The Benefits of Pressure Washing and Hiring a Business to Do it For You
When many homeowners think of ways to make their homes look better, they consider getting services like lawn maintenance, gutter cleaning, window washing and home cleaning. While all of these services are necessary, many homeowners fail to consider their sidewalk and siding and what condition it is in. Simply put, having siding that is in good condition is a necessity, as siding that is in bad condition will be more prone to issues such as mold, which can be a problem for those who are allergic to it. There are many benefits to getting pressure washing done by a professional, as you’ll find out in this article. Four Benefits of Pressure Washing - It’s Not as Expensive as Replacing Things Outright. Does your siding look like it’s been there for a long time and is in desperate need of replacement. Or how about your deck-does it look like the wood needs to be re-stained? These are both signs that your siding and deck are in need of maintenance. A lot of people assume that when the condition of anything on their hope deteriorates, it’s automatically time to replace it. But a good pressure washing can restore your deck, siding or sidewalk to its original condition because the wash removes dirt and many other things that can make your deck, siding, or sidewalk look in worse condition than it really is. - It Gets Rid of Harmful Mold. It’s a fact that many homes have mold of some kind on them, which can trigger allergic reactions. If you’ve felt like your home is making you sick, it could very well be a mold build up on the outside. Pressure washing is able to cut through mold and grime and remove it in a way that is safe and will be beneficial to both you and your home. - Extends the Life of Roof Shingles. Replacing the roof on any home is a very costly thing, and a build-up of mold is a common cause for shingles that need to be replaced a lot more often than they should. Fortunately, pressure washing-even on roofs-can get rid of the mold and greatly extend the life of the shingles, saving homeowners thousands of dollars in potential repairs. - Better Insulation and More Energy Efficient. Improper home maintenance can result in a home that is poorly insulated and will cost a lot more to keep warm. Due to the rising cost of energy, having a properly insulated home is essential, and believe it or not, pressure washing can aid in this. That’s because pressure washing gets rid of things that can affect the insulation of the home, both on the roof and on the siding. Why to Hire a Professional to Pressure Wash In some instances, doing things yourself can save money and time, but not when it comes to important home maintenance like pressure washing. It’s far cheaper to hire a professional business to do your home’s pressure washing, as you won’t need to buy the special equipment they use to get it done. You’ll also save time, as you won’t have to spend hours doing it yourself. Finally, the results will last much longer than an amateur job would.
Performance Solutions From Bosch Appliances. Increasing the Washing Capacity Without Effecting the Environment
The new SoftSurge™ drum system for better cleaning results – asymmetric paddles and ‘rain-drop’ drum surface provides power for heavy-duty jobs, while being gentle on your clothes. The advanced Water Flow system distributes water and detergents more efficiently through the Wash, reducing soaking time. The new door design guides your laundry towards the centre of the drum, avoiding snagging of small items. This is a first for Bosch washing machines. Main features include:Sensitive programme – excellent for allergy sufferersAqua Plus option for best rinsing resultsWash Plus system for A-class wash performanceFreshen Up programmeDelicates Silk programmeHandwash programme for wool15 ‘Clothes Care’ programmesSafeguard monitoring system adjusts load distribution and programme settings to protect clothesCold fill with Performance Enhance to assist with stain removalVery quiet noise levelCold fill – saves energy by heating only what it needs Extra large drum up to 8kgSuper Quick 15 for light loads (2kg) packs a wash, two rinse cycles and improved rinse spinning into only 15 minutesPower Wash 60 programme gives an A-class perfomance wash within 60 minutes (5kg loads)LED display with programme status by iconExpress Wash system with up to 40% faster programme timesTime delay 1-24 hoursPause option to open door early in the programme to add or remove washingMixed load programmeReduced ironing – reduces creasing for easier ironingExtra large porthole door with 180° opening makes laoding and unloading exceptionally easyClear text and symbols on the fascia to ensure ease of useSensor electronics monitor and adjust for optimised wash performance, which means you get a great wash every timePerfect-rinse detergent drawer – Bosch jet-inlet sprays in every corner of the specially shaped detergent drawer thoroughly rinse away detergent – so no more sludgy residue in the drawer at the end of the wash. All Bosch appliances have a 2 years manufacturer warranty as standard in the UK.
The Price Of Pressure Washing
We’ve all seen the yard signs or posters hanging on a telephone pole that read “House washing $79″ or maybe “Any deck any size $99″ or some other service for an unethical price.
