The Business Advantages of Professional Concrete Cleaning Services
This is an article about concrete cleaning services. Over the past year or so, we’ve watched South Carolina’s commercial real estate market thrive. This is great news for our state’s economy and for the hardworking entrepreneurs who are starting new businesses, opening new franchises, and making advancements in warehousing and shipping.
Here at Sunset Pressure Washing, we strive to help business and property owners to keep their properties in tip-top shape. That’s why we offer a variety of concrete cleaning services in a large number of South Carolina cities.
Why should you invest in concrete cleaning for your business? We’re here to tell you.
As a business owner, you’re knowledgeable about your products, your customers, and your employees. In any case, it isn’t your job to know what types of chemical solutions and tools to use, and with our help, it doesn’t have to be.
At Sunset Power Washing, we take the time to analyze your concrete and determine what types of chemical solutions to use when power washing. By selecting the right solution, we will ensure that your concrete will be clean. We also know what chemicals are hazardous to mix, preventing business owners from making dangerous mistakes.
If you’ve ever bought or sold a home, you’re probably familiar with the concept of curb appeal. The idea is that how your home looks on the outside gives buyers and passers-by an impression of what to expect on the inside. Strong curb appeal forms a good first impression and creates confidence in your property.
Did you know that as a business owner, curb appeal is just as important? Your website and social media presence can give online shoppers and internet-savvy consumers an impression of your business. To clarify, your curb appeal does the same for first-time shoppers and can help to increase foot traffic.
Dirty or blemished concrete tends to make your property look worn-down and uninviting while clean, well-maintained concrete can give your commercial property an updated and attractive look. It makes a much better first impression and encourages potential shoppers to come inside.
3. Concrete Cleaning Enhances Property Safety
Imagine a walkway that is covered in moss and mold. Now, imagine it on a rainy day, when all of that moss and mold becomes slippery underfoot. If someone were to slip and fall because of the condition of your walkway, you’d be facing a premises liability case that could put a drain on your finances and increase your insurance rates.
By investing in regular concrete cleaning, you can keep all of your walkways clear of dangerous debris and build-up. You can also spot deterioration, like cracks or holes, when your concrete is clean.
What if your commercial property is an employees-only space? Cleaning concrete floors in warehouses and other large facilities is a crucial part of protecting your employees’ safety, too. A clean work environment is a safe work environment.
4. Protects Your Concrete
Proper power washing and soft washing can extend the lifespan of your concrete floor or driveway. As we mentioned already, we bring our expertise to your property, using solutions and techniques that suit your concrete. Our cleaning services can also eliminate the need to use abrasive cleaning solutions. This is to get rid of stains and build-up which can start to eat away at your concrete over time.
Plus, both power washing and soft washing are great at cleaning out any cracks, crevices, or crannies in your concrete. This is crucial because oftentimes, what ends up in those small spaces is organic material that will continue to grow if left unchecked. Concrete is porous, and mold and mildew growth can start to create wider and deeper cracks that threaten your concrete’s structural integrity.
Finally, power washing is an important step to take before having your concrete resealed. The combination of power washing and resealing is a great way to keep your concrete looking good as new while protecting it from damage. Let us give you a clean slate before you reseal your concrete.
5. Professional Concrete Cleaning Saves You Time and Money
You’ll be amazed to see what a difference power washing and soft washing can make to your concrete. Oftentimes, our professional cleaners remove so much grime and build-up that property owners are amazed to see what their concrete flooring and driveways are supposed to look like.
By giving you a fresh start, we save you time and money in the long run. Rather than spending money on a trial-and-error DIY cleaning process or spending time spot cleaning dirty concrete, you can book our services once or twice a year and we’ll get the job done in no time.
Hire Sunset Pressure Washing for Concrete Cleaning
If you’re the proud owner of a South Carolina commercial property, Sunset Pressure Washing is here to make your job easier. We offer concrete cleaning services in Charleston, Greenville, Spartanburg, and more. As you can see, professional concrete cleaning services come with some truly unbeatable benefits.
Are you ready to learn more about our services, approach, pricing, and availability?
Understanding the Process of Pressure Washing: How Does It Work?
Did you know that powerwashing is a good way to remove mold, salt, and even mildew from different surfaces, including your driveway, deck, and other exterior areas? Pressure wash doesn’t just make your property clean, it’s a great way to ensure the safety of your property and those that use it.
It also promotes overall well-being and the saving of water. With that, it’s even a great way to transition through different seasons.
If you’ve never had pressure washing done on your commercial or residential property, you may be wondering what the process entails, what all it can help, and what areas need pressure washing. We’re going to discuss how the process works and what benefits it can provide. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is the Purpose of Pressure Wash?
So, what is pressure washing and what is its purpose? Pressure washing is the process of using high-pressure water to remove dirt, grime, mold, mildew, salt, and other build-ups from surfaces like driveways, decks, sidewalks, patios, and more. Overall, it’s a great way to clean all kinds of surfaces. It also helps to prolong the life of those surfaces as well.
The way it works is quite simple – it uses high-pressure water to remove build-up from surfaces. The pressure of the water does all of the work. Oftentime, you can do this without the use of chemicals. However, you can also use soap on concrete surfaces during pressure washing. And depending on the condition of the concrete, bleach may be used as well.
Different surfaces are approached in different ways. For example, for a concrete slab, you should do your best to treat oil stains before getting started. This will help to saturate the stains and to even out the results even more.
Spot treating different stains on your slab is often the first step and a diluted detergent solution for concrete is often used for this. You let the solution sit on the oil stains for at least ten minutes. Then, you can proceed with a full rinse from the pressure washer. There are also several other types of chemicals you can use during a pressure washing session and they all have different purposes.
For example, sodium hypochlorite is great for disinfecting and working stains out of surfaces. Citric acid is another good stain remover. It is versatile enough to use it on on both wooden decks and concrete surfaces. If you want to remove any signs of rust, you can use oxalic acid.
