stewart-pressure-cleaning

How to Pressure Wash Pavers for a New Look

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 08:26:19 GMT

Cleaning your pavers can make a BIG difference in the way your home looks.

If your patio pavers are looking a bit worse for wear, power washing them may be the solution you're looking for. Power washing is a great way to clean and restore patio pavers to their original condition. By using a power washer, you can quickly and easily remove built-up dirt, grime, and other debris from the surface of the pavers. This will also help to remove any staining or discoloration that may have occurred over time.

Pressure washing your patio pavers is a simple and effective way to give them a new lease on life.

The DIY Option:

To power wash your patio pavers, you will need a power washer and some detergent. You can rent a power washer from most home improvement stores. Be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions carefully before using the power washer. Once you have your power washer and detergent, mix the detergent according to the manufacturer's instructions and fill the power washer's tank with it.

Next, position the power washer so that the nozzle is pointing down at the pavers and turn it on. Start washing the pavers from one end to the other, using a back and forth motion. Be sure to hold the power washer at least 12 inches from the surface of the pavers to avoid damaging them. Once you have power washed all of the pavers, rinse them off with clean water from a hose or power washer.

Hiring a Pressure Washing Service:

Most professional pressure washing services will be able to do the job faster, and more effectively because they have better equipment and access to the proper detergents and solvents.

In addition, they are trained to know the best approach for the particular type of pavers you have, and they're able to clean your house, sidewalk, driveway, roof, pool surround, etc. while they're already at your home.

Another thing to consider is just how physical and messy it can be to power wash your pavers. In most cases, there are months (years?) of grime, mildew, mold, dirt, and other contaminants that are embedded within the pores of the pavers. It's hard work and tedious to do if you're not used to working in this environment.

Once you have your patio pavers clean, ensure the pavers to dry completely before walking on them or placing furniture on them. Power washing your patio pavers is a great way to clean and restore them to their original condition. By taking the time to power wash your pavers, you can enjoy them for many years to come.

Thanks for reading! We hope this blog post was helpful.

If you're ready to give your pavers the pressure cleaning they deserve, call us for a free quote .

LIVING IN FLORIDA: WHY DOES MY HOUSE EXTERIOR GET SO MILDEWED?

Tue, 18 Jan 2022 22:47:24 GMT

When people move to Florida from other places, they are often surprised at how quickly their home's exterior needs to be cleaned. Why does this happen? Florida has a lot of rainfall and much more humidity than northern and western areas. Once your house, driveway, or pool deck get wet, the mildew formation process begins. We also tend to get algae build-up much worse in Florida.

What is Mildew?

Both mold and mildew are types of fungi that love any moist, humid environment. Mildew stains are unsightly and can take over your outdoor surfaces if left long enough and can appear green or dark (almost black). Stucco surfaces usually fall victim to the darker mildew.

What is Algae?

Algae is the green film that grows on so many outdoor surfaces in our yard. Some surfaces will build up only algae while others build up mildew. We have actually seen algae growing on top of mildew on driveways that have been neglected for too long! Vinyl siding usually turns green, as well as screen enclosures.

What Can You do About it?

Regular pressure washing! In Florida, we need regular cleaning to maintain a clean look and to protect our homes from the damaging effects of mildew and algae growth. At Stewart Pressure Cleaning, we do low-pressure chemical cleaning on most surfaces. We use just the right amount of pressure to clean your surfaces without damaging your home. We also use just the right concentration of cleaning agents to remove mildew and algae from your home and keep it from returning quickly. We can help you keep your home looking great while helping your paint and other coatings last longer. We provide very effective cleaning that is safer for your house! Learn more about the importance of low-pressure cleaning here.

Keeping Home Exteriors Clean in Jacksonville Area

Part of living in beautiful north Florida is the mildew and algae that seems to grow on everything. But don’t worry - that’s why we’re here. We’ve been pressure washing in Jacksonville, Florida, and the surrounding areas for more than 20 years. We clean all types of textures, from delicate coquina to brick, stucco, vinyl siding, and everything else!

