Here in Portland, the spring draws us outside like the sunshine draws out flowers! Some of us can’t wait to get back to biking or running, others to reading on the deck, and others to simply enjoying the views. For most of us, spring also includes some cleaning up of our outdoor areas. Is this the time for pressure washing?
Spring is an excellent time get your home exterior cleaned up, including your siding and your concrete surfaces. Hiring a professional pressure washer after the winter has many excellent benefits:
Wet Weather Causes Mildew
Portland is famous for many things, and unfortunately, our rainy climate is at the top of the list! All that precipitation does an amazing job keeping our region green, which is something we love! Unfortunately, it also sometimes leaves something green growing on our siding.
When you have a layer of gray or green on the outside of your house, a light wash does wonders to restore the color and vibrancy. Begin with a fungicidal wash, which can be lightly applied with a sprayer or a brush. Follow this with a careful pressure washing, and that scummy layer just melts away!
Natural and Manmade Contaminants Abound
All through the winter months, airborne contaminants come in contact with your siding. This includes natural material such as pollen, dust, dirt, and bird droppings, and it also includes air pollution. These substances gradually build up on your home exterior, slowly and imperceptibly dimming its color and beauty.
A professional pressure washing is all you need to wash away the residue and restore the shine of your home!
Pressure Washing Is not Just for Siding
While our vertical surfaces might be where we tend to look most often, our horizontal surfaces need occasional attention as well. Concrete driveways, walkways, steps, porches and patios will all show the same effects of mildew and surface contamination mentioned above. Though you might not even notice the dirt at a glance, once a small area is cleaned, you immediately see how dirty the rest is!
Concrete can be cleaned with a traditional spraying pressure washer. However, here at Sundeleaf Painting, we use a more effective method. Our concrete cleaning machine uses a scrubbing motion plus jets of water to get your concrete looking better than ever!
Pressure Washing Caution
As the name implies, pressure washing involves a high-powered jet of water. When used improperly, a pressure washer can be very hazardous to people, and it can also cause significant property damage.
One of the most common mistakes made by untrained users is to get too close to the surface using too much pressure. This will gouge or etch the surface, especially on wood, but also on masonry surfaces.
Another problem is using irregular strokes. If the wand tip does not stay at a consistent distance from the surface, you are left with an uneven appearance. When the user is not methodical in the spraying pattern, this also creates unattractive lines and streaks.
Pressure Washing Professionals
At Sundeleaf Painting, our repertoire includes a wide range of services for your home. We specialize in pressure washing and concrete cleaning, using finely-tuned equipment and expert techniques.
When you hire a professional pressure washer, you can be sure your Portland home is in excellent hands. You get all the benefits of a skillfully-washed home, without any of the time and effort on your part!
Sundeleaf Painting has been serving the Portland region since 1930. Our services include interior and exterior house painting, kitchen cabinet refinishing, wood restoration, and more. Contact our office today to receive your free estimate for painting or pressure washing services.
