Posts Tagged ‘Riverside’

The Benefits of Exterior Cleaning

Sunday, June 13th, 2010

Today more and more people are realizing the importance of keeping their home’s exterior clean and maintained. It raises home values and also saves the homeowner money by stopping the damaging effects of dirt, mold, and mildew. Many sellers are beginning to see the benefits of putting a little money into their home’s before listing them on the market.

It used to be that nobody wanted to put another dime into a house they were selling, they really didn’t see the plus in it. They might dump all kinds of money into the home they were buying but not one dime into a house they were handing over to someone else. But today people are benefiting from sinking a little money into a home before selling it because it raises the value and will yield them more back out of it.

It most cases with exterior pressure washing, having the home washed and especially having the roof cleaned if it is suffering from roof algae, will give the homeowner their money back and then some. An exterior cleaning can raise the home value by 5-10 percent in some cases which will yield them back way more than they spent to have the house washed.

Another benefit is that it helps their house stand apart from the competition or all the other home’s for sale in that price range. This can mean just because your roof or siding is nice and clean, your home could sell before the neighbors home. So there are many benefits to having your home’s exterior cleaned during the time you live there and even if you are getting ready to list it.

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Picking a good cleaning contractor Corona, Riverside,

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Finding a qualified pressure washing business can be a daunting task for the homeowner. The following guide has been developed to help you locate a quality pressure washing contractors.

Educate Yourself. First and foremost, realize that education is your best line of defense. With pressure washing, the possibility for damage exists. Take the time to understand potential risks and how to minimize them. This will help you distinguish cut-rate pressure washing contractors from quality professionals.

Meet the Contractor. Meet the contractor during the estimate and take time to evaluate the site together. This will better communications and reduce errors in the estimating process.
Get Consultation. A qualified pressure washing contractors will take time to review your site, ask questions and seek out areas of concern. They will listen carefully and interpret the service you desire and expect. In turn, they will also review with you, the strengths and limitations of their service. As you consult with various contractors, ask them specific questions on service, procedures, expected outcomes, and possibilities for damage. Together you will develop a more complete picture of the service, weeding out obvious inconsistencies in service. In all this is a great way to judge professionalism.
Get A Procedure Listing. This list briefly outlines the steps that will be taken during your particular job. It may be a separate sheet or part of the estimate. In either case, this is a very helpful tool when comparing one pressure washing service to another.
Inquire about Equipment. Is it owed or rented? Owed or leased equipment is evidence of a long-term commitment to the field of pressure washing. Renting may indicate only an occasional need for equipment.
Most pressure washing businesses will have power washer equipment that can supply 11-15 HP (horsepower, strength), 3000-4000 PSI (pound per square inch, force) and 3-6 GPM (gallons per minute, flow). A rating of 2000 PSI and 2 GPM or less is a residential grade of equipment and will not perform at the level of doing business.

Ask for a Demonstration. This is not always feasible. Demonstrations can take an enormous amount of time to setup and perform. Often contractors will forgo demonstrations and ask the client to be present at job startup. This is not uncommon. If you are not satisfied with results or question work performance, do not hesitate to inform them.
Get Written Estimates. Having a written estimate protects both you and the pressure washing contractors. A written estimate should detail the desired service, expected outcome and complete costs in labor and material.
Get Referrals. When you get referrals, be sure that they represent the service you desire. For instance, someone seeking deck cleaning should receive deck cleaning referrals, not vinyl siding cleaning. Once you have referrals, use them. Ask specific questions concerning cleaning procedures, job outcomes, workmanship and professionalism.
Satisfaction and Billing Policies. Familiarize yourself with the contractor’s satisfaction and billing policies. Understand deposits and payment schedules. Ask them, in the event of dissatisfaction, what their policy is.
Insurance. Check to see that your contractor has liability insurance. All pressure washing contractors should have protected both themselves and their clients from possible on-site accidents, injury, or damage.
Analyze Cost. Cost of service will be a factor in your decision. Keep in mind less cost frequently means less service and less quality. Basically, you get what you pay. Be wary of $49 deck and $99 house washes.
Be Present During The Job. Observe work as it takes place. Quite often, cleaning results are remarkable and you should experience this process first hand. Likewise, be ready to consult with the contractor as any problems or potential damages arise.
Be Present At Job Completion. Thoroughly inspect and evaluate the job site upon completion. List any problems or concerns and review them with the contractor. A contractor is more likely to address problems now, than returning in the future.
Overall, build your knowledge base, research each pressure washing contractors and use common sense when choosing a contractor. Understand the entire cleaning process, analyze cost comparisons, and weed out possible low quality service providers. A quality pressure washing contractor will encourage and assist in helping you in all these areas.

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Posted in Pressure Washing Tips | 8 Comments »

Gutter Cleaning Orange County, inland Empire, Riverside,

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Will spring arrive and find you pulling out your gas pressure washer to spruce things up? You probably use it to clean your deck, patio furniture, and outdoor toys and sports equipment. Gas pressure washers are great for cleaning winter salt stains from your walkways and driveway. Many folks use their gas pressure washers to wash their cars and campers. Then, they put it away and climb a ladder to clean out their gutters by hand!

It is amazing how many homeowners only use their gas pressure washer for a few jobs, storing it away 80% of the time. But, from clearing sink drains to cleaning your gutters, there are seemingly endless uses for this phenomenal machine…all it takes are a few special attachments…and your imagination!

