Ever wonder what those black streaks are on your roof but seem to be missing on other areas of the roof? We are sure although you dont know what they are, that you have seem them when driving by a home. The scientific term for the black streaks on your roof are Gloeocapsa Magma. It is a type of algae or organic growth usually found on composition shingles. To the naked eye they look like black stripes or streaks coming down from the roof which can be seen from several homes away but when looked at closely we can see they are mold spores. Mold spores that can travel through the air and grow on other neighboring homes or exterior surfaces. Just one unsightly and unclean home can ruin the longevity of the surrounding clean homes. A recently constructed new home can show signs of these unclean black streaks in as little as three years with the growth progression moving faster if not treated promptly. The next question you may ask is "why does this matter"? The answer is simple but varies depending on your situation. The answer may be to keep your homes curb appeal up to give off a respectable impression, it may be to prepare for a sale or it may be to save you the added cost of replacing to a new roof because the gloeocapsa magma slowly but surely has been eating away at the shingles fillers such as the limestone to stay healthy and growing. In preparation to buying a new home the biggest factor aside from plumbing and electrical is the roof. With the average cost of replacing a roof being around $16,000 it is a worth while decision to look into. If no proper documentation is kept to show when the roof was replaced then the inspector can do so by looking at the cleanliness of the shingles. If relatively clean we can conclude the roof is somewhat new, if the roof has heavy dark black stains we can conclude it is very old and going to need replacing soon. As a seller this may ding your asking price greatly as a buyer you may want to ask for a credit in regards to the roof or keep searching for another home. This can be compared to a car for sale, by giving it a good cleaning which adds more perceived value when behind the wheel therefore raising the chances at a better selling price. If left unclean the bacteria will not only spread but continue to degrade your roofs lifespan by eating away at its fillers. In recent years roof shingle manufactures have added more fillers to composition shingles in order to save on cost. The big downside is that gloeocapsa magma love to eat these up all day long. To them its all you can eat buffet, to us it is money down the drain. Aside from fillers the shingles have petroleum based oils to increase durability, this is in part why soft washing is a great solution to cleaning off the black streaks. The chemicals used do not degrade the fillers or oils only attack the organic growth on the shingles surface. As stated before the limestone is eaten by the organisms. Limestone is most often used in composition shingle because it is very inexpensive and there is an abundant supply. The reason why gloeocapsa magma streaks always come down in the same manner is due to gravity and the way rain water drips down.
So now that we have gone over what gloeocapsa magma are and how they can slowly damage your home, we must figure out a way to clean up this unsanitary bacteria. By far the best and safest way to clean this up is by the professional application of algacides to your home at low pressure and coated over the bacteria. When a low pressure cleaning method is used we are safe from any tile granules being stripped away and lowering a roofs lifespan by years. Please note that high pressure washing on roofs can often times void the roofs warranty. The low pressure applied to the roof is similiar to a rain shower in terms of force. When soft washing it is the chemical algaecide that does all the work. The gloeocapsa magma has no choice but to drink up the chemical cleaning solution and dissipate off the shingles. This method of cleaning does have to be handled with caution by a reputable professional because the chemical can create poisonous vapors when touching the hot shingle tiles, a professional will carry a chemical gas mask and the proper eye protection to avoid any workplace accidents. We must also take into account plant and property protection to ensure no damage occurs while cleaning. If done properly and safely your roof will be clean for years to come. Typically two years at the least but this depends on varying factors such as the weather conditions in the up coming months, if other growth is still on your homes surfaces that can carry up to the roof and lastly other surrounding homes that remain dirty and unsanitary will carry mold spores through the air and attach to your clean roof, lowering its time of cleanliness. To conclude soft washing is the best method of cleaning roofs. This method delivers lasting results for years to come with no damage that conventional high pressure cleaning will do to a roofs delicate fillers. We recommend you contact a professional is you would like this service. For more information feel free to check out more of our Blogs If you would like a quick quote for your home please call us at (561)-305-8154 Visit us on Facebook for the latest completed projects. We service Boca Raton, Delray, Parkland and the surrounding areas.
