Contractor Tips Blog

Jan
25

5 Surfaces that Can be Damaged from Pressure Washing

The first time you use a pressure washer to clean up your outdoor areas, it can seem like magic. Dirt, mildew and grime just disappear without chemicals, just a high-pressured stream of water. While having or renting a pressure washer to maintain your home can seem like a great idea, you need to know where it is safe to use it. Here are five surfaces that can be damaged from pressure washers if you use the wrong pressure or technique.

  1. Wood. Many types of wood are soft and can be splintered under high pressured water. This can harm your deck or fencing, even wood shingles, if done incorrectly.
  2. Windows. Glass and the casings around windows need to be carefully cleaned when using a pressure washer. The wrong technique can cause leaks and damage your expensive windows.
  3. Roofing. Pressure washing is a common way to clean roofs, but it can also lead to expensive damage if not performed with the right method. It can lift shingles and create leaks, leading to costly roof repairs.
  4. Stucco. The texture of stucco makes it difficult to clean with a pressure washer unless you know the exact nozzle and water pressure to use.
  5. Siding. Etching is a common problem when pressure washing siding,  leaving permanent indention or lines on your home. Use the wrong pressure on painted siding and you can remove the paint.

Many DIY homeowners have caused expensive damage to their homes cleaning these surfaces with pressure washing. However, all these surfaces can be cleaned by low-pressure or professional power washing. Using the right equipment and techniques can ensure these surfaces are cleaned without any damage. While you can clean most driveways or patios with your pressure washer, leave the more vulnerable surfaces to the professionals to prevent damage.

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

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

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

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

Jun
23

Cleaning Your Roof? Be Careful!

Your roof is essential to the protection of your home and one of the most expensive components to replace. Planning annual cleanings can help protect your roof from damage from mold, moss and debris, while keeping it looking great. However, there are some safety and damage factors to consider before you try doing this chore yourself. If done incorrectly, a roof cleaning could cost you much more than just calling in a professional to do it for you.

Safety Concerns

First and foremost, never try cleaning your roof on your own. It only takes a slip on a wet leaf or a slippery shingle to lose your footing. Trying to clean your roof and keep your balance can be very dangerous, which is why you should always have a partner. Using a safety harness is recommended to ensure you are supported. A fall off your roof could break a bone or worse, costing you medical expenses, pain and time off work.

Damage Concerns

Are you planning on pressure washing your roof? While this is a great way to clean your roof, it can also damage your shingles if done incorrectly. Too much water pressure can strip asphalt shingles and even loosen them, doing more damage than good.

A better solution is hiring a professional pressure washing company that uses low water pressure to carefully and effectively clean your roof. A reputable service will have trained experts that have the right equipment to safely clean your roof, with insurance to cover any damage or injuries. It is worth the investment to keep your roof well-maintained without the possible injury or damage by doing it on your own.

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

Jan
6

Does Your Home Exterior Need Cleaning?

You wash your car, your dog and even your lawn mower, but when was the last time you washed your home? Pollen, mildew, dirt and grime can collect on the exterior surfaces of your home, making it look rundown and decrepit. If allowed to remain on your home, substances like mildew can even stain or damage the surface of your home. What you need is a professional pressure washing service.

Why Hire a Professional for Pressure Washing Your Home?

You may be thinking you could save money by pressure washing your home yourself. After all, you can rent a pressure washer even if you don’t own one – how hard could it be? However, there are some good reasons to leave pressure washing the exterior of your home to the professionals. Here are a few of those reasons:

  • Damage to your siding. Many home sidings can be damaged by the force of high pressure water if you are not careful. Surfaces like stucco are delicate and by trying to save a few bucks doing it yourself, you could do thousands of dollars in damage.
  • Safety. If you have a two-story home, cleaning your entire exterior will require climbing on ladders while managing to hold onto a pressure washer. Don’t risk injury; let the insured experts do this dangerous work.
  • Water run-off. Some cities have laws about collecting gray water run-off; don’t get in trouble with the law just because you didn’t want to hire a professional.

Cleaning the exterior of your home can make it look new again and protect it from damage. Call your local pressure washing professionals to have your home cleaned before the winter months roll in.

