Pressure Washing Tips For Beginners – Part 2

In a previous post we discussed pressure washing for beginners and offered information and advice on how to choose the right unit for the work at hand and discussed the differences in the many pressure washing units for sale and rent. In part 2 we are going to explore further some of the other things that a do-it-yourselfer will want to know prior to and during the pressure washing of their home or place of business.

Your Nozzle Of Choice

The size of the nozzle you use while pressure washing determines the angle of the water stream. You might not think it but this is important but it can affect the efficacy of water and even cause damage if you are not careful. Fortunately, nozzles are color coded for both the eager do-it-yourselfers out there as well as professionals.

Red Tip - Crimson colored nozzles indicate a zero degree angle. This nozzle produces a stream of water that can cause severe injury if misused and so great care should be taken when using this high powered nozzle. Never use a red nozzle when you intend to clean a surface up close.

Yellow Tip - Yellow pressure washing nozzles create a spray with a 15 degree angle. This type of nozzle is best utilized on concrete around homes and offices. Its hard edged spray can cause injury so again...be cautious with this one.

Green Tip - This nozzle is a wonderful all purpose type of nozzle. Producing a spray at a 25 degree angle, this nozzle can effectively clean cars, outdoor furniture, patios, decks, walkways, and of course brick. There are more specialized nozzles for all of the aforementioned jobs but this is a great nozzle of choice when you can't afford many different ones.

White Tip - White tipped pressure washing nozzles are one of the safest nozzles as they produce a 40 degree stream. This makes pressure washing safe for windows, siding, and other quasi-fragile surfaces. Although it is still dangerous to the human body, the spray from white pressure washing nozzles is more forgiving when accidents occur.

Black Tip - The most gentle pressure washing spray is produced by black nozzles. Shooting out at a 65 degree angle, the stream is light enough for all surfaces and is best used during the beginning and end of a job when you are either wetting a surface or applying protectants at the end of a job.

Miscellaneous Attachments

In addition to the many standard nozzles that are made for pressure washing, there also exists a number of attachments that make a job easier to complete and help produce better results. Consider any or all of the following when undertaking this type of work at your home or commercial building.

Surface Cleaner - This attachment is a spinning bar that helps distribute water over large areas. Using a surface cleaner attachment can save you a great deal of time by coating areas such as driveways or expansive walls in a fraction of the time it takes without one.

Rotary Nozzle - For obstinate stains, excessive build up, and even mold, a rotary nozzle is the way to go. These nozzles are sometimes referred to as turbo nozzles because they produce a harsh zero degree stream. It's hard spray removes the most problematic of debris from surfaces.

Pressure Washing Broom - This handy attachment takes the single jet of water leaving your pressure washer and splits it into two, three, or four powerful streams. This attachment is extremely useful in situations where you either want to clean a large area or multiple areas all at once.

Wand Extender - For those places on a home or building that are out of reach there is the wand extender. This attachment allows users to clean 2nd and 3rd story surfaces as well any others that may be just a bit or far out of reach. Expanding wands can add inches to feet to your reach.

Cleaning Solution Reservoir - These container-attachments allow you to add cleaning and protective solutions directly to both your pressure washing unit and its stream. When utilizing this attachment you'll want to remember to use a nozzle that doesn't produce too high a stream as it will force soap to the surface and then cause damage.

Getting Professional Help

Pressure washing can be a daunting and frustrating task when you lack the proper tools, experience, and time to be efficient. Never be afraid to contact a professional pressure washer when you find yourself in rut, frustrated, or when you are not seeing the type of results you'd like to see. Most professionals will gladly give you advice and point you in the right direction. Their services can also save you all the headache, hassle, and time that come along with this type of work.

Pressure Washing Tips For Beginners – Part 1

Pressure washing a home or commercial building is something that's best left to professionals as they utilize state of the art equipment and cleaning solutions and produce results that do-it-yourselfer's simply can not. This isn't to say that laypersons shouldn't pressure wash their own homes or places of business; quite the opposite in fact. Amateur pressure washers can do their buildings a lot of good with retail pressure washing rentals and some elbow grease though they should go into the task knowing that their equipment and efforts will not produce the same level results that the pro's do.

If you are the type of home or business owners whom doesn't want to hire a professional pressure washer or you simply can not afford one (it usually costs more to do it yourself), you'll want to keep the following tips in mind. They can help you work more efficiently, save you money, avoid injury, and will leave you more satisfied with the results of your hard work.

