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Mar 102011
Pressure cleaning Sydney roofs is an important task because an untidy roof can take away the look of your home. Algae, lichens, dust, mildew, tree sap and moss are regular invaders on your roof shingles. Cleaning them has to be done meticulously so as not to cause damage of any kind. Dark singles on a roof may not show the presence of these unsightly elements but they can eventually bring a lot of harm to the shingles and therefore destroy the look of your home. When there are trees around your home, moss and mildew are common problems. These gradually move upwards staining every shingle they visit.
Pressure cleaning the black streaks (caused by rain making algae flow down) on your roof shingles is an ideal way to removes all possible stains from your home’s crowning glory. More than half the roofs are replaced since regular cleaning is not undertaken. This is an unnecessary and undesired investment that you could have otherwise averted. A step by step approach must be taken in order to clean roof shingles and these are detailed below Also covered in this article are important tips you need to consider.
Safety tips while pressure cleaning Sydney roofs
(1) Safety is of paramount importance especially when you are working on vertical surfaces. Hence get a sturdy ladder in good condition for the task you plan to undertake.
(2) In case of steep slopes, wearing a safety harness is a good idea. Boots or shoes with non-skid soles are an absolute necessity. This is because shingles when wet become extremely slippery.
(3) Wearing safety goggles is essential because you do not want any flying particles to find your eye.
(4) Also, you may be unaware of the kind of pressure a power washer can exert when in use. Therefore, it is important to hold on securely.
Roof shingle cleaning procedure
(1) Use a 25 degree nozzle on your pressure washer wand. These help in pressure cleaning the area and does not break or damage the shingles.
(2) Use an environmentally safe cleaning agent or otherwise termed as green chemicals in your power washer and spray the affected area steadily and gradually.
(3) The nozzle should be pointed in the direction of the roof slope. This is to avoid water leakage beneath shingles. Hold the tip at least at a distance of one foot from the surface and move back and forth in a sweeping motion. Hold the nozzle in position when you have excessive moss or clumps of dirt stuck in one area. Moving backwards is a good idea because you may want to stay put in dry area only.
(4) Finally, complete the cleaning process by rinsing thoroughly so as to remove cleaning residue of any kind.
Roof shingles may need pressure cleaning every season. While road dust and dirt are inevitable and may not necessarily cause an imposing problem, moss and mildew do not just take the away the look of your home but cause irreversible damage if reasonable care is not taken.
Pressure cleaners are of different types. Each of them is specifically designed to handle particular cleaning operations. While specific differences are not usually observed by laymen and those who are unaware of its usage, you will realize the differences after you make use of one. While any light domestic cleaning job requires a decent model that has a pressure rate of 2000 psi and a water flow rate of about 4 gallons per minute, you may need to have an advanced model for certain tough stains that would pose a challenge.
Investing on many models is not typically a wise option because of the huge expenses you may incur for an activity that may be conducted once a year. The other options you could go for is to rent high quality pressure cleaners or avail the services of a professional pressure cleaning service. In the case of the former, you can rent these equipments from your local hardware store but you may need complete knowledge on its operations lest you cause substantial damage to property or even create bodily harm. This is because advanced models make use of very high pressures that is quite difficult to be handled by a novice.
Professional pressure cleaning companies
The second option is to hire the services of a cleaning services company that focuses exclusively on similar cleaning requirements on a routine basis. Not only are they undisputed authorities on the subject of power washing, they would also be in possession of every kind of power washer. They can bring a machine that best suit your home’s cleaning needs. Moreover, you can take the burden of unnecessary time consumption and results from your mind. You can be assured that experts are at work and they are well aware of what needs to be done.
You could make use of pressure cleaners yourself but you would invest lots of time in conducting research on its usage rather than spending quality time for your home. Moreover, as much as power washing is a relatively easy task, it still manages to eat away a lot of your time that you could otherwise invest elsewhere. When these power equipments are handled by amateurs, they are likely to cause more damage to property and end up making it look drabber than it has originally been. Also, certain damages could require lots of money to set the area back to normalcy.
