Category Archives: Pressure Washing News

How Often Should I Pressure Wash My Roof?

How Often Should I Pressure Wash My Roof in Central FLIt’s easy to see when it’s time for your home’s exterior is due for its annual pressure washing, but homeowners often forget about their roof. While your roof may not need as much attention as the rest of your home, it’s important to remember rain does not wash your shingles. In fact, rain and wind lead to a build-up of debris on the roof, which leads to the growth of algae and moss.

 

Here’s How Often You Should Pressure Wash Your Roof in Melbourne, FL

On average, a pressure wash is recommended nation-wide every two or three years. Florida homes may need it more frequently, especially after a heavy storm. You also want to make sure you are always compliant with your HOA rules. If you notice dark patches on your roof, it’s a sign mold is growing.

Depending on your roofing materials you may need to take extra care when pressure washing. An asphalt composite shingle roof requires a soft pressure wash that does not harm the granules in the shingles. Tile roofs also require a soft wash.

Asphalt Roofs

Pressure washing on an asphalt composite shingle roof requires no more than about 30 psi. This is similar to a garden sprayer but you need special equipment to safely reach the entire roof. Professionals should pressure wash an asphalt roof. A professional pressure wash includes a special non-toxic cleaner that does not harm the shingles or metal fastenings.

Tile Roofs

Tile roofs are popular throughout Central Florida. It’s important to take special care not to crack tiles while pressure washing. Clay and ceramic tile roofs require the same low setting as asphalt tile materials. You can also seal clay tiles with a protective coating that discourages the growth of moss and other organisms.

 

Check out some before and after photos of our recent roof cleanings.

Rain Gutters

Rain gutters are part of the roof system and need to be washed when they are full of dirt, leaves, and other debris. A careful power washing cleans most gutters and the downspout.

This prevents the growth of mold under the roof eaves and on the walls of the building. A thorough roof pressure washing should be done by a professional company.

Pressure Washing by Mike Schwab uses a special solution to carefully wash tile, metal, and shingle roofs using the correct low pressure for each kind of surface. We serve Brevard, FL and neighboring counties with full service for washings buildings and pavements along with homes. Contact us today to schedule your pressure washing free estimate.

Benefits of Pressure Washing Your Commercial Property

A commercial property with a well-maintained exterior help attracts customers. Whether your property is a business building, a strip mall or an apartment community, a dirty building and parking area often turn people away. Commercial property pressure washing eliminates dirt and grime from buildings, awnings, sidewalks, and parking lots. The benefits of pressure washing your commercial property include a clean appearance as well as increased safety for your customers.

Buildings

You may think that with enough rain you can avoid pressure washing, but rain does not wash buildings. Rain can leave streaks of dirt and grime on all types of surfaces. A pressure washer has special settings for wood, stone, stucco, brick and other surfaces. It cleans off all of the streaked, caked dirt and extra layers, such as chewing gum. The pressure wash also removes algae and mold growing on the outside of buildings after heavy rains. Paint and varnish are not affected by pressure washing when you use the proper equipment. The washing will actually bring out the colors of the surface.

Wood, brick, and stone fences also benefit from a pressure wash by removing streaks and stains, along with mold and algae.

Many buildings have awnings that collect dirt in addition to rainwater and bird debris. A careful soft pressure wash removes stains from hard surface awnings.

Patios, Driveways, and Parking Lots

Many restaurants offer outside dining under a covered area. The pavement or deck must be kept as clean as the floor inside a restaurant. Pressure washing keeps patio areas clean and removes stains from spills.

A clean parking lot is very important for safety. People can slip and fall on an oily surface or stick and trip in a pavement area with spilled drinks and food. Sweet drinks and food left on the ground attracts insects and rodents. Drive through restaurants and buildings with take-out food should consistently have the parking area thoroughly cleaned with a strong pressure wash.