The proper cleaning solution applied to your project and then a power settings chosen that best suits your property. Most times a pressure washer should have a setting of 1200 to 1900 PSI depending on what you’re washing. Professionals like Sunset Pressure Wash, utilize washers that feature 8.5 gallons per minute and that reach 3700 PSI.
Benefits of Pressure Washing
Now, let’s discuss some of the benefits it can provide. One of the main benefits of pressure washing is that it can remove mold, mildew, and salt from surfaces.
These things can cause serious damage to your property if left unchecked. For example, overgrowing of mildew can cause structural damage down to the line to wooden decks if not handled early enough. Mold can also cause health issues especially if breathed in.
This means that you can’t enjoy your deck or outdoor space as you’d like. While you can often wipe the mildew away, it can easily come back. This is why different chemicals are sometimes used in conjunction with a pressure wash.
Another thing to pay attention to is the buildup of salt on surfaces. Salt actually causes concrete beneath surfaces to start to corrode. This can cause different surfaces to start to discolor or become cracked.
While salt may be necessary during different points of the year, you’ll need to remember that washing it away can help to enhance the safety of your property. Pressure washing is a great way to get rid of them and prevent further damage. Another benefit of using pressure washing company is to update the look of almost any property and it can do so quickly.
While pressure washing saves time, it also limits the chance of any injuries. It can even increase the value of your property. This is especially beneficial when you are actively selling or preparing to sell a property.
What Else You Should Know About Pressure Wash
Although you can do it on your own, it’s often safer and more effective to let a professional company take care of your pressure washing. For one thing, oftentimes you’ll need a certain type of equipment like a nozzle for example. When washing brick you might use something different than you would for a wooden deck.
Also, you should pressure wash your property at least twice a year. However, there will be other times in between where you still might require it, especially depending on where you live.
Speaking of where you live, for example, if you live in areas where there are high levels of pollen during Spring such as Greenville, SC, pressure washing may be a good proactive measure for you. Excessive pollen can take a toll on your comfort and how active your seasonal allergies might become.
The best time to pressure wash your residence is after the pollen season. This way you are getting rid of pollen around your home and preventing yourself from tracking it inside your home. Pollen season often starts in late February in South Carolina and will often end by mid-May.
It can take its toll on those that suffer from asthma or that have a rough time with allergies so this is another reason that both commercial pressure washing and residential pressure washing would make it worth doing.
Upgrade Your Property
When you need residential or commercial pressure washing done, you want to trust your project with the professionals. We clean gutters, pavers, sidewalks, decks and more.
Working with Sunset Pressure Wash will revamp the way your parking deck, gas station, or even driveway looks and how you feel when you see it.
Health and Home Benefits of Exterior Power Washing
Every time you walk outside, you can’t help but notice the dirt and grime that has built up on your driveway and sidewalk. The side of your house is dirty to the touch. Your porch is even looking a little glum. When you go outside to take the dogs for a walk, your mood shifts because the appearance of your home exterior isn’t up to your standards. You’re not sure what step to take to get rid of this damaging dirt and algae, but you know something needs to be done. Having exterior power washing done to your home or office space can help if you are feeling this pain! Read on to learn about all the benefits that pressure washing can give you.
Keep Up With the Property Value of Your Home
If you let your home’s exterior go downhill, the property value of your home is not going to be as high as it could be. An excessively dirty home exterior can be a turn-off for many people. Not to mention, it will also create more work for them if they choose to purchase the home.
By power washing regularly, the grime and dirt won’t build up on your driveway and sidewalk.
Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal
Having just a little bit of dirt on the outside of your home can drastically change the look of it.
While there are other ways to increase curb appeal like mowing regularly and adding in beautiful landscaping, having regular power cleaning services can keep your home or office looking pristine and as good as new.
When hiring power washing services, be sure to ask them to clean the exterior of your home, as well as any fences and the driveway area. Any surface that has a bit of dirt on it decreases the appearance of the outside.
Improve Your Mood and Overall Health
If you notice your mood shifts when you see the dirt and grime on your driveway or porch, it’s time to get a pressure washing done to your home. As great as it is to improve your mental health, it is just as important to clean the exterior of your home to improve your overall health.
When dirt grows on the outside of your home, it can lead to algae and mildew. It can also lead to allergens, so if you suffer from allergies, the last thing you want to do is let the dirt stay on the side of your home and on your driveway or porch.
To reduce the negative health effects of dirt on your home exterior, regular power washing can help. This is especially important to do if you suffer from respiratory problems or other health issues.
Protect Your Home from More Damage
With dirt buildup on the side of your home, you may not be able to see if there is damage to your building or home. If the damage is covered, you won’t know that you need to do maintenance to keep it up-to-date. The longer you wait, the worse off the repairs will be.
Sometimes, leaving the exterior of your home dirty can also leave certain bacteria and organisms that can deteriorate it.
With power washing, damaged areas will become exposed so you can see the areas on your home that need to be fixed before they become worse. Power cleaning can also help you save money. Since you will be fixing your home before the damage is irreversible or gets to be extremely expensive.
Save Time With Exterior Power Washing
One of the best things about power washing is that it is quick and easy. It does all the work for you.
Instead of rubbing the area by hand and spending hours upon hours cleaning the exterior of your home, power washing can save you a ton of time. You could also hire a power washing service that does it all for you.
The best part? You’ll get the home cleaner than you would by hand and in less time.
It Can Get Your Home Ready for an Additional Project
Have you been thinking about redoing the shutters on the exterior windows of your home? Or are you thinking about repainting the exterior?
Before you can do this, you need to make sure you prime the area to be as clean as possible. Painting over a dirty surface will not give you the look that you want.
If you have to make a few repairs to your driveway or your home, you’ll need to power wash it. This will ensure it is clean before a repair is made.
Benefits of Exterior Power Washing
If you have noticed your home exterior looking a little dull, it may be time for an exterior power washing job.
Not only will your home look better, but it will also improve your overall health. It also keeps your home repairs to a minimum.
9 Benefits of Pressure Washing to Transform Your Home or Business
Pressure washing benefits have been around since the 1980s, pressure washing has become more popular, due to its newer safety features and improved engines. Today, the industry is worth over $1.88 billion and will surely continue to grow in the coming years.