When suitable industrial power equipment is made use by a professional cleaning services company, you are rest assured that they understand the implications of mishandling or wrong usage and therefore have your best interests in their minds while they work. Also, the surfaces to be cleaned could be varied. You may want to remove stains from your concrete garage floors and clean your brick patio. Both require different treatments and this is best handled by cleaning service companies.
Pressure cleaners complement the need for cleaning your home or a factory or even public places. When the job is left to experts, positive results are guaranteed.
Feb 272011
Removing grease especially from concrete surfaces is a very tough task that can be alleviated by pressure cleaning. Using a powerful pressure cleaner with a steam unit is the best way to remove the most stubborn grease spot but even a normal cold water or hot water cleaner will do an efficient job if used with the right cleanser.
Pressure cleaning units release water at high pressure to remove substances ranging from dirt to grease off various surfaces. Pressure washing can be used with different pressure levels for removing different deposits. For removing grease a washer with a high pressure level has to be used as grease adheres to the surface and is difficult to get rid off. To make the task even easier a hot water pressure washer should be used. But if the grease deposit is really very tough then you should go for a steam pressure washer.
Methods of Pressure Cleaning Grease
1. Degreasing with a Steam Pressure Cleaner: This is a very simple process. The combined power of steam and high pressure created by the machine is enough to remove most grease deposits. To get the maximum benefits out of a steam pressure washer the nozzle should be held as close to the surface as possible. Steam pressure cleaners are generally used in industrial and commercial establishments.
2. Degreasing with Hot Water Cleaner: For domestic use a hot water pressure cleaning unit is ideal for removing grease. A hot water cleaner can be used in the following ways:
o Pour a bottle of coke, baking soda, detergent or a degreaser like Benzene on the grease spot and leave it overnight. The next morning, wash off the area with hot water released at high pressure. This should remove the grease.
o For very tough grease marks you can use muriatic acid. This is a very strong chemical, so be very careful while using it. Put on proper protective clothing and follow the instructions diligently. Pour the acid on the spot, leave it for some time so that it soaks in and wash it off thoroughly. For this use hot water at very high pressure. This is one of the more effective ways of pressure cleaning grease.
3. Pressure Washing with Green Chemicals: Cold water is normally not used to remove grease. This is because cold water stiffens the grease and it becomes very hard to remove it even with water at very high pressure. But by using green chemicals you can remove grease spots even with cold water. The chemical should be put into the pressure washing unit to form a solution with the water and the spot washed with either cold or hot water at very high pressure. The green chemical solution penetrates into the grease and changes the structure of the molecules in such a way that the altered molecules repel each other and the sticky quality of grease gets eliminated. These chemicals make pressure cleaning very easy and increase the efficiency of pressure cleaners. Moreover, this process is economical and is an environment friendly way to remove stubborn grease stains.
Pressure cleaning is by far the best way to keep your entire household clean and is especially effective in removing tough oil and grease stains.
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Pressure cleaning is possibly the best way to get rid of all the grime and dust and other particles from the vinyl sidings of your house. This is a very efficient and fast method if done properly but could harm the sidings if proper care is not taken. Tget the job done right you simply have to follow a few tips.
Equipment and preparation
The only equipment required for pressure washing your vinyl sidings is a power cleaner with the proper grading. This you can either buy from a reputed dealer or better still you can hire one from the many companies that lend these cleaners. Once you have obtained the machine go to a home improvement store and get a detergent and also chemicals if necessary for your pressure cleaning. The next step would be to remove all potted plants and cover up those that you cannot remove in the vicinity of the sidings. Ensure that all electric bulbs and shades are also removed and fixtures that cannot be removed are properly covered.
Precautions
Almost all pressure washers have hot water generating facilities. For pressure washing vinyl sidings you should be very careful to keep the temperature below 120°F. If the water released by the machine gets too hot it will buckle and warp the vinyl sidings and you will be in real trouble. So be very careful to keep the temperature in check. Maintaining proper pressure is also very important in pressure cleaning vinyl sidings. To check the pressure, direct the nozzle at a spot on your wall and adjust the pressure so that it is enough to clean the sidings and does not warp or break them. Start at a very low pressure and gradually increase it to the required level. Keep a watch out to see that water is not trapped between the siding boards by spraying it very evenly.
