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12/15/2017 7 Important Steps: What to do before and after we seal your brick paver drivewayRead Now Cleaning and sealing the pavers in your driveway will make them look like new. Where else can you spend so little to change so much? The difference is striking. Sealing adds value and curb appeal to your home or business. There are many reasons to have your driveway cleaned and sealed (we’ll go more in depth into that in a later blog), but here are just a few:
• Sealing helps protect you against water damage. Water causes more damage to driveways than any other single thing. • Sealing helps protect your pavers against oil spills, antifreeze spills, and other spills by preventing these substances from penetrating. • Sealing just plain makes your driveway look great! Imagine turning a completely unattractive surface into an elegant and beautiful surface once again. Now that you’ve decided you simply must have your brick paver driveway cleaned and sealed, here are a few things you need to do to prepare for us to come and do that job. 1. Free up your driveway. Several of the steps we take in sealing your pavers require lengthy waiting times when you will not be able to use your driveway. Before beginning this maintenance process, make sure you have another place to put your cars! Clear your driveway of all vehicles, including trailers. 2. Clean up your driveway. Make sure that all of the debris is cleared off of the surface of your driveway, this includes children’s toys, bicycles, lawn furniture, planters, garbage, trash cans and any other items that might be on the surface we need to seal. 3. Take care of the lawn ahead of time. If the lawn adjacent to the driveway looks overgrown, mow the lawn and trim any vegetation growing along the paver’s edge. If you have a scheduled lawn maintenance, please be sure they will not be coming until at least 48 hours after the pavers have been sealed. 4. Rinse/wash off the area 2-4 days before, if there is any chalk or fertilizer present on the driveway. 5. Don’t water your lawn. Turn off your sprinkler/irrigation system for at least 24 hours after the sealing job. 6. No deliveries. Notify delivery truck drivers that your driveway area will be inaccessible until the sealcoating job and process is complete. Reschedule or make alternative arrangements for deliveries. 7. Let it dry. Wait at least 3 or 4 hours before walking on your newly sealed driveway, and at least 48 hours before driving on it. Sealing your driveway at least every two years will provide the best protection against the elements and keep your brick pavers looking good for years to come. Give us a call at 239-218-5085, and have us come out and give your brick paver driveway new life with an Under Pressure seal coat, to return even your older brick pavers back to their original shine and beauty.
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 Concrete and brick pavers can play a significant role in the curb appeal and value of your home, making it look opulent and beautiful. But that’s only true when those pavers are well cared for. So it’s important for you to take the steps necessary to keep them looking pretty, and the first step is keeping them clean to maintain their beauty. This is easily done through cleaning them weekly yourself, and making sure to hire us at least once a year to pressure wash them.
Most often used on driveways, pathways and in lanais, pavers are durable, reliable and long lasting, but they can easily start to look ugly and old when left unattended. Soon you’ll start to notice oil stains, scuff marks from shoes, scrapes and scratches from bike kickstands, or chairs scraping back and forth on them in the lanai, weeds growing in between them, and the other everyday wear and tear on them. Even worse, is that here in Southwest Florida, what you’ll deal with most often is algae growth on and in between the pavers. This can be slippery when it rains and become a real walking hazard if it is not handled properly. But keeping your pavers clean and lovely is not really difficult, and it’s well worth the effort and money to do it. The more regularly you do it, the less time consuming it will be. And it will go a long way toward saving you money in the long run to have to do an extensive restoration on your pavers to replace them or reset them. You need to keep up with it on a weekly basis, and have them professionally taken care of at least once a year, depending on whether they get stained or not. The weekly cleaning is a simple do-it-yourself process, just like taking care of your rugs or kitchen floor is. Sweep your pavers once a week to prevent leaves and grass and dirt from building up on them and staining them. Follow that up with spraying them down with the hose to make sure you’ve removed the dirt built up on them all week long. If a spill happens, be sure to handle it right away, especially