--- title: "Spring Cleaning Checklist: Preparing Your Madison Home's…" description: "Professional window cleaning, pressure washing & gutter cleaning in Madison, WI. Insured, 5-star rated. Free quotes — call (608) 360-5818." url: https://www.thetotalwash.com/blog/spring-cleaning-checklist-madison-home-exterior source: https://www.thetotalwash.com/blog/spring-cleaning-checklist-madison-home-exterior generated: 2026-04-12T08:57:48.297Z --- Table of Contents 1. [1Why Spring Exterior Maintenance Is Critical in Madison](#toc-0-why-spring-exterior-maintenance-is-critical-in-mad) 2. [2Phase 1: Inspect (Week 1)](#toc-1-phase-1-inspect-week-1) 3. [3Phase 2: Clean (Weeks 2–3)](#toc-2-phase-2-clean-weeks-2-3) 4. [4Phase 3: Repair and Protect (Weeks 3–4)](#toc-3-phase-3-repair-and-protect-weeks-3-4) 5. [5Your Spring Cleaning Timeline](#toc-4-your-spring-cleaning-timeline) Quick Answer Madison winters are no joke. With average snowfall exceeding 50 inches, sustained sub-zero temperatures, and heavy road salt usage across Dane County, your home's exterior goes through months of punishment between November and March. Spring isn't just about aesthetics — it's about catching damage ea ## Why Spring Exterior Maintenance Is Critical in Madison Madison winters are no joke. With average snowfall exceeding 50 inches, sustained sub-zero temperatures, and heavy road salt usage across Dane County, your home's exterior goes through months of punishment between November and March. Spring isn't just about aesthetics — it's about catching damage early before small problems become expensive ones. This checklist is organized by priority. Start at the top and work your way down. You can do many of these inspections yourself, and we'll note where professional help is recommended. ## Phase 1: Inspect (Week 1) ### Should You Check Your Roof After Winter? Absolutely — this is your first priority. From the ground (use binoculars if needed), look for: - **Missing or damaged shingles** — Winter winds and ice can lift, crack, or blow off shingles entirely - **Ice dam evidence** — Look for water staining on fascia boards and soffits. If you had icicles hanging from your eaves this winter, you likely had ice dams that may have caused hidden damage - **Flashing damage** — Check around chimneys, vents, and skylights for lifted or bent flashing - **Gutter damage** — Heavy ice can pull gutters away from the fascia or crush them If you see any roof damage, call a roofer before calling a cleaner. Structural issues always come first. ### How Do You Inspect Siding for Winter Damage? Walk around your entire home and look for: - **Cracks in vinyl siding** — Vinyl becomes brittle in extreme cold. Madison's sub-zero stretches in January and February commonly cause cracking, especially on south- and west-facing walls where temperature swings are greatest - **Salt staining** — If your home is close to the road, road salt spray creates a white, crusty residue on siding. Common on homes along major Madison streets like Mineral Point Road, Odana Road, and Gammon Road - **Paint peeling** — Freeze-thaw cycles attack painted surfaces aggressively. Look especially at window trim, door frames, and south-facing walls - **Mold and mildew** — Snow piled against your home's base creates moisture that breeds mold. Check your foundation line and the first few feet of siding ### What About the Foundation? Walk your property and check for: - **New cracks** — Freeze-thaw cycles expand existing hairline cracks. Mark any new cracks with tape and monitor them - **Grading issues** — Soil should slope away from your foundation. Winter frost heave in Madison clay soils can alter grading, directing water toward your home instead of away from it - **Window well debris** — Basement window wells fill with leaves and debris over winter, creating drainage problems ![Professional equipment — The Total Wash Co., Madison WI](/images/web/equipment-plow-truck.webp) Professional equipment — The Total Wash Co., Madison WI Professional-grade equipment used by The Total Wash Co. on every job in Madison, WI ## Phase 2: Clean (Weeks 2–3) ### Gutter Cleanout This is arguably the most important spring task. Winter deposits leaves, shingle granules, and debris in your gutters. In Madison, where spring rains can be heavy (April averages nearly 4 inches of rain), clogged gutters cause immediate problems: overflowing water damages siding, erodes landscaping, and saturates soil against your foundation. Clean gutters thoroughly and check that all downspouts are flowing freely. Extensions should direct water at least 4 feet from your foundation. If you had ice dams this winter, check that gutter hangers are still secure — ice weight often loosens them. ### House Washing Once gutters are clear, a full [house washing](/services/house-washing) addresses winter's accumulated grime. Professional soft washing removes: - Road salt residue and mineral deposits - Mold and mildew that grew under snow coverage - Dirt and mud splash from snowmelt - Pollen (which hits hard in late April and May in Madison) Pro tip: schedule your house wash after pollen season peaks (usually late May in the Madison area) for the longest-lasting clean. ### Window Cleaning Winter leaves windows coated in salt film, hard water spots from ice melt, and general grime. Professional window cleaning in spring makes a dramatic difference in your home's appearance and lets in significantly more natural light — something we all need after a long Wisconsin winter. ### Driveway and Sidewalk Cleaning Road salt and winter grime leave concrete surfaces looking gray and stained. Pressure washing your driveway and sidewalks removes salt deposits that actively deteriorate concrete. If you notice pitting or spalling (surface flaking) on your concrete, that's salt damage — cleaning won't fix it, but it prevents further deterioration. ## Phase 3: Repair and Protect (Weeks 3–4) ### What