3 Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Roof Washing Company

3 Questions You Should Ask Before Hiring a Roof Washing Company

Nowadays, a number of roof washing methods have been developed to meet the specific needs of homeowners. However, before using any of the available methods, it is important to know that, by using roof washing methods, again and again, the life of the roof may be affected. By having adiquate information, property owners can easily avoid  damage to their roofs. Also, you may save a lot of money on repair costs and maintenance as well. All good quality roofs have a life expectancy of about 30 years.

In most town, there will always be several options to choose from when it comes to home care services. These types of service companies include lawn care, painting services, flooring, heating and air services and of course roof cleaning.

Below are three questions you need to ask before hiring any roof washing company.

 1. How Long Has the Company Been in Business?

No matter what profession, the experience is always going to be the best teacher hands down.
When looking for a roof washing company, you want to find a company that is professional and experienced. Simply hiring people who do roof cleaning as a side job or as a summer gig is probably not going to be your best option. Rather find a company that has been in business for a while and has a proven track record. Chances are if a roof washing company has been in business for several years, it's because they know what they are doing and are trusted by the local community.

 2. What Type of Pressure Washing Method is the roof washing Company Using?

This is an extremely important question and one that should be answered before any work ever starts on your roof. You will need to find out what type of roof washing technique any roof washing company you're considering uses. If a company is using a traditional pressure washer to clean your roof, you should reconsider.

Traditional pressure washers are very powerful obviously. - And when applied to roof shingles, traditional pressure washers can cause damage to the roof as they loosen the particles on the individual roof shingles. This, of course, can mean thousands of dollars in roof repairs.
Look for a company that offers low water pressure washing. Low water pressure washing is a technique that uses a hose that only has the strength of the regular garden hose and a biodegradable detergent. In conjunction, these two work together two remove mold, fungus, mildew, dirt, and grime from your rooftop. This, of course, rids your roof of the ugly green and brown streaks.

 3. What are Customers Saying About the roof washing Company?

Finally, as you shop for the perfect Roof Washing Company, make it a point to find customer feedback about any company you are considering hiring. In the world of today, this is an easy task. By simply doing an internet search or by browsing social media, you will know rather quickly if customers have had good experiences or not. This will be a great factor in helping you make your final decision on who you should be hiring.

Choosing a Roof Washing Contractor

Choosing a Roof  Washing Contractor - What You Don't Know Will Hurt You

So you have decided to hire a Roof Cleaning Contractor so now the hard раrt: Who dо you hire? It is not as simple as picking a number out of the phone book or googling for roof сlеаnеrѕ. Thаt'ѕ only a first step. You need to know that there are very important differences between roof washing соntrасtоrѕ. Bеѕіdеѕ the obvious things like time in business, having good reviews and proper іnѕurаnсе, thе methods and chemicals the contractor will use on your roof could mean the difference between a сlеаn rооf and a disaster.
Unfortunately, it is not always easy to know or to fіnd out about these things, because many contractors will deliberately obscure their methods fіnd оut аbоut There are two major camps in this industry: those who use sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and those whо do nоt. Thоѕе who use bleach do so for their own economic reasons: It is cheap, easy аnd fast. Blеасh is also a very temporary solution to roof staining because it only masks the stain аnd dоеѕ nоt remove the organisms that cause it.

Black stains on your roof

The black stains on your roof аrе саuѕеd bу cyanobacteria, Gloeocapsa Magma, which most roof washing cleaners refer to аѕ algae. This іѕ a single cell organism and the stain is made up of billions of cells, both dead аnd living. This gluе surrounds the granules that top your asphalt shingles. It is the

dead cells that cause the staining, but thеу do more than that: They provide a microclimate for the living cells. The dead cells protect the living сеllѕ from getting too much sun and they also act like a sponge, holding moisture for the living cells. Dead аnd living cells are intertwined in a single layer of gunk.
Unless this entire layer is removed from thе roof, thе ѕtаіnѕ will be back in no time. Bleach is a strong oxidizer and when applied to the algal gluе іt oxidizes the upper surface of the stain and the stain appears to gо аwау. But bеnеаth this oxidized layer, the algal glue rеmаіnѕ. When the upper oxidized layer wears off the stains appear to come back, though they were never rеаllу gone. Thіѕ is why the ARMA tells homeowners that bleach is only a temporary solution.

You should avoid blеасh not оnlу because it is ineffective at stain removal, but also because the EPA has соnсludеd thаt it will destroy most termite treatments in the ground around your hоmе. Yоu won't know this happened until you have termite dаmаgе. If you do hire a "bleacher", be sure to talk to your pest control provider about reapplying your tеrmіtе trеаtmеntѕ. Better, аvоіd contractors using bleach. Then you won't have to worry about your plants either.

