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.

Power Washing in Indiana

Welcome to the blog of Midwest Pro Wash. We are a pressure washing company offering pressure wash services in the northern Indiana area. Some of our services are deck cleaning, concrete cleaning, whole house cleaning, low pressure roof cleaning, building washing, gutter cleaning, and fleet washing. We serve most of northern Indiana, you can visit our website to see if you are included in our service area. We also do something that is unique to the industry, we give consumers free information so they can make an informed and intelligent decision when hiring a power washing contractor. Read our free pro wash report at midwestprowash.com for more information. We have dedicated our business to consumer education and service. Please stop by often for updated tips, news, and information to better help you. Thanks for visiting the blog of Midwest Pro Wash.

Cleaning Concrete

No matter how much effort you put into cleaning your home, stained driveways and sidewalks will diminish the overall look and take away from the beauty of your property if not cleaned to match. Power washing concrete clean adds curb appeal to your home and will provide a welcome path to your homes entrance. Most people do not realize how dirty their driveway, sidewalks, or patios are until they have them cleaned. A professional house cleaning and concrete cleaning can also and value to your home. The president of the National Association of Real Estate Appraisers says, "a good first appearance on a home can add as much as 5 to10 percent to the value of the home." Concrete cleaning can also save you the cost and trouble of future renovations and replacements due to the negative effects of dirt, mold, and mildew.

Pressure Washing Tips

A pressure washer can have a lot of uses around your property for the do-it-yourselfer. Here are some tips to consider before cleaning up your property.

1. Always wear the proper protective equipment (eye wear, gloves, and ventilation mask).
2. Be sure to check the oil level in your unit’s engine and pump before operating.
3. Always hook up your garden hose and supply water to the unit before starting it.
4. Make sure all pressure hose connections and fittings are properly secured.
5. Check to make sure the unit’s exhaust pipe is free of debris, not too close to any surface that could melt, and that there is adequate ventilation.
6. After starting the power washer, don’t allow the unit to run for more than a minute without circulating water through the pump, this is achieved by pulling the trigger on the wand.
7. When changing wand nozzles be sure the nozzle is fully seated in the wand’s quick connect, you should be able to spin the nozzle if its properly seated.
8. Before pulling the trigger always point the wand in a safe direction.
9. Don’t get too close to surfaces that may be damaged by too much water pressure.
10. Keep the wand tip away from your skin or anybody else’s, even a couple hundred PSI can cause injury to you or others.
11. Change the pump and engine oil once a season.
12. Be sure to antifreeze the pump if being stored outdoors in freezing climates.
13. Don’t take on any projects you feel uncomfortable doing, you can always request a free power washing estimate from a professional.

Following these tips will help to insure your safety and to keep your pressure washing unit running trouble free for years to come.

A Common Mistake About Pressure Washing

Spraying from a ladder or at an upward angle.

Using a pressure washer from a ladder is obviously dangerous and not recommended. Even with a ladder, most of the time you still can't reach the high areas of your home without spraying the vinyl at an upward angle. Doing this forces water under and behind the siding. The weep holes on the bottom lip of siding are meant to drain moisture buildup, not large amounts of water. This leaves water behind the siding, risking water damage. Another trouble spot is the gutters and fascia areas. Dirt and moisture create an electrostatic bond to this type of metal. It takes the right cleaners and equipment to break this bond and get these areas clean again. Ignoring these areas altogether will be risking rot and decay of the wood and other building materials that make up your home. If your thinking about getting a power washing estimate, be sure to discuss these concerns with the contractor.

Another Power Washing Myth

Consumer Grade Cleaners Are Effective

Consumer grade cleaners like house, roof, concrete, or deck wash are safe for consumers to handle. The unfortunate result: they are not effective and in some professionals opinions, are worthless. Not using cleaners at all and relying only on the high pressure from a pressure washer is not a good alternative either. Using "contractor" grade cleaners and low pressure is the only way to completely remove dirt, grime, mold, mildew, algae, cobwebs, and bird droppings safely without causing damage to your property. By using inferior cleaners, or none at all, the contaminates are lessened at best. When mold, mildew, and algae are not killed and removed completely they will return in a short time, jeopardizing your home's value. These contaminates will cause rot, decay, and premature failure of coatings and building materials. Another alternative is to hire a professional pressure washing contractor to do the work for you. Make sure you ask the contractor questions and discuss your concerns before hiring.

3 Major Myths About Pressure Washing (a 3 part series)

The More Pressure the Better

Most believe that water pressure (psi) is what does the cleaning; after all, it is called a pressure washer. The truth is that excessive pressure will force water where it’s not wanted and can damage surfaces such as vinyl siding, wood, asphalt shingles, and certain types of brick and concrete. No more than 1,000 psi should be used to clean wood, or wood fibers can be damaged, causing unsightly scars and wand marks that will show through the sealer. More than 800 psi can force water behind vinyl siding causing water damage. No more than garden hose pressure should be used on asphalt shingles, or shingle granules will be washed away, lessening the longevity of your roof. The proper way to clean these surfaces is to rely on the cleaners to do the work and then use low pressure to rinse clean. The lowering of the psi is achieved by changing the tip or nozzle, at the end of your wand, to one with a larger orifice. Make sure the contractor you hire uses the low pressure cleaning method.