Pressure Washing A Roof – Cleaning

Here is an article on Squidoo that readers will find helpful in explaining roof cleaning… the pros, cons and what to look for. I tried to get as in depth as possible without being overly technical. Hopefully the information provided will help you get a better grasp of why roof cleaning is important not only for aesthetics but can have benefits in extending the life of you roof. Just click the highlighted link to be taken to the article which is written on a Squidoo lens.

You can also get some DIY tips if you are planning on tackling the project yourself. Happy reading and feel free to share on Facebook or give a thumbs up on the roof washing article.

Roof Cleaning Services Offered in Delco PA

In need of a serious roof cleaning

Here in the Delaware County, PA suburbs we have an invading cyanobacteria called gloeocapsa magma. This what’s causing those ugly black streaks on your roof. The issue goes beyond the aesthetic though. This growth is actually damaging your roof. The green algae, as it is also called is alive and feeding off the asphalt on your roof’s shingles. ARMA or The Asphalt Roofer’s Manufacturers Association recommends cleaning your roof with a solution containing sodium hypochlorite and little to no pressure to rinse.

The roof cleaning results, when performed professionally, are very dramatic. Many times a tired looking, black-streaked roof will look new again. The biggest concern when using sodium hypochlorite to clean a roof is the surrounding vegetation. There is a PA roof cleaning company located in Havertown that will use the recommended washing process as well as use garden hose pressure to rid your home of this unsightly and ravenous invader.  An added benefit you may see is lower heating and air conditioning costs. Roof shingles are manufactured in color and texture to protect your home and allow thermal transfer. When a roof becomes black with mold and covered with lichen growth, the characteristics of the shingle will change. That high dollar layer of shingles is no longer able to do its job correctly.

Its probably a good time to look at your roof if you live in Broomall, Newtown Square, Media, Radnor or any of the Delco suburbs of Philly. With the past year being very wet and this summer being humid, the growth is rampant.

Pressure Washing Newtown Square, Broomall and Media PA

Newtown Square PA is a township located in Western Delaware County outside the city of Philadelphia. It borders on Media and Broomall PA. Pressure washing services are provided here by PressurePros of Havertown and a few other local companies. For someone seeking house washing in Broomall or any power washing services in Media, PA a call to any of the local cleaning and maintenance services will get you action. Be sure to always check the credentials of the contractor performing the work. Insurance is mandatory. Also be sure to ask about cleaning technique. The use of high pressure can cause damage to your house’s siding or windows.

Your best bet is to always go with a professional pressure washing company. It will save you money in the long run. Companies like Pressure Pros are members of Pressure Washing Business Associations like the UAMCC.

Deck Cleaner Info for Ipe and other hardwood species

Ipe is an exotic hardwood

If you are lucky enough to own an ipe deck or any of the hardwood species of decks then you may already be aware that these woods require maintenance like any other wooden deck. Hardwood deck cleaning is not that much more difficult than cleaning any other type of deck with a few caveats.

1) Though the term hardwood is used often and certainly applies, this does not mean the wood is impervious to damage. Always use low pressure and even washing strokes.
2) Hardwood decks can have mold spores carried with them from their place of origin. Mold strains from a rain forest in Brazil are very hearty and must be removed prior to finishing.

Choose a deck cleaning product that contains sodium percarbonate. This cleaning compound will bubble up dirt and mold from below the surface. Deck cleaning on hardwoods like ipe should be performed whether the wood has been outside for awhile or if it is new construction. Apply the deck cleaner via a pump up sprayer. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Use a deck brush or pressure washer to agitate the mixture and then rinse methodically. Do not use high pressure. Keep your pressure washing wand far from the surface and walk the entire length of each board without stopping. This will prevent any lap marks and give you a clean surface to stain and seal.

Deck Cleaners The Myths and Truths

The difference is dramatic

Deck cleaning is surrounded by myth. The big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s cater to a mass market. The deck cleaners that are sold in these stores almost always contain sodium hypochlorite better known by its common name, household bleach. There is a problem that arises when using sodium hypochlorite. When wood decks are constantly exposed to bleach, they degrade. The lignin in the wood gets broken down and is washed away. In addition, this type of deck cleaner leaves an unnatural whitening to the wood’s surface. If you apply a stain or pigmented sealer after cleaning you can end up with a blotchy finish.

A true professional deck contractor will use deck cleaning products that contain sodium percarbonate. This mild chemical agent is the precursor to sodium hydroxide and is contained in the brand name product OxyClean™. OxyClean by itself is not a perfect wood cleaner. It contains too many fillers and byproducts. Products that contain sodium percarbonate will effectively kill mold spores. The oxygenating power of the chemical will bring dirt to the surface. Percarbonate is also an good emulsifier of oil based stains.

After the deck cleaning process is complete a wood professional will usually pH balance the deck with a brightener. Brighteners are acidic and help to bring the wood back to its natural balance. This also creates an uninhabitable environment for mold re-growth. Stain finishes will now get a better “bite” and will last longer.

Pressure Washing Companies.. what sets them apart

Serving Havertown, Newtown Square, Broomall 610-446-0555

Serving Havertown, Newtown Square, Broomall and the ‘burbs.

A true cleaning contractor specializes in exterior cleaning and sealing. Owning a pressure washer does not make one a professional any more than a person that owns a hammer and table saw can automatically be called a carpenter. The pressure washer is a single tool in the arsenal of a pressure washing company.

Because every surface requires unique cleaners and technique,  pressure washing companies must be equipped with tools like surface cleaners, various orifice nozzles and have a host of experience to determine the proper course of cleaning without causing damage. Specialty cleaning and restoration can require the use of dangerous acids and highly caustic chemicals. A company truly dedicated to cleaning exterior surfaces will carry a large amount of liability insurance and be trained in OSHA safety techniques. There is absolutely a difference between serious, full time cleaning companies and the handyman that uses a pressure washer.