If you’ve never tried power washing your home or business, you’ll be amazed by how well this tool can surpass any other cleaning service, but there’s more to it than that.
Let’s talk about some of the biggest benefits of hiring a professional pressure washing company for your home or business!
What is a Pressure Washer? What are the Benefits?
Pressure washers were invented in the 1920s as a way to deep clean with minimal manpower. The whole idea is to force water out with as much pressure as possible, often between 1,300 and 2,300 PSI.
However, they didn’t gain commercial or residential popularity until the 1980s when gas-powered engines were made safer for residential use. Now, hundreds of industries around the world use them for their easy, deep cleaning abilities.
1. A Deep Clean
First, let’s state the obvious. Pressure washing offers a deeper clean than just about any tool you can purchase.
If you’ve never used one or seen one in use before, these systems force out water with unbelievable pressure, penetrating exposed pores and digging deep below any surface grime. One small pass and you can guarantee to see a difference as clear as night and day.
2. Pressure Washing Is Satisfying
If for nothing else, you’ve probably seen those satisfying videos online of something that doesn’t look terribly dirty at first glance being power-washed.
If you haven’t seen a pressure washer in action, we recommend checking out our gallery to see just how effective they are!
However, pressure washing services may be the most satisfying investment you ever make. You’ll get to see your property in its cleanest form, potentially for the first time.
3. Pressure Washing Benefits Also Include Increasing Home Value
Pressure washing your home can actually increase its value. Improving your home’s curb appeal can increase property values by up to 7%.
Not only that, but professional pressure washing can increase the value of your home by restoring old siding, killing anything growing on your home, and releasing pollutants that have built up over time.
4. Pressure Washing Benefits Saves You Time
It’s not easy to replicate the same deep clean offered by pressure washers. A hose certainly can’t do it, so unless you’re planning on scrubbing your entire home or building’s exterior with a strong brush, you’re not going to get very far.
You can finish pressure washing your home’s exterior in one day or less, whereas deep cleaning the exterior by hand could take weeks.
5. Pressure washing Benefits Saves You Money
Consider hiring pressure washing services a preventative expense. This simple maintenance tool can go a long way to preventing serious issues from arising.
Once mold, mildew, and grime are able to build up enough, they can strip your home of its exterior paint or cause corrosion for your deck, vinyl siding, or anything else, which will only spread over time.
Without regular deep cleaning, your siding isn’t going to last as long, things may grow within your siding, and more problems can appear. Overall, being proactive always pays off.
6. You Won’t Have to Invest a Lot
By hiring professional pressure washing services, you won’t have to buy your own pressure washer or any of the equipment necessary to deep clean your home’s exterior. If you only plan to deep clean once a year or so, then this can save you a lot of money.
You may need buckets, special cleaning supplies, specialized equipment, and, of course, a pressure washer to do it yourself. Also, there’s far more room for error with a DIY project.
Also, your insurance likely won’t cover any errors, which may leave you with a much larger bill if something goes wrong.
7. Protecting Your Health
By eliminating dirt, mold, and other pathogens before they breach the inside of your home, you are protecting the health of you and your family. For a business, you’re protecting the health of yourself, your customers, and your employees.
Let’s be honest, exterior cleaning is often overlooked both for homes and businesses. We spend most of our time inside and we figure that the rain will take care of it.
However, that’s not the case. If you give mold or mildew a chance to grow, it will, and mold can spread quickly, especially in humid environments. Once it does, it’s hard to stop, so preventative maintenance is key.
8. Protecting the Environment
When you choose to DIY, there are many risks to your surrounding environment, especially if this is your first time. The professionals know how to use the proper chemicals and soaps, proper disposal, and techniques for environmental safety.
Otherwise, plants and wildlife in your area could suffer serious damage, which certainly won’t help your curb appeal.
9. Avoiding Injury
Lastly, when you leave it to the pros, you know that they know what they’re doing. They also have insurance. If you’re new to power washing, it’s best to leave it to the pros for safety’s sake.
Don’t Feel Pressured
Now that you know the benefits of pressure washing your home or building, you see why it’s so popular. For such a small investment, you can achieve the deepest clean possible and have your property looking brand new.
Stay up to date with our latest cleaning news and feel free to contact us with any questions or for help with your project!
Business Pressure Washing: Why It’s Essential for Your Company
If you have not had service, you might have a tough time getting people to walk through your front doors! It doesn’t matter if you own a restaurant, a clothing store, a gas station, or some other type of business. If it doesn’t look its best at all times, it’s going to be a struggle drumming up interest in your business. One easy way to alter the appearance of your business is by pressure washing your business. It is also important to hire the right people for it. They’ll be able to bring the exterior of your business back to life in no time at all. It should give your bottom line a big boost.
1. Pressure Washing Your Business Improves Its Curb Appeal
Is the curb appeal of your business lacking? There are quite a few things that you can do to change that.
For example, you can hang up a new sign to make your business more visually appealing. You can also do some landscaping to positively affect the look of your business.
Commercial pressure washing will have the biggest impact on the curb appeal of your business. It’ll make it shine like never before.
2. Makes Your Business Look Way More Welcoming
One of your goals as a small business owner should be to make people feel like they’re more than welcome to visit your business at any time. But you aren’t going to make them feel all that welcome when the outside of your business is filthy.
A lot of people might avoid patronizing your business if it doesn’t look as inviting as it should. This is yet another reason to have a pressure washing service come out to your business to make it look clean again.
3. Gives People a Better Overall Impression of Your Business
When you see a person walking around in clothes that are obviously dirty. What kind of impression does that leave for you? It’s not going to be a good one!
So you can imagine the type of impression that you’re leaving on those who walk past your business when it’s dirty on the outside. They probably don’t think much of it at all.
Start making a much better impression on people by relying on the best pressure washing service in your area. The lasting impression that you leave on them will be a much more positive one.
4. Makes It Easier to Keep Your Business Clean Over Time
While using the services of a pressure washing company is important, it’s every bit as important to clean your business on your own in between pressure washings. But this is going to be very challenging if you don’t have your building pressure washed in the first place.
