There’s something every Houston property manager knows about summer weather. Sometimes the storm itself is only half the mess.
Heavy rain comes through. The wind picks up. Leaves, dirt and who knows what else blow across the property. By the next morning, the skies may be clear again, but the building tells a different story.
Windows have water spots and streaks. Leaves are plastered against walkways. Dirt has washed across concrete that looked perfectly fine the day before. And anywhere that stays damp for a while becomes a pretty comfortable place for mold, mildew and algae to start showing up.
Welcome to hurricane season in Houston.
What Heavy Rain and Wind Actually Do to a Building
It seems like a good rain should help clean the outside of a building. After all, it’s basically getting rinsed for free, right?
Not exactly.
Rainwater travels across roofs, ledges, walls and other surfaces before it ever reaches the ground. Along the way, it carries dirt and debris with it. When everything dries, some of that gets left behind.
Wind adds another layer to it.
Dust, leaves, pollen and small debris can end up against windows, tucked into corners or scattered across parking areas and walkways. A single storm may not create an obvious problem, but Houston doesn’t typically give us just one summer rainstorm.
One storm comes through, things stay damp, another rolls in and the cycle starts again.
That moisture is where the bigger issue can begin.
The Mess You See and the Buildup You Don’t
A pile of leaves by the entrance is easy to spot. Organic growth beginning on a shaded brick wall isn’t always as obvious.
Mold, mildew and algae love moisture, and Houston gives them plenty of it. Brick, stone and concrete are also porous, so moisture doesn’t necessarily disappear as soon as the sun comes back out.
You may start with a little discoloration in a shaded area. Then there’s a green tint along the concrete. Eventually, those dark streaks become something you notice every time you pull into the property.
This is also why Really Kleen uses different cleaning methods and solutions depending on the surface and what has accumulated on it. Getting storm debris and surface dirt off is important, but treating organic growth that’s beginning to settle in is a different job.
Getting Your Property Back to Normal After Stormy Weather
You can’t keep Houston weather away from your building. You can keep what it leaves behind from becoming part of it.
After periods of heavy rain or severe weather, it’s worth taking a walk around the property and looking at the areas that tend to collect moisture and debris. Check entrances, sidewalks, shaded exterior walls, parking areas and windows. Upper levels deserve attention too, especially on larger commercial buildings where problems aren’t always easy to see from the ground.
Really Kleen can help take it from there.
With pressure washing, soft washing, commercial window cleaning and drone technology for difficult-to-reach areas, the Really Kleen team can determine what needs attention and choose the right cleaning approach for the property.
Houston weather will always keep us guessing. Your building doesn’t have to show everything it has been through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can rain actually make a commercial building look dirtier?
Absolutely. Rain can move dirt, pollen and other debris across a building and leave streaks or residue behind once the water dries.
Why does mold or algae seem to show up after rainy weather?
Moisture creates favorable conditions for organic growth, particularly in shaded areas that take longer to dry.
What areas should property managers check after a major storm?
Take a look at windows, entrances, sidewalks, parking areas, drainage areas and exterior walls, especially places that remain shaded or collect water.
Should a building be pressure washed after every storm?
No. A storm doesn’t automatically mean your property needs professional cleaning. What matters is the amount of buildup, debris and organic growth left behind and the condition of the surfaces.
Can Really Kleen clean upper levels after a storm?
Yes. Really Kleen uses drone technology for cleaning and inspecting hard-to-reach areas, which can be especially useful on larger commercial properties.