If you would like to hear what our customers are saying about us, please check out the Reviews page on our website. And if you are ready to get an estimate or schedule your cleaning service, please call us at (904) 379-3830, or fill out our form on the Get Estimate or Schedule Now page.

IMPORTANCE OF LOW PRESSURE CLEANING

Sat, 06 Feb 2021 22:43:47 GMT

In Florida, with our high levels of moisture, it is imperative that we pressure wash the exterior surfaces of our homes, roofs, sheds, decks, and driveways to avoid buildup of algae and mold. The problems many homeowners face is knowing who to call and what processes are best.

While looking for easy ways to clean the exterior of homes, you will find there are many options for cleaning, and it can get confusing. Unfortunately, though, many of these can actually cause serious damage to your home. Power washing, pressure washing, and pressure cleaning are all the same thing and are the best ways to clean your home. But there are two main types – high pressure cleaning and low pressure cleaning. While the natural instinct may be to use high pressure to clean more deeply, it can also cause extreme damage to sensitive areas such as roofs, coquina siding, brick, windows, and even stucco.

Low-Pressure Cleaning vs High-Pressure Cleaning

Low-pressure cleaning is the best to use for the exteriors of homes and always for roofs. Combined with the proper chemicals, low pressure does an exceptional job of removing dirt, algae, and mildew from siding and painted surfaces, including easements, brick, vinyl siding, coquina siding, stucco, window seals, and roofs. This is especially true when you have your home cleaned at least once a year and avoid buildup of dirt and grime. To achieve low-pressure washing, professionals use a low setting on their power washing machines and custom soft washing cleaning solution.

Because high-pressure cleaning can easily cause damage-sensitive areas, it should be limited to tougher surfaces, such as concrete driveways and sidewalks. The deep cracks in sidewalks collect a great deal of dirt and oil that are best removed using high-pressure cleaning.

We Use Professional Pressure Cleaning Machines

As you may have guessed, there are major differences between the type of pressure washing machines most homeowners get versus the ones professionals use. Our pressure cleaners are used for both low-pressure cleaning and high-pressure cleaning. Our low pressure is typically run at 150 psi, similar to that of a water hose, but with a volume of closer to 9.5 gallons per minute. By comparison, if we use our machines for high-pressure washing, we could literally strip the paint off metal (easy to see why high-pressure cleaning in the wrong hands can be quite damaging!), which is why we are very selective about when and how they are used. Even if you use a rental machine, it could easily cause damage to your delicate areas, especially siding and roofs. This is why recommend hiring a professional who knows what settings and chemicals to use with each surface and situation.

Low Pressure for your Roof

Asphalt shingles are one of the most delicate building materials negatively impacted by high-pressure cleaning as the limestone in the shingles can easily get knocked loose from the pressure. Low-pressure roof cleaning with the appropriate soft washing chemicals avoids this damage, and is generally recommended by most shingle manufacturers.

Low Pressure for your Home

Low pressure cleaning is the most effective and efficient way to remove dirt, algae, and mildew from your home. Using this process, we safely clean all outside home surfaces, including brick, stucco, coquina, vinyl, wood, and more.

Save the high pressure washing for your concrete driveway and sidewalks! (And, note, driveways are included in our home cleaning services!) Call 904-379-3830 for an estimate or to schedule an appointment today.

AREAS OF YOUR HOME THAT SHOULD BE REGULARLY PRESSURE-CLEANED

Fri, 09 Nov 2018 22:36:20 GMT

When you see your house façade getting yellow or darkening with time, you probably wish you had a magic wand that could take care of that and bring your house to its former glory.

We can offer a simple, magical solution to the problem: you can, and should, pressure clean your house. It will bring the same desired results, albeit with a little extra effort.

How often should you pressure wash your house?

