Pressure washing is a great method of cleaning up a house or commercial building as well as their surrounding landscape such as patios, decking, and walkways. Dirt, grim, grease, algae, mildew and other foreign substances find their way onto these surfaces, creating an unsightly look as well as causing structural damage. The use of a pressure washer to apply a detergent and other cleaning solution to the surface will not only help your home, building and surrounds look better, but this will also preserve the surface, saving you money in the long run.
Algae and fungus like mildew grow in shady areas where moisture is present. Often, northern sides of homes, decks and covered porches will be ideal areas for them to grow. It’s important to trim trees and bushes back from the house to keep air flow moving. This will help reduce growth of algae and mildew.
The key to removing algae and fungus from a structure like a home is to lightly spray on a detergent to remove grime, grease and dirt along with bleach as this will kill mildew. Be careful not to use TSP or Trisodium phosphate on homes. TSP can etch the glass on windows so it is best to use a substitute cleaner. TSP-PF (phosphate free) is better or there are several other detergents on the market, like JOMAX. Mixed with bleach, Jomax does a great job removing all foreign substances on a home, patio or deck.
Roofs can also be prone to algae growth. Algae grows by feeding on the organic material and moisture found in the roof shingles. The algae nestles in between the shingles protected from sun exposure allowing it to grow. It protects itself further from the sun’s rays by producing a dark streak. This is visible on roof tops as a black streak down the roof. Pressure washing a roof however is not recommended as it can damage the shingles and compromise the integrity of the roof. There are products that can be sprayed onto the roof which works into the roof and slowly kill the algae or fungus growth. The process can take a few days to several weeks to completely remove the algae and fungus.
If you wish to speak to a professional painter regarding pressure washing, please contact All Pro Painters at 781-449-7262 or email at AllProPainter@gmail.com.