| Power washing is the application of high pressure | | | | process more time-efficient. If you are dissatisfied, |
| water spray. Some of the most popular services | | | | don't hesitate in telling them so. In the long run you |
| include the cleaning of concrete patios, sidewalks, | | | | will have saved them both time and effort.Inquire |
| decks, house siding, entrance ways, and driveways. | | | | about Equipment. Is it owed or rented? Owed or |
| In the hands of a qualified pressure washing individual, | | | | leased equipment is evidence of a long term |
| the results can be astonishing, and well worth the | | | | commitment to the field of pressure washing. Renting |
| investment.However, in the hands of an unqualified | | | | shows only an occasional need for equipment. Also |
| person, the results can be quite devastating. Water | | | | ask about the extent or power of their equipment. |
| this powerful has the strength to cut wood and | | | | For most pressure washing jobs they will have |
| damage most surfaces. In the hands of the unskilled, | | | | equipment ranging at 11-15 HP (horsepower, |
| the risk of damage is greatly increased, if not | | | | strength), 3000-4000 PSI (pound per square inch, |
| inevitable. For homeowners previously unaware of | | | | force) and 3-5 GPM (gallons per minute, flow). While |
| this danger, it has cost them dearly. Don't fall victim | | | | for the most, they will not be using their equipment |
| to this.Pressure washing requires SKILL and | | | | at full power, equipment of this caliber provides the |
| KNOWLEDGE. No common Joe can move the spray | | | | head room and adequacy for doing business. A rating |
| wand more accurately, more consistently, and more | | | | of 2000 PSI and 2 GPM or less, is a residential grade |
| effectively, than the qualified power washing | | | | of equipment. It will not perform at the level of doing |
| specialist. Fail to realize the skill of the trade and you | | | | business (possible evidence of a substandard service |
| may be setting yourself up for unwanted | | | | provider).Get Referrals. These provide the consumer |
| dissatisfaction and costly damage.Finding a Qualified | | | | with a detailed track record of a contractors past |
| Power Washing Specialist.Educate Yourself. This is the | | | | work experience. Just remember, a pressure washing |
| primary defense in protecting yourself from | | | | business is called to perform any number of different |
| under-qualified and poor quality jobs. Once the | | | | cleaning services. Whether it be siding, decks, |
| consumer understands a service and what's involved, | | | | sidewalks, gutters, patios, or driveways, be sure the |
| they will be well equipped to distinquish cut-rate jobs | | | | referrals and references you receive are |
| from quality workmanship. Realize the possibility for | | | | representative of the service you desire. For |
| damage exists, and cut-rate performance increases | | | | instance, someone seeking deck cleaning should |
| your exposure to costly repairs. Knowing what's | | | | receive deck cleaning referrals, not vinyl siding |
| involved is your protection.Educate Yourself -Family, | | | | cleaning. As for a number of referrals, the more the |
| Friends, and Neighbors. There are several ways of | | | | better, but 6-12 should suffice. And don't forget, |
| educating yourself. First of which, is to consult your | | | | once you have the referrals, use them. Ask specific |
| friends, family, and neighbors. It may be that some | | | | questions concerning quality, workmanship, expected |
| of them are already familiar with the service you | | | | outcomes, cleaning procedures, business character, |
| desire. They may already be knowledgeable of the | | | | and satisfaction.Satisfaction and Billing Policies. A |
| application, procedures, outcomes, and liabilities of | | | | number of power washing businesses offer various |
| your situation. They may even refer you to a | | | | policies that help ensure customer satisfaction. One |
| qualified contractor. Likewise, they may advise you | | | | of which, is the suspension of billing until job |
| to avoid a certain business that is notorious for poor | | | | completion and customer satisfaction. Ask the |
| service.Educate Yourself -The Internet. There is a | | | | contractor, in the event of customer dissatisfaction, |
| wealth of information pertaining to power washing on | | | | what their policy is.Insurance. Check to see if your |
| the Internet. This page and many others supply | | | | contractor carries liability insurance. A qualified |
| information for both the homeowner and the | | | | pressure washing contractor, realizing their |
| professional. Check pressure washing home pages, | | | | responsibility, will have taken the time to protect |
| consumer groups, and bulletin boards. All of these will | | | | both themselves and their clients from possible |
| help. Simply type "power washing" or "pressure | | | | on-site accidents, injury, or damage.Be Present at Job |
| washing" in any major search engine or try the other | | | | Duration and Completion. This is your way of |
| consumer guides provided by Carved Stone | | | | observing work activity as it takes place. It gives you |
| Publications to get yourself started.Educate Yourself | | | | an idea of what is involved in pressure washing and |
| -Keep Your Eyes Open. As you commute across | | | | allows to see cleaning results as they occur. Quite |
| town, keep your eyes open for pressure washing | | | | often, the results in cleaning are remarkable and the |
| specialists at work. Don't be afraid to approach them | | | | consumer should experience this process first hand. |
| and inquire about their service. This is an excellent | | | | You actually see the effectiveness and value of the |
| time to see the process of power washing at work | | | | service for which you will be paying. It settles the |
| as well as to ask any questions you may have. Most | | | | mind, knowing you have received good service for |
| power washing contractors should be very excited | | | | your hard earned dollar. Being present also allows you |
| to explain their service, its strengths and its | | | | to head off any problems and catch any areas that |
| limitations.Educate Yourself -Talk to the Pros. Refer | | | | may be missed or improved upon. A contractor is |
