Summer Parties Are More Than Food and Drink!

The warm weather is finally here, with all the chances for hosting and entertaining that you’ve waited for all Winter. Whether it’s just family and friends, or your guest list includes a variety of business associates and clients, your party won’t even get off the ground until your property and backyard entertainment center have been cleaned and spruced up for all to enjoy.

An innovative menu and wide choice of beverages for your guests are essential ingredients to a memorable party, but your occasion will not be all it can be, unless you properly prepare “The Party Place.” What, you ask, is your party place? Why, it’s your backyard entertainment center and outdoor kitchen. That’s pretty obvious, right? But The Party Place actually includes your entire property.

Preparing Your Party Place

If you are anything like me, then you get immense personal satisfaction from hosting a successful event for friends, family, and business contacts at my home. Few things give me the same kick I get after hearing from guests at the party about how much they enjoyed themselves. It’s a great feeling. Not just the enjoyment I feel during the event, but also later when I get a chance to reflect on things.

To keep my eye on the ball, I’ve developed a simple checklist for Party Prep at my house. I use it not for the menu, which is the real key to successful entertaining, but to making sure that the setting is prepared just right. And I should mention that it isn’t always necessary to execute each step on the cleaning schedule – the important thing is to do a quick visual check to identify the things needing attention – and those that are fine, so far.

For those items that do need attention, an appropriate combination of power washing and soft washing is most often the best answer.

The Outdoor Kitchen

If you have cooking and dining facilities in your backyard, you know how unpleasant it can be getting them in ship-shape condition for the coming entertainment season. De-greasing cook surfaces, removing last year’s residue from countertops and appliances, and just ratcheting up the level of “clean” will make your surroundings more enjoyable and more inviting for you, your family, and your guests. While not much fun to perform by ourselves, finding an experienced provider makes this a straightforward and uneventful process.

The Patio, Porches, and Pool Deck

These are often the first things you will see as you approach the house or look out one of your windows. They are usually also prime candidates for seasonal cleansing and party prep. Beyond regular wear and tear, for some reason these appear to be especially susceptible to unsightly mildew and even mold. Experience and expertise are both essential for cleaning these, as the wrong choice of cleanser or equipment can potentially and seriously damage the surface that hides under the dirt.

The Outdoor and Lawn Furniture

The Winter can be brutal to your outdoor and lawn furniture. Rain, snow, sleet, and extreme temperature swings like we experience here in Monmouth County, NJ take a heavy toll on outdoor furniture. If you are eating or simply relaxing in the fresh air, clean furniture adds an extra dimension to your enjoyment – not to mention for your guests. Whether tables and chairs, chaise lounges and occasional pieces, or upholstered items with cushions, getting your Party Place cleaned and ready for guests is key to a successful event.

Walkways, Driveways, and the Hardscape

They may be constructed of concrete, blacktop, stone, or other material. Either way, your home’s hardscape is a prime candidate for cleaning and getting The Party Place ready for action. Surprisingly enough, even the look of a gravel driveway can be improved with cleaning. In addition to the surfaces themselves, hardscape cracks, seams, and joints are highly susceptible to the ravages of mildew, mold, and intrusive and unwelcome “greenery” (the variety of growth that seems to magically appear in cracks and seams).

From driveway grease and oil stains to mildew on bricks and columns, your home’s hardscape appearance can be degraded by time and seasons – and it can quickly be refreshed and renewed with the appropriate care to be ready in time for your party. Again, as with most power washing engagements, experience, expertise, and equipment are key to obtaining a good result.

Gutters, Siding and the Roof

Gutter cleaning and maintenance never seems to go out of season, but in addition to those, both the façade and the roof of your home are key to hosting a successful event. Overloaded and clogged gutters almost always lead to damage to your home. Clogged, sagging gutters don’t work correctly and they seem to almost help the water find its way to where it should not go. Where water goes, structural damage seems not too far behind.

Siding of all types needs regular attention to maintain the inviting and attractive look that first attracted you. If not cleaned after a long, hard Winter they quickly become unsightly – not the best backdrop for your event!

Should I DIY?

Perhaps. If you’re feeling young, strong, and energetic – and have plenty of time to devote! But keep in mind that the variety of building and structural materials you might encounter can present a significant challenge to the DIY-er or inexperienced power washing operator. While “the DIY” in all of us can be a strong call, it is often better to stay off the ladders and hire a professional. As in many facets of life, hiring proven expertise can be a much better investment than “flying blind” on your own or hiring the least expensive contractor available. Either one often turns out to be an unwise blunder.

Make Your Party Place Complete!

Now that your property is clean, fresh, and good–to–go, it’s time to consider the finishing touch for your event. What’s that? The Entertainment!  If your guest list includes children (children of all and any ages), you can add an entirely new level of enjoyment to your event – for the parents, too! Level Up your party planning – combine power washing with inflatables!

Check out our previous article to learn more about “Our Guide to The Ultimate Party Prep.”