How do you know if a contractor uses bleach? He mау tell you so, and his prices will likely be lower than others who don't use blеасh. Some contractors, however, are very adept at obscuring the fасt thаt they use bleach. Ask for the Material Safety Data Sheet on the product he uses. If it says "sodium hypochlorite", that means bleach. Look for соdе words оn his website such as "Only Manufacturer Approved Chemicals" and "ARMA Rесоmmеndеd". Thіѕ аlwауѕ means bleach.
Finally ask this question: "How will you protect my plants while roof washing?" Anѕwеrѕ such as "We cover your plants with tаrрѕ", "Wе wеt down your plants before, during and after", or "We collect all the runoff" always indicate a hаrmful сhеmісаl is used. Never let someone use high-pressure washing on your roof. Insist on knowing аll уоu can аbоut the chemicals a contractor will use.

There are other products which will actually break up and remove the algal gluе when roof washing. With these chemicals, the staining will stay gоnе muсh longer because the organisms are completely removed. And they are safe for рlаntѕ, реtѕ, аnd termite treatments. But you should expect to pay a little more for a roof washing contractor whо uѕеѕ safe and effective chemicals.

Roof Washing - Improve your Home's Apperearance

Roof Washing by Roof Type

Roofs are made of various materials and when roof washing them the instructions and cleaning solution will be different for each one. Let us look at the various roof types and how to proper roof wash them.

Asphalt shingles

Regardless of where the home is located, asphalt shingles is a common roof material. The shingles are known for their sand-like and granular finish. It is the type of finish that is designed to wear out slowly. Due to the layered, delicate nature of the shingles, it is important that when roof washing them that you do it gently so you do not destroy the layer of protection. Roof washing them too

roughly will also decrease the lifespan of your roof. If you are using a pressure washer, you should use a low-pressure washing of no higher than thirty psi, which is equal to a garden hose sprayer. You should not use a mixture of water trisodium phosphate (TSP), and bleach, even though it is found on the internet. There are several dangers associated with this solution. The bleach will only kill the surface layer of algae and mold, which will regrow, it will poison any vegetation that is under the roof when it runs off, and it can corrode the metal fastenings.

Ceramic Tiles

This type of roof is very popular in the subtropical and Southwest regions and on Spanish-style houses. This roofing material can stand higher-pressure washing. It does it without suffering from wear or corrosion. One important thing to note is that when using a pressure washer you do need to control closely the psi because if you apply high pressure to the wrong place on the roof it could crack the ceramic tile. If this happens, it could require replacing ceramic tiles on your roof. To help prevent this, it is recommended that you use a low-pressure washer. Ceramic tile roof cleaning should be done using a specialized formula that is designed to attack algae, mold, and fungi growth along with lifting stains.

Clay Tiles

These tiles look similar to ceramic tiles and are popular in Southern and Southwest states, especially California. They are made using a method that combines sand and clay to make the tiles. This type of roof is excellent insulators. They help to reduce the homeowners cooling costs. The difference between the ceramic and clay tiles is that the production methods make the clay tiles more porous. This makes them subject to wear even using low-pressure washing by a non-qualified technician. when roof washing them, you should use a garden sprayer. A clay roof that is properly maintained should have a protective sealant to inhibit the grown of many organisms. You will still need to do roof washing using just water that is mixed with dish detergent or plain water. If you prefer there are specific roof washing cleaners that you can use on your clay tiles.

All in all, The cost of roof washing a roof the non-aggressive way is significantly less than using a high-pressure jet cleaning. Typically one third. Some companies will do it, but the technique is available to private individuals as well. The ideal solution is to hire the specialized roof washing equipment: A chemical injection box and a lightweight boom is often sufficient to carry out the spraying from the ground.

Benefits of professional pressure washing for house exteriors

Benefits of professional pressure washing for house exteriors

House exteriors are bound to get dirty. No matter the size or locality, every house goes through its usual wear and tear and need to be regularly cleaned out to keep up its appearance and value. One of the most effective and efficient methods of cleansing housing exteriors is pressure washing. Through a high-pressure streaming of water, this method of cleaning ensures that even textured surfaces are cleaned out fine.

This means that this method works effectively on surfaces like Deck restoration, or vinyl siding cleaning, as well as aluminium. What’s more, it is quick work, especially when it comes to large houses

An ugly home exterior is not only an eye-sore for the entire neighborhood but also a prestige issue. Do you really want to be the talk of the neighborhood because you apparently cannot even keep the exteriors of your home clean? Being held responsible for owning a home that destroys the visual appeal of the entire neighborhood can also be socially detrimental. That is not what you would want out of a place where you have invested so much of your money.

Precautions to take when pressure washing

Pressure washing employs a large amount of water pressure in cleaning up house exteriors and can be dangerous sometimes. To ensure a smooth process without any unwanted accidents, there are certain precautions that should be taken while employing this method of cleaning.

-        All items that can entangle or trip the hose need to be kept well away from the cleaning site

-        That much pressure is not good for your plants; so keep them well protected during the process

-        Electrical components must be secured using fixtures to avoid any mishaps

-        Seal the house completely; no door or window should be left open

Benefits of pressure washing

Aside from the obvious factor related to the enhancement of your home’s appearance, pressure washing also spells other practical benefits for you, your family and your neighborhood. These benefits have been outlined below.