The safest way to clean gutters is while you are standing on the ground. Your versatile gas pressure washer can manage this easily with a telescoping or extension wand, and an affordable gutter cleaning attachment.

Extensions and telescoping wands are available in several models. They fit most gas pressure washers, or are easily made adaptable with minor hardware connectors. They increase the psi (pounds per square inch) and gpm (gallons per minute) of your gas pressure washer. Extension wands can be less expensive and can provide greater PSI and gpm then telescoping wands, but they generally only extend in lengths from 36” to 79”. Molded and insulated, they can deliver up to 15.8 gpm and go as high as 9,570 PSI. They can usually handle hot water up to 300° F.

Telescoping wands have lower water temperature ratings (195° - 200° F), and can deliver 3,000 – 4,000 PSI at up to 8 GPM, but a telescoping wand can give greater distance. Two popular models extend your cleaning range from 6’-18’ or 9’- 24’. Telescoping wands have a belt attachment that takes much of the pressure of the weight away off your back. The wands weigh between 12 –13 pounds.

Add a gutter cleaning nozzle and a spray flex wand, which bends, twists, and turns up to a 90° angle, and you have everything you need to easily clean not only gutters, but all hard to reach places like low ledges, under eaves, around corners, and even the unexposed areas of your vehicles like wheel wells and engine undersides. The spray flex wands are great. You adjust the angle needed, and the wand will retain the angle even with up to 4,000 PSI pressure.

Hot water capability makes any cleaning job easier (and it is an affordable addition to gas pressure washers, too), but it is not necessary for cleaning gutters. Neither is a super powered gas pressure washer, but water will lose some pressure due to the height it must travel while you remain on the ground. Water will lose about 4 psi in about 10’ of height. At 50’, it will drop about 22 PSI, and 100’ will see a loss of about 43 PSI.

Increasingly, gas pressure washers are coming out of cellars and garages and are providing an income (or supplementing one), for ambitious entrepreneurs. Gas pressure washers have stirred the imagination of engineers and tinkerers’ alike, and are now the main unit for a plethora of attachments to optimize their applications and turn them into real moneymakers. If your business is cleaning, gas pressure washers make absolute sense. They can add tremendous cleaning capability to your repertoire. Offering gutter cleaning using gutter cleaner wand is just one more way a gas pressure washer puts money in your pocket with minimal financial outlay.

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Wood cleaning Corona, Corona area, Riverside,

Sunday, November 1st, 2009

Once you begin using your pressure washer to clean the surfaces of your home, you’ll likely see the advantages of using it to remove dirt and grime everywhere you find it. This will probably include your deck, fence and even outside wooden walls. If you’re worried that using a pressure washer to clean your wood may harm it – don’t. Although wood cleaning does require following some simple instructions to preserve both the beauty and integrity of your home’s wood when cleaning it, it can be done quite effectively.

Outside wood can get pretty dirty, and if you’re tired of dealing with the dirt, mildew, mold, and algae that has been accumulating on your wooden decks, fences and even outside walls, than it’s time to get out your pressure washer for a thorough wood cleaning.

Not only will cleaning your home’s wood surfaces with a pressure washer help rid it of stains and dirt, it can also help to preserve your wood by:

Opening the pores of the wood
Balancing the pores of the wood so that the sealer bonds to each fiber.
Choosing the Right Cleaning Products for Your Wood Surfaces

When power washing wood surfaces, it’s important to choose the right products. While decks require a more acidic cleaner; fences and walls need a cleaning product that is more alkaline. Always be sure to check the manufacture’s recommendations for products you plan to use in your pressure washer for wood cleaning to be sure it’s alright.

When cleaning your outside wood with your power washer, there are three main types of pressure washer chemicals you can choose from. Each has been specifically designed to use in a pressure washer to clean wood surfaces without the risk of fading the wood. They are:

Cleaners will deeply cleanse the wood without stripping off old finishes

Brighteners are used to remove bleed marks and darkened wood to help get it back to its natural color.

Strippers can be used in a pressure washer to take off old finishes of paint

Tips for Wood Cleaning Using a Pressure Washer

When using your pressure washer to clean your home’s wood surfaces you’ll want to be sure to follow these simple tips in order to prevent damaging the wood:

Never allow any wood cleaners, brighteners or strippers to dry on the surface of the wood. This can leave a residue and prevent proper adhesion or absorption of sealers. Be sure to rinse the wood every 10-15 minutes (especially on sunny or hot days)
Never use hot water on wood – always use a cold pressure washers
Use your pressure washer with an output of 1500 to 1800 PSI
Never use a 0 degree tip for wood washing; instead opt for a 25 degree power washer spray nozzle tip.
Never hold the tip in one place when cleaning wood – this can cause pitting or other damage. Instead clean 3-4 foot sections at a time
After you’ve thoroughly pressure washed your wood surface, be sure to let it dry at least 24 hours before applying a protective sealer.
Wood cleaning with a pressure washer is a fast and easy way to rid your wooden decks and fences of the dirt that can make it look older than it is and give it quick spruce up. Just be sure to follow the tips above to ensure that your next wood cleaning job is completed in a safe and efficient manner.

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Posted in Wood cleaning Riverside | 2 Comments »