Pressure washing your business will remove a lot of the stubborn stains that are on the outside of it. From there, you’ll then have a much easier time keeping your business clean yourself with little more than a broom and maybe a garden hose.
5. Pressure Washing your Business Reduces the Number of Repairs You Need
If you don’t work to keep the outside of your business clean, it’s going to affect more than just your building’s appearance. It’s also going to lead to you having to make a variety of repairs.
For instance, you might need to make repairs to something like a wooden sign if you let mold and mildew grow on it. It’ll start to break down on you, and in some cases, it might even need to be replaced completely.
You can steer clear of having to make these kinds of repairs by pressure washing your business’ exterior. You’ll find that almost everything on the outside of your business will last longer when it’s pressure washed early and often.
6. Saves Your Business Money
Pressure washing your business is going to come at a cost. You’ll need to be prepared to invest at least a little bit of money into doing it.
But at the same time, working with a pressure washing service should also save you a bunch of money in the end. When you’re able to avoid things like costly repairs, you’ll find that pressure washing your building will pay for itself over time.
In fact, you could argue that you can’t afford not to pressure wash your building. You could end up costing yourself a whole lot of money by making the decision not to do it.
7. Motivates You to Find Other Ways to Improve Your Business
Pressure washing your business is just one of the many ways that you can work to keep it clean. After you’re finished working with a professional pressure washing service, you’ll find that you’ll be more motivated than ever before to find other ways to clean your business.
Before you know it, you’ll be having the inside of your business cleaned. Everything from your flooring to your walls will sparkle and look more welcoming.
You’ll be amazed by just how motivated you feel when you make it a point to pressure wash your business. It’ll really get the ball rolling and get both the interior and exterior of your business clean in a hurry.
Pressure Washing Your Business Made Easy – Contact Us!
Instead, you should work with an experienced pressure washing service like ours. We’ll answer important questions like “What is pressure washing?” for you and speak with you more about the many benefits of pressure washing.
Driveway Transformation: The Power of Pressure Washing
This article is about driveway cleaning. Did you know the average concrete driveway can last anywhere from 25 to 50 years? The more you maintain it, the better chance it has of surviving, and thriving, for decades to come.
It’s a well-known fact that driveway cleaning is an important part of the home maintenance process, not only because it keeps your investment from degrading, but because the driveway welcomes all your visitors. A home that is overgrown with weeds and a driveway that is dirty and stained just doesn’t send the right message.
But at this point, you’ve tried everything, right? You’ve tried soap and harsh, noxious substances to remove the grime on the driveway, but they just never seem to work as advertised, and they’ve already cost you a lot of money.
There is some science behind why water works so well as a cleaning agent. Its molecules have a small electrical polarity, thus they attach to objects on their own. Detergents (soap and chemicals) help water manage its task by dissolving grime and grease and making it easier for the water to flush them away.
However, no matter how hard you try, some types of dirt and stains just won’t budge. Here’s where a pressure washer comes in handy.
It blasts dirt away with a narrow, high-pressure stream of hot or cold water. Because the water is moving so quickly, it collides with the dirty surface with a lot of kinetic force, pushing dirt and dust away like a steady rain of tiny hammer strikes.
The Difference Between Pressure Washing and Power Washing
Let’s start with the short answer. Yes, they’re similar, but they’re certainly not identical. The aim of both is to remove dirt from hard surfaces, and they both use a highly pressurized water stream to achieve this.
While the methods are relatively similar, there are a few major distinctions that affect how you use each machine and what surface they’re best applied to.
Pressure Washer
You’ve probably tried pressure washing for your home before, or, at the very least, seen one in action. For everyday household use, pressure washing is the way to go. It’s the ideal solution for surfaces that require a gentler touch, making it great for areas of masonry, concrete, and brick.
A pressure washer comprises of a water pump, a high-pressure hose, an electric or gas motor, a water inlet, and a cleaning attachment. These cleaning attachments can be changed as needed to serve whatever purpose is required.
Because water and electricity don’t mix. Many power washers contain built-in ground-fault circuit breakers, also known as residual current devices (RCDs), to protect you in the event of an electrical breakdown.
The water that comes out of a pressure washer is usually at room temperature but is still very good at blasting dirt away. However, it isn’t as effective against really persistent stuff. Though it still works wonders, it may not be able to remove every stubborn stain from your drive.
The extra heat makes it very effective for removing chewing gum off sidewalks, as well as blasting away salt, mildew, and mold. Power cleaning can also remove grease stains on driveways or garage floors.
Power washing is especially useful for larger tasks, such as cleaning up a large business space or a huge driveway and patio area. Because the heat helps to loosen the dirt, the entire process becomes significantly faster.
However, you must still be careful about which surfaces you apply a power wash to for the same reasons as before. When power cleaning, stick to concrete and other hard surfaces because the force and heat of the hot water might damage softer surfaces.
The Benefits of Pressure Washing for Driveway Cleaning
We know just how much of a beating your driveway can take throughout the year. Bad weather, high traffic, and even rampant weeds can all play their part in the degradation of your drive. The best way to maintain your property, including your driveway, is by pressure washing.
The benefits associated with pressure washing are countless and serve more than just these seven. Here are our top benefits… By that, we mean the ones that are going to be the most beneficial in the long run.
1. Boost Your Curb Appeal
Curb appeal is the unit by which your home is subjectively measured. Essentially, it’s how your house looks from the curb. While it is not an objective assessment of your physical assets in their most basic form, curb appeal is a valuable part of your home’s value.
Homes with outstanding curb appeal, for example, are appealing to people who pass by on the street. The house looks wonderful and has all the expected features. The yard is tidy; the paint is brilliant; the siding looks good; the roof is in good shape, and everything is in order.
When you drive up to your house every day, you may lose sight of how crucial this initial impression is. If visitors arrive and discover a grimy, gloomy driveway, they will probably have an unfavorable impression of your home. If you have a clean, attractive driveway, on the other hand, you’re shining a more positive light onto your property.
