When I was a kid(17) I went off to college to major in women and keg stands. My poor study habits and extracurricular activities led me to drop out after 2 1/2 years. At the time I majored in computer science. At one point I even had a internship with a professor of mine who seen the talent despite the attendance record. It was at this point that I realized I wasn’t cut out to sit behind a desk. Sure I loved learning about computers and also liked to code, but as a full time job, I just couldn’t do it. Fast forward 13 years later to present day. I’m back in university and majoring in business. Surprisingly a lot of my credits transferred. If everything goes as planned I will have an MBA in two years. I have no idea what I will do with the degree. Heck, I may still be power washing. I just felt like I needed to finish something I started. So life’s been hectic. I’m pressure washing full time. You all know the hustle and bustle that goes into being a one man show. You are the ceo, marketing manager, accountant, customer service, technician and whatever else comes up. Some weeks are great and others are not. Divorced about a year ago and dating. Now school full time. Fun and busy life. Blessed indeed. I wasn’t planning on writing all this when I sat down, but some of you I would consider Friends so I wanted to share a brief part of my story.
One of my courses is Business Communications. An assignment was to make a YouTube video. The assignment is a 6 step process. I figured that I would pick something that I could possibly use for work. Two birds one stone approach. Below is my transcript of what the video will say. It’s obviously geared towards customers. Take a read and let me know what you think. Some of it may seem a bit over the top, but I guess that could be considered a strategy. Eventually I may use it on my website.
Exterior Cleaning: The Essentials
Built up dirt and grime doesn’t just make your home look ugly and old, it can actually cause damage that can end up costing you thousands of dollars. When mold, algae, mildew, lichens and dirt are left to sit on your home’s surface it can cause serious damage such as stains, material deterioration, color fading, and paint oxidation. It is recommended that your home be professionally washed yearly or bi-yearly depending on environmental factors such as proximity to water or trees. Having your home, roof, gutters, decks, fences, and driveways washed on a regular basis will remove these contaminants, prolong the life of materials, and increase the aesthetic appeal of your most valuable asset.
The first area of concern should be your home’s exterior materials such as: vinyl siding, stucco, brick, hardi plank, painted wood, or dryvit. These materials are generally the first barrier shielding your homes interior from the elements. These materials are also the first thing you and others will see when entering your property. So why not keep them aesthetically appealing and simultaneously prolong the life of your home? The recommended cleaning method of each material may vary slightly, but generally speaking the contractor you choose to hire should be using a chemical mixture containing sodium hypochlorite and a surfacant of some sort. The chemicals should be doing most of the work and a low pressure high volume rinse should follow. This process is known as soft washing. Be sure to ask your contractor about it.
The second area of concern should be your home’s roof. This is one of the most expensive components of your home, yet it’s neglected often. Over time your bright gray shingle roof can become your dark black unsightly roof. Not only does this affect your home’s curb appeal, but some of the organisms growing on your roof will feed on the minerals within the shingle, thus degrading them more rapidly. The recommended cleaning method for shingle roof is Low Pressure Roof Washing. This process consist of applying sodium hypochlorite and surfacant via a specialized low pressure pump. This chemical mixture will be left on the roof to kill the organisms and soften the dirt. When the chemicals dry its molecular structure will change to that of table salt. A neutralizing agent will be placed around the homes exterior to negate any ph change of the soil. Finally we let mother nature take care of the rest. With the next rain, you will see your new roof. The rain will gently rinse away all of the dirt and organisms without any damage or granule loss. It is recommended to have your roof cleaned every 2-3 years.
The third area of concern is your home’s gutters. The primary purpose of gutters is to move water away from your home’s foundation. To work properly, gutters must be kept free of leaves, needles, seedpods and other wind-blown debris that can clog gutters and downspouts. There are many products such as gutter guards, screens, and brushes that are designed to prevent debris from entering but allow water to enter and exit. These products work to a degree but the most dependable form of maintenance is debris removal. For a single story and low pitched roof it may be an easy diy task for a home owner. For second story or steep pitched roofs it is recommenced to hire a professional that is properly equipped to do the job safely and efficiently. If your home is surrounded by trees you will have to remove more debris more often. Ask your contractor to recommend a cleaning frequency and schedule it to be maintained yearly, bi-yearly or quarterly.
The fourth area of concern is concrete such as: driveways, sidewalks, and entry ways. The primary reason for keeping concrete cleaned are for aesthetics. After a few years a bright slab of concrete can turn into a dark and ugly mess. While this may not be degrading the concrete it can cause the surface to become slippery when wet. The cost of cleaning concrete can depend on just how dirty it is. The most cost efficient way of cleaning concrete isn’t to wait until its so dirty you can’t stand to look at it anymore. It’s to have it regularly maintained every 9-18 months. It will cost you less because it will cost your contractor less.
The final area of concern is wood surfaces such as: decks, gazebos, pergolas, and fences. Wooden structures have a natural beauty that appeals to everyone. Wood, when left exposed to the elements will certainly lose much of the original appeal. There are two aspects of restoring wood to its natural beauty. The first step is cleaning and removing any mildew, algae and dirt. This should be done with the appropriate chemicals and approximate amount of water pressure. The chemicals and pressure needed can vary from one wood type to another. For instance cedar wood has a more dense fiber structure verses pine, thus it can withstand higher pressure. The second aspect of restoring wood is staining and sealing. There are endless options, colors, finishes, textures, and tints available. At minimum its recommenced to seal the wood. Sealing the wood will help prevent the mildew, algae and dirt from becoming embedded in the wood and make it easier to clean.
With so many things to consider when cleaning any of these components of your home you should be sure to hire the right professional. Here are a few questions and tips to help you chose the right professional. Are you licensed and insured and willing to produce a certificate? Will you be utilizing low pressure cleaning techniques as outlined above? How long have you been in business? Do you have any references? In addition to these few questions be sure to do your own homework. Check online review sites such as: Google, Facebook, Yelp, and others. A reputable company will care about their overall image such as: company uniforms, clean dependable equipment and vehicles, business cards, and a professional website. Take your time and use your overall judgment to pick the right professional. Good Luck!
