Frequently Asked Questions
How long will my home remain clean after the service?
A. A good cleaning should last typically 12 months. Fascia and Soffitt may need to be cleaned more frequently due to pest accumulation. Factors that shorten or lengthen this time include:
- Exposure to sunlight, humidity, rain and warm temperatures,
- Shaded areas of the home/surface subject to humidity and moisture. Especially if plant life (trees and shrubs) are present.
What is Oxidation?
A. Oxidation occurs on siding when there is constant exposure from the sun and UV rays. Siding material such as Vinyl, Hardie plank, Aluminum, Gutters, Metals etc. are all susceptible to oxidation, some more than others. Heavily oxidized vinyl and hardie plank surfaces can still be washed to remove organic contaminants mold, dirt, mildew etc. but the oxidation will still be present after cleaning and more visible. We do not clean oxidized aluminum surfaces due to inconsistencies and blotched final appearance after cleaning.
How to test for Oxidation
A. If your home is oxidized, you can perform the finger swipe test. By wetting the tip of your finger or cloth, gently wipe a small section of the siding. If you notice white chalky reside on your finger or cloth the home is oxidized. You will see a clear path of where you wiped the oxidation off on the siding material. In order to restore the siding, the entire home usually has to be hand brushed panel by panel remove all the oxidation. This is a restorative service, not a cleaning service. During cleaning, Pro Flow Exterior Cleaning will make every attempt not to disturb the layer of oxidation during low-pressure rinse. This will reduce the apperance of blotchy/streaked siding. Once the siding has dried, all panels should be consisten in color and appearance.
What can be done to fix or prevent Oxidation?
A. Regular cleanings can aide in slowing the oxidation process, but unfortunately there is nothing long term that can be done to prevent it. There are steps Pro Flow Exterior Cleaning can take to restore the surface by removing the oxidation. Please call (910) 584-3245 with addition questions.
Does Pro Flow use Bleach during cleaning?
A. Its a bit more complex than Yes or No. We use a chemical compound call "Sodium Hypochlorite" which is a chemically modified version of bleach. It is a strong oxidizer and best suited for disinfecting surfaces and also used in swimming pools at (10% concentrate) to prevent algae growth. Although the chemical makeup is different, the recognizable odor of SH and Bleach are the same.
Can I use Household Bleach in my personal machine to clean my home?
A. No. We do not recommend anyone without correct knowledge of dilution ratios and application to use household bleach in your machine or spraying onto surfaces via pump sprayers. Household bleach is highly toxic and will discolor painted and wooden surfaces. It will also damage plants. Neither Bleach or any other chemicals should be ran through your pressure washing machine, but through downstream injection. Cleaning chemicals can be corrosive to pumps. We strongly advise consulting with a professional first.
Whats the difference between Power Washing and Pressure Washing?
A. Essentially they are the same. A pressure washer almost always uses cold or normal water while a power washer uses a high pressurized stream of hot water. Power washers are not related with cold water while "Pressure Washing" uses waters of any temperature.
I've seen damage to siding with High Pressure. Is your method safe for my Home?
A. Yes. Pro Flow has the experience and flexibility to control water pressure and chemical application of many surfaces. However, Low-pressure or Soft-Wash is frequently used in our cleaning process.
What areas of my home can be Pressure Washed?
A. Pressure Washing is ideal for many areas of the home including:
- House Siding
- The Roof of your home
- Outdoor Concrete surfaces, such as driveways, sidewalks, patios and porches.
- Gutters
- Composite, wood decks and fences
What about environmental hazards?
A. Yes, 100% safe and environmentally friendly. Pro Flow utilizes eco-friendly soaps and detergents that will not harm animals or damage plants under proper dilution and application. However, during "Roof Cleaning" a stronger concentration of chemicals is required. Pro Flow exercises caution when Pressure Washing by covering plants near the home to ensure there is no damage from run-off.
How is pricing of my pressure washing service determined?
A. The cost for each pressure washing service is unique and dependent on a number of factors, including home size, siding type, the condition of the home, surface area size and the time required for completion. Generally we can estimate some of these factors sight-unseen, but estimates are subject to change upon arrival.