Deep cleaning a driveway with a power washer can help a driveway look brand new. If your driveway is looking grimy and dirty, don’t assume that it needs to be replaced. That is going to cost a lot more than pressure washing.
2. Driveway Cleaning Prevents Further Damage
Bird droppings, mold, algae, and dirt buildup are not only unsightly, but they may also wear down a structure, causing rot or further damage. If left unmanaged and unclean, some building materials, like brick, can degrade over time.
Bird droppings, for example, are extremely acidic and can undermine a commercial property’s roof or gutter systems. It can result in a roof collapse or break. Pressure washing the walls, windows, roof, and gutters regularly can help reduce these dangers. It can also save you money in maintenance costs in the long run.
After you clean and clear your surface, you can even apply a coat of sealant to prevent damage from spreading. Some sealants offer combative properties against the growth of mold and other harmful effects.
3. Impede the Growth of Weeds and Other Unwanted Plants
If spending less time maintaining, trimming, and weeding seems enticing, pressure washing may be for you. Keep in mind that pressure washing can actually slow the growth of weeds, requiring less overall effort for you. No more picking out tiny roots from impossible crevices.
Let’s also consider what those crevices actually harbor. Water can seep into the cracks on your sidewalks, driveways, or tiled surfaces, making them difficult to clean and maintain, and allowing molds and algae to accumulate. Furthermore, weed control can extend the life of your driveway and tiled features by years, as weeds can make existing cracks and damage even worse.
4. Enhanced Safety and Security
Slips and falls are two of the most common workplace and home accidents, and professional cleaning can help prevent them. Pressure washing sidewalks, walkways, parking garages, and other surfaces can help remove the build-up of grease, mold, and other contaminants, all of which could cause someone to slip and fall.
Need an extra benefit? Think about how pressure washing will affect your family’s health.
Contaminants like pollen, dust, algae, and even bird droppings, which are bad for buildings anyway, can all cause health problems such as breathing difficulties, allergies, and illnesses. Pressure washing removes these contaminants and, when done regularly, can even help prevent them from reforming.
5. Ultra-Efficient
Power washing or pressure washing is more efficient than traditional manual scouring and surface washing. The high-pressure water being blasted onto the driveway is more than enough. It can not only clean debris and dirt, but can also remove weeds, clear out loose grout, and expose areas that need extra care.
Pressure washing to clean you driveway is the best way to get a deep clean in a short amount of time. Not to mention the fact that the process is easy, painless, and quick. You should power wash your driveway if you want it to be as clean as it can be.
Cleans Associated Spaces Too
Professional pressure washing benefits more than just the walls, windows, and roof; additional structures associated with your property can also be pressure washed.
The sidewalks and pathways in front of a building are among the most frequently pressure-washed areas, next to driveways. Pressure washing can be used to remove unattractive gum residue and rubbish stains that occur because of frequent public use.
We can also use pressure washing for other house cleaning and business-related needs. We can clean parking garages, loading docks, dumpster areas, parking lots, facades, and awnings. You can always guarantee with the correct care and attention to boost a building’s overall appeal, be it a home or business.
Pressure washing is also not an expensive task by any means, whether you’re choosing to do it yourself or hire a professional to work with you. When done correctly, pressure washing isn’t a service you’ll need on a frequent basis. You’ll likely be looking at having someone come in twice a year to work on any external surfaces, using equipment that they already own, so you don’t need to buy (or store) any hefty machinery.
7. Environmentally Friendly
Pressure washing or driveway cleaning is so powerful that you won’t need anything else to clean your driveway or home. If you’d like, you can use bio-friendly cleaners. Even though they’re not strictly necessary, they can be helpful in breaking down grease and oils.
Pressure washing your driveway, walkway, or patios is a softer alternative to the harsh, hazardous chemical treatments commonly used by homeowners. These solvents and cleansers are not only difficult to use, but they can also be harmful to your surfaces, plants, and health.
At the end of the day, whatever you use to clear your driveway should be safe for everything around you, including plants, animals, and of course, the environment. Pressure washing exclusively uses water, and it doesn’t get more environmentally friendly than that. Anything you add to that is by your choice alone.
To DIY or not to DIY
We live in a world where everything is done by hand. Many projects are undertaken by homeowners with tremendous success. Most people trust no one but themselves when it comes to the care and maintenance of their home, their most valuable possession, and rightly so – if you have the experience to back it up.
We can comfortably say that there are certain tasks that are better with the hands of the professionals. One of them is pressure washing, not only because it can be a hassle to do on your own, but because there are inherent risks that can arise during the process.
Let’s look first at what it means to do the work yourself.
DIY Master or DIY Disaster?
Of course, renting a pressure washer costs less than hiring a professional. That being said, when you’re hiring a driveway cleaning service, you’re not just paying for the machine. You’re paying for their time and expertise.
You could rent or buy a machine as a pressure washer is, for the most part, relatively easy to use. You could learn to operate a pressure or power washer based on the manual and its instructions alone. It’s also pretty fun and satisfying to see the grime literally melting away beneath the stream of water.
However, there are some dangers associated with DIY pressure washing, and it’s important to understand the consequences of mishandling such a powerful machine.
These would be a result of your body either coming into contact with the powerful stream of water. Or having a spray ricochet back into your face. You could dislodge debris that can be dangerous if falling from a great height. To be honest, most of the costs we see in DIY pressure washing disasters are irreversible. Leading to even larger bills to fix the problem.
One of the most common things we see is damage to paintwork and delicate patio surfaces. Which either need to be patched up or completely redone.
And, speaking of paint, another consideration to make, especially if you live in an older home. The risk of removing lead paint from the surface you’re trying to clean, whether intentionally or not. Lead paint is extremely toxic and can have lifelong effects on one’s health. Especially in children. If you’re not sure what you should be looking out for, it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
Working With a Professional for Driveway Cleaning
Professional pressure cleaners devote a significant amount of time and effort to mastering the most effective strategies for each given condition. They’ve learned how to remove difficult stains and make a home or company sparkle thanks to their years of experience.
