PRESSURE WASH

Stevens Paint and Wallpaper provides pressure washing to prepare exterior surfaces for painting, and will also pressure wash driveways, walks, and other outdoor areas, as well as perform the routine cleaning of painted surfaces for regular upkeep. Pressure washing can contribute to the life of paint by killing mildew, which attacks and penetrates the paint surface. Pressure washing can remove algae from walk areas that may be very slippery when damp or wet. Cleaning these surfaces regularly is part of normal maintenance for all property owners. In addition to lengthening the paint life and providing safe walk areas, the routine use of this service will beautify your home or place of business. Stevens Paint and Wallpaper recommends that this service be performed annually or bi-annually for best results.

Please contact Stevens Paint and Wallpaper for more answers to your questions regarding pressure washing services. Some helpful information is presented below.

Pressure washing uses a very small amount of water under high pressure. Typically the pressure is higher for stone, concrete or brick and less for wood. This insures the wood does not splinter. The water used is often supplied from a common water spigot. For best results a specially prepared commercial solution (usually containing a small amount bleach), such as the product with the brand name of Jomax, is sprayed on the surface and allowed to remain for a short time. Prior to the time this solution has dried, the surface is pressure washed. This often requires processing in sections to prevent the solution from drying before being pressure washed. In addition, commercial solutions require a limited use time after mixing as well as a set soak time. It is during this soak time that the mildew is killed. Any solution not used that day should be discarded as the solution will chemically degrade.

• A pressure washer uses much less water than a hose alone. This means less chance of water making its way inside.
• A properly prepared solution will not harm plants. Commercial products when properly prepared, do not harm plants or paints, as stated on the label.
• Walkways cleaned of algae will be much safer for pedestrian traffic.
• Algae is harder to remove and may require more pressure and bleach or a second treatment.
• Pressure washers can reach and clean areas normally difficult to reach. A stream may reach 20 feet easily.
• Pressure washing is completed more quickly. Although costing more for equipment the results are better and the timesaving and ease considerable.
• Commercial preparations are generally safer to use.
• Using bleach alone is not recommended by the poison control center. Solutions made with commercial preparations contain much less bleach and are far more powerful, owing to synergistic effects, than homemade solutions.

The advantages of pressure washing are the removal of surface debris, spider webs, dirt dauber houses, dust, and tree pollen. House sills and screens having a coating of tree pollen may mildew more easily. The pollen is a growth medium for mildew, and subsequent coatings of pollen may become sappy, permanently staining the paint. Pressure from the pressure washer removes this pollen. Pressure washing is not a substitute for scraping loose paint or sanding. It may assist in removing loose paint, however.

Extreme pressure may result in damaged surfaces. Water under pressure is possibly dangerous.