Washing
Fix the proper nozzle and set the water pressure on the power washer to minimum. Wet the sidings you are preparing to clean. Take a hard brush and scrub the excessively dirty areas. Next, put the detergent and chemicals into the dispenser in the cleaner and begin the actual process of pressure cleaning. Set the pressure at the required level and start washing away all the dirt and grime for the sidings. Stand a few feet away from the sidings when you use the power cleaner. Ensure that the entire area is washed evenly. To get rid of debris that might have collected between the siding boards, increase the water pressure slightly and concentrate the spray on the required area. Finally, shut out the detergent dispenser, set the pressure at a very low level and rinse the entire area thoroughly. Make sure that there is no detergent or chemical residue on the sidings.
In case you are planning on giving the vinyl sidings a fresh coat of paint, follow the above steps and after you complete pressure cleaning leave the sidings uncovered for some time before you start painting.
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Your driveway is one area that is frequented by your car and by people at least over three or four times a day. Moreover, it is also subject to all kinds of weather conditions. Pressure cleaning your driveway, therefore, becomes an inevitable need. You may have more than one car and the constant dirt, grime and wear and tear that your driveway is subjected to, make it dirty. Over a period of time, it will start losing its original charm and start looking drab. You may not want to witness such a scene and to prevent this; you need to clean your driveway periodically.
Your set of wheels can carry grease, oil, sand, dirt, mud and much more than your mind can imagine and set them on your driveway. Some stains can be removed by a general clean over session while other kinds of stains that are tougher require pressure cleaning. You could choose to have brick, cemented or concrete pavers on your driveway. Each of these requires a specific handling procedure when it comes to pressure washing. You may choose to do the cleaning yourself or employ a professional cleaning services company that can handle almost any kind of cleaning.
Before you begin the process of pressure cleaning your driveway, there are a few tips that you may need to bear in mind and these are enumerated below:
Remove all things that could be a dispensable part of your driveway such as cars, plants, kids’ toys, litter etc. Remove all excessive oil or grease stains by scattering cat litter or sawdust and leaving them overnight. You can use a stiff broom or a push broom in the morning to sweep the area clean in the morning.
It is recommended to use a decent pressure washer and apply a moderate pressure of 3000 psi. Concrete driveways will require this amount of pressure. Hot water washing is ideal since it can clean 5 times better than cold water. You can choose to rent a pressure washer from your neighborhood hardware store. Do not connect your cold water pipe for hot water since the pipe has all the chances of getting damaged.
Do not forget to read the manual of the pressure washer if you intend pressure cleaning yourself. For a hot water pressure washer, ensure that the burner fuel tank is filled. Blue tank indicates diesel or kerosene and a red tank indicates gasoline. You need to be completely aware of the probable hazards of using a pressure washer and abide by the safety precautions.
Use a suitable cleaning agent when you pressure wash. Apply the solution directly on the surface and liberally on areas that require more attention. Turbo nozzle on your pressure washer is ideal for removing grease and oil stains.
When you are done with cleaning, you need to rinse off the driveway completely and especially those items (garage door etc) where chemicals may have splashed.
Pressure cleaning is a simpler and smarter method of cleaning. If you understand the process of cleaning, it can work wonders for your driveway.
Usually, when we think of house washing, most of us ignore cleaning roofs. This could be attributed to the fact that the roofs are not always frequented, neither by homeowners nor by the guests, so we feel that it is an utter waste of time and money to clean up the area. Consider a situation where you are having a party at home and need a lot of space for your guests. Will you not then make use of your roof?
Apart from simply putting up a better image of yourself and your home, cleaning of the roof is also required to prevent any leakages. A roof can leak due to the effects of the various weather elements like the wind and the rain. Pressure washing is the option you need to choose when you are looking forward to cleaning the roof of your house. High pressure cleaning can successfully remove mosses and algae and leave your roof totally immaculate. Cleaning of your roof therefore is extremely essential and below are listed a three tips on how to do it right.
