Chardon sits in the heart of the Lake Erie snowbelt and averages more than 100 inches of snow a year. When it finally melts, it leaves behind salt-stained concrete, streaked siding, clogged gutters and decks that stayed wet for months.
Here is a simple spring checklist for snowbelt homes in Chardon, Geauga County and the surrounding Lake County communities.
1. Walk the gutters and downspouts
Heavy snow and ice can bend gutters and pack them with debris. Check that downspouts drain away from the foundation. Gutter cleaning starts at $225 for a 1-story home, and late fall is the other key time to clean them before snow returns.
2. Look at the shaded side of the house
Siding that stayed snow-covered and shaded all winter often shows green algae or black streaks by spring. A low-pressure soft wash removes it without damaging vinyl or paint.
3. Check the roof for streaks and moss
Roofs that hold snow for weeks stay damp, which encourages black streaks and moss, especially under trees. A roof soft wash cleans shingles without the damage high pressure can cause.
4. Clean salt off the driveway and walks
Road salt and plow debris stain concrete and can speed up surface wear. Concrete cleaning removes the residue, and sealing afterward helps protect the surface through the next winter.
5. Wash the deck before you use it
Wooded lots keep decks damp long after the snow melts, which makes them green and slippery. Deck and fence cleaning restores wood and vinyl safely.
6. Clear the winter film off your windows
Salt spray and meltwater leave a hazy film on glass. Window cleaning is $10 per window outside, plus $10 per window for interiors.
When to schedule
- Late spring: house washing, roof cleaning, driveway cleaning and decks, after the last heavy snow.
- Late fall: gutter cleaning, before leaves and snow pile up.
- Winter: snow plowing and walkway clearing.
Why snowbelt homes need more care
Snow on its own is not the problem. It is what comes with it: weeks of meltwater running down walls, road salt thrown onto driveways and walkways, ice dams at the roof edge, and shade from snowbanks and trees that keeps everything damp well into spring. Lake-effect communities simply see more of all of it.
Spot the warning signs
- Dark streaks running down siding below the gutters, a sign gutters overflowed.
- White, chalky residue on concrete, which is usually salt.
- Green film on the north side of the house and on deck boards.
- Water pooling near the foundation after rain, which points to blocked downspouts.
- Bent or sagging gutter sections from heavy snow and ice.
DIY or professional?
Some jobs are easy to handle yourself, like sweeping debris off the deck or checking downspouts from the ground. Others are safer to leave to a pro:
- Roof and gutter work on 2- and 3-story homes means ladders on soft spring ground.
- Pressure washers can etch concrete, gouge wood and force water behind siding if the pressure is wrong.
- Cleaning solutions need to be mixed and rinsed correctly to protect plants and pets.
Plan for next winter now
A clean, sealed driveway resists salt better, and clear gutters help prevent ice dams. If you also want winter covered, we offer snow plowing and walkway clearing for snowbelt homes. Schedule fall gutter cleaning early, since the weeks before the first snow fill up fast.
Frequently asked questions
How soon after the snow melts can you wash my house?
Once overnight temperatures stay above freezing, usually in mid to late spring, exterior washing is safe to schedule.
Can salt damage concrete permanently?
Salt and freeze-thaw cycles can cause surface flaking over time. Regular cleaning and sealing help slow that damage.
Do you serve Geauga County?
Yes. We serve Chardon and nearby communities, along with Lake, Cuyahoga and Lorain Counties.
Serving the snowbelt
We work in Chardon, Mentor, Painesville, Willoughby and Willoughby Hills. Bundle 2 services and get free exterior window cleaning, or 3 and get free gutter cleaning.
About the Author
Michael Betts is the founder of ALWAYS B.I.G. Power Washing Pros, an owner-operated exterior cleaning company serving homeowners and businesses across Cleveland and Northeast Ohio with house washing, roof cleaning, gutter services, window cleaning and concrete cleaning.
Call or text (216) 202-8264, email michael@ohiopowerwashingpros.com, or read more homeowner guides in the Curb Appeal Report.