Black Roof Streaks Review

The black streaks that are found on many asphalt shingle roof's in the Midwest and throughout other parts of the country, are cause from an airborne algae. This algae usually first starts appearing on the north facing slopes where the prevailing amount of shade and moisture are present.

This algae can be removed by using a low pressure washing roof methods so no harm is done to the shingles. The major shingle manufacturers recommend this low pressure technique and also recommend certain cleaners to use.

Roof cleaning can cost a fraction of what it would cost to replace the roof, yet every year I see homeowners being mislead by uneducated roof contractors and being sold on replacing their roof's prematurely. This is equivalent to replacing your vinyl siding because it has mold and mildew on it, it just doesn't make sense.

Being educated about roof algae can save you thousands of dollars. Having the roof cleaned also ensures you get the full life out of your shingles. Roof algae diminishes the shingles ability to reflect heat and will lessen the longevity of the roof. If you are still skeptical, find a company that offers a power washing guarantee so you are willing to give them a chance.

Tips On Cleaning Concrete

On concrete or cement that is suffering from dirt, algae, mildew, or tannin stains caused from sticks and leaves, an effective solution is house hold bleach and soap. A common concrete cleaning mix is 1 part bleach to 2 parts water and a few squirts of dish soap for every gallon of mix.

For heavier mildew killing power use 1 part bleach to 1 part water with the same amount of dish soap to pressure wash concrete. You can apply this solution with a pump up sprayer, just be sure to rinse the pump out with water afterwards. You may also choose to apply the cleaner with a brush on a pole. Be sure to wear the proper personal protection when working with any chemicals.

After allowing the cleaner to sit for several minutes, wash the concrete with a pressure washer at about 2000-3000 psi. Hold your tip a couple of inches from the concrete, move back and forth keeping your nozzle the same distance away from the surface. Wash at a nice steady pace but move slowly enough that you get a good clean even look. If done right pressure washing driveways can really add curb appeal to your home.

Be careful when cleaning around the edges of the concrete slab, landscaping and debris can be blown around from the water pressure. Always protect your eyes by wearing safety glasses. Make certain to rinse any plants or shrubbery that the concrete cleaners may have gotten on.

Illinois Remodeling Company | Vinyl Siding Contractor

Having a low maintenance home in very important for most Americans. So what is the best way to make a home more maintenance free? Easy, just cover the exterior with a premium vinyl siding. Most remodeling companies can have a new vinyl exterior installed on your house in a weekend which also makes this one of the quickest major improvements you can have done.

Installing vinyl siding is not a DIY project though. It requires a lot of commercial equipment to do the job right and safely. If you like to do it yourself and want to install house siding, you'll need several sets of extension ladders, walk planks and perferably a pump-jack pole system with safety nets to save you in the event of a fall. You will also need a vinyl break machine and several of your friends to with carpentry experience to help.

As you can see, there would be a lot to buy and you may be lacking the experience to do the work correctly. So with all this said, just hire a vinyl siding contractor to do the work for you and save yourself the trouble and risk of getting injured.

For those of you that live in the Chicago area, there is a very good Illinois siding company that can handle all of your home improvement need, not just siding, and do so for a price you can afford. Just follow any of the links to visit their site.

Hiring Pressure Wash Companies

Pressure wash services are admired by homeowners today, as you probably realize your home is your main investment. Locating a highly regarded power wash company can be an overwhelming mission. Make certain that you request from the power washer what their cleaning techniques are so you will have an idea of what to expect. Furthermore you need to ask for proof of insurance, testimonials and references. Seeing some before and after pictures of some of their past jobs is an excellent way to find out what stage of quality their results are. You should also consider how long they have been in business and ask if they pressure wash full-time or only part-time. With fairly low start-up expenses, there are loads of fly by night power wash contractors out there giving the industry a bad image. These particular kinds of companies enter the industry with very little knowledge and because of that their unprincipled methods leave a bad impression on consumers. Be absolutely sure to ask the pressure wash company the appropriate questions to be positive you’re going to get the incredible power wash service you expect.

Indiana Pressure Washing Review

Pressure washing is becoming more and more popular among Indiana residents today. It's a great way to increase the curb appeal of your home and property and a proven way to boost it's estimated value. For the relatively low cost of pressure washing in Indiana compared to the cost of your home (your largest investment), pressure washing is definitely the best bang for your buck when it comes to exterior home improvements. Not only does it increase curb appeal and value but it saves you even more money by stopping the damaging effects of dirt, mold, and mildew. These contaminants thrive during Indiana's warm humid season's and can wreak havoc on your home's exterior. Dirt, mold, and mildew can and will cause costly repairs, replacements, renovations, and premature failure of the building materials that make up your home. So call a pressure washing Indiana company today to find out how these services can save you money and add value to your biggest investment.

Pressure Washing Prices Update

It can't really be said what you can anticipate to pay for a certain power washing service due to it varying around the country, but here are some things to reflect on and to be aware of.

(1) Reputable pressure washing companies will almost never offer a solid quote over the phone. An experienced contractor knows there are way too many variables that can influence the price from one job to another. The great news is nearly all of them will present a free evaluation and will put a quote in writing so you know precisely what the exterior cleaning project will cost. If a contractor readily quotes you a price over the phone it could be a sign of an unethical company.

You Should Hire the Company that Offers the Lowest Price. Possibly but not always, here are some points to mull over:

(1) The pressure washing prices you see advertised may not be the price you are actually charged. Many home owners have figured out that the low price they saw advertised was only good until the estimate. Then they were bombarded with a variety of ridiculous up-charges.

(2) Some contractors' market approach is to win jobs by being the lowest bidder. They will then cut corners in order to turn a profit.

(3) Stemming from low start up costs, many companies come and go. When first getting started, a lot of companies do not train themselves because pressure washing looks easy and lucrative. So they lack the proper equipment, chemicals, insurance, knowledge, professionalism, and normally will charge a tremendously low price.

Pressure Cleaning Advice

A power washing machine is a fantastic tool and can be exactly what you need to clean up your home's exterior. But pressure washers can harm the surfaces that you clean and even yourself if you aren't very careful.

A pressure cleaning unit takes the pressure from a garden house and boosts the pressure with a special pump. The pump is normally operated by a gasoline engine or sometimes an electric motor. The business end of a pressure washer is the spray wand. You can change the tip or nozzle at the end of the wand to get different spray patterns and pressures.

Be sure to read the owner's manual including all the safety tips and recommendations or you could either harm the pressure washer, yourself or the surfaces you are pressure cleaning. Be sure to wear the proper safety equipment like gloves, ear protection and especially safety glasses. When used safely, a pressure cleaning machine is a great tool for cleaning up your property.

Deck Cleaning News

Deck cleaning and sealing is essential if you want to get the full life out of your wood deck. When wood is exposed to the cruel elements without a protective sealant it doesn’t take long before it starts to depreciate. The sun’s damaging UV rays will harm the wood fibers in as little as 3-6 months turning the deck gray. Dampness also does a great deal of harm to wood. Rain and even morning dew are absorbed into the wood causing it to swell; it then shrinks after it dries out. It’s these proceedings of swelling and shrinking that cause the wood to splinter, crack and split. To prevent all of these negative effects the wood should be sealed with quality oil based penetrating sealer. A deck should be cleaned and resealed by a professional deck restoration company every couple of years as maintenance; doing this will ensure you have a beautiful deck for years to come.