Second, the process of cleaning a house or a commercial building takes a lot of time and work. Doing the job yourself on weekends or holidays takes away time you could be spending with your family and friends.
If you’re concerned about trusting someone else with your property, you could even consider investing in an insurance plan. This means you are covered if you are unhappy with their job or if damage occurs, whereas if you do it yourself, you are responsible for any damages that occur.
Finally, while you could buy a consumer-grade pressure washer at your neighborhood store, these machines typically lack the power and capability of their commercial-grade equivalents.
Why is that important?
When you pressure wash a surface without applying enough pressure to penetrate it and remove the dirt, you only wind up compacting the dirt further into the surface, which goes against the whole point of the exercise, doesn’t it?
Attention to Detail
If you’re going to take the time to sort out the outside of your home, you’d want to be sure you were cleaning every inch of it, right? Despite your best efforts, you’re still liable to miss a patch here and there. A professional, on the other hand, knows exactly how to clean every inch of your home, and this only comes from experience.
Filth and toxins can accumulate over time. Things that the general public may not be aware of. A professional pressure washer will know exactly what to look for and will ensure that they remove all impurities from your home’s surface.
Time is Money
Let’s be honest for a moment: cleaning the outside of your house for hours on end isn’t exactly the most enjoyable way to spend your time. The amount of time you’ll save by hiring a professional will make you wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. Instead of spending your entire weekend busting your back cleaning your house, you could go golfing or see a movie with your family.
Questions You May Want to Ask
If you’ve decided to outsource driveway cleaning. First make sure you’re working with the best driveway cleaning service you can find. Second, don’t be afraid to ask them some questions about the work they’re going to be doing.
This will not only help you gain a better understanding of what they’re doing. Also what you can expect from the final result. Use the following as examples to guide you:
Have you worked on projects like mine?
How much pressure will you use for this, and why?
Are your cleaning solutions environmentally friendly?
Are you licensed and insured?
Can you give me a free estimate?
Will you use a pressure or power washer?
Whether you’re looking at getting your exterior walls cleaned or your driveway cleaned. Make sure you’re asking the right questions and working with professionals you know and trust.
Hire a Professional Today for Driveway Cleaning
Sunset Pressure Washing can help you with all your exterior cleaning needs. Whether you need driveway cleaning done or your walls and deck brought back up to tip-top shape. Pressure washing your home is the easiest and quickest way to get your house looking good again. It gets bonus points from us for increasing the value of your home if you’re looking to sell.
Our professionals know their stuff, and they want to help you. Plus, our prices make it well worth your while. We’ve got you covered on every side. Book online with us today to get your home looking amazing again.
Paver Cleaning Done Right: Tips for Restoring Their Beauty
How to do Paver cleaning right, you’ve heard of landscaping, but have you heard of hardscaping?
Hardscape can be thought of as elements in your yard that are “hard”. For example, pavers for paths, patios, and driveways.
Pavers make a great addition to your hardscape. They come in different styles, shapes, designs, and sizes. They are made from concrete, natural stone, and brick.
Whether you’re looking to add value to your home or simply enjoy the outdoors, pavers are a great way to go.
To keep your pavers looking good year-round, you will need to clean them. Since they’re exposed to many elements, you should pressure clean them at least once a year.
To get the best results, you will want to hire a professional. There’s nothing they know better than how to keep your pavers clean.
Discover how to do paver cleaning the right way. Spoiler alert: you’ll need a professional.
Is It Okay to Pressure Wash Pavers?
Yes. Pressure washing your pavers is one of the most effective ways to restore the look of your pavers. Pressure washing removes all the dirt, grime, moss, and weeds out of your pavers that an ordinary outdoor brush can’t.
By following a series of cleaning guidelines, you can take the necessary steps to clean and protect your pavers. One of these steps includes re-applying sealant – a substance that increases pavers’ durability.
Sealing your pavers helps to:
Enhance the look
Helps prevent stains and signs of aging
Greatly extends the life of the material
Prevents weed growth between joints
Prevents mold and moss formation
Helps settle the material between the pavers
Protects the pavers against extreme weather conditions
An unskilled person might use inadequate pressure and accidentally crack it. They may also accidentally remove joint sand integral to ensuring stability.
Professional pressure washers are trained to avoid mishaps and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to ensure safety.
What Pressure Should I Use When Doing Paver Cleaning?
The recommended PSI for a pressure washer is 1000 to 1500 PSI with a flow rate of at least 4 GPM.
PSI stands for “pounds per square inch”. It is a common unit of pressure that refers to the amount of cleaning pressure the machine can produce.
GPM stands for “gallons per minute”. It is the amount of water that is coming from the machine.
When choosing a pressure washer, PSI and GPM are just as important as the other. For a beginner, 1000 to 1500 PSI with a flow rate of at least 4 GPM is ideal.
This PSI pressure is easy to manage and will not cause damage to your pavers.
Professional pressure washing companies will use higher pressure and flow rate. It is common to see high-pressure models with 3000 to 6900 PSI. However, these are more often used in commercial and industrial settings.
For residential settings, 3000 PSI is more likely. Although this depends on the condition of your pavers.
How Do I Make Pavers Look New Again?
If you’re pressure washing pavers by yourself, you’ll want to take the necessary steps to avoid any issues.
Damage caused by pressure washers is typically the result of the wrong nozzle, using higher pressure, and holding the wand too close to the pavers.
To avoid these issues, follow this guide to help you clean your pavers without damaging them.
Step 1: Try Other Methods First
If you’re new to pressure washing, it might be better to use a different cleaning method. Depending on the condition of your pavers, using a broom or a garden hose might be enough to clean the area.
Use a regular nozzle to direct the spray. The pressure might be enough to clean the area in question.
There are numerous articles online with tips and tricks to clean pavers without a pressure washer. Keep in mind the result may not be as you intended.
For the best results, you will need to hire a good pressure washing company. As a novice, pressure washing is best left to the experts.
Step 2: Choose the Right Equipment
Having the right equipment makes all the difference. If the above tips don’t work and you need to use a pressure washer, you must have the right gear.