if it is a staining substance like oil or red wine or blood. Just like with your clothing, this prevents the stain from soaking into your pavers (because they are indeed porous), and creating a permanent discoloration. Start by using a diluted solution of dish detergent and water and scrub the stain with a brush or broom until it is gone. If it is difficult, try spreading some kitty litter over it and leave it overnight to be absorbed by the litter then just sweep it away. Your next step is to make sure you get your pavers professionally pressure washed once a year. Should you do that yourself? No, a resounding no, and here’s why. Excessive water pressure can remove the deeper dirt, but you will remove some of the paver surface with it. You can also permanently scar the surface of pavers with streaks and lines. Pressure washing also tends to wash away the sand holding the pavers in place, and if you don’t know how to replace that sand properly, your pavers will be uneven, leaving the possibility for people to trip or twist and ankle as they walk over pavers that are lifted up or sunken due to being sanded improperly. Under Pressure uses a special device called a Surface Cleaner to clean pavers and driveways. This tool enables us to wash a surface with a consistent amount of spray throughout the driveway. Therefore we do not leave any "tiger stripes" or missed areas on the driveway. We are able to remove most stains on concrete and paver driveways. On pavers we do something that very few contractors do, which is re-sanding of the pavers. When pavers are washed under pressure, the stabilizing sand between the bricks can sometimes be washed away, leaving the individual pavers unstable and loose. We are experts in replacing this sand and making sure the pavers are all even and looking beautiful again, so it is worth it for you to hire us for this additional service. This enhanced process is essential to maintaining the quality and structure of a brick paver driveway, pathway or lanai. Once the pavers are completely clean, they should be sealed to maintain their look, keep them stain free and protect the surface of them from eroding. We will talk more about sealing pavers in our next blog post! In the meantime, give us a call at 866-579-6942, and have us come out and give your pavers an Under Pressure Cleaning to return even your older brick pavers back to their original shine and beauty. There are many benefits to using a professional service such as The Cleaning Dude for pressure washing. You will save tremendous time and effort by hiring pressure washing professionals to clean the deck, driveway, the patio and also maintain the roof and gutters.
Whether you are a homeowner who wants an aesthetically pleasing pool and patio area or a business owner who needs to attract more customers to your establishment, The Cleaning Dude is experienced in rejuvenating grimy surfaces. Your satisfaction is guaranteed when a professional handles the pressure washing solutions for you. Pressure washing is appropriate for many different surfaces to get rid of tarnishes, graffiti, deep stains and to break down debris. Products such as sand blasting, degreasers and harsh chemicals can only go so far. None is better at removing unsightly stains than pressure washing. The Cleaning Dude has a solution that works best for removing even the deepest stains, mildew and mold. Our materials will also restore the look from wear and tear on many surfaces. These include pavements, stucco, brick, concrete and wood. Studies have shown that many customers have subconscious responses to a business establishment. Grimy surfaces, oil spills and normal wear and tear can drive potential customers away. The best solution is pressure washing away the dirt, rather than letting the dirt drive customers to your competitors. Should You Hire A Professional Pressure Washing Company?Using pressure washing to remove stains is also a way to reduce your carbon footprint. This environmentally friendly way to eliminate difficult stains is a reflection on your reputation as a business owner. Hiring a professional also guarantees that the job is done correctly. Equipment purchased or rented from home improvement stores might not capture and dispose of water according to environmental regulations. A licensed and insured pressure washing professional understands the hazards and will use appropriate equipment. As a homeowner, investing in a professional to pressure wash your home and exterior areas will save you time. Additionally, you have the guarantee that the job is completed correctly. There are limitations to renting or buying equipment from a home improvement store. We save you money by getting the job done correctly the first time. In addition, some cities have environmental regulations for the proper disposal of water after pressure washing. These regulations can complicate matters for home owners as the