Repairs Should You Make Before Summer? - **Replace damaged siding panels** — Cracked vinyl siding lets moisture behind the wall. Fix it before summer rains. - **Repaint or touch up trim** — Any peeling paint is an entry point for moisture damage. - **Reseal your deck** — If water no longer beads on your deck surface, it needs resealing. Clean the deck first (never seal over dirt). - **Repair gutter seams** — If you found leaks during cleaning, seal them with gutter sealant. - **Regrade if needed** — If soil has settled or shifted, add topsoil to restore proper drainage away from your foundation. - **Check exterior caulking** — Around windows, doors, and where siding meets trim. Madison's freeze-thaw cycles destroy caulk joints. Recaulk as needed. ### Should You Seal Your Concrete After Spring Cleaning? If your driveway is more than a year old and you haven't sealed it recently, applying a concrete sealer after spring pressure washing is a smart investment. It protects against next winter's salt damage and prevents moisture penetration during freeze-thaw cycles. In Madison's climate, sealed concrete lasts significantly longer than unsealed — it's one of the best protective measures you can take. ## Your Spring Cleaning Timeline | When | Task | DIY or Pro? | | ----------- | ------------------------------- | ------------------ | | Early April | Full exterior inspection | DIY | | Mid April | Gutter cleanout | Either | | Late April | Driveway/sidewalk pressure wash | Either | | Early May | Repairs (siding, caulk, paint) | Depends on scope | | Late May | House wash (after pollen peak) | Pro recommended | | Late May | Window cleaning | Pro for 2+ stories | | June | Deck clean and seal | Either | ### How Much Does a Full Spring Exterior Cleanup Cost in Madison? A complete spring package — gutter cleaning, house wash, driveway pressure wash, and window cleaning — typically runs $600–$1,200 for an average Madison home. That investment protects against thousands in potential damage and transforms your home's appearance. At The Total Wash Co., we offer spring cleaning packages with bundled pricing — [get your free quote](/instant-quote) today. ### What If You Skip Spring Cleaning? Skipping exterior maintenance in Madison compounds problems year over year. Salt damage worsens. Algae and mold dig deeper into surfaces. Clogged gutters cause foundation issues that cost $5,000–$15,000 to fix. We see it every year — the most expensive problems we encounter are always ones that were ignored in spring. A little investment now saves a lot later. Free — No Obligation ### Get a Quote for This Service Madison's most-reviewed exterior cleaning company. Same-week availability. [Get Free Quote](/instant-quote)[(608) 360-5818](tel:+16083605818) Real Results — Spring Cleaning Checklist in Madison, WI ![Spring Cleaning Checklist job photo 1 — The Total Wash Co. Madison WI](/images/jobs/com-commercial-seasonal-commercial-plowing-clearing-off-street.webp) ![Spring Cleaning Checklist job photo 2 — The Total Wash Co. Madison WI](/images/jobs/res-surface-cleaning-residential-snow-remvoal-showing-lights-and-plow-blade-with-.webp) ![Spring Cleaning Checklist job photo 3 — The Total Wash Co. Madison WI](/images/jobs/com-snow-sidewalk-salted.webp) Actual job photos from The Total Wash Co. — not stock photography More Results ![Spring Cleaning Checklist result 1 — The Total Wash Co. Madison WI](/images/jobs/res-surface-cleaning-snow-shoveling-residential-house-and-salting-sidewalk.webp) ![Spring Cleaning Checklist result 2 — The Total Wash Co. Madison WI](/images/jobs/com-snow-stacking-hauling.webp) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Should You Check Your Roof After Winter? ### How Do You Inspect Siding for Winter Damage? ### What About the Foundation? ### What Repairs Should You Make Before Summer? ### Should You Seal Your Concrete After Spring Cleaning? ### How Much Does a Full Spring Exterior Cleanup Cost in Madison? ### What If You Skip Spring Cleaning? What Madison Customers Say > "Ashton and his crew did a fantastic job soft washing our home. The green mildew and stains are completely gone. House looks like it was just painted!" Share: [Free Quote](/instant-quote)[Call Now](tel:+16083605818) AF Written by ### Ashton Ferry Founder & Owner · The Total Wash Co. · Madison, WI Ashton has personally led 2,000+ exterior cleaning projects across Dane County since founding The Total Wash Co. in 2022\. Every article is grounded in real field experience — not generic content. PWNA Member200+ 5-Star ReviewsFully InsuredAngi Super Service Award No-Obligation Quote ## Get Your Instant Price. No Surprises. See exact pricing in 60 seconds — no call, no pressure. No surprises, no hidden fees — just honest pricing. ### What you'll receive: - Written estimate with line-by-line pricing - Scope of work explained — no jargon - Scheduling options that work around your life - Zero pressure. Take your time. ![The Total Wash Co. work truck arriving at a Madison home](/images/jobs/res-house-washing-truck-parked-outside-of-lakefront-home-showing-cool-house-an.webp) Prefer to Talk? [Call (608) 360-5818](tel:+16083605818) Email Us [info@thetotalwash.com](mailto:info@thetotalwash.com?subject=Quote%20Request%20%E2%80%94%20The%20Total%20Wash%20Co.&body=Hi!%20I'm%20interested%20in%20getting%20a%20quote%20for%20exterior%20cleaning%20services.%0A%0AProperty%20address%3A%20%0AServices%20needed%3A%20%0APreferred%20date%3A%20%0A%0AThank%20you!) Response Time Within 24 hours, usually same day ### The Total Wash Promise If you're not 100% happy with our work, we'll come back and make it right — same day if possible, no questions asked. That's The Total Wash Promise. [Ready to Book?Skip the quote — pick your services, date & pay online](/book) ### Get Your Instant Price See exact pricing in 60 seconds — no phone call, no obligation. 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