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

Oct
26

Preparing Your Deck for Staining

Wood decks look beautiful when they are newly stained. However, after a few years the stain can begin to fade and chip and pretty soon your wood deck is more of an eyesore than beautiful. However, a fresh coat of stain can bring back that luster and make your deck look like new again. But before you grab a bucket of stain and a brush, you need to prepare the wood for staining.

Removing the Old Stain

If you have wood stain that is flaking off your deck, you must remove that old stain before adding new stain. To do that, you have two choices. You can use a pressure washer to remove any grime, mildew and loosen the stain, then use a stripping agent to remove the stain. This is time consuming and the chemicals used are very toxic. Many people prefer not to use these harsh chemicals that can affect their landscaping and soil around their deck.

The second option is to remove the stain completely by pressure washing, using no chemicals at all. To do this, you must use a higher intensity of water. While this will remove the stain, it can damage the wood of your deck and create grooves. It takes a professional touch to be able to remove only the stain and not harm the wood. If you want to use this method, it is best to hire a professional pressure washing service that has the experience and equipment to remove the stain without damaging the deck.

Once the stain is completely removed, you will want to wait about a week for the wood to completely dry before adding new stain. Make sure there is no moisture on the deck in the 24-hours before staining and follow the directions for the stain you buy. Before long your deck will look like new again.

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

Apr
8

3 Excellent Reasons to Have Your Roof Professional Cleaned

Is your roof growing its own garden of mold or mildew, with debris accumulating in the corners? Maybe it is time to call in a professional to undo the damage of the winter with a roof cleaning service. Your roof is one of the most important aspects of your home and it is worth the investment to ensure it is properly maintained. Here are three excellent reasons to use a professional roof cleaning service to maintain your roof.

Aesthetics. You cannot hide a dirty roof; it is one of the first things people will notice as they come to your home. To improve your curb appeal, keep your roof free of debris and ugly mildew stains that detract from the beauty of your home. A professional pressure washing service remove the dirt and debris, leaving your roof looking like new.

Protect your investment. Replacing a roof can cost several thousand dollars or more. One of the best ways to make your roof last longer is to keep it clean. Mildew and mold can cause damage to shingles; however, so can cleaning it improperly. Use a professional roof cleaning service that uses low pressure and is experienced in cleaning shingles without damage.

Reduce risk. Cleaning your roof on your own can be risky. Without the right equipment or experience, you can be putting your roof and safety in danger. Let a company that has the right equipment, experience and insurance do the job.

You will be surprised at how big a difference an annual roof cleaning can make in both the beauty of your home and the longevity of your roof. Now is the time to get the grime of winter washed away, leaving your roof clean for the summer months ahead.

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

Feb
2

Selling Your Home? Pressure Washing Can Increase Your Curb Appeal

For most families, the money paid for a home is one of the largest investments they will make. When it comes time to sell due to a move or changes in lifestyle, it’s important to get the best price for your home. There are many factors which can affect overall value; however, curb appeal is one factor which can be easily and affordably improved. One excellent way to do this is through pressure washing.

Curb Appeal Starts with a Clean Home

Nothing can detract from the beauty of your home more than dirt, grime and mildew that accumulates on your siding, roof and hard surfaces. The outdoor elements dull all the surfaces of your home, making it look rundown. While new siding or a new deck may not be an affordable option to improve the curb appeal of your home before you put it on the market, almost any homeowner can afford a pressure washing service.

Pressure washing can safely remove years of exposure to the elements, adding value to your home and increasing the curb appeal. Consider having these areas pressure washed before prospective buyers begin looking at your home:

  • Driveways and sidewalks. Pressure washing can remove stains and mildew off your driveway and paved surfaces, making them look like new again.
  • Siding. Vinyl siding can look dull after a few years out in the weather. Pressure washing cleans away pollen, mildew and dirt, making your home look like it just received a new paint job.
  • Roofs, patios and pool decks. All hard surfaces can benefit from a cleaning before putting your home up for sale.

It’s difficult to find any home improvement service which can offer such a dramatic effect on your home’s curb appeal for the price of a professional pressure washing. Call your local pressure washing service today to schedule your home cleaning before you sell your property this year.

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

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