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Costly Misconceptions About Pressure
Washing
Misconception #1:
"It's Easy Enough That We Can Do It
Ourselves". This may be true
to some extent, but you can easily cause damage to yourself and your
home if your not careful. I don't recommend to anyone to pressure
wash from a ladder,
this is very dangerous and should be left to a professional. Washing
your vinyl siding from the ground at an upward angle will force
water behind the siding causing water damage. Getting up in the air
and away from the house will allow you to rinse the siding at a
flatter angle. This can only be done with the proper equipment.
Another thing, is even small consumer grade
pressure washing units put out too much pressure to wash vinyl,
asphalt shingles, and pressure treated wood. Having the right
equipment allows you to turn down the pressure, so your not causing
damage.
Misconception #2:
"High Pressure Is The Only Way To Get
It Clean". Not true at all.
Only contractors that use inferior cleaners have to depend on high
pressure to do the job. High pressure can do a lot of damage to your
home. Too much
pressure will force water to get behind the siding of your home
causing mold and mildew problems. Wood is softer than you might
think, and using too much pressure to wash a deck can cut wood and
leave unsightly marks and scars that will show through the sealer.
Using too much pressure on asphalt shingles is a huge mistake.
Shingles have small pieces of grit on them, similar to sand, called
granules. Excessive pressure can blow these granules off the
shingles, lessening the longevity of your roof. Make sure contractor
grade cleaners and the lowest possible pressure are being used.
Misconception #3:
"The Cleaners Being Used Will Damage
Your Plants Or Hurt Your Pets".
Quality contractors use only environmentally safe products that will
not harm your pets. But plants are more sensitive and need to be
protected. If a cleaner is allowed to dry on the leaves of a plant
it can leave burn spots. Covering plants with plastic is an option,
but that can also be dangerous to the plants on a hot day. A better
alternative is to wet the plants down with water before, during, and
after the cleaning process. As long as cleaners are not allowed to
dry on the plants, there should be no damage.
Misconception #4:
"Your Roof Is Black Or Has Black
Streaks On It And Needs Replaced".
Not necessarily true. Unsightly black stains or streaks on asphalt
shingles is caused by a hardy type of algae called
Gloeocapsa Magma.
This type
of algae thrives in humid and warm climates and usually appears,
first, on the North slope of the roof where shade is
prevalent and moisture tends to accumulate. The algae feeds on the
crushed limestone that is used in asphalt shingles. Rain then
spreads the algae down the roof, causing black streaks. As the algae
breaks down the shingles, the granules that
protect the shingle are loosened and begin to fall off. This causes
the roof to deteriorate and diminishes the roof's ability to reflect
heat rays. If left untreated, the algae will reduce the life of your
roof, diminish your home's curb appeal, and increase your home
cooling cost. This roof algae can be killed and removed to restore
your roofs appearance. But the right cleaners
and low pressure is a must, so that damage is not done to the roof.
Misconception #5:
"Any Honest Power Washing Company
Should be Able to Give an Estimate Over the Phone".
It would be easier if this were true, but it is not. Honest,
reputable power washing companies almost never give a cleaning
estimate over the phone. Most companies charge by the square foot or
linear foot. But there are too many variables that can change that
price from one home to another. For instance, different types of
terrain or landscaping can affect the price. What type of wood is
your deck? Has it ever been sealed? Is water accessible at the job
site? Maybe your house is not extremely dirty and could be done for
less than a dirty house the same size. The good news is, once a free
estimate is given by a quality contractor, you know that that's the
price you will pay and there is no last minute surprises.
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