Wash, Protect, Renew: More than just a power washing
By Mimi Vanderhaven
What do you get when you cross warm, wet and dark? The answer: grime—including dirt, mildew, algae and moss.
“The warm March and wet April created a perfect storm,” explains Pristine Clean founder Ken Wilson. “Plus, the lack of sunshine in April prevented our siding, roofs and concrete from drying out and that has allowed mold and mildew to run rampant. It’s a busy season already. Our phones are ringing off the hook and our 20 trucks are out in the field all day every day.”
Thankfully, over the winter, Pristine added trucks and leading-edge equipment, and remodeled and enlarged their Berea headquarters, all in an effort to increase capacity. And it worked.
“We don’t like telling homeowners they have to wait for service,” Ken says. “Instead, we add staff and equipment, become better and more efficient and meet the demand.”
Enhanced Curb Appeal
Eliminating grime for your home is one of the most affordable ways to make a dramatic improvement in its curb appeal. “Removing dirt, mold and mildew from your siding—along with spider webs and stains on your gutters—makes a big difference,” Ken agrees. “Power washing can return your home to its pristine glory without the hassle and expense of painting or replacement.”
Training, Training, Training
Unlike many simple home maintenance tasks—such as mowing the lawn or spreading mulch—power washing requires skill, training and experience. Without this professionalism, the amateur can destroy siding, tear window screens, blast away mortar between bricks, kill shrubs and bedding plants, and leave unsightly lines in concrete surfaces.
This is why Ken puts so much emphasis on training.
“Our training program isn’t once and done,” he explains. “We’re constantly training. We have an intensive two-week course for all new technicians, plus our crew leaders do ride-alongs with all of our techs. Every day they go from job to job helping their team members improve skills and tweak techniques. It’s the only way we can assure the level of quality that we insist on.”
700 Google Reviews
And it must be working. Pristine has more than 700 Google reviews with an average rating of 4.9 stars. “We obviously love getting 5-star reviews, but the most telling feedback is when a homeowner isn’t perfectly satisfied and we circle back and fix whatever the issue is,” Ken says. “Then they change their, 3-star review to 5 stars. That says volumes about a company’s commitment to customer service. That’s what we do. We value our reputation so much. It instills a sense of pride in all that we do.”
If you’re wondering whether to power wash your home this spring, know that the service is about more than aesthetics. Yes, a sparkling clean home is important, but power washing is also about protecting your siding, roof and concrete surfaces.
Let’s look at all three:
- 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,” Ken explains. “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—breaks 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 mild mildew-cide, which helps remove the grime and kill the algae and bacteria.”
- 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,” Ken cautions. “If you see black streaks on your roof, give us a call. We offer a 100% guarantee to remove all of the algae. And Pristine’s new roof renewal system can add 5-10 years to the life of your roof. It includes a roof wash plus the application of a 100% natural, plant-based bio-oil to restore your shingles’ flexibility and help hold granules in place. It’s an ideal alternative to a costly roof replacement.
- 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. 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.
Add Years to the Life of Your Roof
Before spending a bunch of money replacing your roof, consider a leading-edge roof restoration service. The new, Pristine Roof Renew is an asphalt shingle rejuvenator that extends the life of your entire roof for 5 to 10 years. The soy-based, eco-friendly application works by restoring lost oils to the shingles, dramatically increasing their flexibility and durability.
The application also waterproofs the surface of your roof and reduces the effects of oxidation and bacteria growth.
Here’s what company founder Ken Wilson said about treating his own roof:
“Before we even considered this new service, I tried it on my roof and was astonished at the results. My roof is 15 years old, the shingles were dull and brittle, and grit was coming off. Now, a year later, the color is still rich, the shingles still have good elasticity, and the grit is adhering much better. The service saved me thousands of dollars over a roof replacement, so now we’re offering it to all of our clients whose roofs have seen better days. And with over 12 million tons of non-recyclable shingles filling our landfills each year, it’s an environmentally-friendly option.”
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 440-595-3958 to arrange for a free estimate, or visit PristineClean.com. All technicians are bonded, insured and certified by the Power Washers of North America.