Before You Hire a Power Washing Company…

6 Costly False Beliefs About Power Washing

False Belief #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 you are not careful. I do not recommend to anyone to pressure wash from a ladder, this is very dangerous and professionals rarely use them. 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. Also, 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 you are not causing damage.

False Belief #2: High Pressure Is The Only Way To Get It Clean. Not true at all. Only contractors that use inferior cleaners or no cleaners at all 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 as well. Shingles have small pieces of grit on them, similar to sand, called granules. Excessive pressure can blow these granules off the shingles, reducing the longevity of your roof. Make sure contractor grade cleaners and the right amount of pressure are being used.

False Belief #3: The Cleaners Being Used Will Damage Your Plants Or Hurt Pets. The answer to this question depends on the situation being tackled. This is true without proper preparation or proper safety precautions observed. Professional contractors use environmentally safe products that will not harm your pets. Some 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.

False Belief #4: Your Roof Has Ugly Dark Stains or Black Streaks and Needs replaced. Not normally so! 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 side 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 shingles 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.

The 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.

False Belief #5: You Should Hire the Company that Offers the Lowest Price. Makes since, but, that is not always the most effective choice. Here are some points for you to consider.

(1) Often I work with customers who have had former Power Washing companies who cut corners and the job was less than the best it could have been. Their marketing strategy is to get jobs by being the lowest bidder. The contractor will then cut corners in order to turn a profit.

(2) In some cases I have also seen these low price competitors come in in for the low price just to create larger ad on sales. Or they will tell you it will be “More than we thought because…”

(3) Due to uneducated misconceptions many companies come and go. When first starting up, a lot of companies do not educate themselves, because power washing looks easy and profitable. So, they lack the right equipment, cleaners, insurance, knowledge, professionalism, and normally, will charge an extremely low price.

False Belief #6: Any Honest Power Washing Company Should be Able to Give an Estimate Over the Phone. It would be nice if this was true, but it is not. Honest, fair, 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 fair honest quote is given by a quality contractor, you know that that’s the price you will pay (no last minute surprises).

7 Pitfalls You Should Avoid When Choosing A Power Washer

Pitfall #1: Choosing a Company Without Testimonials. Any reputable company, with a good customer base, should have testimonials. If their clients are not saying good things about them, how can you expect good results?

Pitfall #2: Choosing a Contractor Based on Low Price. If you choose a company based only on price, it’s because you had nothing else to base your decision on. There are better things to base your buying decision on when it comes to protecting your investment. Professionalism, quality, knowledge, appearance, what their customers are saying about them, and what are the benefits to you are all things that should be considered when choosing a power washing company. Also, some companies bid low to get the job and are then forced to cut corners and sacrifice quality in order to turn a profit.

Pitfall #3: Choosing a Contractor Based on a Single Phone Call. Instead, invite the contractor to your home, and ask for a fair and honest quote; all quality contractors offer them. Complementary consultations are a great way to test the contractor’s knowledge and to see his appearance and professionalism first hand, with no obligations. You will also have a written quote, so there will not be any overcharges or surprise add-ons.

Pitfall #4: Choosing a Contractor Who Does Not Offer a Guarantee. Your satisfaction and trust are the staples of a great customer experience. Not all power washing companies offer a guarantee. Ask the contractor if he offers a satisfaction guarantee, and then make sure he includes this guarantee in the written quote.

Pitfall #5: Choosing a Contractor that is not Licensed, Bonded, and Insured. How do you know whether your contractor is Licensed, Bonded, or Insured? If you want to be sure you are hiring a competent professional, make sure he shows you his credentials up front.

Pitfall #6: Choosing a Contractor Who is not a Member of Your Local Chamber of Commerce, BNI Chapter, and Home Builders Association. Contractors that are members of these organizations are dedicated to (1) Honest, ethical business practices, (2) staying current on the latest methods for cleaning and restoration, (3) the highest possible level of customer service. You are making a wise decision when you have your property maintained by professionals associated with these organizations.