So what is the difference in the $99 service versus a more premium service besides the price? After all, pressure washing is easy and anyone can do it right? Wrong! Those that have hired the company advertising a ridiculously low price have more times than not had a bad taste left in their mouths afterwards.
Let’s first understand why someone offers such a low price. Most people pondering the idea of going into business have certain traits. They are leaders, they enjoy people and the community, and they enjoy helping others.
Most serious business owners do not just jump right into something without first researching the venture, doing a market analysis, writing a business plan, and having or getting some business capitol to start up with.
These are just the general basics of going into business for yourself. After researching and consulting with others in the industry the serious contractor is ready to start putting his plan to action.
The proper equipment is bought, the proper licensing and insurance is put into place, classes for certification may be taken to ensure proper techniques, an advertising budget is set aside, an office is set up, the personal finances are all in check, and money is put back for lean times.
With all the right elements and attitude the contractor knows that it has to be all about the customer if his company is going to prosper. He is ready to provide a top quality service with exceptional attention to the customer. He knows what his numbers are and what he needs to charge to keep the company profitable enough to remain in business.
The contractor offering the unbelievable low price has probably not taken even half of these steps. He is the guy that might have just lost his job or thinks it will be an easy money making venture. Their focus is not long term its fly-by-night. They don’t haggle with the cost of insurance thinking they will get it later after they are profitable.
They have not researched and have no business plan, and like a captain of a boat without a map, they are at the mercy of the sea. They have no scheme how to sell value to the customer by offering benefits and an excellent service. Their market strategy is to get jobs by offering a price lower than all of their competitors.
It’s one of the most common mistake new business owners are guilty of. It’s not only tempting because it’s easier than selling value but it makes sense to think you can low ball your competition and get all the work.
Their mentality is “hey $20 an hour is better than I was making. ” Some even go as far as to call their competitors and pose as a potential customer just to get a price so they can beat it. Eventually they figure out it doesn’t work like this and they start to become overwhelmed with all the business expenses. They never imagined falling behind on their own personal finances too. They can’t really make sense of what is happening because they don’t understand the numbers.
All they know is that they are working from sun up to sun down, so to combat their downward spiral they are forced to start cutting corners on their services and that is where the home owner gets burnt. There are thousands of horror stories of unethical exterior cleaning companies damaging customer’s homes and properties.
The sad part is it gives the whole pressure washing industry a bad name. By hiring a company with cheap equipment, far from perfect methods and no insurance the home owner is left in disarray and with a negative perception of professional power washing.
Please be cautions of the ridiculously low price in any industry, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Remember that you can’t get a Cadillac for a Volkswagen price. Your home is your largest investment so by working with a more qualified, professional exterior cleaning company you can be sure you will get the excellent service that you expect.
Knowing The Pressure Washing Industry
The industry of pressure washing or power washing has never been considered, by most, to be a serious profession. With typically low start up costs, many fly by night companies come and go leaving a bad taste in the mouth of many unsatisfied customers. It happens in all industries, but the pressure washing industry seems to attract almost anybody out of a job or sick of working for the man.
A couple hundred dollars and a trip to the local home improvement store to purchase a pressure washer, and they are in business. They hit the road running with the attitude that they are going to be the next millionaire. On a shoestring budget, they print up their own fliers to hang on telephone poles and go knocking door to door asking for work only to be let down by an enormous wave of no’s.
To combat their lack of marketing and sales knowledge, many of these companies fall into the trap of offering a lower price than the competition, or low balling in a desperate attempt to get work. They offer ridiculously low prices and then have to take short cuts in order to make a profit. Many of them can’t afford general liability insurance or workman’s compensation insurance so they operate without it.
With their less than mediocre equipment and knowledge, they damage your property and give you a horrible service. Some of the horror stories my customers have told me about their past experiences with one of these types of companies are disturbing to say the least. From blowing out people’s window screens to leaving wand marks all over their vinyl siding or scarring up their expensive decks to putting an inferior sealer on it.
I’ve heard it all and the scarier part is; what have these kinds of companies done to their property that they didn’t see? Things like forcing water in behind the vinyl siding by using too much water pressure or using only water to clean the home, meaning the mold and mildew would return in a few months because it was never killed and because they did not apply a protective wax to prevent re-growth. I’ve heard of some unethical contractors cutting their customers deck stain 50% with mineral spirits to cut down own their costs.
Some even skip the important step of wood brightening or neutralizing during the wood restoration process. All this boils down to giving the pressure washing industry a bad image, which breeds more fly by night companies with the misconception that pressure washing is easy and that anybody can start up with a few dollars and do it. It also forces a lot of homeowners to result to doing their own pressure washing which can be dangerous and definitely painstaking.