Select the right pressure washer: You need to very carefully select the kind of power washer you will be using for your roof. Normal or regular pressure cleaners can work just fine. Before using them though, try them on a small segment of the roof. If the resultant effect is satisfactory, then you can carry on with it on the rest of the area. Before getting on with it you have to take care that you cut away all the overhanging tree branches if any, so that the roof is exposed to a lot of air and sunlight. Also make sure that the mouths of the drains and gutters are not covered with any form of debris. In case there is some form of rubbish accumulating at the mouth, clear it immediately for the smooth drainage of water.
Choose the right chemical: For the wellbeing of the roof of your house, it is mandatory that you pick the cleaning chemical after a lot of consideration. The chemicals used in pressure cleaners for high pressure cleaning usually contain bleach. The bleach is a harmful agent for the walls of the roof because it discolors them. Hence try and go for an eco friendly cleaning agent. Power washing chemical of superior quality can reduce the time of the process and be effective too. The area must be rinsed with freshwater after the cleaning is over.
Be safe: During high pressure cleaning, the pressure cleaners need to be handled with extreme care. Pressure washers can prove to be very dangerous if they are not handled with precaution. The highly pressurized water has the capacity of causing immense amount of injury and so you need to handle it in a suitable way as to avoid any such accidents. Do not let kids be around when you are cleaning your roof. The wisest step you can take is to hire a professional pressure cleaner who can do the job for you.
The high-powered pressure cleaners savagely and systematically pummel the dirt to submission in their bid to cleanse the surfaces and objects. These cleaners let loose water from nozzles at very great pressure, which is measured in pounds per square inch. For use in different applications, these pressure sprays are available now in different capacities of pressure. While the pressure spray for home application may come with a pressure capacity of 1000psi, the commercial pressure cleaners are available even up to a range of 4000psi. The availability of pressure sprays are based also on the mode of operation and the type of solvents it uses.
Electric pressure cleaners
The home-application pressure cleaners generally are electricity based and these cleaners are used for cleaning not so rigorous remnants of muck and dirt. The electrical pressure sprays are capable of generating pressure in the range of 1000 psi to 2000 psi, sufficient for use in the household. The advantage of the electrically operated devices is that they are easily portable being light in weight. They also need less of maintenance than the gas-based models.
Gas-based cold water pressure cleaners
Gas-based cold water pressure cleaning is also used to clean dirt of low intensity. The advantage of gas over electricity is their capability to handle jobs uninterruptedly, making it the right choice for commercial applications. The pressure generated at the point of release of water is also about twice that of the electrical cleaners. The heavy-duty gas based cleaners based on the capacities are available in the price range between $200 and $10,000. The gas-based models are typically used for outdoor applications and are recommended for use by trained hands only.
Gas-based hot water pressure cleaners
The gas-based hot water pressure washers are strictly used for industrial and commercial applications, where you need to remove the petroleum-based stains from different surfaces. These hot water models of pressure sprays are the costliest of the pressure cleaners, but are preferred by professional pressure cleaning services for their high-efficiency.
Gas-based chemical pressure cleaners
To remove forms of permanent defacement like graffiti, special chemicals are also employed in gas-based models of pressure cleaners. The feature of the commercial gas-based pressure washers is that they not only clean the surfaces that are smeared with high-intensity dirt, quickly, but they do so using the minimal water.
Direct drive pressure cleaners
The pressure in the pressure spray is created by the built-in pumps. The pressure sprays are hence based also on the type of drive employed by the pumps. In the direct drive models the pumps are mounted directly on the motors, making it compact, light weight and lower in price.
Belt drive pressure cleaners
The advantage of the belt driven mechanism is that here the vibrations are lower making the pumps more durable. However the disadvantage here is that there is a need for constantly replacing belts due to wear and tear.
Knowledge of the types of the pressure cleaners would be useful in sourcing the right type of cleaner to suit your requirement. The cleaners are also available for short-term rent so as not to block your valuable investments on a device that is sparingly used. The other more convenient option open is to hire the services of professional cleaning agencies for the job. The added advantage here is that you need not worry about using the pressure spray safely.