Contractor Tips Blog

Mar
31

What Types of Siding can be Pressure Washed?

Is your home or business looking drab or dirty? Exposure to the elements can stain your siding or leave dust, debris or mildew on the surface. One of the quickest ways to restore the exterior of your building is with pressure washing. However, you may be worried that it could damage your siding. The good news is that pressure washing can be used to clean most building exterior surfaces, if it is done correctly.

Pressure washing can be used to clean almost any siding. Some of the types that are easily cleaned with pressure washing include:

  • Brick
  • Vinyl siding
  • Stucco
  • Dryvit
  • Shingles

In one day, your home or business can look new again when the dirt and mildew is removed from the exterior. However, pressure washing your siding and exterior surfaces requires expertise. Using the wrong method could cause expensive damage to your structure. 

Pressure Washing Siding and Exterior Surfaces

If you need your home or business’ exterior cleaned, hire a professional pressure washing service. Improper pressure or technique can damage your siding, brick, shingles or stucco. You want to have your surface cleaned with low pressure that effectively removes mildew and dirt, while not damaging the surface. Plus, you want to ensure that the company you choose uses eco-friendly cleaners that will not harm your plants and landscaping.

You can make your home or business sparkle again in one day. Talk to your local pressure washing service about cleaning your siding to make your building look like new again. Experienced professionals can clean almost any type of siding without damaging the surface, helping you maintain and protect your investment.

Posted on behalf of:
JB Power Clean
Sherrills Ford, NC 28673
(704) 658-5896

Mar
31

3 Reasons to Schedule a Professional Roof Cleaning

Your home’s roof protects the entire structure and is a vital component of your home. It is also one of the most expensive components to replace or repair, making it advantageous to keep it maintained. One of the best ways to protect your investment in your roof is to keep is clean and free of debris, mold and moss. Here are three excellent reasons to have your roof cleaned annually by a professional.

  1. Prevent damage. Mold, moss and debris can accumulate on your roof, causing damage to the shingles and structure if not removed. Moss in particular can be detrimental to the roof surface and must be carefully removed to avoid damaging shingles. Low water pressure should be used to clean your roof to avoid harming the structure while removing debris.
  2. Curb appeal. Debris, stains and moss can make your home look untidy and unkempt. Schedule a pressure washing of your roof to improve the curb appeal of your home; this is especially important if you plan on selling your home.
  3. Avoid injury. Roof cleaning should be left to the professionals; don’t try to clean your roof yourself. You can put yourself at risk of injury and possibly damage the structure if too high of pressure is used when washing your roof. Trust a professional pressure washing company that offers roof cleaning using low-pressure washing to preserve the integrity of the structure.

Like all aspects of your home, you roof needs ongoing maintenance to extend its lifespan. Keep your roof healthy and clean with annual professional roof cleanings. It can save you money off repairs and replacement in the future.

Posted on behalf of:
Impact Pressure Washing
105 Commerce Drive
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(678) 697-7127

Feb
17

Quick Restoration for Your Wood Fence

Has your wood fence lost its luster? While wood fencing can be a beautiful and functional addition to your home, it does require maintenance to keep it in good shape. Exposure to the elements can affect the wood, causing it to oxidize and collect mildew and moss. If your wood fencing has turned gray, green or is streaked with black mildew, it can detract from the beauty of your home. The good news is that a quick cleaning can bring it back to its former glory.

Pressure washing can remove the dirt, mildew and moss from your wood, and bring back the natural brown color. This is a quick process that can make a dingy wood fence look like new again in one afternoon. Once the wood has been cleaned and dried, adding stain, sealant or both can give it the protection it needs to stay beautiful for years to come.

Pressure Washing Wood Fences

While pressure washing is a quick solution to restore wood fencing, it does come with drawbacks. If done incorrectly, wood fence pressure washing can damage the fence. Many fences are made with cedar or pine planks, a softer wood that can be damaged with improper use of a pressure washer. Too high of pressure or placing the wand too close to the wood can splinter the surface.

To make sure your fence is cleaned, not damaged, it is worthwhile to hire a professional for your fence cleaning. They have the experience and equipment to quickly clean your wood fence, decking and other outdoor wood structures without damaging the surfaces. You can sit back and relax while they restore your fence and make it look like new again.

Posted on behalf of:
JB Power Clean
Sherrills Ford, NC 28673
(704) 658-5896

Feb
17

How to Make Brick Look New Again

Do you have a brick home, fencing, driveway or other structure that is beginning to look worse for the wear? While new or well-maintained brick offers a classic, luxury appearance, it loses its appeal when it become dirty or stained. Brick does require ongoing maintenance to protect it from damage and to keep it looking its best. If you have brick that is mildewed, stained or covered with a white film, it needs cleaning. You can bring your old brick back to life again with a simple day of pressure washing.