The pressure washing industry, in my opinion, is in need of an organization or association that could require contractors to become licensed. Such an organization could set in place rules and guidelines and offer testing and membership opportunities. This would help homeowners in choosing only a reputable company that would meet these guidelines or that were licensed. There have been attempts by organizations in this industry in the past, but their focus has gone off course and contractors have turned their backs on them.
There is a ban of reputable pressure washing contractors, spread out all over the country that I believe are the future and possibly only hope of this industry. They network by internet, phone, informal meetings, conventions, and round tables during all times of the year. They provide free information to each other and to new contractors interested in pursuing a career in pressure washing.
Many have participated in what they call “labor for learning” where they invite a new, inexperienced contractor to come and work with them, and unselfishly show them the ropes in trade for some labor. This is a great concept because there is no better way to learn something than by hands on experience. Others have also given away free valuable information through formal and informal presentations at round table meetings, helping to shave years off of the learning curve of newer contractors.
Many also give away their knowledge by participating on message boards on the internet, helping others on a daily basis. They network together to hone their own skills and to teach others the correct methods and techniques that are involved in providing a quality pressure washing service. This is all in an attempt, by people who are passionate about what they do, to solidify the professionalism of the pressure washing industry in the eye of the public.
Make $450 or More Per Job – Start a Pressure Washing Business
The Pressure washing business is a great opportunity for anyone that wants to make either a part or full time income. Here are 5 important reasons explaining why it’s profitable to start a pressure washing business.
You can make $450 dollars or more for simply pressure washing a home. On average it takes 4-6 hours of work to finish pressure washing a residential home around 2000 square feet. That comes to on average $75 dollars an hour just for doing residential work. The commercial work is even more lucrative. In rich neighborhoods it is often acceptable to charge higher prices per home.
There is low overhead when operating your own power washing business. The maintenance costs required for operating a pressure washer is typically low and insurance costs are not high when compared to other small businesses. Compared to owing a brick and mortar store, the pressure washing business costs and overhead doesn’t even compare. You don’t need to maintain a store or pay expensive monthly rental fees. The main monthly costs for a pressure washing business are insurance, marketing costs, and equipment maintenance.
The pressure washing business isn’t as competitive as many other small businesses. For example if you compare the pressure washing business with the landscaping business you will find far greater competition in the landscaping business. To verify this look in your newspaper for landscaping business ads and then check for pressure washing business ads. Chances are you will find less competition.
The startup costs for a pressure washing business are lower than most other small businesses. You don’t need to invest $10,000 dollars to get started in the power washing business. A lower investment means less risk in case your business fails or the market isn’t as good as you expected. Many people fall into the trap of believing they need the best, most expensive equipment on the market in order to run a successful power washing business. The truth is you can run a successful business and be highly efficient by using average or used equipment provided the equipment operates properly.
The pressure washing business allows repeat business. Clients you do work for will often as you to come back in 3-6 months if you do a good job. Also there will always be work available. Mold, Algae, and dirt are never going away. There will always be another residential or commercial building that needs to be pressure washed regardless of your competition.
Things to Protect while Pressure Washing Your Home!
Pressure washing, popularly called power washing is a wonderful way to clean your house exterior, sideways, walkways, patios, fences, decks and prepare them for new paints or refinishing. The power washing refers to spraying of water in most cases mixed with detergents with high velocity to clean the dirt, chalk like residue, grime, deteriorating paint from surface, and others. Pressure washing is the first and best method to ensure that the coating of new paint will last longer in your home. It is a great way to give thorough cleaning and prepare it for refinishing or repainting. Spraying water at high speeds does the job. But while power washing your home you must take care of certain areas. You should know where you should not use the power jet spray of water to clean the dirt or other such materials. It can be used on siding materials, like wood, vinyl, metals, masonry; but you cannot use it on hardboard or other such materials which need protection from moisture like stucco. Such materials easily get degraded and defaced by water and its high speed impact. If you feel that the previous paint of your home has higher amount of lead and it dates back to some decades ago, then you should be very careful with pressure washing. It is better if your hand over the job to some experience and safer hands than doing it yourself. Leave this job and better engage in some other washing. The professional will take care of it. Safety Operating of Pressure Washing Machine or AppliancesPressure washing is not a child’s play you