Will pressure washing remove all stains from my driveway?
A: Unfortunately the answer is no. Pressure washing can and does remove most stains, but since concrete is a very porous material not all stains can be completely removed.
Do you need a license to pressure wash?
A: A common misconception is that you need a license to pressure wash. At this time no license is required in the state of Illinois.
Will you bring your own water?
A: Except for off site work where water is not available most power wash companies will use the on site water supply. The average price of water in the United States is about $1.50 per 1,000 gallons. An Avg deck, concrete or house wash will use much less then that amount.
Why should I power wash my house before painting it?
A: Power washing can remove the dirt and grime on the surfaces that you’re about to have painted. Paint will not adhere well to dirt or loose paint which could cause any new paint coatings to fail quickly
Do I need to remove the furniture and other belongings from my deck before you clean it?
A: Yes, the deck should be free of any obstacles before our technicians arrive. If help is needed with larger items please let us know at the time work is scheduled. On raised decks with large BBQ grills, some homeowners will disconnect the propane and roll grill into the kitchen area through door as it is much easier than carrying it down a flight of stairs.
How long should I wait before putting my belongings back on my deck after its been sealed?
A: Although the stains we use are generally dry before the day ends we always recommend giving the deck a full 24 hours before placing your furniture and other belongings back on the deck.
Why do I have to power wash and stain my deck or fence?
A: The forces of weather can be devastating to wood. The suns ultra violet rays can damage the wood fibers and turn the wood gray. Rain, snow, and morning dew are absorbed by unprotected wood, causing it to swell excessively. When the sun’s heat dries the wood it shrinks back. These cycles of wet and dry, swelling and shrinking causes the wood to warp, split, cup and crack. Cleaning the wood will remove the discoloration and prepare and clean surface for the stain or sealer. The sealer or stain will provided a protective coating to extend the life of your investment.
Isn’t Pressure treated wood already protected?
A: Although pressure treated lumber, as well as some woods like cedar and redwood are resistant to decay from insect attack, no wood is immune to the damage that is caused by the absorption of water, or the effects of the sun’s UV rays. It doesn’t matter what species of wood we’re talking about, ALL wood left exposed will deteriorate from water absorption and sun exposure. Even pressure treated lumber needs protected from these things. Pressure treating is not a guarantee of no maintenance and no decay.
Will my plants, lawn, or landscaping be harmed by your pressure cleaning or wood restoration processes?
A: We take care to protect the surrounding vegitation to prevent this. Some of the cleaning agents we use in our profession can be harmful if not properly used. Untrained or inexperienced contractors routinely skip the important steps needed to protect your landscape bushes, flowers and lawn. Foliage is always prewet prior to, during and after our restorative cleaning and in some cases covered if applicable.
How often should I power wash my siding?
A: Every home should be cleaned at least once a year to remove surface dirt, algae, mold, and mildew. The condition of the homes surface will determine how good your home will look after cleaning. If you rub your hand over the surface of the siding and you end up with a chalky film on your hand, your home siding is oxidized and needs special attention. The oxidation is caused by the sun and weather elements. Inexperienced contractors often promise to remove this powder when they clean your siding. However, removing this layer of oxidation will cause the siding to appear blotchy and discolored. Another problem to look for with your pressure-wash contractor is a condition known as artillery fungus (black spots that won’t rub off). Artillery fungus lives in the mulch around your home and there is no way to remove it after it has dried on the surface for a month or more.
Are chemicals used when power washing?
A: Yes, although contractors often use extremely strong wood cleaners, all products used are biodegradable and environmentally safe. Responsible contractors do not use common bleach to clean wood, except in special situations. The cleaners used will not kill grass or plants, but may cause discoloration of the leaves. In this case, new growth will replace old growth within weeks and the plants will be fine.
What is “soft washing”?
A: “Soft Washing” is a technique developed by residential pressure washers to clean the fragile vertical surfaces of homes. Hot water and high pressure will damage most home surfaces so another solution had to be developed. “Soft Washing” is the industries answer to this. Simply put “soft washing” is the low pressure (usually no more than the average garden hose can put out) application of cleaning solutions to the surface followed by a low pressure rinse. Each surface, whether it is an asphalt roof, a stucco wall, vinyl siding, aluminum siding etc., requires a different cleaning solution so experience and training are needed before attempting to “soft wash” any surface.