Commercial property pressure washing includes public sidewalks, entrances to buildings, and paved driveways along with parking lots around buildings. Driveways into commercial buildings, including apartment communities, often have oil, dirt, and debris from tires. The pavement of multi-level parking garages also needs to have dirt and oil removed for safety of both pedestrians and drivers.

Walkways and steps leading into a building need to be clean for both safety and appearances. This is often necessary after a rainstorm has left mud puddles and debris.

Contact Pressure Washing by Mike Schwab in Brevard County for a free estimate on a commercial property pressure washing to keep your building and grounds clean and safe. We understand the importance of maintaining the appearance of your commercial property, which is why we use professional grade equipment for all our jobs regardless of size. Contact us to learn more.

Instantly Improve Curb Appeal by Pressure Washing Your Pavers and Driveway

Instantly Improve Curb Appeal by Pressure Washing Your Pavers and Driveway

 

Looking to sell your home or commercial property? Curb Appeal is an important aspect of attracting potential buyers. The best way to keep your Brevard Florida outdoor space looking its best is with annual pressure washing. When you have a professional clean your pavers and driveway, you will instantly improve your curb appeal.

 

Here’s Why and How to Instantly Improve Curb Appeal

Understand the Why

Besides increasing visual appeal, pressure washing your pavers and driveway is an important part of building maintenance. Our Florida homes and commercial properties develop stains from mold, mildew, and moss growth. Additionally, debris from storms will build-up and can attract pests when not tended.

Be Thorough

Begin by removing objects sitting on top of the pavers including potted plants, furniture, and anything that covers the area you want to pressure wash. Next, you will want to remove any debris that has piled up in the cracks and corners of your yard. This includes weeds that are growing between the pavers. Make sure to clean the entire area, including harder to reach areas.

After clearing the driveway and pavers:

  •         Dampen the stone and cement
  •         Use a stiff brush to remove as much of the dirt and dust as possible
  •         Pressure wash the area

After everything dries, you will want to refill the cracks with fresh sand.

Use a Professional Service

A professional pressure wash service will take the time to survey your entire space and thoroughly clean the surfaces of all your pavers as well as your driveway. They will also evenly clean each section to remove streaks where dirt is embedded deeply.

At Brevard Pressure Washing we use environmentally safe solvents as well as state of the art professional grade pressure washing equipment to clean your home’s exterior safely. Give us a call to receive a free estimate. Located in Brevard County, Florida we service both commercial and residential properties with full-service pressure washing.

 

Protect Your Home Exterior with Annual Pressure Washing

Protect Your Home Exterior with Annual Pressure Washing

House exteriors are very important and need a professional pressure wash once a year to ensure good airflow through soffits and maintain the longevity of your paint job. It’s unavoidable that your home’s exterior will collect pollutants surrounding it, but you can reduce your maintenance costs with an annual pressure washing.

Did you know:

  •         Many homes that look like they need a fresh coat of paint don’t.
  •         Pressure washing helps keep your soffits functioning correctly.
  •         Annual pressure washing will extend the life of your home exterior paint job.

Learn more about how to protect your home exterior with annual pressure washing:

Pressure Washing Removes Build-Up

In the course of a year, your Brevard County, FL home collects a lot of mold, mildew, dust and other air and surface pollutants. As the layers stick to each other, your home exterior will take on a dull and dirty look. Some homeowners don’t realize it’s possible to pressure wash this build-up away and instead assume they need a new paint job.

Build-up will also attach to your home’s soffits. One of the most important functions of your soffits is to help your house breathe. The other is to protect your rafters from weather-related complications such as mold and mildew attaching to the wooden beams causing it to rot. A thick layer of surface pollutants on your soffits can reduce airflow and possibly damage your home.

Extend the Life of Your New or Current Exterior Paint

Not only is yearly pollutant build-up visually unappealing to your current home exterior, but if you don’t remove pollutants routinely they can embed in your paint and make it more difficult to remove the grime. Additionally, the longer pollutants stick around, the more opportunity they have to break down the paint causing it to peel. Annual pressure washing will help extend the life of your home’s paint job and increase your curb appeal.  