should be careful with it and appliances while you use it to remove dirt and clean your home. You should always use the equipment with both hands, and never use it on a ladder. Always keeps someone professional or expert in pressure washing nearby when you use the equipment to handle emergency situations. Point the nozzle at least three feet away from the wall and then move closer; don’t spray water on windows panels, the glasses may break with force and come hurling at you to hurt you. Also keep the direction of the nozzle in right direction to avoid spilling and unnecessary push of water under a siding. And more than that the nozzle should never be pointed at anyone when open because the high speed of water and detergents can create trouble for the one who faces it. Don’t jet water at electrical equipments, or naked electric wires. Always wear spectacles or glasses while you use pressure washing equipment. Always keep in mind the following to protect certain things in your home while you use pressure washing:Protect lighting fixture, plants, lamps and any breakable objects around you from pressure washing. Remove obstacles with hands that come on your way and temporarily remove outdoor furniture from edifice. Always clean from top to down and maintain 45 degree angle of water spray. Always dispose of the remaining water with detergents and chemicals properly. Connect the garden hose to the pressure washer. If the apparatus has a detergent dispenser, pour in cleaning solution, preferably a mixture of TSP and water. Proceed with the cleaning from the top down. Wield the wand at a 45 degree angle, and direct the water jet at overhangs, soffits, downspouts and gutters. Then “spray brush” sidings with a steady, side-to-side sweeping motion. The nozzle should be around two feet away from the wall surface, but you can fine-tune this distance by moving slightly backward or forward to obtain optimal cleaning action. As much as possible, aim the spout slightly downward to avoid blasting water up beneath horizontal lap joints of sidings. When cleaning areas around windows, hold the wand in such a way that the water streams at an angle away from windows so water doesn’t get through unsealed in-between spaces surrounding the frame. With a garden hose, rinse the cleaning solution off the sidings with clear water, again working from the top down. If you intend to apply a fresh coat of paint, give the sidings no less than two days to dry up completely.
Enhance Your Power Washing Business With Pressure Washer Accessories
Once you’ve made the initial investment of a good, powerful pressure washer it will benefit you to take some time to explore all of the pressure washer accessories available. Pressure washer accessories can optimize the list of services you can offer customers and put you ahead of your competitors. Pressure washer accessories, such as GFCI cords and plugs, brass couplings, hose restrictors, good pressure gauges, winterizing kits, battery boxes, unloader valves can extend the life of your existing equipment. They can also just simply make your job easier and more professional looking. To expand the list of services you offer, consider adding a sand blaster (medium to heavy duty equipment is available) or sewer jetter (can clean pipes and tubes from 1” –6” in diameter) to your system. Chemical injectors are a necessity when you need the extra cleaning power of chemicals. There are high or low-pressure chemical kits with adjustable chemical injectors. There are metering valves, nozzles for distance or maximum pressure, and systems that save your pump, lance, hose and gun by having the chemicals by-pass them. Add the service of duct cleaning to your repertoire, and shine above the competition even more. Made to be corrosion-resistant and with self-lubricating bearings, the Swiss made carbide swivel duct cleaner is one great pressure washer accessory. Working with hot or cold water, duct cleaners clean any kind of duct, vent, chimney, or chute. And don’t forget the market for cleaning restaurant hoods and trash chutes and even kegs and barrels. Some surfaces can be cleaned with pressure and cold water alone, but many cleaning jobs will go faster with (and some downright require), hot water. If you don’t yet have the power of hot water, it should be one of your next pressure washer accessories. There are many types to choose from that can be added to existing cold water pressure units. If you want to help the environment, there is another good pressure washer accessory to help you do so. The “wash water filter system” protects the environment by re-using wash water that has been filtered. When power washing floors, driveways, or any flat surface, this system harbors, collects, and then filters the dirty water. Using portable dams and drain covers, and a closed vacuum, state-of-the-art filter, and holding tank system, this wash water filter set-up makes sense economically and environmentally too. For ease, comfort, and professionalism, there are pressure washer accessories such as foot valves (lets you operate the pump from a distance), extension wands and brush attachments, carts, skids, hose reels, magnetic starters, and so much more they are hard to list here. It will benefit the pressure washer owner to know of the many accessories available and their applications. For instance, by checking out the accessories available, you would learn that simply adding a rotary nozzle would increase cleaning power and efficiency for large, flat surfaces. A rotary nozzle uses centrifugal force and is 200% more efficient than a 25° flat fan nozzle. Rotary nozzles come in small (2,500 psi), medium (3,000 psi), large (4,350 psi) and extra large (5,000 psi), and there is a stainless steel, super-heavy-duty (7,350 psi) rotary nozzle. Of course, the pressure washer accessories list includes replacement parts—from engines and pumps (and parts for them), through to tires for hose reels and hardware for all mechanisms.