You can spruce up your house exterior once or twice a year. If you’re starting to notice that your house used to be much lighter, then it’s definitely the right time to break out the pressure washer.

Furthermore, if you’re prepping your house for an external paint job or a sale, pressure washing is an excellent idea. Here are the areas of your home that should be regularly pressure washed.

Siding

You should pressure clean the siding of your home at least once or twice a year. If you have vinyl siding, you know how quickly it retains dirt. You can easily restore it and make it look brand new. Just remember to start at the top and work your way down.

Brick and concrete sidewalks

Sidewalks, pathways, and driveways get dirty almost in a blink of an eye. If you regularly pressure wash your driveways and sidewalks, your property will look more appealing. Furthermore, you won’t spread that dirt around. Rain, snow, mud, and mildew growth sometimes leave your outdoors looking like an abandoned lot. However, you can restore them to their original state and color with just one pressure washing session.

Wood patios

Wood tends to darken with age. However, a pressure washer can do wonders for the color of your patio. Still, you have to make sure that you aren’t holding your washer too close and that you don’t apply to much pressure. Wood isn’t as sturdy as concrete, so be mindful, or you’ll end up with a splintered patio.

Painted surfaces

Even if your home is painted, you should still regularly pressure clean it. If you hire a a professional pressure cleaning company like ours, we will leave your house clean and your paint job untouched.

ADDING CURB APPEAL TO YOUR HOME

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 21:31:31 GMT

6 steps to immediately improve your curb appeal:

The curb appeal of your home will not only make it look more pleasing and enticing, it will have a substantial impact on the resale value of the property. Homeowners who plan to sell their properties often strive to add curb appeal for greater value appreciation. Every house will need some kind of renovation or upgrade in the long term to retain its curb appeal or to don a new look. Here are six ways to add curb appeal to your home.

Paint the exterior. This is the most obvious of all the strategies. It is important to mention that you cannot paint the exterior if parts of the façade are damaged. So you need to repair the exterior wherever necessary, perhaps replace some of the siding if it there is visible or structural wear and tear, upgrade some windows if needed, and replace flashing or anything atop the roof that would otherwise ruin the aesthetics of a newly painted house.
A lawn or landscape is a quintessential element of curb appeal. Not every property will have a sprawling lawn or garden. You don’t always need an elaborate feature. Potted plants, manicured grass or well pruned shrubs can be sufficient to add curb appeal to your home. Keep your driveway neat, the fencing or the boundary wall well-maintained and try to add some color. Just as you would repaint your house for a dash of hues, you must go for some flowering plants that will make the setting brighter and livelier.
Give it a bath. Your home is probably dirty. Don’t take it personally, but years of dust, pollen, tree sap, and dirt accumulate on your exterior and roof, which makes it look old, dull, and tired. Simply hiring a professional to pressure clean your house will improve its appeal and make it look years younger.
Pay attention to the roof. A new roof can make a huge difference on the curb appeal of your home. Roofs usually don’t need to be replaced unless they are too old and are at risk of falling apart. Replacing a few damaged shingles or tiles from time to time suffices for most homeowners. Aging roofs don’t contribute to curb appeal. In fact, they can counter the other strengths. It is almost futile to repaint the entire exterior and not touch the old roof. It would just look odd and the resulting impact on curb appeal may be stringently limited.
Use smart lighting to enhance the curb appeal after sunset. There should be some lights for security and safety. Also use a few for decorative purposes. There are accent lights and other affordable solutions that do not consume much power but accentuate the setting.
Clean up the driveway and garage. The driveway and garage are two features of homes that are almost always noticeable from the roadside. A neat driveway with recessed lights, a prim garage with a sleek door, and timely maintenance of the entire gateway will add curb appeal to your home.

AFFORDABLE DIY HOME IMPROVEMENT IDEAS

Sat, 05 May 2018 12:46:03 GMT

8 ways to improve your home today…

Do you want to make your home in Jacksonville more beautiful and lively? Well, let’s consider some affordable home improvement ideas that will make your home just awesome.