equipment may not meet environmental standards. Hiring a professional pressure washing service eliminates these concerns and ensures you are not fined by the authorities. Pressure washing is dangerous to an inexperienced person. Experts at The Cleaning Dude know which industrial power attachments are appropriate to use based on the building’s surface. They also know how to add the right amount of pressure, preventing out-of-control equipment that damages your property. Using a professional also saves water and electricity expenses for the do-it-yourselfer. Professionals work efficiently to use minimal amounts of water. You can benefit from using a professional pressure washing service that knows how to restore the beauty of your property. Normal cleaning can remove surface stains. A fresh coat of paint might cover up some sore spots. However, pressure washing guarantees a deeper clean that lasts longer. Get over the embarrassment of pulling into your driveway to a house that has become an eyesore. The Cleaning Dude has a reputation for doing quality work as a licensed, bonded and insured pressure washing service. We can get rid of those unsightly stains on your residential or commercial property. You will reap the benefits of having a beautiful home or business property, increasing the resale value. Call us today and we will gladly take care of your pressure washing needs.  A dirty roof is unsightly and can make your home seem older than it is, reducing its resale value and curb appeal. Moss, algae and mold are regular culprits that grow on roof tiles and discolor them, whether they are ceramic, clay, asphalt or concrete tiles. If a roof is very dirty, with years’ worth of accumulated mud and dust, bird droppings and fungus, a low-pressure wash-down using suitable products is necessary. Someprofessional roof cleaners advocate a non-bleach cleaning method for lower environmental impact, while others prefer to use bleach-based chemical products.
Read the full article here – http://homeguides.sfgate.com/tile-roof-cleaning-products-20567.html Pressure cleaning is an ideal way to remove stains from almost any kind of surface. It is also mandatory should you be considering sealing concrete or other hard surfaces. If you are cognizant of the techniques that should be employed while cleaning and are also well equipped with the necessary safety gear, removing stains cannot be done with any more ease. Time, costs and efforts can be saved by making use of these equipments. Any domestic cleaning chore can be completed with a model that has a basic pressure rate of 2000 psi. These do not cost as much as the commercial ones but effectively facilitate the cleaning operation at your home.
Uses of Pressure Cleaners These cleaners are reliable and powerful and are put to a number of uses. They come in handy especially when you want to clean boat decks, garage floors, boat ramps, warehouses, roofs, parking lots, concrete floors, driveways etc. High quality, long use life, tremendous energy saving, shorter working times and effectiveness are the striking characteristics of a typical pressure washer. Besides this, pressure cleaning offers three important environmental benefits that are best outlined in the section below. Environmental Benefits of Pressure Washers Cleaning is usually associated with the use of chemicals and tough stains require stronger and harsh chemicals. They are hazardous to the environment by the release of toxins (cleaning agents when flushed may run into drain and could flood the streets) and are quite harmful to person and property. But with a pressure cleaner, these cleaning agents are not necessarily required. This is simply because pressure cleaners spray water at a great speed and force which make it sufficient to remove dirt and accumulated debris with ease. Time and natural resources can be saved to a large extent. Besides the point that you may require relatively less time to complete a cleaning job using pressure cleaners; you also save a lot of water. A pressure washer employs force and hence the amount of water is not a priority. The reason for less water consumption is because the output pressure is 50 times more than that of a garden hose. It can be safely said that water saving happens up to 75 percent with a pressure washer when compared to a garden hose. Less water implies less energy usage by the water department. Another important resource to watch out for is consumption of electricity. Most household or domestic cleaning operations can be handled by an electric pressure washer. While electricity cost to run a pressure washer depends upon your local electric rates and size of the equipment, average costs would only be about 10 cents per hour. Considering the benefits offered by pressure cleaners to the environment and to its user, it certainly is considered a viable option for cleaning operations. However, it is important for you to understand its operations before handling. Also, at a time when green practices are widely practiced by many countries across the world, having a cleaning method such as this is the need of the hour. Living Smart: Roof Cleaning by Angie Hicks, Founder of Angie’s List
