The industry of pressure washing or power washing has never been considered, by most, to be a serious profession. With typically low start up costs, many fly by night companies come and go leaving a bad taste in the mouth of many unsatisfied customers. It happens in all industries, but the pressure washing industry seems to attract almost anybody out of a job or sick of working for the man.
A couple hundred dollars and a trip to the local home improvement store to purchase a pressure washer, and they are in business. They hit the road running with the attitude that they are going to be the next millionaire. On a shoestring budget, they print up their own fliers to hang on telephone poles and go knocking door to door asking for work only to be let down by an enormous wave of no's.
To combat their lack of marketing and sales knowledge, many of these companies fall into the trap of offering a lower price than the competition, or low balling in a desperate attempt to get work. They offer ridiculously low prices and then have to take short cuts in order to make a profit. Many of them can't afford general liability insurance or workman's compensation insurance so they operate without it.
With their less than mediocre equipment and knowledge, they damage your property and give you a horrible service. Some of the horror stories my customers have told me about their past experiences with one of these types of companies are disturbing to say the least. From blowing out people's window screens to leaving wand marks all over their vinyl siding or scarring up their expensive decks to putting an inferior sealer on it.
I've heard it all and the scarier part is; what have these kinds of companies done to their property that they didn't see? Things like forcing water in behind the vinyl siding by using too much water pressure or using only water to clean the home, meaning the mold and mildew would return in a few months because it was never killed and because they did not apply a protective wax to prevent re-growth. I've heard of some unethical contractors cutting their customers deck stain 50% with mineral spirits to cut down own their costs.
Some even skip the important step of wood brightening or neutralizing during the wood restoration process. All this boils down to giving the pressure washing industry a bad image, which breeds more fly by night companies with the misconception that pressure washing is easy and that anybody can start up with a few dollars and do it. It also forces a lot of homeowners to result to doing their own pressure washing which can be dangerous and definitely painstaking.
The pressure washing industry, in my opinion, is in need of an organization or association that could require contractors to become licensed. Such an organization could set in place rules and guidelines and offer testing and membership opportunities. This would help homeowners in choosing only a reputable company that would meet these guidelines or that were licensed. There have been attempts by organizations in this industry in the past, but their focus has gone off course and contractors have turned their backs on them.
There is a ban of reputable pressure washing contractors, spread out all over the country that I believe are the future and possibly only hope of this industry. They network by internet, phone, informal meetings, conventions, and round tables during all times of the year. They provide free information to each other and to new contractors interested in pursuing a career in pressure washing.
Many have participated in what they call "labor for learning" where they invite a new, inexperienced contractor to come and work with them, and unselfishly show them the ropes in trade for some labor. This is a great concept because there is no better way to learn something than by hands on experience. Others have also given away free valuable information through formal and informal presentations at round table meetings, helping to shave years off of the learning curve of newer contractors.
Many also give away their knowledge by participating on message boards on the internet, helping others on a daily basis. They network together to hone their own skills and to teach others the correct methods and techniques that are involved in providing a quality pressure washing service. This is all in an attempt, by people who are passionate about what they do, to solidify the professionalism of the pressure washing industry in the eye of the public.
Pressure Washing Vinyl Siding
When many homeowners think of ways to make their homes look better, they consider getting services like lawn maintenance, gutter cleaning, window washing and home cleaning. While all of these services are necessary, many homeowners fail to consider their sidewalk and siding and what condition it is in. Simply put, having siding that is in good condition is a necessity, as siding that is in bad condition will be more prone to issues such as mold, which can be a problem for those who are allergic to it. There are many benefits to getting pressure washing done by a professional, as you'll find out in this article.
Four Benefits of Pressure Washing
- It's Not as Expensive as Replacing Things Outright. Does your siding look like it's been there for a long time and is in desperate need of replacement. Or how about your deck—does it look like the wood needs to be re-stained? These are both signs that your siding and deck are in need of maintenance. A lot of people assume that when the condition of anything on their hope deteriorates, it's automatically time to replace it. But a good pressure washing can restore your deck, siding or sidewalk to its original condition because the wash removes dirt and many other things that can make your deck, siding, or sidewalk look in worse condition than it really is.
- It Gets Rid of Harmful Mold. It's a fact that many homes have mold of some kind on them, which can trigger allergic reactions. If you've felt like your home is making you sick, it could very well be a mold build up on the outside. Pressure washing is able to cut through mold and grime and remove it in a way that is safe and will be beneficial to both you and your home.
- Extends the Life of Roof Shingles. Replacing the roof on any home is a very costly thing, and a build-up of mold is a common cause for shingles that need to be replaced a lot more often than they should. Fortunately, pressure washing—even on roofs—can get rid of the mold and greatly extend the life of the shingles, saving homeowners thousands of dollars in potential repairs.
- Better Insulation and More Energy Efficient. Improper home maintenance can result in a home that is poorly insulated and will cost a lot more to keep warm. Due to the rising cost of energy, having a properly insulated home is essential, and believe it or not, pressure washing can aid in this. That's because pressure washing gets rid of things that can affect the insulation of the home, both on the roof and on the siding.
Why to Hire a Professional to Pressure Wash
In some instances, doing things yourself can save money and time, but not when it comes to important home maintenance like pressure washing. It's far cheaper to hire a professional business to do your home's pressure washing, as you won't need to buy the special equipment they use to get it done.
You'll also save time, as you won't have to spend hours doing it yourself.
Finally, the results will last much longer than an amateur job would.
Adam Maxwell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Marketing, Joint Venture and Home Management. Discover one of the best gutter cleaning and companies at. Adam Maxwell's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.
