Low Pressure Techniques

What does it mean when a contractor says he uses low pressure washing methods? Low pressure washing is using very low pounds per square inch (psi) of water pressure to clean with. Contractors using low pressure rely on their cleaners to do the work and the gallons per minute (gpm) to do the washing and rinsing. This method of low pressure, quality cleaners, and high gallons per minute is very effective in cleaning most anything on your property. This method also eliminates risk of damaging your property like forcing water behind your home’s siding or shredding the wood fibers on your deck.

Contractors not using the low pressure method will be using high water pressure to blast the surface clean instead of depending on quality cleaners to do the work. High pressure can no doubt damage vinyl siding, decks, roofs, and even certain types of cement and brick. Make sure you, or the contractor you hire, use the low pressure washing method.

Pressure Cleaning Your Property

Your home and property are probably easily your largest investment. Keeping them clean and free of natural and man-made contaminants will insure they keep their value. Contaminants such as dirt, mold, mildew, and algae can and will lead to rot, decay, and premature failure of the building materials that make up your home. Having your property and home professional cleaned can literally put money in your pocket by cutting down on costly renovations, repairs, and replacements. Cleaning your home’s siding, roof, deck, and concrete can also be a great way to improve its curb appeal and add value. By not taking care of your property you are certainly costing yourself money in the long run but doing the work yourself can definitely be a daunting task. You may consider hiring a professional cleaning contractor to do the work for you. Its worth paying for a good service to know your home and property are being cleaned properly.

Choosing a Pressure Washing Contractor

Choosing a pressure washing contractor is not easy. Why? Because you are overwhelmed with misleading advertising, confusing claims, and false information. From ridiculously low prices and high pressure sales, to unqualified contractors and near worthless methods, how do you ever find a qualified, competent, reputable power washing contractor?

Start by reading this free report on how to choose a power washing contractor. In this fact-filled section, you will discover how to avoid four power washing rip-offs, six misconceptions of power washing, eight mistakes to avoid when choosing a contractor, and four steps to protecting your investment.

After reading this, you will be able to make an informed, intelligent decision when hiring a pressure washing contractor.

DIY Deck Cleaning

Restoring a wood deck may not be something the average home owner should tackle. Decks can be severely damaged by power washers so if you are going to attempt this yourself, test your water pressure on a scrap piece of wood first.

It is critical to determine whether the deck needs to be stripped of an old failing sealer or if it just needs cleaned. To determine this splash some water on different areas of the deck, if the water absorbs quickly then most likely the deck has never been sealed. Moreover, if the water beads up on the deck then there is a presence of an old sealer and the deck will need to be stripped. The deck is washed in the same manner in both instances; the only difference will be whether you have to use a deck sealer stripping agent or a deck cleaner.

Once you have the proper cleaning equipment, contractor grade deck cleaner and wood sealer, it is time to get to work. Start by applying the deck cleaning solution as directed in the instructions. The instructions for the cleaner should give you an approximate time to wait before washing. Once it's time to wash, start at one end of the deck and work your way across and remember not to get too close to the wood with the tip of the wand.

Rinse the deck thoroughly and apply a contractor grade brightener to the wood following the directions and then rinse thoroughly once more. It is very important for you to read and follow the instructions for the wood sealer you purchased. Failure to apply the sealer as directed could lead to disaster and ruin the deck permanently! You may want to consider hiring a deck cleaning contractor to do the entire job for you.

Wood Deck Cleaning

Adding a deck to your home is a popular choice with homeowners today. It can increase the value of your home, add living space, and can be enjoyed by family and friends for years to come. In this country, one in three home's has a deck, but with all these decks comes a lot of maintenance. Wooden decks have to be protected from sun and water damage with a deck sealer but when done right, they are beautiful to look at and will last for years. Like in most trade professions there is a lot more to doing the work correctly than meets the eye, and professional deck cleaning in no exception. A good deck cleaning contractor can restore your deck and seal it properly to protect it from the elements, and can maintain the look of your deck every couple of years. With so many unprofessional and unethical contractors flooding the market, finding one you can trust is the key. Like with any profession you want to do your homework for that particular field and make sure you find a knowledgeable and reputable contractor that is going to help you to protect your investment. Asking lots of questions and finding out what their customers are saying about them can be very revealing in helping you to make a decision.