You may have the most attractive landscaping, beautiful windows and charming mailbox, but black streaks running down your roof can ruin your home’s curb appeal. What causes those dark marks, and what can be done to eradicate them? Roof experts who are highly rated by members of Angie’s List say the source is an algae called Gloeocapsa magma. And depending on the age and condition of your roof, cleaning may be the most cost-effective solution, since it’s about 5 to 10 percent of the price of a roof replacement, which can be as much as $10,000. Algae-caused marking isn’t preventable but can be removed, though not always permanently. The algae survive through photosynthesis and by feeding on limestone filler used in asphalt shingles. Black marks became a problem about 20 years ago, when manufacturers began adding limestone granules to add weight to material used to coat shingles. Roof experts tell our researchers that though other components are being added to shingles to hinder algae growth, they still get calls to deal with black marks on relatively new roofs. They say that while shingle manufacturers offer products treated with copper or zinc to inhibit algae growth, their effect wears down over time. Most black streaks form on the northern slopes of roofs, where it’s darker and wetter – ideal for algae growth. Areas of the country with low humidity have fewer instances of roof streaks, while the problem is relatively common in the Southeast, where it’s more humid and warm. The algae appear blue-green when the organisms form an outer coating to protect themselves from ultraviolet rays. Algae turn black when it decays. While the dark streaks are unsightly, experts tell our team that the greatest danger to the roof is from moisture retention or root damage that algae and other life forms can cause. Also, algae and fungus can grow together to form lichen, the roots of which can wrap around and feed on the granules covering the shingles. Once established, lichen is not easily removed. Even if it dries out, it can come back to life with the next rain. Scrubbing or power washing lichen will only cause more damage. Before determining whether having your roof cleaned is the right option, be sure you have a sense of your roof’s age and condition, and compare costs accordingly. A cleaning can cost around $200 to $1,500, depending on the size of the roof, its pitch and height. When hiring a company to clean your roof, consider this advice, gathered by our research team, which talked to multiple highly rated roofing experts: -Make sure the cleaners don’t use high-pressure washing systems, which can remove granules coating shingles, and lower their life expectancy. -Ask what kind of cleaning solution the company uses. One highly rated roofing expert said he uses a chlorine-based chemical wash with a soaping agent. Also, make sure the company has a plan for preventing possible damage to your home or landscaping from runoff. That same roofing expert said he has one worker apply the cleaner while another saturates nearby areas with water to prevent damage. -Ask how long the cleaning method should keep the roof algae-free. A range of two to five years is normal. As with hiring any contractor, ask family and friends for references or check online consumer reviews from a trusted source, get several bids, seek and contact references, and confirm liability and workers’ compensation insurance. And then, prepare to once again enjoy how your home looks without those dark ugly roof streaks. Read more here: http://www.theolympian.com/2013/08/15/2673549/living-smart-roof-cleaning.html#storylink=cpyttp://www.ecleanmag.com/angies-list-founder-writes-about-need-for-roof-cleaning-2013-08-16/ Thanksgiving is almost here and we are all looking forward to a day off. Enjoy all that you are thankful for.
We plan on starting the Bella Terra Condos roofs in a couple of weeks. It is a great way to wrap up this super busy year. We should be there until just about Christmas. I hope we all can take a few days off forChrismas and New Years
I just wonder how many roofs we have cleaned over the years. How about how many homes we have cleaned. I need to get a count I think.
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AuthorPeter LeBlanc Under Pressure Cleaning & Sealing Services LLC
Peter LeBlanc - Owner/Operator 866-579-6942 • peter@underpressurehomewashing.com Proudly Serving Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs, Port Charlotte, Alva © 2018 Copyright. All Rights Reserved. No Unauthorized use of materials on this site is permitted by law. Website maintained by Visitivity Inc.
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