Pitfall #7: Choosing a Contractor Who uses Consumer Grade Equipment and Cleaners. Home owner grade equipment is a sure sign of a “fly-by-night” company. If the contractor you hire uses the same little 2.2 gallon per minute pressure washer that you saw on sale at the home improvement store, you might want to reconsider hiring him. Professional contractors use 3.5 to 5.5 gallon per minute cold water units for residential use that can also be made to do hot water applications when necessary. If a contractor is using consumer grade equipment, he is probably using consumer grade cleaners, also. House, deck, and concrete cleaners that are sold to consumers have to be safe to handle, therefore, they are not very concentrated or very effective. Contractor grade cleaners sold through distributors are still environmentally safe but are more concentrated and must be handled with care. Contractor grade cleaners are necessary in order to achieve quality results, without using high pressure, which could lead to damage.

Why You Want the Damaging Effects of Dirt Washed Away.

You are proud of your home because it’s a reflection of you and your family, not to mention, it’s a large investment. Having your home and other parts of your property properly cleaned on a regular basis is the easiest way to maintain its beauty and value. Dirt and mildew not only damage your image but can cause costly repairs, renovations, or replacements. By doing a little research you can hire a professional power washer, and be sure you are getting a damage-free, quality cleaning, that increases curb appeal, and protects your investment with a guarantee.

The Most Detailed Exterior Cleaning Ever!

If for some reason you are not completely satisfied with the exterior cleaning job we do for you, we will re-wash the area again for free.

We offer an 18 Month NO MOLD Guarantee on all our house and roof washing.

Many companies do not guarantee their work, but we feel nothing is more important than your complete and total satisfaction. If you ever have any questions or concerns about our work, please call us right away at: 417-291-0549

4 Important Steps To Protecting Your Investment

If you are thinking of having something cleaned, we encourage you to follow these four steps:

Step #1: Make a Commitment to yourself to get your home or property cleaned. The longer it remains dirty, the more damage is being done to your image and your investment.

Step #2: List Your Objectives. Do you want a real simple wash, something you could do yourself with a rented machine, or do you want a complete, quality job? Do you want to work with an honest, reputable company, or are you willing to risk work with the company that offers the lowest price, even knowing that they may not be in business tomorrow?

Step #3: Ask the Correct Questions Before Hiring a Power Washer. The way that you learn about a contractor is to ask specific questions and listen carefully to the answers. Here are some tough questions to ask a contractor before you decide to hire them.

What is your cleaning or staining/sealing process?

What type of equipment do you use?

How much pressure do you use? Answer should be no more than 700psi on vinyl or 1600psi at a 2 foot distance from the surface, 800psi on wood, and only garden hose pressure of 60psi on the roof.

What type of cleaners do you use?

How often should I have my house, gutters, etc cleaned?

Are you a member of our Local Chamber, BNI, or Home Builders Association?

Are you Licensed, Bonded, and Insured?

Do you have any before and after pictures I can see?

Do you have any customer testimonials?

Do you have any references?

Step #4: Once you are satisfied that you are working with an honest, competent professional, invite them to your home and ask for a written quote. A written quote gives you the assurance that you know exactly what your job will cost and what is being done… (no surprises).

By reading this report and following these steps, you will have all the information you require to make an informed and intelligent decision. If you want a quick and cheap exterior cleaning job, many companies in the phone book can help you. You can rent, or buy a pressure washer, and do the job yourself. But, if you want to discover the benefits of hiring a professional power washing company, then I invite you to call us. We will be happy to answer your questions or provide you with a Free Exterior Cleaning Evaluation backed with our 18 Month Guarantee: The Most Detailed Cleaning Ever! Don’t wait….Call Today. 417-291-0549

Your deck is a very important investment. You’ve spent a lot of money on having your deck built. Now it’s time to protect it. There are a lot of choices when it comes to preparing for deck staining in the Joplin 4 States area. This article will hopefully help you make an educated choice when it comes to choosing a 4 States deck staining company.

