As another spring approaches I can’t help but think of being outdoors enjoying the sun, swimming in a refreshing pool, and laying out on the deck to catch some rays. This time of year we all begin to think about the vacations we are planning to take and the friends and family we will see again.  I know for me sitting outdoors enjoying some barbeque with the people I care about sounds just right. Winter has blown its last cold blast and the flowers are starting to perform their yearly fashion show as they begin to bloom all around us. The grass is doing that familiar dance as the wind touches its tips reminding us that it will soon require a trim. The birds, frogs, crickets, and other outdoor creatures are singing their opening song letting us know that the show is about to begin and the entertainment is going to be hot! Summer is on its way and before it arrives our more practical thoughts turn to spring cleaning. We all begin to feel that pressure and sometimes excitement to freshen up our home environment. We will start to clean out closets, empty our garage’s, clean up our yards, plant and manicure our properties all because we can and want to. From yard sales to household projects put off since last year we will all be partaking in some sort of ritual. Can such a blessing be disguised as work? I say yes! I am ready to embrace these tasks and enjoy the work of my hands again. With gratitude I will labor outdoors in my yard with my wife at my side as we create a masterpiece of art to show off to those who will view it including ourselves. Our homes are our oasis a paradise that awaits us each day. Together we and our homes team up to provide food, fun, family, and friendship. Home is truly where our heart is and our homes speak a message about us to all those watching. This spring as you and I begin to tell our story let’s all remember to enjoy the blessings that surround us and to be quick to embrace the ones we love often while we make brand new memories in and around our homes. I want to wish you and your family a very safe and exciting year. As a service to you when thinking about cleaning the exterior of your home I have taken the liberty to share with you some false beliefs about power washing when looking to do it yourself or hire a contractor. I am so very passionate about the profession I represent that I want to be sure to educate you to the best of my ability. I do this to save you time, money, and any stress that could possibly be caused if you were unaware of the truth. I share these 6 false beliefs to bring you the peace of mind and feeling of security you deserve when considering the cleaning your precious property. From mold and mildew to just general dirt and grime I have answered some important false beliefs in this article about giving your house a makeover.

I am so glad to be able to offer you some practical spring cleaning power washing truths and hope this serves to bring you a very happy and fulfilling power washing experience. Make sure to check out the last sentence of this article to learn how you can benefit from receiving a complementary house cleaning by registering to win on our site and using “Power Washing Plus”.

“6 False Beliefs About Power Washing I Believe Everyone Should Be Aware Of”

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 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).

I truly hope this article has served to broaden your awareness and given you the answers you may have been seeking in regards to power washing.

Thank you and God Bless,

Steve Smith / Owner “Power Washing Plus LLC”

417-291-0549

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

Make sure to check out our ad on page (?) and also remember to register to win a free house cleaning just by going to our website and filling out the form on the “Request A Quote” Page.

In order to be eligible to win you must have filled out the quote request form on our website and you must have chosen to use our services to clean your home’s exterior in the month of April. We will be drawing and awarding a winner from the jobs we do from April 1^st to April 30^th 2011.

Steve, make sure to add any details you think are important to these contest rules. Also, you may want to change any dates I used knowing when the article will hit the presses and public. Jerry

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

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.

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.

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).

If your roof has ugly dark stains like this one chances are it is Moss and black algae ( Gloeocapsa Magma) that feeds on the organic materials in and on your roof. Modern shingles have limestone as a filler in the composition of the shingle. The algae, lichens and moss use the limestone as a food source. Combined or alone they quickly attack your roof and if not treated the can cause extensive damage. In the photo to the left a piece of moss was removed by simply picking it up off the roof. Notice that the roof granules have been removed by the moss.

Moss causes significant damage to the roof by removing the granules and retaining water thereby exposing the composition material of the shingle and causing the shingle to decompose.

Click Here to learn about our roof cleaning services!