Green Hands

If you're new to pressure washing you are likely unaware that pressure washing units, even the smaller ones, can cause extensive damage to both property and the human body. Common injuries include burns, cuts from pressurized water, and chemical damage caused by cleaning solutions. To avoid injury to your person or home spend some time doing a bit of homework. The internet contains countless articles on how to safely operate pressure washers. Do-it-yourselfer's can even find a plethora of videos on sites such as YouTube. Reading and/or watching "how to" information can keep you and your home safe.

Gas Or Electric?

There are many different types of retail grade pressure washers available for both rent and purchase. The two main types are gas and electric and can both have their pros and cons. Pressure washers powered by gasoline produce higher levels of pressure, utilize water a bit more efficiently, and allow users to clean surfaces much quicker. Sounds great right? Well before you get to excited you will want to keep in mind that gas powered washers require a great deal of maintenance. This isn't so much a problem when you are renting a unit, though it can be, but before you purchase one be prepared to change the motor's oil frequently, add fuel additives during refueling, and purchase protective coverings for its time in storage.

Electric pressure washers are an eco-friendly choice for the environmentally conscience as they produce no harmful emissions. Being that the engine runs on electricity there are also no gas and oil costs. Maintenance is virtually non existent as electric motors are usually housed in very protective casing. On the downside, electric pressure washers just aren't as powerful nor nearly as efficient as their gas powered brethren. This means that you will spend longer on cleaning and may be less satisfied with the results.

Is Bigger Better?

Once you have settled on either a gas or electric powered pressure washer you will need to select the right size unit for the job. People automatically tend to lean toward larger appliances because bigger often implies greater strength and ability though this isn't always the case. In the case of pressure washers the size of the engine does indeed determine it's total power but that doesn't necessarily mean you need something sizable. Pressure washers are manufactured to address 4 main types of work. Those being light, medium, heavy, and extra heavy duty.

• Light duty units produce less than 2000 psi and are perfect for small decks, patios, and smaller pieces of outdoor furniture.

• Medium duty pressure washers are a great choice for persons whom want to clean their buildings siding, driveways, fencing, or brick walls. These mid sized washers are capable of producing pressure levels between 2000 and 2800 PSI.

• Heavy duty pressure washing machines are built to address the needs of large concrete areas and for those who need to clean the walls of a multi-storied dwelling. The output of heavy duty units usually falls in the 2900 to 3300 PSI range.

Extra heavy duty pressure washers are also known as professional grade pressure washers. While these tend to be very expensive and unavailable for rent their cost is well justified. The minimum PSI produced in these types of units is 3300 which means they can and will clean any and all surfaces. Parking garages, gutters, stucco walls, walkways, and brick are all left looking wonderful with the least amount of physical effort. Graffiti and mold are also easily removed from a home or business' exterior surfaces with this type of machine.

If you're a home or business owner who is considering doing a little pressure washing be sure to spend some time, prior to the work, learning how to use pressure washing hardware. Take your time in choosing the right unit for your home or office and when in doubt never hesitate to contact a professional. Many will happily help you make good decisions.

Schedule An Orange County Pressure Washing Appointment Today
Call 949-786-0816

The Benefits Of Professional Commercial Window Cleaners

When it comes to business, the vast majority of owners and managers don't want to spend any money unless they have to. Sometimes this comes at the detriment to a business too though that's not always the case. Parsimonious business persons are generally shrewd and smart, knowing where and where not to spend money. When it comes the cleanliness of their office and/or building however this isn't an area where they want to assume the modus operandi of Ebenezer Scrooge. At the subjects first broaching, business owners are often dismissive of hiring an professional Orange County commercial window cleaner. After discussions explaining pricing versus the cost of neglect however most come around to the idea of having professional window cleaners tend to their office on a regular basis. For those business owners whom might still be sitting on that proverbial fence...the following should help communicate the true value of hiring such firms.

Productivity

You might not think it but clean windows can directly affect employee productivity. Whereas dirty or neglected windows might obfuscate an employees view to the outside world and dim a work space, clean windows offer your hard working people a clean and warm view to the outside world. Clean windows are also much more effective at maintaining a warm atmosphere as well as climate control. When employees are happy and in a bright healthy environment they tend to be far more productive.

Customer Impressions

First impressions in our personal lives are important. In business first impressions are everything and an initial poor reaction to your business can instantly kill interest in your products and services. Compounding the problem, bad news travels much faster than does good news and those who are put off by your lackluster and dull windows will almost certainly speak of them in their own respective business circles. In the business world unkempt windows and a neglected building are associated with similar business practices and results. Conversely speaking, sparkling windows and pressure washed walls and walkways can turn prospective clients into paying ones.