Pressure Wash Before You Paint

Whether it’s time to update the color or your home exterior needs a fresh coat of paint you will extend the life of your new paint job by pressure washing away grime and mold before you apply paint or stain.

New paint will have a harder time sticking to the exterior surface if you don’t complete a proper cleaning first. You will quickly know when this step is skipped because the paint will peel off in large chunks or flake up shortly after completing the project.

Call a Professional

It might be tempting to protect your home exterior by doing a DIY pressure wash. We suggest you resist and call a professional to complete your annual pressure washing. Not all pressure washing equipment is the same nor are the tools included with different machines. It can be hard to control PSI and water flow, especially when it is your first time using a machine. If the pressure is too high, it can damage the paint on your exterior causing it to chip or crack. A professional knows the correct pressure to use and also understands which tools are best for tricky angles and corners of your home.

To schedule your annual pressure washing, contact Pressure Washing by Mike. We are licensed and insured and have worked since 2008 to expertly clean the exterior of Central, FL homes and commercial buildings. We understand how important it is to protect your home exterior properly. Give us a call and let’s get your free estimate scheduled.

Pressure Washing Your Home: When to DIY and When to Call the Pros

Pressure Washing Your Home When to DIY and When to Call in the ProsYou may have noticed dirt, grime, and debris on the sides of your home, fences, and walkways. This can be the result of the hurricane and rain storms that have visited Central Florida this year. Pressure washing will remove all of the dirt and grime, but it is a major job.

When to DIY

In Central Florida, the reality is that grime build up happens and you need to pressure wash your home to protect the exterior from damage. You may decide to wash down your patio and pool deck with a hose or bucket and scrub brush. This is a smaller job than washing down your house, but it is time-consuming.

You can also rent a pressure washer, attach it to your hose and wash down the fence, driveway, and walkways and even the roof. Regardless of the area, you may find that smaller sections where grime builds up are easy to take care of by yourself or to maintain in between professional power washes.

When to Call the Pros

A professional pressure washing will cover the following:

  • House, soffits, and gutters
  • Driveways
  • Walkways
  • Steps
  • Pool decks
  • Fencing
  • Roofs

The entire exterior will be professionally washed down with emphasis on the most difficult areas. This includes the corners of stairs and buildings. Dirt usually collects in the corners and backs of outdoor steps and stairways. A professional should use a non-toxic cleaning fluid that breaks up dirt.

The upper stories of your home’s exterior are often difficult to reach. This includes the area under the roof where dirt and mold collect. The patio and pool deck may also require pressure washing along with driveways and walkways. The shady side of a house or fence is likely to have mold and possibly fungus. Algae may grow in brighter parts of the building, fence or walkway.

Protect the area that requires cleaning by adjusting the pressure to accommodate the fragility of the surface. A professional knows how to control the nozzle for the correct pressure. Professional pressure washing equipment is of higher-quality than rental options, so it does a more thorough job than small hand-held units available.

Roof Cleaning is Best Left to the Pros

Having a professional service clean your shingle or tile roof with a non-pressure system is especially important since they require special care to prevent damage. Shingles should be carefully washed with a nontoxic and non-corrosive cleaner that will not harm the surface or underlayment. A non-pressure chemical cleaning is the safest way to clean the roof and ensure no damage. Too much pressure can harm asphalt shingles by washing away the surface granules.

Similar to the shingle roof cleaning, non-pressure chemical tile roof cleaning will kill and remove all mold and mildew present on tile roof without damaging or affecting the integrity of the roof being cleaned. Clay roof tiles often have a sealant to protect against algae and mold. Slate roofing also needs a very gentle wash to prevent delamination of the tiles.

 

Pressure Washing by Mike Schwab will give your home a new look with a thorough pressure washing. Our company serves Brevard County including Melbourne, Palm Bay, and Rockledge. Non-pressure roof cleaning is also available.

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