Brick usually does not require chemicals or tough cleaners to clean. Plain water is usually all it needs to strip away mildew, dirt, moss and even efflorescence (the white film that can accumulate on the surface).  A tough stain may require a mild soap and water, but in most cases, water and gentle scrubbing are all you need to bring out the natural beauty of your brick work.

Risks of High Water Pressure to Brick

While pressure washing brick with low pressure can remove most common contaminants on brick, you need to avoid high pressure. Too much water pressure can damage brick and mortar. You may chip away part of the brick or remove mortar, harming the structure. Repointing or new mortaring can be time-consuming and expensive. It is best to hire a professional to clean your brick using specialized low-pressure equipment that will clean without harming your structure.

Make your old brick look new again and improve the beauty of your home. Call your local pressure washing service to learn more about cleaning your brick to restore its classic appeal and protect it from damage.

Posted on behalf of:
Impact Pressure Washing
105 Commerce Drive
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(678) 697-7127

Jan
23

Can Pressure Washing Harm My Siding or Deck?

When your siding is streaked with mildew or your wood deck is looking old and gray, a cleaning is in order. The most common way to clean these large outdoor surfaces is with pressure washing. While this method can have excellent results, it can also have risks. If done incorrectly, you could damage your siding or decking, which can be a very expensive mistake. How do you clean your deck and siding without harming these surfaces?

Low-Pressure Washing

The problem with home pressure washers is they may not have enough variance in pressure. Some models may only have two settings, giving you very little control over the amount of pressure. While this is not an issue with paved surfaces, it could be a problem when cleaning siding and decking, especially wood varieties. High pressure can splinter and damage wood decks; it can also damage wood shingles or other types of siding. Also, high pressure can strip stain and paint, not just remove the dirt, mildew and stains.

Low-pressure washing is the safest for removing grime from your wood and vulnerable surfaces without harming the material. Getting just enough pressure to remove dirt and mildew, without affecting paint or digging into the siding or deck takes experience and training, plus the right equipment. For these types of projects, it is best to hire a professional pressure washing company that offers low-pressure options and has the expertise to clean without damaging your siding or deck.

Pressure washing can make your deck and home look like new again, but you want to make sure the right method is used. Hire a low-pressure washing service to get the best results.

Posted on behalf of:
JB Power Clean
Sherrills Ford, NC 28673
(704) 658-5896

Jan
23

Dangers of Dirty or Clogged Gutters

If you notice your gutters overflowing during heavy rains, it is more than just an inconvenience. Dirty or clogged gutters can put your home at risk for serious damage. Gutters should be sweeping away roof precipitation down and away from the home; if they are clogged, the water can be pouring onto your home and causing damage. Here are some of the dangers of clogged gutters that you will want to avoid.

Foundation Damage

One feature that can impact your entire home is the foundation. Water intrusion can damage the foundation and increase the chance of settling and other issues. Foundation problems can cause extensive structural damage to the house and are expensive to repair. Gutters are meant to keep water away from your foundation to protect this elemental feature, something they cannot do when they are clogged.

Siding, Fascia and Decking Damage

Water flowing straight down over the gutters can be detrimental to the surfaces underneath. Overflowing gutters can rot away wood fascia boards, damage siding and ruin wood decking. It also makes a mess, with needles and leaves coming down with the water onto your siding and deck/patio/porch.

Landscaping

Clogged gutters can cause drainage problems in your yard, impacting your landscaping. Some plants do not fare well with soggy soil, and too much water at once can wash away root systems, mulch and soil, causing erosion.

Considering the extensive amount of problems that can be caused by clogged or dirty gutters, it is much less expensive to get them cleaned by a professional. Call your local pressure washing company that offers gutter cleaning to keep them working properly to protect your home from the dangers of clogged gutters.

Posted on behalf of:
Impact Pressure Washing
105 Commerce Drive
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(678) 697-7127

Dec
5

Top 3 Benefits of Hiring a Professional for Pressure Washing Needs

Does your driveway, deck or siding need cleaning? Pressure washing is the best way to clean most outdoor surfaces, but it does require some expertise. While operating a pressure washer may seem simple, there are good reasons to hire a professional to do your outdoor cleaning project, including these three benefits.

  1. Avoid Damage. Pressure washing can remove paint or damage surfaces if not done properly. Professional pressure washers know the power of their equipment and can adjust it to only remove dirt or debris, not the paint, stain or wood. This can prevent expensive damage to your home that cost more than hiring a professional.
  2. Safety. If you need your siding or roof cleaned, this can involve standing on a ladder or on your roof. This can be a safety issue and lead to an injury. Professional pressure washers have the experience and safety equipment to do these high-level jobs without injury. Make sure to check to ensure the company you hire has the proper insurance in case one of the workers is injured while working on your home.
  3. Environmental codes. In some municipalities, there are EPA regulations regarding gray water runoff from pressure washing. Professional pressure washing companies are equipped to use the correct procedures to dispose of gray water to avoid fines for breaking any regulations.

