Why Florence homes age the way they do
Builder-grade vinyl siding and undersized gutters from the '80s and '90s are all hitting the window where algae, mildew, and runoff staining show up at once. A seasonal soft-wash and gutter-clean routine tells you what to address first.
Spring: soft wash the siding and roof
Soft wash the vinyl siding to kill the algae and mildew that turned it green and streaked over the winter — low pressure will not force water behind the panels. Soft wash the roof to remove the black streaks (gloeocapsa magma) before the summer sun bakes them on.
Summer: pressure wash the driveway
Pressure wash the concrete driveway and walkway to lift the oil, tire marks, and organic staining a Kentucky summer grows. A surface cleaner leaves an even, stripe-free clean.
Fall: gutters and concrete sealing
Clear the gutters — many Florence homes have undersized gutters that overflow in a downpour, worth upsizing at replacement. Seal the driveway before the freeze so salt and water do not soak in.
Winter: ice dams and algae watch
Ice dams at the eaves point to attic heat loss; a clean gutter helps prevent them. A winter with the siding still green means a spring soft wash is overdue.
A 41042 quick-fact sheet
Housing: mostly '80s–'90s subdivisions with vinyl siding now showing algae and streaking. What grows here: algae (green siding), gloeocapsa magma (black roof streaks), mildew. Cleaning cadence: soft wash every 2 years, pressure wash hardscapes yearly, gutters twice a year. Permits: required for structural work in Boone County.
