A Complete Homeowner Maintenance Guide for Cornwall & Devon
Cornwall and Devon are some of the most beautiful places to live in the UK — but their coastal climate is extremely harsh on exterior surfaces. Frequent rainfall, high humidity, mild temperatures, and salt in the air create ideal conditions for algae, moss, lichen, and grime to build up quickly on homes and commercial properties.
Many homeowners only think about exterior cleaning when surfaces look bad. In reality, regular maintenance is far cheaper than repairs.
This guide explains how often exterior surfaces should be cleaned in Cornwall and Devon, why the South West needs more frequent maintenance than other parts of the UK, and when professional cleaning becomes essential.
Why Cornwall & Devon Need More Frequent Exterior Cleaning
Properties across the South West experience:
- High annual rainfall
- Damp, mild conditions year-round
- Coastal salt air accelerating surface breakdown
- Shaded gardens and poor airflow
- Organic growth spreading faster than it can dry out
This is why homes in places like Truro, Falmouth, Newquay, Exeter, and Plymouth often develop algae and staining far faster than drier inland regions.
Regular professional exterior cleaning is not cosmetic — it’s preventative maintenance.
How Often Should Patios Be Cleaned?
Recommended frequency in Cornwall & Devon:
- Every 12 months for most properties
- Every 6–9 months for shaded or coastal patios
Patios are one of the worst-affected surfaces due to damp conditions and porous stone.
➡️ Persistent algae and black spot are one of the most common reasons homeowners require professional patio cleaning in Cornwall, especially when pressure washing alone has failed.
How Often Should Driveways Be Cleaned?
Recommended frequency:
- Every 12–18 months
- More often if exposed to traffic pollution or oil stains
Driveways collect:
- Algae and moss
- Tyre marks
- Oil and fuel staining
Different surfaces require different methods, which is why professional pressure washing in Cornwall is often combined with specialist treatments rather than brute force alone.
How Often Should Gutters Be Cleaned?
Recommended frequency:
- Once per year minimum
- Twice per year for properties near trees or the coast
Blocked gutters are one of the biggest causes of damp and exterior damage in Cornwall.
Overflowing water leads to:
- Damp walls
- Render staining
- Rotting fascias
This is why we strongly recommend scheduled gutter cleaning in Cornwall as part of regular property maintenance.
How Often Should Soffits & Fascias Be Cleaned?
Recommended frequency:
- Every 1–2 years
Soffits and fascias collect traffic film, algae, and mould — especially in coastal towns.
Regular soffit and fascia cleaning in Cornwall helps:
- Maintain kerb appeal
- Prevent permanent staining
- Protect roofline materials
How Often Should Exterior Walls Be Cleaned?
Recommended frequency:
- Every 3–5 years for render and pebbledash
- More often in shaded or coastal locations
Rendered, painted, and pebbledash walls should never be aggressively pressure washed.
Instead, soft washing services in Cornwall safely remove organic growth at the root and keep walls cleaner for longer without damage.
How Often Should Roofs Be Cleaned?
Recommended frequency:
- Every 3–5 years
- Earlier if moss growth is visible
Moss holds moisture and accelerates roof tile deterioration.
- Prevents blocked gutters
- Reduces tile damage
- Improves property appearance
This is often paired with gutter and fascia cleaning for full roofline protection.
Why Steam Cleaning Is Often the Best Long-Term Option
For patios, stone paving, and delicate surfaces, steam cleaning in Cornwall offers major benefits:
- Kills algae and spores with heat
- Uses very low pressure
- Reduces regrowth dramatically
- Minimises surface wear
Steam cleaning is ideal for South West properties where regrowth is a constant issue.
Coastal vs Inland Properties: Does Location Matter?
Yes — significantly.
Coastal towns like St Ives, Penzance, and Torquay experience:
- Salt air corrosion
- Faster staining
- More frequent algae growth
Inland towns such as Bodmin and Newton Abbot still suffer regrowth due to shade, trees, and damp conditions — just at a slightly slower rate.
Why Regular Exterior Cleaning Saves Money
Putting off exterior cleaning often leads to:
- Permanent staining
- Surface deterioration
- Damp and moisture ingress
- Higher repair and repainting costs
Preventative cleaning is always cheaper than restoration.
This is why many homeowners choose scheduled exterior cleaning services in Cornwall rather than one-off reactive cleans.
Exterior Cleaning Services Across Cornwall & Devon
Jet Power Pressure Washing provides professional exterior cleaning throughout Cornwall and Devon, including:
Cornwall:
- Truro, Falmouth, Newquay, St Austell, Camborne
Devon:
- Exeter, Plymouth, Torquay, Paignton
Book Professional Exterior Cleaning in Cornwall or Devon
If you’re unsure how often your property should be cleaned, professional advice makes all the difference.
👉 Visit our exterior cleaning services page or contact Jet Power Pressure Washing today for a free, no-obligation assessment anywhere in Cornwall or Devon.
Regular exterior cleaning:
- Protects your property
- Reduces long-term costs
- Improves safety
- Keeps your home looking its best