Choose a pressure washer with a pressure of at least 3000 PSI and a flow rate of at least 4 gallons per minute (GPM).
A pressure washer with less power, around 1500 PSI, will still clean your pavers. But isn’t as effective. However, if you’re new to pressure washing, 1500 PSI may be a good start.
Now, you need to choose the appropriate nozzle. There are a few different types to choose from. Each will allow you to clean several types of surfaces.
0° red nozzle
15° yellow nozzle
25° green nozzle
40° white nozzle
60° black nozzle
Avoid using the 0° red nozzle. This nozzle creates a powerful jet for removing tough stains. It can cause serious injury if used inappropriately.
For your pavers, the 25° green nozzle is your best bet. It is used for the general cleaning of most surfaces and has a wider spray which is great for sweeping away debris, mud, leaves, and other grime.
It can also be used on decks, driveways, cars, boats, and more.
Step 3: Practice Makes Perfect
Once you’re ready to rock and roll, you should do a practice run. This is especially true if you’re new to pressure washing.
Practice on a surface that will not get damaged, such as a patch of dirt or an area of lawn.
Always keep the pressure washer in motion. This means not holding it in one spot for more than a few seconds. Hold the nozzle at least one foot from the surface and spray at an angle.
Practice a gentle sweeping motion to evenly distribute the water across the surface. Once you feel confident enough, start by cleaning a concealed area. If something happens at least it won’t be completely visible.
Step 4: Clean Your Hardscape
First, you will want to prep your area. Use a broom to sweep away leaves and other debris. Remove any outdoor furniture, too.
Next, you should wet the area. You can do this with a garden hose or bucket. Make sure every part gets wet.
Then, choose a cleaning solution. This will depend on what kind of dirt and stains you’re trying to remove.
For example, ordinary detergents will remove surface stains. But there are also industrial-grade detergents for deeper cleaning.
After this, set up your pressure washer with the right attachments and settings.
To clean thoroughly, use a sweeping motion to clean the surface. Hold the nozzle at least 12 inches away at all times and spray at an angle. Never linger in one spot for too long.
If you are using detergent to clean your surface, direct the runoff away from any lawn or garden beds. Instead, direct it towards a dirt or gravel area.
If you’re just using water, you can direct the spray towards your lawn, flower, and/or garden beds.
Step 5: Rinse Your Hardscape
After pressure cleaning your surface, it’s time to rinse off the area. You can use your pressure washer to do this. Although you may need to adjust the settings and nozzles.
Alternatively, you can use a garden hose or a bucket of water. Although this is a little more labor-intensive.
After your pavers are dry, marvel at the difference pressure washing can do to your hardscape.
Tips for Cleaning Different Types of Pavers
The cleaning process doesn’t vary too much from one type of material to the other. However, there are some specific things to keep in mind when cleaning your surface to avoid damage to your pavers.
Natural Stone
Avoid harsh chemicals when cleaning natural stone. Abrasive or acidic chemicals can damage your pavers. While it might not cause any noticeable damage, it can lead to the applied sealer breaking down.
If this happens, you will need to have the stone resealed more often than usual. To avoid damage, it’s best to stick with detergents or a vinegar-water-based solution.
Brick
Most pavers only need to be cleaned once a year. However, brick may be an exception to the rule.
Brick is porous and absorbs moisture. This means they will need to be cleaned more often to prevent stains from ingraining deeper into the brick.
Avoid using harsh chemicals to remove stains. These chemicals can eat away at the paved surface of your pavers. Over time, it will also wear down their integrity.
The safest cleansing mixture is warm water and a mild household cleaner, like a dish detergent. Alternatively, vinegar and bleach are also effective household cleaning solutions.
Concrete
Hydrochloric acid is a popular heavy-duty cleaner for concrete pavers. It is effective in removing stains that dissolve on contact with the acid. However, the result is clean, but weaker concrete pavers.
Instead, opt for a natural cleaning solution. Water, baking soda, and a little detergent will give your concrete a super clean finish. Alternatively, any mild, non-acidic cleaning solution will work just as well.
The Benefits of Paver Cleaning
Pavers give your backyard a major glow-up. They help to beautify outdoor spaces and cut down on yard maintenance. This gives you more time to enjoy outdoor living and less time maintaining it.
Of course, you still need to maintain your hardscape – just not as often. The pros of cleaning your pavers outweigh the cons tenfold.
Here are some of the top benefits of regular paver cleaning and maintenance.
Improving Other Parts of the Property
Dirty pavers can detract from other areas of your property too. Think about it. A paver driveway lined with flowers should be a beautiful sight, right?
But your flowers will look a lot less impressive when you’re distracted by the stained pavers they’re bordering.
Making Cleaning Easier
Major paver cleaning should be left to the pros. That said, there should be nothing stopping you from cleaning away minor surface stains and debris from time to time.
With continued upkeep, your cleaning responsibilities won’t be as intimidating. Over time, you may even enjoy keeping your pavers clean.
And when you don’t, you’ve always got professional backup.
Paver Cleaning Boosts Curb Appeal
Pavers can play a significant role in the curb appeal and value of your home. Pavers can make a grand statement leading up to your house, or alongside your driveway to widen it with a decorative border.
Whether you’re looking to sell your home or want to enjoy your outdoor space, pressure washing will do wonders.
Convenient and Cost-Effective
Poorly maintained pavers can lead to structural issues later on. Weeds in your pavers are not only unsightly, but they will also cause structural damage to your patio or walkway.
People often delay or avoid professional pressure washer companies because they believe that it is too expensive. This is often not the case. Professional companies already have the proper equipment and cleaning solutions to restore the appearance of your pavers.
They also know the best techniques to avoid any damage. This is much easier than hiring equipment and taking the time to learn how to use the pressure washer. Who knows how long that might take!
Paver Cleaning Eliminates Damage
Paver washing isn’t just about improving appearances. It’s also about cleaning the dirt, debris, mold, and other materials that can lead to health issues.
