Power washing (also known as pressure washing) is a great way to remove dirt, mildew, mold, and stains from exterior surfaces like driveways, walkways, patios, and decks. It also helps to kill weeds and prevents them from growing back quickly.
It is also ideal for heavy-duty cleaning tasks that involve oil-stained driveways, or significant mold and mildew build-up. It can be used in both residential and commercial settings.
Exterior Cleaning
Power washing is not only great for your home – it can also spruce up exterior walkways, patios and decks, and even brick walls. Most professional power or pressure washing groups will either bill by the job or by the hour, plus a surcharge for any detergents used or special treatments such as moss removal.
Aside from improving curb appeal, regular power washing of your house and its exterior surfaces can protect the structure and extend the life of paint and other materials. For many, it’s a necessary part of home maintenance.
Driveways and sidewalks can get ugly with oil stains, tire marks and other debris. Powerwashing these areas cleans them thoroughly, making them look new again. The same goes for decks and patios, where the buildup of mildew and mold can ruin their appearance. Getting rid of these substances by power washing them can also help prepare them for staining or painting, since the new layers will adhere better to a clean surface.
For most residential clients, power washing their home siding is the most obvious power washing service available. But the process can be used to clean sidewalks, driveways, roofs, brick or concrete walls and wood fences as well. And for commercial clients, power washing is effective in removing oil stains from parking lots and storefronts as well as dirt, graffiti and gum stuck on sidewalks and walkways.
Roof Cleaning
Not only do dark streaks on the roof of your home ruin its curb appeal, but moss and algae growth can also damage shingles and cause leaks. A thorough power wash can eliminate these unsightly stains while revealing any areas that may require repair, extending the life of your roof and protecting the integrity of your home’s structure.
Power washing can be done using high or low pressure, depending on the material that needs to be cleaned and the extent of damage or staining. For example, a highly textured surface like paver stones or brick walls may benefit from the use of a power washer with lower pressure to avoid damaging the material. A softer washing method is ideal for delicate roofing materials like shingles.
Soft wash uses low-pressure rinsing with specially formulated cleaning solutions to safely and effectively remove dirt, mold, lichen, and moss from a roof without causing damage. A specialized cleaning agent is applied to the roof and allowed to penetrate deep, killing organisms at their roots and preventing regrowth for a cleaner, longer-lasting result.
It’s important to check the appearance of your home’s surfaces and materials on a regular basis to determine whether they need a power wash. Consistent cleaning helps to extend the lifespan of your siding, gutters, windows, and outside concrete and paver stones. It’s also an excellent way to enhance your home’s curb appeal and maintain a clean, inviting look.
Concrete Cleaning
Power washing is a great choice for concrete cleaning because it can blast away stuck-on grime, such as oil spots. It’s also an effective way to control weeds, mold, and mildew growth on concrete surfaces, and it can help restore concrete that has been damaged by acidic rainwater or traffic salt.
Depending on the nozzle used, power washing can be done on a variety of outdoor surface materials, including vinyl, wood, composite, and metal. Some nozzles spray a wide area while others have a finer point, making it easy to clean difficult-to-reach spaces. A turbo nozzle, for example, rotates to provide a broader overall spray when it is further away from the surface and a finer point when closer.
Concrete surfaces can be easily damaged by harsh weather and dirt buildup, so regular cleaning is essential. Keeping these surfaces properly cleaned can prevent damage, keep stains from becoming permanent and prevent tripping hazards. Power washing services are a great option for maintaining your exterior concrete, and removing stubborn grime like gum, ink or spray paint. Regular maintenance can also extend the life of your concrete. When sealed, concrete is protected from weathering, but it still requires resealing every 2-3 years to maintain its protective benefits.
Deck Cleaning
Many people use their decks for outdoor entertaining, grilling, or relaxing. Over time, these areas can become covered in dirt and mildew. Professional cleaning services can remove this build-up from your deck, making it safer and more aesthetically pleasing.
Pressure washing is great for general cleaning tasks, like removing dirt, dust, loose paint, mold, and mildew from a variety of surfaces. It also works well on durable materials, such as brick, concrete, and masonry. It can be used on wood as well, but using too much pressure can damage the surface and make it vulnerable to weather damage.
Soft washing, on the other hand, offers a more gentle approach through low-pressure water, often combined with specialized cleaning solutions. This technique can be used on more sensitive surfaces, such as shingled roofs and painted siding, or on porous surfaces that cannot be resurfaced, such as wooden decks.
It can also be used to clean sidewalks, curbs, retaining walls, loading docks, and more. This method of cleaning can remove tough stains and build-up on these durable surfaces, such as gum, oil, grease, and chemicals. It is also effective on non-porous surfaces, such as brick and concrete, to clean them of dirt, mildew, moss, algae, and other contaminants.