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When hiring any contractor for home improvement there are many reasons we may choose a specific person or company but the truth is there are three main factors we must take into account. Reputation, Quality and Price In many situations homeowners either do to much research or not enough research into a qualified pressure washing professional. When we worry on who is the best or the lowest cost contractor we often forget the big picture of the task. The main target is to get the job done right and at a reasonable cost for most people. We fall into this trap of searching high and low for the lowest price contractors for the highest quality, which in many cases will not occur. After hours of research and calling around for quotes we realize pricing as well as how the job will be done varies greatly. Typically the lowest bidding contractor wants to get in and get out, without worry of how well the job will come out. On the other hand the highest bidding contractor works with attention to detail and wont leave until you are satisfied. Doing to much research can result in no action taken or even worse, doing it yourself. Which is not a bad option but if you want quality and to keep your safety intact it is best to hand the work over to an insured professional. Doing to little research can result in poor results and an unfinished job. These types of contractors are the fly by night characters who have no respect for how to job gets done, all they are intrested in is the pay day. Our recommendation is to go for something in the middle. Do a good job of research into a credible pressure washing professional. This can be done by holding the three factors in mind throughout the search. Reputation, Quality and Price The first factor we must look into is the companies reputation. We must ask ourselves a list of questions such as if this company or individual is insured, capable of starting and completing the task, will they respect my home, will they show up, what if I am not satisfied with the work done? Questions such as these can be answered by checking up on online review such as those from google. To refer to for credibility We can also check on the company or individuals reputation by asking neighbors in the community if they have done work for them in the past or to who they may refer. This is a gold mine of resources because now we have a credible cleaning company from a credible source and many times we can see the work done with our own eyes, therefore reassuring our thoughts. Another way we can check for reputation is asking the company or individual for references from previous clients and customers. In our experience when a client is satisfied with the work provided they are happy to share us with the world on how great we were. If a service provider does not have any or chooses not to give any, this can be checked off as a red flag. It may be best to move on to another power washing service provider. r The next factor we have is quality. Quality encompasses a variety of aspects such as details in workmanship, showing up on time, leaving the place better than it was found, not just starting the job without making it known to the residence that you have arrived, answering any questions or concerns before starting any work, following a process for exterior cleaning and so on. Often times it is difficult to know how a pressure cleaning job will come out unless we try them out the first time, then we see if we love it or hate it. The best way to find out if quality is high is if you have seen them perform work on a neighbors home, this can show you face to face what level of service you will receive in most cases. Reviews left on google from previous customers is a big sign of quality level. If the google reviews left are low and only speak about how mediocre the level of quality was then we know where we stand. If we see that google reviews are high and the customers speaking from experience are amazed with the attention to detail then we can have more clarity into what we will get. We do not recommend you go with a service provider who has no google reviews because this tell us they may not be qualified to do the exterior cleaning with quality in mind. We suggest going with a service provider who has at least 30 google review and up with an average score of 4.5. With a score like this we can tell the pressure cleaning professional has experience and can tell based off the reviews text what sort of a job they can provide. Quality can is always echoed through the company. From when they answer the phone, to quoting, to following the job to its completion. Does the company or individual pick up on the first ring or not at all and leaves you talking with the voicemail? Does the company or individual send your quote over quickly or gets back to you within 2 business days? Does the company or individual have procedures and systems in place to ensure a detailed scope of work is completed? Below we have provided you with a few results of positive 5 star google review ratings left by previous clients. The final factor to keep in mind is pricing. This factor is very dynamic due to the customers preferences. Some customers may want the cheapest service provider out there no matter the quality. This can be compared to a fast food restaurant, providing quick service but quality may not always be the highest. Other customers may want an expensive service provider because they understand that quality is the highest possible and they can have peace of mind after a power washing job is completed. The truth is that the vast majority of homeowners all want the same features in a pressure cleaning company. A reasonably priced service with attention to detail in mind, a service provider who will show up and look after the homeowners home just as they would, if not more.
