| p>Before vinyl siding became popular, pressure | | | | and other areas that may be in the work area. |
| cleaning was mainly found in the commercial and | | | | These items should be covered to protect from any |
| industrial setting. Storefronts, drive-thrus, and | | | | overspray and returned to their proper place when |
| dumpster areas are routinely cleaned for aesthetics | | | | the job is finished. Windows and doors are checked |
| as well as sanitation, health and safety reasons. State | | | | to make sure they are closed and water tight. |
| and city ordinances require public areas such as | | | | Screens are removed and safely stored. Porch |
| restaurants, convenience stores and hospitals and | | | | fixtures and ceiling fans are either covered or |
| many other public related sites to be cleaned on a | | | | completely removed. Hoses are laid out to minimize |
| regular basis. | | | | damage to lawn and flower beds. Chemical pails are |
| With the introduction of residential siding products | | | | placed either on containment pans in case of spillage |
| including vinyl, stucco, EFIS and other composite | | | | or located on driveways and sidewalks. |
| materials, pressure cleaning has become the | | | | Water is then applied to all surfaces to be cleaned as |
| preferred cleaning method by the leading | | | | well as adjacent flower beds, shrubbery and lawn. |
| manufactures. When combined with the proper | | | | Cleaning agents are then applied starting at the |
| cleaning compounds, detergents and specialty | | | | bottom and working up to avoid streaking. After |
| cleaners, it is a very effective and efficient means to | | | | sufficient dwell time of the cleaning agents, the actual |
| clean and sanitize. | | | | cleaning begins at the top. Gutters are hand brushed |
| Residential pressure cleaning differs from commercial | | | | using a sodium hydroxide solution to remove the |
| in that it is much less aggressive and usually hot | | | | black streaks which is electrostatic bonding run-off |
| water is not needed. Hot water is generally used to | | | | from the shingles. Without brushing, the gutters will |
| remove gum, grease and other tough trouble spots. | | | | not come completely clean. Fascia and soffitts are |
| Actually, when washing houses, very little pressure is | | | | then cleaned of dirt, mildew, spider webs and other |
| needed at all. A professional pressure cleaner will | | | | contaminants. Working down the wall, windows and |
| have a low pressure system to clean the home | | | | sills are hand brushed while the utmost care is taken |
| (siding, windows, soffits, etc...) and a high pressure | | | | when working around light fixtures, receptacles and |
| system used only on brick, cement, ironwork and for | | | | delicate trim. After the walls have been cleaned, |
| stripping decks and patios. A professional pressure | | | | porches, steps, and railings are cleaned next using |
| cleaner relies on the chemicals and detergents to do | | | | measured amounts of pressure particularly on |
| the work and the water to do the rinsing and clean | | | | foundations where clay splatter can sometimes be |
| up. The volume of water is more important than the | | | | hard to remove. With the right chemicals, good |
| pressure of the water. | | | | results removing clay and rust stains from not just |
| There are many part time so called "power washers" | | | | foundations, but siding and other areas as well can be |
| going around with the retail store pressure washer | | | | achieved. |
| and gallons of bleach charging the $99.00 house wash | | | | Moving to the last project, the deck is either cleaned |
| special. The professionals refer to them as the | | | | or stripped depending on what the homeowner |
| "Splash & Dash." The problem is that most do | | | | wants. It is highly recommended to have the deck |
| not carry insurance, hold any certifications and next | | | | stripped and then apply a good quality sealer. Decks |
| year they can't be found. We have all heard the | | | | are expensive and the old pressure treated lumber is |
| stories of broken windows, siding torn off and | | | | far superior to the new EPA. mandated lumber. It |
| flowers and shrubs killed by bleach. | | | | would be a waste not to take care of it. Use |
| Now is a good time to explain that there is a | | | | products that will stand up to the elements without |
| difference in "Power Washing" and "Pressure | | | | peeling or flaking and will not leave traffic patterns as |
| Cleaning". Anybody can wash anything, but to get it | | | | it wears away. |
| clean requires more than just washing with bleach. | | | | When the house is cleaned and rinsed, the windows |
| Chlorine is an excellent sanitizer and used to kill mold | | | | should be dried using a squeegee to eliminate |
| and mildew, but has no cleaning ability to remove dirt, | | | | spotting, items returned to their place, flower beds |
| clay, grease or other pollutants. Professionals use | | | | raked and tidy and any debris picked up. A final "walk |
| specific emulsifying cleaning compounds mixed with | | | | around" inspection should be preformed to assure |
| chlorine and often times add a wax so dirt, pollen and | | | | nothing was missed and that everything is in it's |
| pollutants will not adhere, making the surface easier | | | | proper place and the homeowner is satisfied. |
| to clean the next time. | | | | Like other professional service providers, the |
| After hiring a professional pressure cleaning | | | | professional pressure cleaning contractor is operating |
| contractor, you should expect them to arrive at the | | | | a legitimate business. Insurance, proper chemicals and |
| appointed time and take care of everything. A typical | | | | equipment as well as technical training is utilized to |
| professional cleaning should include the furniture, | | | | insure the homeowner of their project being |
| plants and other items moved from porches, decks | | | | preformed in a timely and workmanship like manner. |