1. Paint your walls

We cannot explain the power of paint in words. If you apply a coat of paint to the washed-out walls and the rustic trim, you will see the magic. You can even do the painting yourself, just pick up a paint bucket and start painting. Instead of using the same paint on all the walls, you can also experiment with different shades.

2. Power clean your home’s exterior

A much cheaper solution to painting the exterior of your home is to hire a power washing company like ours in Jacksonville to pressure clean of your home. Using mild detergent and low pressure settings, go over your home’s exterior in order to remove dirt and grime. While you’re at it, power wash your driveway as well, or hire us to do the job professionally. The costs are minimal compared to the improvement in your home’s appearance.

3. Decorate one wall with wallpaper

Putting a wallpaper on one wall of a room is a great idea for a quick makeover. Don’t experiment with wallpapering over the entire room. It will turn out to be a disaster unless you know what you’re doing. Choose affordable material and aim for simplicity to give charm to the entire room by putting wallpaper on only one of the walls. It will suit the room better if the paint on the other three walls is plain. You can ask an interior designer’s help to get guidance for choosing the wallpaper. You should also check whether the wallpaper matches the other furnishings in your house.

4. Increase the storage space in the kitchen

It doesn’t matter whether your kitchen is small or large. Whichever it is, there should be enough space to store everything. You can utilize the corner spaces by installing shelves to keep the spice bottles, dishes, cookware, etc. Keep separate shelves for the items that are frequently used versus items that are not often used.

5. Polish your floors

Nothing can beat the elegance and beauty of a wooden floor. However, because of the regular exposure to dust, dirt and foot traffic, it will become dull. You can make it as beautiful as the day it was installed by applying polish made for hardwood floors. Simply polish your floor once in a year.

6. Make the front of your home more attractive

If the front portion of your home is uninspiring, there is no reason to modify the whole building. You can transform the front entry with some minor changes.

First, apply a fresh coat of nice paint.

Next, you consider the front door. It is the primary feature of the front of your home. If it is a wooden door, you can polish it to give it a new look. If the door is painted, give it a strong color like red or black.

Change out the old mailbox, house number, light fixtures, etc. You can do all this yourself or together with your family members.

Next, consider the walkway towards your house. If it is a plain concrete walk, consider adding bricks or pavement tiles. A beautiful lawn on both sides will always give your home an impressive look.

7. Organize your closet

A well-organized closet will give enough storage space, and it will simplify the cleaning process. You can do inexpensive wire shelving systems which are easy to install and will not collect dust particles like solid shelves. Give space for shoe racks, belt and tie racks, etc. and try to use each corner and leftover space efficiently.

8. Bathroom makeover

Nowadays, people are giving much importance to the aesthetics of bathrooms. Old bathroom accessories and faded paint will make a dull impression. Consider replacing the towel bars, soap stand, faucets, etc. and apply a new coat of light grey paint. It will give your bathroom a fresh and clean look. You don’t need to seek external help for modifying your bathroom. If you have a screwdriver and paint brush, you can do it yourself. You can also consider replacing the floor tiles if they are too outdated.

ROOF CLEANING: THE ONLY GUIDE YOU NEED

Wed, 01 Mar 2017 13:46:04 GMT

Roof cleaning is pretty straightforward once you understand the right steps to follow, but it isn’t a job for people who are busy (because it is time-consuming), or for those who may not want to walk around on a wet, slippery roof.

Nevertheless, we’re going to show you the ropes so you will have a general idea of what roof cleaning involves. Once you’ve read about what’s required, you’ll be able to decide whether or not it is appropriate to do it yourself or outsource the task to a professional roof cleaning company in Jacksonville.

It’s generally safer to pay someone else who is a pro to take care of things for you. However, it is possible to do it yourself in a safe and efficient manner, as long as you have a good pressure cleaner and put safety first.

