Under Pressure uses a pressure-free method that’s good for your roof!
Let’s talk about some fun stuff like algae and bacteria! What, that’s not a fun topic for you? Well it’s certainly a fascinating topic for us here at Under Pressure. Because algae and bacteria are what make up those black streaks on your roof! And we have a great solution for taking care of them. But why should you even bother with that? I mean if you’re not selling your home anytime soon, maybe curbside appeal is not as important to you. But the truth is that those streaks are more than just unsightly. . . they are eating away at your roof! Your roof is one of the most expensive components of your house to repair or replace. That’s right, if your roof isn’t cleaned regularly, especially if algae is visible on it, it can lead to rapid deterioration of your shingles. Shingles help block UV rays, which as you know, we get a lot of here in Southwest Florida. And without being properly blocked, UV rays lead to less energy efficiency and higher electrical bills as you will end up having your air conditioner running more to keep the house cool. Not only that, if your roof is being eaten away by algae and bacteria, then you’ll have to replace your roofing much sooner than you should need to. Have you priced out roofing lately? It can cost more than $10,000 to get your roof replaced! So, now that you know this, you want that black streak off your roof right away don’t you? And there are plenty of options in how to get rid of it. There are several techniques used to clean tile roofs in Southwest Florida, but the most common is pressure washing. The problem is . . . You should never pressure wash a roof. Here are some reasons why: 1. When you pressure wash a roof, only the top layer of algae is removed while the spores remain alive in the porous tile. So that black streak may be gone, but only for a short period of time. The stains usually reappear within a year and you will need to get your roof cleaned again. And meanwhile, that algae is still eating away at your roof. 2. Another thing that you should be aware of is that pressure washing can cause a lot of damage to your roof. When using a pressure washer to clean a roof, the technician is applying up to 4500 psi of water to your tiles. That can easily cause tiles to shift and a large amount of water to spray underneath the tile and ultimately shorten the lifespan of your roof. Technicians also have to walk a great amount on almost every tile to ensure they are all clean. This causes broken, cracked and shifted tiles on your roof. 3. For red tile roofs (such as you often see here in SWFL), pressure washing can remove or dull the glazing on the tiles. Once that glazing is removed, the coloration of the tile begins to fade, leaving you with a pinkish roof. Eventually, it will start showing the bare cement, leaving you with an unsightly roof. 4. And if you have a shingle roof, the pressure washer can damage those shingles even more than tile. Any type of pressure washing on shingles literally sprays 10-15 years off the life of your roof. Using high pressure can remove the aggregate from the asphalt shingle leaving them unprotected from the elements. High pressure will not only damage the shingles but it will void your warranty. 5. Surface cleaners, water brooms or any type of "low pressure" washing is still pressure washing and very harmful to the life of your roof. For these reasons, you should always hire someone who knows what they are doing (hint: That would be us at Under Pressure! Don’t be fooled by the name, we pressure wash the areas of your home that are safe to pressure wash, such as your driveway, but never the roof.). Professional roof cleaning is a relatively new industry and a lot of people just go in there and they think that if they have a power washer that they are able to clean a roof. You should never allow anyone who utilizes a power washer or pressure washer to clean your roof. We at Under Pressure strictly use only Roof Cleaning Institute of America approved techniques to clean roofs. We do not use "high pressure" or "low pressure" washing on roofs. We clean with no pressure applied to the roof. Also, we use minimal walking on roofs to maintain the integrity of the roof. The products applied to the roof do the work for us. They even continue to work after we drive away. Every time it rains your roof will get cleaner and release a protective barrier from the algae that actually stains your roof. These methods have been tested and used for several years and thousands of roofs, and have been proven to be the best and most effective methods for cleaning a roof.
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To state the obvious, here in Southwest Florida, it is very humid. We also have a high water table to contend with. That means there is constantly moisture trying to escape from the ground, as well as moisture in the air. What does all this have to do with the brick pavers in your driveway and lanai? Well in most places in the U.S. people can use solvent-based sealers to keep their pavers looking beautiful, but here in Southwest Florida that just doesn’t work, and that constant humidity is why.