Insurance And Safety

As if making a strong first and lasting impression isn't enough to convince you to hire a professional Orange County commercial window cleaner then perhaps insurance and your concern for safety will. Insurance prohibits you and your employees from doing this type of work because it's actually quite dangerous, especially when multi-storied buildings are involved. Even if your brazen enough to gloss over the insurance and legal ramifications of having amateurs clean your windows, then keep in mind professional window cleaners face a multitude of dangers in making your windows look their very best. Everything from minor cuts and scrapes to broken bones, burns, and even death are all accepted risks professionals take. While professional teams of windows cleaners rarely sustain injury on the job, laypersons are at much greater risk of harm simply because they both lack the equipment to do the job safely and have no training in the work they are to tackle. A lot of things can be pushed aside to save a nickel or a dime but the safety of your employees and yourself is not one of them.

Happy Landlords

While there are many landlords whom hire professional window cleaners as a courtesy to all of their clients within their building, some do not. If your landlord has left you responsible for the cleanliness of the building your business occupies hiring a reputable commercial window cleaner will go a long way in helping to keep relations between the two of you positive.

Schedule An Appointment Today By Calling (949)786-0816

Consumer Guides: Finding a Quality Contractor and Power Washing Tips

Power washing is the utilization of extremely high pressure streams of water. Probably the most popular of power washing services is the cleaning of concrete patios, walkways, decks, house siding, entrance ways, and garages. Inside the hands of a certified pressure washing experts, the outcomes will be superb, and absolutely worth the investment.

Orange County pressure washing requires talent and expertise. No common Joe can move the spray wand more precisely, consistently, and more efficiently than the certified power washing expert. Fail to recognize the aptitude of the trade and you might set yourself up for undesirable dissatisfaction and high priced damage.

Finding A Certified Power Washing Expert

Train Yourself. This is the paramount in shielding yourself from under-qualified and low-quality would be cleaners. When the customer understands exactly  what's involved, they'll be properly educated and therefore able to differentiate cut-rate jobs from quality workmanship.

Educate Yourself -Family, Friends, and Neighbors. There are several methods of instructing oneself.  First of which, consult your friends, circle of relatives, and acquaintances. It might be that some of them are already familiar with the provider you're interested in. They may refer you to a certified contractor or may suggest you keep away from a specific business that is notorious for poor service.

 Teach Yourself -The Internet.  There's a wealth of data pertaining to power washing on the internet.  Take a look at the pressure washing home pages, customer groups, and bulletin boards. These will help.

Teach Yourself - Keep Your Eyes Open. As you travel across town, keep your eyes open for pressure washing experts at work. Do not be afraid to approach and ask them about their services and their tricks of the trade. This is an excellent time to see how process of power washing plays out. Never be afraid to ask questions.

Meet the Contractor at some point during the estimate. Meet the contractor face-to-face at some point in the estimate process. In doing so you and the contractor will be assessing the site together.  This betters the channels of correspondence between the two parties and lessens mistakes within the estimating process.

Risks and predicted Outcomes. A certified contractor will make the effort to review your site and make inquiries and point out areas of concern. They'll pay attention to your every word and interpret the service you want and anticipate.

Get Written Estimates. Having an in-depth written estimate protects both the consumer and the pressure washing contractor. It ought to explicitly state the ideal service, anticipated results, and the entire costs with regards to time and materials.

Ask about Equipment. Is it owned or leased? Owed or rented equipment is proof of a long term commitment to the field of pressure washing. Renting indicates only an occasional requirement for equipment. Also, get some information about the extent or power of their equipment. For most pressure washing jobs they will have equipment ranging at 11-15 HP (horsepower, strength), 3000-4000 PSI (pound per square inch, force) and 3-5 GPM (gallons per minute, flow).

Get Referrals. These give the consumer with a detailed track record of a contractor's past work history. Simply put, a pressure washing business will often be called back to provide number of various cleaning services again. Whether it be siding, decks, sidewalks, gutters, patios, or driveways, make sure the referrals and references you get are representative of the service you want.

Pride and Billing guidelines. Various power washing businesses offer different policies that help ensure consumer loyalty. One of which is the suspension of billing until job completion and consumer satisfaction. Ask the contractor, in case of client disappointment, what their approach is.
Insurance. Verify whether your contractor carries liability insurance. A certified pressure washing contractor, understanding their duty, will take the time to shield both themselves and their customers from possible on-site accidents, injury, or harm.