Now, we’d like to talk about the best way to get the job done…

Purchase a Roof Cleaning Solvent

There are a lot of roof cleaning solvents on the market and you’ll be able to find a good one online if you desire. Hardware stores and pressure washing supply companies around Jacksonville should also sell these products. You will have tons of choices.

Once you apply the solvent with your pressure cleaner (you have your own pressure cleaner, right?), rinse off the roof gently but thoroughly enough so that no chemical solvent remains, and you’ll enjoying a cleaner roof in no time flat.

So, it’s really a three-step process. Clean up any debris that is on your rooftop and discard it. Then apply the solvent to the rooftop as the instructions tell you to. After it sits for the allotted period of time, rinse it off.

If you do decide to outsource the job to a Jacksonville pressure cleaning company, you will find that it is possible to get a much more comprehensive cleaning. The best roof cleaning contractors will have years of experience and will bring the right machines, tools and solvents with them. They may also offer other related services, such as house and driveway pressure cleaning.

Clean Your Roof Today

When working, use a safe ladder which has met all industry standards. Also consider doing it with a buddy, as it’s always safer to work with a partner. You should use a safety harness which holds you fast to the roof if you’re planning on working up high. People have fallen, and it is very preventable.

Now that you know the steps, you are ready to move forward and clean your roof. You won’t need to prepare much as long as you have all the tools and supplies. However, you should make sure to have the right ladder and safety equipment.

If you’d rather have us clean your roof and/or home and driveway, please get in touch for a free estimate.

FOUR WAYS PRESSURE WASHING CAN IMPROVE YOUR HOME'S VALUE

Thu, 09 Feb 2017 13:46:04 GMT

Whether you’re looking to sell your home or simply want to have the nicest house on the street, it’s important to consider every way to get your house looking its best. One thing that a lot of people overlook is pressure cleaning their home’s exterior. Hiring a local pressure cleaning company is easy to do, and can really raise your home’s curb appeal and overall value.

Here are four ways that our service can add value to your home:

1 . Power wash your sidewalk

Nothing screams “fixer upper” like a dingy sidewalk leading up to your house. Just like the red carpet at star-studded events, your sidewalk invites guests to come up to your porch. When weeds or green scum have started to grow, your sidewalk looks dirty and unwelcoming. We will get it looking as good as new, which will make a great first impression.

2. Wash your siding

We see it all the time – the homeowner who decides to rent a power washer and by using the wrong technique, chemicals, and pressure, they destroy their home’s siding. We have invested in professional-grade equipment to handle this task without damaging a client’s home. With our process, we can remove all of the dirt, green scum, and stains off of your house in a gentle fashion. This accumulated grime is really prevalent in Jacksonville thanks to our weather patterns and lush greenery. You may not even remember the original color of your siding, but it will look amazing when we are done.

3. Protect your roof

Everyone looks at the roof when thinking about buying a home. It would be silly not to, as it protects the inside of the house and its contents and can cost a lot to replace. It’s not a good idea to have things growing on your roof, no matter how small they are. There will probably be mold on the shaded areas of your roof, stains from decaying leaves, and sap deposits if you have a pine tree beside your home. If you are preparing to put your home up for sale, no matter how much they love your house, prospective buyers will not love a dirty roof.

4. Shine up your fence

In general, fences can add a decent chunk of value to your home, but only if they’re in good condition. A faded and gray wood fence will reflect badly on your home as a whole and make it look dingy as well. We can make the fence look new again without even lifting a paintbrush. A good bath in our specially formulated components followed by a thorough pressure wash will make it stand out and your home will look even more inviting.

Don’t just stop at these four areas if you decide to pressure wash your house. Make sure that you tackle the driveway as well to get rid of the dirt and grass that can collect on it. We also clean upstairs windows to get them looking their best.

Interested in improving your home’s appearance and value? Get in touch for a free estimate.