A lot of people think that the solvent-based sealers, which are designed to keep water and moisture out of your pavers, are good for your pavers, but they are wrong. There are several problems with trying to use solvent-based sealers here. To begin with, most of these sealers require 2-5 days to complete the job, depending on weather and drainage conditions. After pressure washing, the pavers have to dry completely, the joints have to be re-sanded, and then the solvent-based acrylic sealers can be applied. The dependency on weather resulted in loss of time for us at Under Pressure. As in most businesses, time is money for me, plus, do you really want to have to wait several days for your driveway or lanai to look fantastic? We used to run from one job site to another several times per job to determine if a paver area was dry enough to be sealed. Even after ensuring the surface was dry enough, we still incurred problems with the pavers. Which leads me to mention the second more important issue with solvent-based sealers, which is that they also trap water and moisture in the paver. This moisture and water will begin deteriorating the bond that the sealer has with the paver and when this happens your sealer turns a white color. That white color is an indication that the sealer has detached from the paver and there is water trapped between the sealer and paver. Once this happens, the sealer pretty much needs to be stripped, and a new sealer applied. That’s why we began testing some of the water-based sealers available in the marketplace. I wanted a sealer we could apply immediately after pressure washing, but one that would not turn white. My goal was no more down time, immediately beautiful results, and pavers that looked enhanced and gorgeous for a long time. We were excited to find a company in Florida that manufactures water-based sealers. Seal ‘n Lock manufactures their products right here in Tampa, FL, which means they truly understand the limitations of our local weather and environment. We most often use the Seal 'n Lock Super Wet sealant, which is a water-based urethane modified acrylic sealer that penetrates the pavers and provides a protective barrier, wet-looking surface and excellent joint stabilization. This product is also consistent with our dedication to being responsible with the environment. Our product is not harmful to any vegetation, and does not produce any toxic odor. The sealing of paver driveways with this system not only protects the brick pavers, but it also ensures structural performance while inhibiting insect and weed infestation. Under Pressure's use of this system definitely provides the highest quality product with the best application process. The other thing I love about Seal ‘n Lock is that they annually offer myself and my employees the opportunity to continually educate ourselves about sealers. That’s why our employees at Under Pressure go through training once a year with the Seal n Lock company to ensure we know the best products to use and how to apply them correctly. The fact is this, if you have brick pavers, you need to get them professionally sealed. Our sealer protects the surface of your pavers from the weathering caused by those high-powered UV rays we get here in the South. While the concrete pavers themselves are highly durable, the colored pigments in the pavers can slowly fade over time, due to the UV ray exposure. Sealing the pavers helps to keep the paver’s colors vibrant even in bright sunlight. Let us help you keep your brick pavers looking great and lasting for more than 30 years! By letting Under Pressure deep clean and seal your brick pavers every two years, your driveway, walkway or lanai will better resist dirt and oil, keep weeds from growing and prevent cracks from forming, providing your home with gorgeous curbside appeal! ![]() If you are having a paver driveway or patio installed, you need to be asking yourself: “Should I have my pavers sealed?” Having your driveway or lanai enhanced by pavers is a lifetime investment in your home’s curb appeal. After installation, protecting this investment requires regular maintenance. But you can extend the beauty and lifespan of your outdoor pavers by having a sealer applied to them to protect them and keep them clean. While pavers are versatile and look great in nearly any outdoor environment, it is important to seal them to keep them looking and functioning their best for many years to come. Especially after having them thoroughly cleaned, applying a layer of sealant to brick pavers is vital for maintaining a clean surface and preventing weed growth. People often mistakenly compare sealing pavers, to sealing a basement or sealing a deck, where the goal is to keep water out. However, when it comes to pavers, that’s not the goal. Pavers should be sealed regularly to prevent the surface of the paver from deteriorating from foot and vehicle traffic, UV rays and rain. Exposure to these three elements causes the finer materials in the surface of your paver to wear away leaving only the larger aggregates. The finer materials at the top of the paver are where all the color of your paver is held because the larger aggregate won’t absorb the color in the manufacturing process. Especially here in Southwest Florida, you must beware of the UV damage the sun can cause to your pavers. Paver sealers are valuable for protecting the surface of the pavers from the weathering caused by those high-powered UV rays we get here in the South. UV degradation causes many materials to break down from extended exposure to the sun. While the concrete pavers themselves are highly durable, the colored pigments in the pavers can slowly fade over time, due to the UV ray exposure. Sealing the pavers helps to keep the paver’s colors vibrant even in bright sunlight. The best thing is, sealers can make your pavers look even prettier right from the beginning, because they can draw out the colors and contrasts found in the pigments, and create greater visual interest, much the same way varnish does with wooden surfaces. Some sealers have a “Wet Look” that produces a beautiful surface on the paver that definitely produces more curb appeal. Perhaps the most important benefit of sealers is that they make pavers less porous, which helps limit stains, since the pavers are less able to soak up oil or dirt, etc. Sealing your concrete pavers makes spill cleanup easier when they do happen. We, at Under Pressure, go the extra mile when it comes to sealing paver surfaces. We feel that applying a high-quality product on your paver hardscape is necessary to provide the gorgeous finished product our clients demand. We are proud to offer the Seal 'n Lock system and products to our homeowners, to ensure the best quality of service. We most often use the Seal 'n Lock Super Wet sealant, which is a water-based urethane modified acrylic sealer that penetrates the pavers and provides a protective barrier, wet looking surface and excellent joint stabilization. This system is also the first “all-in-one-day” process that eliminates the cloudy white look pavers can get from the trapped moisture other sealers cause. This product is also consistent with our dedication to being responsible with the environment. Our product is not harmful to any vegetation, and does not produce any toxic odor. The sealing of paver driveways with this system not only protects the brick pavers, but it also ensures structural performance while inhibiting insect and weed infestation. Under Pressure's use of this system definitely provides the highest quality product with the best application process. That’s why our employees at Under Pressure go through training once a year with the Seal n Lock company. Your paver driveway can last you more than 30 years, but only if you take great care of it! By letting Under Pressure deep clean and seal your paver driveway every two years, your driveway will better resist dirt and oil, keep weeds from growing and prevent cracks from forming, providing your home with a gorgeous looking driveway, pathways and lanai area! 12/15/2017 7 Important Steps: What to do before and after we seal your brick paver drivewayRead NowCleaning 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. 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.
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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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