The factor of pricing varies from state to state, company to company and service to service. The best method to find a pricing to fit your needs is to determine what your budget is and call on three power washing service providers for a quote and pick the one you most feel confident in to do the work. In conclusion it is best to find the pressure cleaning professional that best suits your needs in terms of reputation, quality and pricing. This is not a one size fits all approach, only you know what is the best choice for exterior cleaning. For more information feel free to check out more of our Blogs If you would like a quick quote for your home please call us at (561)-305-8154 Visit us on Facebook for the latest completed projects. We service Boca Raton, Delray, Parkland and the surrounding areas. Soft washing which is the application of chemical cleaning agents with low pressure to attack the organic bacteria's roots leaving behind a brighter and longer lasting clean. Last longer and does less damage than conventional high pressure cleaning. Below is a prime example of what the soft washing method is capable of. The other option we have to cleaning a roof is high pressure cleaning which can not be used when cleaning mold off shingle tiles as it will tear away the roofs sensitive granuals, cutting down on the roofs life expectancy and protentional to protect from water leakage. Many so called pressure cleaning professionals still believe the best way to clean a roof if my hitting it with high power and this will wash away any black stained organic streaks. False, they only remove the organic stains from the visible eye. When we take a closer look into the tiles porous material we find left over bacteria that was not fully eliminated. High pressure can not only damage the tiles longevity by scaring it but it can also open up seals made by the roofers to protect from water leaking into the home. The only upside to this method of cleaning is a cheaper cost due to its use of only water to get the job done. Although in the long run it will cost you more as a homeowner not to mention the headaches of getting roofing contractors to inspect the roof for where the leak is coming from. Therefore completely nullifying the lower cost in the short term. As more damage is done rather than help. The extra added cost to soft washing is from the material placed on the roof to kill the bacteria's roots when compared to high pressure cleaning we often see a price differeance of about $100-$150 dollars. Lets take a closer look into the pros and cons of soft washing versus high pressure washing Pros of Soft Washing Last longer than conventional high water pressure cleaning (Approximately 2 years) Much safer to use on a roofs tiles both asphalt shingle and barrel tile shingle roofs. Kills the mold systematically at the root Exposes more of the roofs natural color to the surface Zero chance of roof leakage Uses less water (Approximately one tenth of the water consumed) No heavy equiptment is brought up on your roof and that mean high safety for you as a homeowner and the person doing the cleaning Now lets go over the pros of high pressure cleaning a roof Pros of High Pressure Washing Lower cost on average Seems like an obvious choice to make right, but lets keep weighing out the cons next Cons of Soft Washing Usually a higher cost due to the amount of material applied to the roof and time in protection plant life Cons of High Pressure Washing High chance of roof damage (cutting the roofs lifespan) High chance of roof water leakage Will not clean down the root (the bacterial microbes will still be rooted deep in the roof tiles and will appear to the human eye in less than a year) Dangerous to the operator and homeowner. In this head to head battle we have to give the Soft Washing Method the Gold medal for achieving the best possible clean with safety and quality in mind. It is best to keep the high pressure cleaning on the ground for driveway, patios and walkways to reach deep into the surfaces pores, but we still want to apply a pretreatment as a precaution and to loosen up the mold and mildew. We want to show you a few example of the damage high pressure washing a roof can do below. We cant just leave you with the damage high pressure can do without showing you the beauty the Soft Washing Method can do to tiles roofs too. In conclusion The Soft Washing Method is better than conventional high pressure washing for a variety of reasons such as safety, longevity and quality.
