Questions about pressure washing.

Q: Why does my deck need to be cleaned, and why does it need protection?

A: The forces of weather can be devastating to wood. The Suns ultra violet rays can damage the wood fibers. Rain, snow, and morning dew quickly absorbed by unprotected wood, causing it to swell and cup. When the sun's heat dries the wood it shrinks. These cycles of wet and dry, swelling and shrinking Cause wood to warp, split, crack, becoming discolored and unattractive. Cleaning will remove the discoloration and prepare and clean surface for the stain or sealer. The sealer or stain will provided a protective coating to extend the life or your investment.

Q: Why should I power wash my home when I’m going to paint it soon?

A: Power washing can remove the dirt and grime on the surfaces that your about to have painted. Paint will not adhere well to dirt or loose paint which could make any new paint coatings fail quickly.

Q: Why does my home need washing; and how often is it required?

A: Every home should be cleaned about every two years to remove surface dirt, mildew. There are a few things to be aware of though. If you rub your hand over the surface of the siding and you end up with a chalky film on your hand, your home probably has aluminum siding and needs special attention. The substance on your hand is from the sun & elements and its called oxidation. Some companies may tell you that they can remove this powder when they clean your siding. Removing this layer of oxidation will cause the siding to appear blotchy and discolored. Another thing to be aware of is if you can see black spots on the siding; these spots are an indication of a fungus called artillery fungus, it's usually caused from the mulch around your home and there is no way to remove it at this time.

Q: Are any products used on homes and decks safe for my plants, shrubs, children etc.?

A: Some products used are biodegradable and environmentally safe. In some cases contractors use oxygenated Bleach (Disodium Peroxydicarbonate) this will allow them to clean wood surfaces such as decks with low pressure. They may also use a stripping agent (Sodium Hydroxide) to remove existing stains and finishes. If any of these chemicals are used they should be completly neutralized with an acid like Oxalic Acid to brighten the wood and prepare the surface for sealing. Non of our wood restoration products contain chlorine based bleach, bleach will cause damage to the wood fibers.

Q: Can my deck be sealed immediately after cleaning or do I need to wait?

A: In most cases a homeowners deck can be sealed the day after cleaning it depends upon the moisture content of the wood. Usually it's better to wait 24 hours, cleaning and sealing a deck should be at least a two day process, one for cleaning and the second for sealing.

Q: Can my sidewalks be cleaned?

A: Yes, Concrete starts to turn a brown/green color over the years, to the homeowner it is not that noticeable because you see it everyday. This discoloration is a combination of dirt, mold, mildew and grease that have built up over the years. Also in the wintertime many people use salt on their walkways or patios, this will also discolor the concrete.

Q: When is the best time for cleaning my home or deck?

A: Most owners prefer to have the house and deck cleaning in the spring. Cleaning at this time of year allows you to enjoy your home or deck all year. Some companies do clean houses and decks straight through the fall months.

Q: After the cleaning process, how long will the exterior of my house be protected?

A: That depends upon the environment your house is in. Most exterior surfaces will last 6-24 months before they need another mildew wash.

Q: Can I have my roof cleaned?

A: Yes, if properly performed you can effectively power wash your roof to remove mildew and moss growth.

Q: What is the environmental impact of pressure washing?

A: Most cleaning process's are usually done with water and mild cleaning chemicals only. On occasion, other products are used to strip decks but it is rare to need them for anything else.