| to your Yellow pages (Deck Cleaning, Pressure | | | | much happier to improve such areas (ensuring |
| Washing, Power Washing, Water Pressure Cleaning, | | | | satisfaction) during the job, than to return later in the |
| etc.) and any other advertisements you may | | | | future. Returning consumes enormous time and |
| encounter. From these, contact several pressure | | | | effort for which the contractor is probably not |
| washing contractors, inquiring about service, | | | | getting paid. Again another benefit for both |
| consultation, and estimates. Even if you receive a | | | | parties.Summary.A quality power washing specialist |
| beautiful flier on your doorstep, be sure to call other | | | | will have several key characteristics. First, they know |
| contractors. This is your greatest protection. Talk to | | | | what they are doing. They are familiar with their |
| multiple contractors, asking them specific questions | | | | service, the industry, and what's involved in each. |
| on service, procedures, expected outcomes, and | | | | Second, they have the resources in equipment, skill, |
| possibilities for damage. Together you will receive a | | | | knowledge, and talent to do the job you desire. |
| more complete picture of the service, weeding out | | | | They perform their job with quality workmanship and |
| obvious inconsistencies in service.Meet the Contractor | | | | professionalism. They are responsible for the work |
| During the Estimate. Meet the contractor | | | | they provide and are committed in following through |
| face-to-face during the estimate. By doing this, you | | | | on quality and satisfaction. They take great care and |
| and the contractor will take the time to evaluate the | | | | pride in the service they provide. In all, the quality |
| site together. This betters the channels of | | | | power washing specialist looks to develop long term |
| communication between the two parties, and | | | | relationships with their clients. They are present both |
| reduces errors in the estimating process. Besides | | | | now and in the future for follow-up and continued |
| improved communication, this is perhaps the best | | | | service. They will not abandon their clients, never to |
| way to judge the character and overall presentation | | | | be heard of or seen again. Basically, in pride, they |
| of the pressure washing contractor.Risks and | | | | stand behind the work they do.Our company wishes |
| Expected Outcomes. A qualified contractor will take | | | | the best in finding a professional power washing |
| the time to review your site, ask questions and seek | | | | service. We welcome the input of those who seek |
| out areas of concern. They will listen to your every | | | | to improve our industry and help the fellow |
| word and interpret the service you desire and | | | | consumer. Thank you.Power Washing is an excellent |
| expect. In turn, they will also review with you, the | | | | method of of removing dirt, mold and mildew which |
| strengths and limitations of their service.Get Written | | | | causes the deterioration of your homes exterior |
| Estimates. Having a detailed written estimate | | | | surfaces. Whether your home is wood frame, brick, |
| protects both you (the consumer) and the pressure | | | | siding or stucco power washing will clean and restore |
| washing contractor. It should explicitly state the | | | | its original beauty and remove unsightly stains.Deck |
| desired service, expected outcome and complete | | | | wood on patios turns a greyish color after being |
| costing in time and material. Keep in mind, less cost | | | | exposed to a harsh Chicago winter for a couple of |
| can mean (and probably does mean) less quality and | | | | years. Power washing will expose the beauty of the |
| service. Basically, you get what you pay | | | | natural wood grain which is being masked by dirt, |
| for.Procedures Listing. For popular and frequently | | | | tree sap etc.This cleaning will also curtail premature |
| demanded cleaning jobs (i.e., deck cleaning/refinishing), | | | | wood rot and decay which would be much more |
| a pressure washing contractor may supply a | | | | expensive to remedy. Power washing is also |
| procedures listing. This brief listing outlines the steps | | | | effective for cleaning concrete. Whether you are |
| that will be taken during your particular job. It may be | | | | trying to clean your patio stairs or walkway its |
| a separate sheet or part of the estimate. In either | | | | appearance will greatly improve after power |
| case, this can be a very helpful tool in comparing one | | | | washing.Aluminum and vinyl siding can also retain its |
| service to another, understanding the entire process, | | | | new look by regularly power washing it with a mild |
| analyzing cost comparisons, and weeding out possible | | | | detergent. Siding is meant to be a lifetime |
| low quality service providers.Ask for a Demonstration. | | | | improvement to the exterior of your home (low |
| This is not always required, but if you are not sure | | | | maintenance) so why not take care as such with a |
| about job outcome or expectations, a demonstration | | | | regular cleaning schedule (once or twice every couple |
| of a service may settle your mind. Make a | | | | of years).Power washing can be very effective in |
| demonstration mandatory if you can not be present | | | | removing deposits prior to a painting job on the |
| at job start-up or if the service has few job | | | | exterior of your home.The longevity of your new |
| satisfaction policies. As a note, demonstrations take | | | | paint job will be greatly enhanced because the sub |
| an enormous amount of time from the contractor. | | | | surface was properly cleaned and prepared. A mild |
| Often they will try to forgo demonstrations, asking | | | | cleaning in the years to come of your new paint job |
| the client to be on-site during the estimate and/or | | | | will also lengthen the life span of that new paint |
| job startup in order for you to evaluate work | | | | work. A-1 Window Cleaning & Power Washing CO. |
| performance. This is not uncommon. Quality pressure | | | | We are located in Moberly, MO. serving Mid-Missouri |
| washing contractors are in high demand and are very | | | | and Central Missouri area. |
| busy. They are just trying to make the whole | | | | |