Avoid being ripped off by power washing contractors.

Pressure washing Tips and information.

Tip #1 ~ Low Price – Unbelievably low priced power washing. Remember the old adage “never go with the lowest bid”? It still holds true. Just like with Auto Body, Plumbing, Electrical work, or any other service, you should get at least 3 bids. Typically, you throw out the lowest bid, and end up somewhere in the middle. Sure we are all attracted to low prices because we want to work within a budget, but even with pressure washing, there is a difference. Most low price bidders are hoping that price alone is your only concern, and then they either add on services, or have to cut corners to make a profit. Professional Pressure washing is not as cheap as these guys would like you to believe. In this business, you really do get what you pay for.

Tip #2 ~ Power washing companies who claim they specialize in “hot water pressure washing.” This is often a major focus of ads, or claimed by contractors in their sales pitch to you. The truth is that hot water should not be used in most residential applications as it can cause damage to plants and shrubs, wood in fences and decks, asphalt shingles, and can warp your vinyl siding. While hot water power washing does speed up the cleaning process, the risk of damage is to great, and it should only be used appropriately. If the right chemicals are used, even with cold water, the end result will be the same as if hot water was used, but without the risk of damage to your valuable property.

Tip #3 ~ Claiming that power washing your deck is easy. The belief that you just need to pressure wash your deck, and use an expensive sealer. The #1 reason that sealants of patios or decks fail is because they are not properly prepared. Wood must be treated properly to ensure the sealant adheres to it. The reality is that if the deck or patio is not properly prepared, the quality of the sealant does not matter. In order to properly apply a sealant, the old sealant must be stripped. This involves more than just turning up the pressure. A stripping agent must be used.