Be Present at Job Duration and Completion. This is your way of watching work activity as it happens. It gives you an idea of what is associated with pressure washing and permits to see cleaning results as they happen.

Summary

A quality power washing expert will have several key attributes. First, they realize what they are doing. They know about their service, the industry, and what's associated with each. Second, they have the resources in equipment, ability, knowledge, and talent to do the job you prefer. They carry out their task with exceptional workmanship and professionalism. They are responsible for the work they provide and are committed to following through on quality and satisfaction. They will not abandon their customers, never to be heard of or seen again. Basically, they proudly remain behind the work they do.

Power Washing is an incredible strategy for evacuating dirt, mold, and mildew which causes the deterioration of your homes outside surfaces. Regardless of whether your house is wood frame, brick, siding or stucco power washing will clean and reestablish its original beauty and evacuate unattractive stains. Power washing can be extremely viable in evacuating deposits prior to a painting job on the exterior of your home.

For A Free Orange County Power Washing Estimate Call (949)786-0816

Extend the Life of a Paint Job with Power Washing

Power washing is characterized as utilizing a machine, wand, and water to spray surfaces with highly pressurized H2O and sometimes synthetic substances to clean a specific outdoor area/surface. This is an imperative first step when preparing to paint or stain any part of a home. On the off chance that a legitimate cleaning isn't finished prior to painting, the new paint won't stick to the surface and the new paint usually will peel off in enormous lumps and/or small flakes.

Power Washing Overview:

Power washing cleans and gets ready surfaces that will be painted by evacuating dirt, mold, mildew, pollutants, pollen, and dust. The use of the right strain washing machine will ensure the ideal planning for exterior painting ventures. The perfect measure of pressure will smooth any surface, including wood, without causing harm. Likewise, utilizing the proper nozzle will keep the correct angle and fan direction of water for each different surface.

Power Washing the Exterior:

Frequently, a home's exterior will have dirt, mildew, buildup, toxins, dust, and residue; these all should be cleaned thoroughly prior to applying 2 coats of quality paint.

Paint chips will literally fall off the home while being power washed; in any case, a power wash would not evacuate all chips or peeling. Utilizing a lot of pressure or applying pressure excessively near the surface may result in pointless harm. The expelled paint chips on the ground can be removed by hand once dry, by the painter. After the correct preparation and two layers of fresh paint, the house will look extraordinary and fresh with any lingering stains secured and overlooked.

Power Washing Decks and Fences: 

Decks and fences are frequently prime applicants for power washing, and both benefit tremendously from such a cleaning. Decks can be washed with bleach or deck brightener that enter the wood strands. This will wash away the old stain and light up grey timber fibers because of foot traffic, sun, and sitting water. Fences regularly have mildew on the surface that is brought about by being a delicate wood and being so near the ground and vegetation.

Chemicals:

Probably the most common and best chemicals to utilize while washing the exterior of a house is water, dye, and dis-odium phosphate. Other specialty chemicals do exist, however for the normal venture readiness; this will take care of business right. A significant number of the chemicals are organic which prevents damage to flora, lawns, flora, and landscaping.

Dry Time: 

The time it takes for a home to dry after a power wash varies significantly on the humidity, rain, and temperature. Normally, most homes can be painted inside one day after power washing; even though the individual, who quotes the painting project, should walk the property owner through a periodic table for the project.

Power Washing without Painting: 

For generally minimal fee, a home's exterior can be power washed to easily expel dirt and mold. This cleaning will really broaden the life of exterior paintwork. Regularly, a client think their home needs a new layer of paint when a simple power wash will give them the equivalent wanted outcome and add life to the present paint job.

Cost: 

Power washing must usually be incorporated with a turnkey painting value quote. Any painter who does not instinctively need to power wash a home before painting isn't finding a way to ensure the paint sticks and lasts a long time.

Final Thought:

Accepting the best possible preparation and power wash (pressure wash) preceding an exterior paint job is essential to the life of the paint job. The information mentioned above is a great reference to keeping up the look of the exterior. The process should be simple with the choice of an informed, professional, residential paint contractor.

