As millions of Americans gear up for their big 4th of July celebrations... Window Genie's here to remind you to celebrate responsibly & safely. Be prepared, be smart, and have fun! Continue reading "Fourth of July Safety Tips"
Your driveway is grimy and covered in potentially dangerous and corrosive or acidic chemicals, dirt, sand, salt and more. The hazards of ignoring a dirty driveway and the benefits of routine pressure or power washing are numerous. Routine pressure washing doesn’t only benefit the current homeowner but can also impact the value of the home and increase the overall curb appeal of the property. Cleaning concrete periodically will extend its service life and enhance its beauty. It can be difficult to tell when concrete is in need of cleaning because the dirt and grime can build up so slowly. However, once the process is done, the results of freshly cleaned concrete are undeniable.
Want the freshest looking house on the block? Rain isn’t going to take care of those black streaks on your roof and siding. Everything from your driveway and sidewalks to your patio and deck, roof and house siding can be expertly restored by our team of trained professionals. Need to boost curb appeal because you’re selling your house? The condition of your home’s siding, deck, patio and driveway are all under a microscope during an open house and during inspections. A dingy, dirty, cracked, moldy home does NOT sell. As with window cleaning, regular pressure washing keeps your home’s vinyl, wood, concrete and brick surfaces not only looking good, but in great working condition. Allowing years of dirt, grease and grime to cake onto and penetrate these surfaces will surely lead to irreversible damage that prospective home buyers WILL notice. Potential home-buyers want to envision themselves enjoying the new home, they do NOT want to envision themselves moving in and inheriting a mess of expensive fix-ups.
Contrary to popular belief pressure washing can be done year round. As long as the temperature is around 40 degrees Fahrenheit there won’t be any issues with ice. The most ideal time to pressure wash, however, is during the spring and summer months. During the warmer wetter months algae and mold will begin to grow. This is also a great time pressure wash because this is when pollen is usually at it’s highest. Power washing can improve your allergy symptoms. If you’re used to suffering from bouts of sneezing every time you step outside, there could be more at play here than just the trees and flowers on your property. Pollen, mold, and dirt stuck to your house and concrete could be the sources of your allergies, which disappear completely after having your home or business pressure washed.
The first thing you will want to do is to remove everything that might be in your way. Move cars, furniture, grills, any decorations, plants, etc. If you don’t have a pressure washer and you are planning on doing it the old-fashioned way, grab a push broom and sweep the concrete. This will get any big chunks and help you avoid getting things like nails and glass into the yard or street. Next, put a tarp over any delicate plants and anything else that might get damaged from the chemicals. Finally, cover any electrical cords and outlets. If a scrub brush and bucket sound like too much work. You can rent or buy pressure washers from many big-box stores. Big-box department stores carry cheap models, while hardware stores typically have higher quality versions available. Garage sales, rental shops, and family equipment loans are the most common way that people get their hands on their first pressure washer, and that can be a problem. Outdated or unregulated models could pose a safety hazard both to you and your property. Try to find models with modern safety features such as quick-release triggers, warning labels, ground-fault circuit interrupters, temperature control switches, unloader valves, back-flow protection, rupture disks, and thermal overload motor protection. If your model lacks any of these, look elsewhere.
As far as chemicals are concerned there are many options. pH-Neutral cleaners are mild and are most commonly used for cleaning interior concrete like garages. These cleaners will not remove heavy grease or embedded dirt. Acidic cleaners are much more powerful and are great at removing tough stains. Alkaline cleaners are used to remove oil and grease.
Who Should Clean My Concrete?
Pressure washers have become extremely popular rental options among homeowners looking for fast and efficient cleans. Pressure washing your siding, deck, and driveway is extremely effective if done correctly. Unfortunately, many are unaware that there are different types of equipment meant for different surfaces… and that without proper training, one can easily damage their property. Pressure washing concrete isn’t as difficult as washing your deck or siding. But there are still difficulties.
Many DIY pressure washers also only load their washer with water. Without the proper ratio of cleaning solution mixed in, your cleaning effectiveness will be significantly reduced, and probably lead you to apply too much pressure to make up for lost power. Water-only mixtures also spread mold spores around. The extra pressure and mold-related damages can cost you big money.
Many homeowners will find that once the cost of the rental, transport to and from the rental location, and a wasted day’s effort are factored together, they would have been better off investing in a Window Genie house pressure washing service. When first-timers try and fail with DIY attempts, this cost-effectiveness ratio is skewed even more, so that they end up paying big repair money for what was a long, hard day that produced a sub-par clean.
Nothing better than investing in a product that pays for itself over time, right? Even better when said product offers a bevy of additional benefits you can enjoy for years to come. Window film does just that!
One of the easiest and most cost effective ways to save money on energy bills is to have a professional apply solar control or insulating window film. While window film saves money on utility bills year-round, the cost of cooling one square foot is about five times the cost of heating the same space. It's important to note the immense benefits of heat rejection and how it will significantly cut down energy consumption during the summertime. Continue reading "Window Film: It Pays For Itself!"
Have you ever noticed the ceiling of some porches painted a pale blue color? This old southern tradition has gone mainstream, and the popularity of blue porch ceilings is on the rise. If you need help warding off evil spirits, mosquitoes, wasps, nighttime, or other pests... read on. Continue reading "Old Wives’ Tale, or Brilliant Hack: Why Are People Painting Their Porch Ceilings Blue?"
Memorial Day is around the corner! Most of us will have an extra day off of work, and you may be planning a get together with friends and family to enjoy the warm weather - and pool season is officially upon us! When pool season comes around there is a sense of excitement in the air. But if you are the one who has to open and maintain the pool it can be a sense of dread. There are no good or safe shortcuts to opening a pool. But there a few tips and tricks that can help the process:
Continue reading "Is Your Pool Ready For Memorial Day?"
With spring being the best time of year to sell your home, many of you may find yourselves moving somewhere new this month. Sending your loved ones off with a simple, "good luck!" isn't going to cut it. Here's a list of 7 traditions, or superstitions, to bring good fortune with you as you start fresh! Continue reading "7 Lucky Superstitions for Your New Home"
Spring isn’t just the time for cleaning, it’s also a great time to liven up a bland room. While you're cleaning and removing the dust, you can add something special to a room that can change the entire vibe of the room. The important thing is to have a plan. It’s easier to make good on any redecorating project if you have a game plan intact. Continue reading "6 Ways to Add Flavor to Your Bland House"
Many homeowners believe a foggy window is a dirty window. Unfortunately, the real answer is far worse. Double-pane windows utilize two pieces of glass that have an airtight seal between them. This seal is designed to lock the air in so it can act as an insulator. This is why they are so popular. When this seal is damaged trouble seeps in. Continue reading "How to Clean Double-Pane Windows"
Your home’s siding does more than just make your house appealing to look at. There are several non-aesthetic purposes for siding, like lowering energy bills, protecting the frame of your home against the elements, and keeping away pests. So keeping your siding in good repair is important. But at some point, your siding may begin to fail. So what are the signs that your siding might be losing its integrity?
Continue reading "5 Signs Your Siding is Failing"
Chances are you look out your windows every day and don’t actually think about how they were designed. Windows play a huge role in your home, yet they are perhaps the least understood. Windows serve a variety of purposes. Some windows are for protection and some are just for decoration. Most windows are designed to bring the most light possible into your home and to allow for ventilation. These diverse types of windows offer something special to your home. Continue reading "How to ID the Different Types of Windows"
