remove any soap and dirt that is remaining. Leave the driveway to air-dry for sometime.

Tips and warnings for driveway cleaning

1. You can substitute the soapy solution with a commercial driveway cleaner. Use a commercial cleaner that is specifically designed for your driveway surface for good results. Strictly adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. To remove oil stains from a driveway, sprinkle baking soda or crush cat litter directly into the stain and leave it for sometime to absorb. Wash the oil stain with a liquid detergent and scrub brush. Rinse with clean water and let the driveway dry.

3. Do not use wire brushes to scrub driveways because they can damage the surface.

4. Always use warm water to clean your driveways because they are more effective in removing dirt than cold water.

Driveways are a very important aspect of the house because they are the first things to be noticed by even casual observers.

To create a good impression about your home and make your home exterior look appealing clean your drive way regularly. The task may appear daunting but it is worthwhile.

And if all that seems too daunting, you can hire a professional driveway cleaner to do the work for you.

Just pop your details in the “Request a callback” box or use the contact form and we’ll get back to you soon!

]]>