Next time you need a major cleaning project done on the outside of your home, consider the benefits of hiring a professional residential pressure washing company to do the job. Relax and let the experts do the project right to avoid damage, injury or other issues.

Posted on behalf of:
Impact Pressure Washing
105 Commerce Drive
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(678) 697-7127

Dec
5

Is it Safe to Pressure Wash Vinyl Siding?

One of the reasons vinyl siding is so popular is that it is easy to maintain. It doesn’t need to be stained or painted every few years; the vinyl is the same color all the way through the siding, so it won’t chip or flake. However, even though vinyl doesn’t need to be painted, it does need to be cleaned. Pressure washing is an ideal way to clean vinyl siding, but you need to know how to do it correctly to protect your home from damage. Here are a few tips:

  • Use soap, then rinse. A mild cleaner can help remove mildew or dirt from the siding. Make sure to use a cleaner that is safe for cleaning vinyl, then rinse thoroughly.
  • Don’t spray too closely. While vinyl siding can withstand pressure washing, full pressure at a close range can damage the siding instead of cleaning it. Step back a few feet to dissipate the extreme pressure to avoid damage.
  • Spray downwards. You don’t want to spray up under the lapped siding. Instead, spray downward to avoid loosening the siding.
  • Avoid fixtures. Eaves, light fixtures, vents and other accents on the house should be avoided. The high pressure could damage these fixtures.
  • Avoid windows. You need to be careful around windows. High pressured water can damage the trim around windows or even break the glass.

If you are concerned about safely pressure washing your vinyl siding, leave it to the professionals. Hiring a professional residential pressure washing company to clean your siding ensures it will be done correctly without damaging other exterior surfaces on your home. While they are there, you can have your roof, driveway, patio or other surfaces around your home cleaned as well.

Posted on behalf of:
JB Power Clean
Sherrills Ford, NC 28673
(704) 658-5896

Apr
19

4 Reasons to Hire a Pressure Washing Service This Spring

Spring cleaning around your home means sprucing up the outside as well as the inside. There are some tasks that require pressure washing, removing the grime and debris from the winter months. While you can perform some pressure washing yourself if you have the equipment, there are some legitimate reasons to hire a professional. Here are four reasons to leave the big outdoor cleaning jobs to a professional pressure washing service.

  1. Roofing cleaning. Keeping your roof clean will make your home look tidy and protect your roofing. However, pressure washing shingles must be done with care. Quality pressure washing professionals will use low pressure to clean your roof while protecting the shingles from damage.
  2. Driveway stains. Do you have oil or grease stains on your driveway? Let a professional scrub away those stains using methods that will protect the environment; some municipalities require gray water removal that must be done by a professional.
  3. Save time. You have better things to do than pressure wash your deck, patio, siding, roof and driveway. Get it all done in one afternoon with the help of a professional pressure washing service.
  4. Cleaning some areas of your home like the roof, siding and multi-level decking can require pressure washing on a ladder or on your roof. This can be dangerous; let the professionals take the risk – make sure the company you hire is insured and licensed.

Give your home a thorough outdoor spring cleaning this year without straining your back or wasting a whole weekend. Call a local pressure washing service to give all your outdoor surfaces a fresh, clean look for summer.

Posted on behalf of:
Impact Pressure Washing
105 Commerce Drive
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(678) 697-7127

Sep
9

Selling Your Home? Improve Curb Appeal with Pressure Washing

One of the easiest ways to improve your chances of selling your home is improving your curb appeal. However, if you don’t want to invest much more money into your home before selling, you can still make it look its best by cleaning the exterior surfaces. Pressure washing is an affordable option to remove dirt, mildew and stains that can detract from your home and improve its curb appeal. Here are a few areas to consider pressure washing before you hang your “for sale” sign:

  • Home and garage exterior. Pressure washing your siding or brick can have a large impact on the beauty of your home. When carefully executed by a professional pressure washing company, washing away grime, mildew, moss and other debris can make your old exterior look new again. Don’t forget the garage doors which are often one of the first areas noticeable from the street.
  • Wood fences and decks. Weather can make wood look aged and dingy. Pressure washing can bring out the beauty of the wood and drastically change the look of decks and fencing.
  • Paved surfaces. Remove stains, weeds and algae from paved surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, patios and pool decks with pressure washing.
  • Roof cleaning. Make your home’s roof look pristine while protecting the integrity of the roof with pressure washing. Ensure that low pressure is used by a professional pressure washing service that will not hurt shingles and cause expensive damage.

Investing in a pressure washing service for your major surfaces can make your home look clean and well maintained, increasing its value and curb appeal. In just one day, your home can be greatly enhanced in beauty, making it more desirable to buyers.

Posted on behalf of:
Impact Pressure Washing
105 Commerce Drive
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(678) 697-7127

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