Boost the Looks of Your Home & Office with Window Cleaning

Windows showcase the world outside our home or office. The air arrives and gets in through these astonishing ventilators. Nowadays, windows are extremely important in the significant number of structures, be it homes, work environment, vehicles, and so forth. They fill out as ventilators and give natural air. Also, they work like a shield from the air, residue, and contamination when closed down. Along these lines, it is indispensable that we keep our windows clean in order to obtain the most stunning view of the side world. There are various items and services available in the actual marketplace that can be utilized to keep windows clean.

Window cleaning and removing dirt spots or particles from it is an incredibly tough task to perform. For the most part, a cleaning chemical is used that gives an astonishing shimmer to the glass. This compound is mixed with water in a tub and a brush or cloth is absorbed in the solution to clean the windows. The chemical that is added to water can be an ordinary dish cleaner to a specific window cleaner solution.

The Importance Of Cleaning A Window:

A perfect window will make your home and your office looks much cleaner and upgrades the basic appearance of the building. By keeping windows and doors clean it servers as a cautionary indicator of the conceivable risks that can come up on your way. Although this task might look simple it is quite a tiring activity that can be made easier by utilizing legitimate tools and procedures or by hiring the services of a cleaning industry professionals.

• Let's take a look at these couple of steps that you should take before cleaning your windows.

• Before using water or chemical solution it is a better plan to clear out the dirt from the windows with a wet cloth as this will make the cleaning procedure a little bit easier.

• Similarly, don't rub the residue as it will scratch the surface of the glass window.

• If  at any point you do not want to use a cloth, a vacuum cleaner can make your work simpler.

• After the dry dirt is expelled the subsequent step is to soak a sponge into the water and produce the window wet by rubbing the sponge on it. Utilize the sponge to clean the glass and window-sill.

• To get a sparkle you can utilize paper in place of a sponge while vacuuming.

• After the cleaning procedure is finished, utilize a dry and clean cloth to wipe the wet window thoroughly. Ensure that the cloth doesn’t leave marks or threads behind.

Final Thoughts:

Clean your home, particularly when you’re free, loaded with energy and truly wants to do some cleaning. However, with the hectic way of life we follow these days it has turned out to be very troublesome for us to do any cleaning work ourselves. Anyway, what should be done? Hiring a window cleaning master is a standout amongst the best solutions that can assist you with getting clean windows that don't involve wasting your vitality and the outcomes achieved will also be incredible.

Commercial Real Estate - A Brief Glance At Commercial Window Cleaning Companies

Pretty much every building has windows and these windows, in the long run, become grimy and require standard cleaning. There are numerous approaches to this. This article will take a gander at a couple of the techniques utilized by commercial window cleaning organizations to carry out their responsibility. For each window-cleaning job, the decision of equipment to be utilized will initially be determined by the stature of the building, the site conditions, and the sheer amount of work to be accomplished. As a rule, the most secure and less confounded way to work is also the most ideal way. This could mean getting to the windows from the inside of the building which negates the need for equipment required to achieve extensive heights.

The most well-known strategy for reaching high windows in residences is the attempted and genuine extension ladder. Other equipment required for this activity will be a decent squeegee (business grade), a bucket to hold water and the cleaning operator, a scrubber, a wipe, and some build up free towels (microfiber works best). While dish cleanser is frequently utilized as a cleaning agent, there are better alternatives accessible that don't leave behind a residue. Vinegar can likewise be added to the water to lessen streaks.

Extension ladders are decent methods for getting to higher windows however these have a limit of about 3 stories. Taller structures will require some other technique of reaching the upper windows such as rafters or scissor lifts. Rope also works in accomplishing this. Practitioners will often utilize a configuration called a 'cradle' or a 'bosun's seat'. This is a sound yet somewhat risky procedure though and so it should only be done by professionals.

Another gadget common for cleaning windows in high places is something many refer to as water fed pole (WFP). As the name infers, this is a telescoping pole hooked up to water which can convey a tidying stream up to 70 feet or more. Regularly, cleansed water is utilized and does a good job of cleaning without deserting any residue. Government guidelines and rules exist with respect to safety and appropriate window washing tasks. However, these rules are ordinarily not upheld in many countries. Window cleaning is viewed as a standout amongst the most hazardous profession in the UK and every year sees deaths happen for those in this occupation.

As prior referenced, less demanding and more secure are better in this line. The individuals who will be using a framework or hanging from ropes need to be  legitimately prepared before they attempt this type of work. Technological head ways are proceeding to improve the methods utilized by commercial window cleaning organizations at the same time, as continually, utilizing the correct equipment and employing acknowledged safety precautions are paramount.

Schedule A Free Window Cleaning Estimate By Calling 949-786-0816