King of concrete protection

It’s hard to believe, but summer is almost over. NFL preseason football has already started, most kids go back to school next week, and area stores are already displaying their Halloween decorations.

This means autumn will be here soon, so it’s time to start working on your fall home maintenance to-do list, including scheduling power washing and sealing your concrete surfaces.

“It’s hard to imagine while you’re standing on it, but your concrete driveway is actually porous,” explains Ken Wilson, founder of Pristine Clean, the largest locally owned power-washing company in Northeast Ohio. “In winter, water seeps into these pores deep within your concrete, then freezes. When water freezes, it expands by almost 10%. This expansion creates cracks in your driveway, eventually reducing it to rubble.”

Pristine Clean helps protect concrete by cleaning and sealing it. So not only does your driveway look clean and like new, but it’s also protected.

The Science of Sealants

“After cleaning your driveway, it’s important to use the right sealant,” Ken says. “We use a combination of silane and siloxane. These compounds are chemically similar, but silane molecules are smaller and penetrate more deeply, while siloxane provides broader surface protection. Together, they form an invisible, hydrophobic (water-repellent) barrier within the pores of the concrete, reducing water absorption and protecting against freeze-thaw damage, deicing salts, mold and mildew.”

Why Start Now?

Although Pristine Clean washes and seals concrete surfaces well into the fall, it’s important not to wait too long. “The silane-siloxane sealant is actually a chemical reaction,” Ken explains. “In order for it to properly activate and create an appropriate chemical bond, it shouldn’t be too cold. Cleaning and sealing your driveway when it’s warmer is the ideal situation.”

Enjoy the Rest of Summer With a Clean Home

The good news is that summer is not completely over. We still have several weeks of nice weather to enjoy the outdoors in our own backyards. This is even more enjoyable when our homes are sparkling clean, rather than dull and dirty from grime, mold and mildew.

To clean and protect your home’s siding, Pristine Cleans follows a three-step process:

1. Pristine’s technicians start by applying an algaecide. “We begin with a safe and effective algaecide that softens mold, mildew, algae and grime before we turn on the machines,” Ken explains. “This allows us to perform a ‘soft wash’ that cleans your home without the dangers of excessive pressure.”
2. Next comes the actual power washing. “We use modern, leading-edge equipment to get the job done right,” Ken says. “Each year during the offseason, we purchase new equipment and trucks and ensure our technicians are well-trained on the latest technology. This makes each project better, safer and more efficient.”
3. Third, apply a sealant. “Just like with concrete, sealing your siding is an important final step in the process,” Ken adds. “We apply a surface protectant that forms a barrier on your home to help it look and stay cleaner longer. It also protects your siding from UV radiation that can cause fading.”

Don’t Forget the Roof

If your roof is stained with mildew or shows the telltale black streaks caused by Gloeocapsa magma, an algae that feeds on the limestone in asphalt shingles, Pristine can help. The company’s techs eliminate these black streaks with a safe and effective soft roof wash and even offer a roof restoration service called Roof Renew, which applies a soy-based shingle rejuvenation to restore the shingles’ original flexibility and function, adding up to 15 years to the life of your roof.

Pristine Clean Power Washing

Serving all of Northeast Ohio

440-454-7041

PristineClean.com