What To Look For When Hiring A Deck Staining/Pressure Washing Joplin 4 States area Company

A lot of people looking to make extra side money look at deck staining as something they can do to make a few extra dollars. While we do not have a problem with that, we are finding many people are misguided when told how to stain decks. There are three very important elements in deck restoration that many people do not know about.

The first and most important step when it comes to exterior wood restoration and protection is proper preparation of the wood to ensure stain/sealer adherence.

Ask the question “Has my deck been stained or sealed before?” If so, with what type of product?

Deck staining in the Joplin 4 States area often begins with stripping the failing stain off of the deck. As a professional deck staining company, many times we see one type of stain applied over an existing stain that is not even part of the same family (example is a latex stain over an oil based stain). For guaranteed restoration, and for a stain job that will last the old stain must be removed. The best way to do this is to use a deck stripping chemical that will dissolve the stain from the wood, followed by a low pressure wash to remove the stain. Sometimes sanding is required to remove any leftover stain. It is best to use no more than an 80 grit sandpaper to make sure the pores in the wood are left open to absorb the wood stain we are using.

After this step is finished, the next phase in deck restoration is to brighten the deck. Brightening is a chemical process that will neutralize the PH in the wood from deck stripping, plus it will rejuvenate the wood, bringing the wood back to life. Once the wood dries out, the wood will be ready for deck staining.

Now that your deck is stripped and brightened, it is ready for deck staining in the Joplin 4 States area. Now for some homeowners this is the tricky point. We all want something to last. We all understand that there is a lot of money spent on restoring your deck. Now it is time to choose the right stain. First, nothing lasts forever. I know that Behr claims there stain last from 3 years, 5 years, and I have even seen 8 years. That is not entirely true. On a vertical surface, yes, the stain is going to last longer because there is no foot traffic, no weather or standing water or snow on it, etc. But the floors rarely last that long. One thing about Behr is their stain formulation is a latex/acrylic based stain (almost like a paint product). When applying Behr, it does not soak into the wood, giving the wood a good protection. It just lays on top of the wood, making the appearance look good, but not really protecting the wood at all. It is our recommendation to stay away from Behr deck stains, or any latex/acrylic based deck stains.

Oil Based deck stains are the best stains to choose from. A good oil based stain will penetrate the wood correctly, and give you a good color on your deck, and give your deck good protection. An oil based stain will protect the interior of your wood, and there will be no worry about your deck peeling or flaking like you would see with a latex/acrylic based stain. In 9-24 months (depending on whether you choose a semi-transparent or solid color stain) your floor will begin to see some fading. But that is not an issue. At that point, all you would need is a gentle wash and a reapplication of the deck stain. (As long as the deck was prepped correctly to begin with).

As we mentioned in our first paragraph, we are finding out as we are doing a lot of deck restoring Joplin 4 State area quotes, there are lot of people advertising deck staining these days. Bids that we have done, we are being told that they have bids at less than half of our bid. We understand the economic choices are of high importance, but we also understand that on a deck that is roughly 500 square feet, there is no way a company can strip the deck, brighten the deck, stain the deck with two coats on the horizontals and one coat on the verticals, and do this for $300 or less AND stay in business. Chances are if a company does this, they are either cutting corners on YOUR investment and your deck staining job will last 6 months or they will not be in business next year. Then you will not be able to call them back, and now you will have to deal with your deck restoration project all over again.

At Power Washing Plus, we understand we are not the lowest price company when it comes to deck staining the Joplin 4 State area. Deck restoration is almost like an art form. When done correctly, there is a lot of labor that goes into preparing a deck for a lasting deck finish. And we want our customers to call us back when the time comes for their deck to need a maintenance coat. We do not want our customers to have the hassle of dealing with a different company every single time they need to have their deck redone. We want our customers to have the peace of mind knowing their deck was done right to begin with.

We use premium grade deck staining products made by Sikkens, Cabot, and Coronado, giving your deck and your investment the best protection on the market today. Call us today for your complementary deck staining quote or for any other pressure washing services you may be in need of.