Here’s how Pristine Clean can help you win the battle against algae
By Mimi Vanderhaven
Last year was one of the wettest years on record for Northeast Ohio, creating a perfect breeding ground for moss, algae, mildew and grime.
Take a walk around your house. There’s a good chance you’ll see moss on your siding, algae on your roof, mildew on your driveway, and grime—everywhere.
The constant freezing and thawing over the winter also helped keep our area soggy and wet, not to mention the lack of sunshine to dry things out.
“We’re absolutely on the front lines,” says Anthony Alberino, who along with Ken Wilson co-founded Pristine Clean back in 2008.
“We’ve never seen it this bad. The sun is finally coming out and homeowners are seeing how dirty their homes are. Our phone is ringing off the hook.”
But having your home professionally power washed is about more than aesthetics; it’s also about protecting your investment in your roof, siding and concrete.
Protect Your Siding
Without regular maintenance, important parts of your home break down and have to be replaced.
“Many homeowners are surprised to learn that vinyl siding is not completely maintenance-free, “Anthony explains.
“Sure, you don’t have to paint it, but you do have to clean it. Vinyl siding features a UV coating that prevents it from fading and cracking. Grime—that is, dirt, algae and bacteria—break down this coating causing your siding to fade and look chalky. It’s designed to be maintained, not with high-pressure blasting, but with soft pressure. We perform a soft-pressure wash using a mildewcide, which helps remove the grime and kill the algae and bacteria.”
Pristine also applies gloss-enhanced surface protection.
“It’s this special surfactant that makes your house look so shiny,” Anthony say, adding that the north- and east-facing sides of Northeast Ohio homes are particularly susceptible to grime. “Imagine never having your car washed or waxed. It would eventually destroy the finish.”
Protect Your Roof
Those black streaks on your roof aren’t dirt, stains from tree debris, or even unsightly mildew. They are gloeocapsa magma, an ancient algae that breaks down your roof by feeding off of the limestone granules embedded in the shingles.
“Gloeocapsa magma can dramatically reduce the life of your roof,” Anthony cautions.
“If you see black streaks on your roof, give us a call. We offer a 100% guarantee to remove all of the algae. We use a soft wash here, too, to avoid damage to your roof. And when that algae comes off, people say, ‘Wow, it looks like a new roof.’”
Protect Your Driveway
Northeast Ohio’s harsh winters chip away at our concrete sidewalks and driveways. That’s because concrete is porous, so when water penetrates your driveway then freezes, it creates cracking and flaking.
“The freeze-thaw cycle is especially damaging these days,” Anthony says. “It doesn’t get cold and stay cold like it used to; it’s constantly freezing then warming up all winter, magnifying the traditional freeze-thaw cycle. It’s like a jackhammer on your concrete.”
Pristine’s Concrete Clean and Seal—which protects concrete, brick, and paver surfaces—includes a pressure wash of your concrete with a walk-behind surface cleaner and the application of a biodegradable cleanser to gently lift and remove surface marks and contaminants. Then comes an application of a deep-penetrating, siloxane-based concrete sealant, which is absorbed into the concrete to protect the driveway and preserve its longevity. The side benefit is that the process leaves your surfaces free of ugly mildew and moss, particularly in shady areas.
Save Money Right Now
Pristine Clean employs a flat-rate pricing policy so no one in its organization is motivated to do what so many home improvement companies do: quote you an inflated price then hope you don’t negotiate down.
“That’s just not us,” Anthony assures.
“Forging trust with our customer is our top priority so we don’t rely on tricks or gimmicks. Educating the customer is key because the more you know about power washing, the more likely you are to choose us. We’re low pressure. We offer our honest pricing to every customer up front, period. Customers tell me all the time that they chose us because our people were the nicest. We love to hear that.”
Right now Pristine is offering the best price of the season: $70 off any single service; $100 off two services; or $130 off all three services—siding, roof and concrete.
Headquartered in Berea, Pristine Clean beautifies homes throughout Northeast Ohio. They are consistent winners of the Angie’s List Super Service Award and are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau. Call 440-454-7041 to arrange for a free estimate, or visit PristineClean.com. All technicians are bonded, insured and certified by the Power Washers of North America.