PRESSURE WASH MYTHS

As you read in the About Us section of the Home page, my background in this industry is extensive and includes the manufacture of cleaning compounds. There are a lot of misconceptions about pressure washing. The most common involve Pressure and Bleach. These two subjects encompass a variety of well founded fears such as paint and material damage, killing plants and shrubs, environmental damage, and windows.

Bleach


Bleach is really little more than salt. In fact, most leading brands explain on the package that when diluted sufficiently, the product is reduced to the equivalent of sea water. However, if not thoroughly rinsed away, bleach (salt) may kill the plant life it comes into contact with. Roman soldiers once salted the fields of conquered villages so that nothing would grow as a means of domination and control of commerce.


 

A popular chemical among pressure washing outfits is Tri-Sodium Hypochlorite (aka Bleach times 3). First off, this is way to strong. Secondly, detergent isn't being used. Bleach is not detergent and only bleaches or kills the mold and mildew. Detergent is needed to help clean away what's been bleached. Once most detergents have been mixed with bleach, the two eventually neutralize each other. What isn't completely rinsed away will be rendered neutral soon enough.


 

I would argue (and demonstrate) that for residential cleaning purposes, Clorox and Tide laundry detergent, at the right ratios to water, are more than sufficient when coupled with the correct means of delivery and proper rinsing system.


 

Bleach is also notorious for leaving nasty and hard streaks on windows. Many of my competitors are using bleach that is much too strong but they are also using pressure washers that lean more on pressure than water volume. Low water volume coupled with lack of patience during the rinsing process results in burned plants and streaked windows, even when using chemicals that aren't so strong. I understand that over half the job is rinsing. Rinsing reveals the results of every effort made up to that point. Low pressure, comparatively high water volume, patience, and a little bit of Jet Dry rinsing agent all help to ensure a job well done during that crucial final stage.
See the Housewashing section of the Home page.

 

Another Myth…

 

Concrete stains, particularly those made by oil, are nearly impossible to clean. Concrete is like a sponge, it sucks up everything. For this reason, oil stains are often inches deep into the concrete depending on density and time. These stains can often be cosmetically improved but rarely ever completely removed. And when I say concrete sucks up everything, I mean everything liquid but also energy! For example, leave a live car battery on a concrete floor and over night, the energy will be drained from it. If your not going anywhere in the morning, give it a try.




 

Call today (919) 306-4215 or click to get a free itemized estimate!