Enough mold can trigger nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, respiratory infections, and worsen asthma conditions. While some types of algae can produce toxins. Exposure to high levels of algae can cause diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.
Not to mention skin, eye, or throat irritation.
Tips for Paver Cleaning and Maintenance
During your yearly paver clean, it’s important to continue with regular maintenance. To keep your pavers looking their best in-between professional cleanings, follow these helpful tips.
Poor drainage can lead to sunken pavers, organic growth, damage to the surrounding landscape, and water pooling around the foundation of your property.
To assist good drainage of your paved area, install drains. This will allow the water to be diverted to another area, away from the home.
The Dangers of DIY Pressure Paver Cleaning
Pressure washing has seen a rise in popularity in recent years. This may have something to do with the increased availability of pressure washing machines from hardware stores.
However, this has led many “Weekend Warriors” to believe that pressure cleaning is easy. While doing it yourself may seem like you’re saving money, when done wrong it can do more harm than good.
As a result, there has been an uptick in pressure cleaning-related accidents and injuries. Some of the most common dangers associated with DIY pressure cleaning include:
Major cuts, brushes, and skin lacerations
Chemicals infect open wounds and cause bacterial infections
The sheer force of the water pressure can push you off ladders and roofs
DIY pressure washers can also do severe damage to property such as:
Smashing windows due to water pressure
Damaging the seal between window glass and frames
Damaging or completely removing paint
Loosening, damaging, or washing away tiles
Loosening pieces of wood and causing splinters and uneven surfaces
Carving chunks out of concrete flooring
Causing electrocution or electrical damage
Not all DIY pressure washing will end in the above. However, to best avoid any kind of damage you should hire a professional instead.
By the time you’ve calculated the damage you created, it may end up costing more than hiring a professional.
When Is It Time to Call In the Pros for Paver Cleaning?
Preferably before you smash your windows and wash the paint clean off your home.
DIY’ing can be appealing. Watching the dirt wash away is a very satisfying experience in itself. However, you have to ask yourself whether it’s worth all the hassle?
You may surprise yourself and become a pressure washing pro. But more often than not, you won’t. Sorry!
To prolong the lifespan of your hardscape, as well as reduce the risks of property damage, consider leaving it to the experts. When done with the right equipment and technique, pressure cleaning can completely transform your pavers.
Not convinced? Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of hiring a paver cleaner company to do the dirty work for you.
The Benefits of Hiring a Paver Cleaning Company
Yes, you can clean your pavers using DIY techniques, but it’s not always that easy. Cleaning pavers often requires a special set of skills.
Like Liam Neeson, professional pressure cleaners are equipped with a special set of skills that allows them clean pavers and avoid damage.
Hiring a paver cleaning company is a far better decision than attempting to do it yourself. Here are the reasons why.
Safe removal of pollutants and contaminants
A professional opinion on the condition of your pavers
Expert advice on caring for your asset
The best possible result for mark and stain removal
Cost-effective and convenient
Quality guaranteed
A professional paver cleaning company uses industry-leading technology. Their equipment is designed to provide the most effective and safest cleaning result for your pavers.
This also guarantees the best possible surface for resealing.
What Is Paver Sealing?
Paver sealant is an important maintenance tool to keep paver patios, walkways, and driveways looking as beautiful as they did the day they were first laid.
Sealants can prevent stains and other signs of aging from occurring. If you choose not to seal your pavers they may suffer the effects of erosion, weed growth, mold build-up, and discoloration. You may even notice an uneven consistency on the surface of your pavers.
Paver sealing is achieved by spraying a generous coat of sealant continuously and equally along your pavers. While also making sure that there is no excess product in the joints.
Wait 24 hours before applying another coat. Then another 24 hours to see the final look.
Tips for Applying Paver Sealer
Here are a few helpful tips to apply paver sealer successfully:
Apply sealer when the weather is dry, but not in direct sunlight
Don’t let a section dry before you finish
Invest in a high-quality sealer to avoid discoloration
Wait for 24 hours before allowing foot traffic
Wait for 3 to 4 days before allowing wheeled traffic
Pressure cleaning and sealing your outdoor surfaces will help protect your pavers for years to come.
Paver Cleaning? Call In the Pressure Cleaning Pros
If you thought house cleaning was hard, you haven’t tried exterior cleaning! Paver cleaning requires more skills than you may realize.
Too many homeowners are attempting to DIY pressure clean their pavers with disastrous results. Too much pressure and you can damage your pavers. Not enough pressure and you’re not cleaning them properly.
For the best paver cleaning results, it pays to bring in the pressure cleaning pros.
Pressure washing near me? Don’t worry, we have you covered.
As a business owner, you’re knowledgeable about your products, your customers, and your employees. In any case, it isn’t your job to know what types of chemical solutions and tools to use, and with our help, it doesn’t have to be.
You’ll be amazed to see what a difference power washing and soft washing can make to your concrete. Oftentimes, our professional cleaners remove so much grime and build-up that property owners are amazed to see what their concrete flooring and driveways are supposed to look like.
Now, let’s discuss some of the benefits it can provide. One of the main benefits of pressure washing is that it can remove mold, mildew, and salt from surfaces.
Although you can do it on your own, it’s often safer and more effective to let a professional company take care of your pressure washing. For one thing, oftentimes you’ll need a certain type of equipment like a nozzle for example. When washing brick you might use something different than you would for a wooden deck.
If you let your home’s exterior go downhill, the 
Not only that, but 
By eliminating dirt, mold, and other pathogens before they breach the inside of your home, you are protecting the health of you and your family. For a business, you’re protecting the health of yourself, your customers, and your employees.
If you don’t work to keep the outside of your business clean, it’s going to affect more than just your building’s appearance. It’s also going to lead to you having to make a variety of repairs.
The Benefits of Pressure Washing for Driveway Cleaning
Hire a Professional Today for Driveway Cleaning
The recommended PSI for a pressure washer is 1000 to 1500 PSI with a flow rate of at least 4 GPM.
Major paver cleaning should be left to the pros. That said, there should be nothing stopping you from cleaning away minor surface stains and debris from time to time.