Increasing home value

Investing in a house is akin to invest in property and can mean returns for you at a later stage. When it comes to selling your house, a house which has been kept clean and well-kept exteriors is bound to have greater value than one that does not. Pressure washing can thus increase the value of your home.

Improving curb appeal

If you wish to sell your home, the exterior curb needs to look good to give off a good first impression. Cleaner home exteriors translate to heightened curb appeal as opposed to those that haven’t been maintained.

Preventive maintenance

If regularly scheduled, pressure washing can be a great way to avoid the need for expensive exterior repairs at a later stage. The pressure washing cleans up the exterior and fortifies it against any future unforeseen and foreseen problems.

Protective for your family members

The exterior of a home cannot be as easily maintained as the interior and this could sometimes lead to the growth of dangerous and even potentially life threatening issues. Bacteria and mould that grow cannot always be detected easily, which means that when you pressure wash your home you are also protecting your family from this kind of danger.

Other benefits

Unlike fixtures and repairs, pressure washing is not as expensive. As a matter of fact, pressure washing can save on a lot of everyday costs because of its preventive advantages. Pressure washing also lengthens the life of roof shingles which helps prevent the need for changing up your roof. Not only is that a timely and difficult process, it can lead to other complications for your home and future too.

Why hire a professional to do it?

These days, it is possible for anyone to pressure wash their home exteriors with the right instructions, tools and precautions. All the necessities are available in warehouse stores and with a little bit of research, the technical know-how is not tough to crack. But it is still recommended that you get a professional to do it for you. Granted, you will miss out on the pride of having done the whole thing yourself, but at the same time, you will avail the following benefits instead.

Less work for you

This way, you don’t need to learn everything- from the technical know-how to how to operating the equipment. Instead, you can just hire someone and get it done properly and effortlessly on your part with lesser mistakes.

Less room for mistakes

Well, hiring a professional means hiring an expert. An expert will minimize mistakes and maximize your gains instead. So why take the trouble of doing it yourself?

Insurance

If you intentionally destroy your property, most insurance policies will not cover you. Instead, if it is a result of an accident by an expert, you don’t need to pay up more than half your savings into salvaging your home.

High quality equipment

Professionals do this for a living. Hence, they would have invested in the best equipment and the highest quality of tools. This means your home is going to get royal treatment. That is any day better than you using your tools instead.

Green technology for the betterment of Mother Nature

No need to waste water, electricity and precious resources through trial and error when you hire a professional. At the end of the day we live in a world with a fast growing population and limited resources. As residents and occupants of the earth, we need to respect what we have been given and not take advantage of it.

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Step by step instructions for staining a deck

Deck staining tips and How To:

Deck Problems

Deck Restoration can be a huge job without the tools and know how.

Cleaning your deck

Deck staining can take a long time if you don’t do it every day. Most people just hire it out but if you really want to tackle your deck I can teach you the best and easiest way. Follow these easy steps and your deck will look great

Staining your deck

1. Make sure you clean it properly. Check out my “how to clean a deck” page for instructions on cleaning it the right way.
2. Once its clean and dry start off by taping off your house and anything you don’t want to get stain on. You can buy some 1 mil plastic at your local hardware store. Make sure you close any open plastic areas.
3. Open your stain bucket and using a stir stick stir it up real good. You want to make sure all of the stain is mixed properly.
4. Always start staining the outside of the deck first, you want to leave the floor last so you can walk around and stain the rails and spindles. Start with brushing the outside and the left and right side of the spindles leaving the inside not stained.
5. After all spindles are stained start staining the band board and upper outer handrail. The band board is the lower part of the deck that the spindles are attached to.
6. Next stain all the support post and any header boards under the deck you might have. Don’t worry about staining under the deck, it’s not needed because it doesn't see the elements like the tops and sides.
7. Now that the whole outer deck is done, do it again. You need 2 coats of stain to properly seal your deck.
8. OK 2 coats are finally done. Go ahead and do some touch-up on the outside of the deck make sure every part has an even coat.
9. Now for the inside of the deck. Start by staining the top of the handrails then go ahead and brush the inner side of the spindles. DON’T DRIP STAIN ANYWHERE, this will show through and look horrible. If you drip just brush it out before it dries.
10. OK handrails and spindles are done. Go ahead and give them another coat before we start on staining the floor.
11. Staining the floor can be hard on the knees so find you some knee pads and start staining next to the house brushing the deck with the grain. Brush your way down the steps. Be careful when you’re at the edge of the deck by not scraping your brush on the edge. This will leave runs on the outside of the band board.
12. Don’t forget to give the floor and steps another good coat of stain.
13. Now for the easy part. After the stain has dried you can now remove all the plastic and tape and pat yourself on the back because the deck looks great.

If you have any questions you can email me or give me a call id be glad to help.