For more information feel free to check out more of our Blogs If you would like a quick quote for your home please call us at (561)-305-8154 We service Boca Raton, Delray, Parkland and the surrounding areas. We all know that water garden hoses come in many variations of length, type, material, tips and colors but which garden hose is the best option when using a pressure cleaner? It may seem like a simple choice at first but after reviewing all our options we may want to think again. Lets dive into the different garden hoses out there. Garden hose lengths We have lengths varying from 5, 6, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100 foot and these can be customized to fit your specific needs. All that needs to be done is change and secure the tips to prevent leakage and damage. We suggest 75 foot garden hose to give you versatility when using your pressure washer around the home. Garden hose size Sizes can come in 1/4 Inch, 3/8 Inch, 1/2 Inch, 5/8 Inch, 3/4 Inch or 1 Inch. We prefer to use 5/8 inch for best water flow. The water flow given off by your hose outlet must also be taken into account as this is where your GPM (Gallons Per Minuet) will come from to feed the pressure washer. A quick and easy test can be done by using a 5 gallon bucket to measure how many gallons come out per minuet. This gives us more confidence when turning on the machine, ensuring it will not overheat and burn due to insufficient water levels. Garden hose material Common garden hose materials are as follows Vinyl - the least expensive out of the other materials and is reinforced with nylon mesh, tend to kink easily. Polyurethane - considered a light duty hose, stiff to the touch and hard to roll back up. Rubber - Heavy duty in nature and build to take a beating from the outdoor climate. Polymer - lightweight soft and easy to maneuver, high chance of kinking but can be unkinked easy (Our preferred choice for garden hoses) Metal - tougher than the other hoses but is more pricey when compared and has a small chance of kinking. Expandable - This hose is also lightweight and expands as water flows into it, helping it grow into a longer and thick hose. The ability for these hoses to contract are amazing. A 100 foot hose that typically takes up a lot of space can easily be drained of water and fit snug into a 5 gallon bucket. In conclusion we strongly suggest a polymer garden safe water drinking hose, primarily the Flexzilla 5/8 Inch 100 Foot hose that allows a large distance to move the power washer if needed or can be hooked up to a mobile hose reel.
For more information please visit our blog on all pressure cleaning and soft washing at Ivan's Pressure Cleaning or call us at (561)-305-8154 for a quick quote. We service Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Parkland and its surrounding areas. Feel free to check us out on Facebook and Instagram for updates. Lastly we would like to finish with an honorable mention to our friends over at GardenGate.com Garden Gate is the go to place for all things garden beautiful. Pressure cleaning also known as power washing in varying parts of the country is a simple process that when done right leaves a lasting impression to people passing by. Pressure cleaning requires a gas or electric machine (we recommend gas powered due to its power and reliability) that uses regular garden hose pressure, creates the pressure and shoot it out through the gun wand, surface cleaner or other adapter. List of needed tools include: Gas or electric power washer 2 GPM and up Approximately 100 foot of high pressure hose Pressure Cleaning Gun or wand Approximately 50 feet of garden hose (connecting to the homes outlet) We also recommend a ball valve and surface cleaner make the cleaning process easier and less time consuming! Step by Step: 1. First connect your garden hose to the outlet and to the power washer. 2. Connect your high pressure hose to the power washing machine and to the desired tool. (Gun, surface cleaner etc) 3. Open the garden hose valve and let the water flow till the line is bleed for air leaks. 4 Once the line is cleared and ready, turn on your power washer while trying to keep your hand on the trigger to keep the pressure open. 5. You are ready to pressure wash any part of your homes exterior just be sure to wear protective eye wear and a mask if using harsh cleaning chemicals. Caution: If the pressure is left unattended for long than 30 seconds it will harm the pumps seals with hot water created by friction of the recirculating water in the pump. Professional pressure cleaning companies use buffer tanks and relief valves to keep their heavy duty machines cool and lasting longer. If you need to take a break or can not relieve your power washers pressure we suggest you turn it off until done. Pressure cleaning should be done at least yearly to kept up to date and not let bacteria smelling or let the homes curb appeal fall behind. Remember a good pressure cleaning can raise your homes value especially before a sale. If you are in the south florida area looking to buy/ rent a pressure washer we advise you to checkout our friends at VC Equipment in Boca Raton or give them a call to check for pricing at (561)-394-7086 We serve Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Parkland and the surrounding areas. For more information or for a quick quote call or text us at (561)-305-8154 |
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