A-1 PRESSURE WASHING & ROOF CLEANING
PRESSURE CLEANING, SOFT WASHING & SAFE "NO PRESSURE" ROOF CLEANING
NORTH PORT|PORT CHARLOTTE|PUNTA GORDA|FT. MYERS|VENICE|ENGLEWOOD|SARASOTA|BRANDENTON|LAKEWOOD RANCH
Residential - Commercial
Office: (941)270-0742 Cell:(941)815-8454
LICENSED | INSURED | WORKERS COMPENSATION | PLANT FRIENDLY CHEMICALS
|
-
What is Soft Washing?
- Soft Washing provides amazing exterior cleaning results without the use of extremely high pressure.
- Eliminates the potential for DAMAGE that pressure washing can cause. It is safe and effective for cleaning any type of siding, including; stucco, stone, brick, vinyl, aluminum, and wood.
- We achieve these results with low pressure pumps, producing pressure about the same as your garden hose.
- We combine the use of these pumps, and proprietary, professional cleaning solutions. We custom mix these solutions on site for each property's specific cleaning needs and maximum results.
- Feel free to browse through our site to see great before and after cleaning pictures to see the difference we can safely make to your home without high amounts of pressure
|
Roof Cleaning Report - What are those black streaks on my roof?
Here at A-1 we provide our customers with the highest quality roof cleaning available. Even though we are a pressure washing company, we do not use a pressure washer to clean dirty roofs. We only use the approved methods by the R.C.I.A. ( Roof Cleaning Institute of America) and the A.R.M.A. (Asphalt Roofing Manufacures Association) for proper removal of algae and mold from shingle, tile, and slate style roofs.
What are those black streaks on my roof?
The proper term is Gloeocapsa Magma, it is an airborne algae so it can land on any roof with no rhyme or reason, though it does seem to be more prominent in areas holding a lot of trees or where shade is prevalent and moisture tends to accumulate the most. Once the roof algae lands on the roof it will have to be killed and removed properly by A-1 or it will continue to spread, it will never get better or just go away on its own. It needs to be professionally cleaned to be completely removed. The algae feeds on the nutrients in the shingles, as it rains the water spreads the algae down the roof causing black streaks on your roof and concrete. If not taken care of it will take over the entire roof and driveway in a few short months or years turning the whole surface black and green.
Besides looking very unsightly and diminishing any home's curb appeal & value, what other damage can roof algae do?
When roof algae is not properly taken care of they stop the shingles from reflecting heat from the sun's UV rays. When this happens it will affect your home's heating and cooling costs without you even realizing. Also because the shingles cannot reflect heat they start to diminish prematurely causing you costly damages to your roof shingles.
Signs of aged and worn out shingles
We do not recommend cleaning shingles that are in need of being replaced. If you're not sure if your roof needs replaced or cleaned, here are some signs of an aged roof:
- brittle or crumbling shingles
- excessive amount of shingle granules in your gutters
- bottom corners of shingled curled up
- wavy, warped, or heaved shingles
- very thin or loose shingles
If you are still unsure about the status of your roof, we will be glad to evaluate it for you. We will not clean shingles that need replaced, because cleaning the roof won't solve the problem if the shingles are aged. On the other hand, if you call a roofing contractor, you may not get the whole truth and may be persuaded into replacing a roof that only needs cleaned.
50% of roofs are replaced due to the way they look
This is not because of their functionality. Half of the roofs ever replaced in the Midwest didn't need replaced, only cleaned. Just as mold and mildew can grow on your vinyl siding, wind blown algae can land and grow on your roof causing black streaks and discoloration. Replacing your roof because of this algae is like replacing your siding instead of having it cleaned; it just doesn't make sense.
Some roofing contractors don't know what these black streaks are, saying it's the asphalt showing through the shingles or that it's water stains. Some contractors may know it's algae but tell you it can't be cleaned without damaging the shingles. In either case, they may tell you that the roof needs replaced. This is not true if your shingles are still in good shape. The algae can be killed and removed properly without damaging the shingles using a low pressure chemical application (recommended by shingle manufacturers).
Never use a pressure washer on your roof!
Pressure washing is never recommended to clean a roof because it will remove a large amount of the ceramic coated granules from your roof shingles and protective coating on tile roofs, which will void the roofing warranty and cause costly damages. Even low pressure will cause roof granule loss and shorten the life of your roofing shingles.
If you have ever cleaned out the inside of your gutters you will notice dislodged roofing granules in them just from the rain taking them off. Think what any additional high pressure would do to your roof. For instance, you see someone cleaning a roof in Florida with a pressure washer and it appears they have done a good roof cleaning job just because the black streaks and roof discoloration are gone, but guess what? So is a large amount of the roofs protective ceramic coated granules which insure your shingle's warranty.
Nobody wants to replace a prematurely failed roof due to an incompetent roof cleaning contractor, and you shouldn't have to.
Always use a 'chemical only' cleaning process for your roof. Roof Cleaning is a completely different trade from pressure washing, requiring different pumps, plumbing, hoses, nozzles, valves, chemicals, caution, knowledge, experience, skill, and insurance. A-1 Roof Cleaning of North Port has all of the necessary tools, knowledge, and experience to tackle the toughest of roof cleaning jobs.
Roof cleaning is recommended by shingle manufacturers
Companies like Owens Corning and GAF, and also the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association recommend a low pressure chemical application using certain cleaners to restore shingles suffering from roof algae, followed by a low pressure rinse. We use the cleaners and methods recommended by these companies, for a safe and damage free roof cleaning. If your shingles are still in good shape but have roof algae on them, having your roof cleansed will allow you to get the full life out of your shingles, saving you thousands of dollars!
|
How A-1 Prepares For Your Cleaning
- Watering around annuals and sensitive flowering plants before pressure washing
or roof cleaning is started
(If u have irrigation please run evening before or early morning of scheduled pressure cleaning for about 10 minutes)
Water is by far the best deterrent for plant damage.
- We will move all sensitive plants in small pots and placed back in original places when cleaning is complete. Please water them before
our arrival.
- For a Roof Cleaning - Remove/Clear personal items & furniture from decking
areas and pull under lanai if possible. This will help avoid any roof run-off on
these items. However, we do debris rinse all areas/items after we clean.
- For a Deck/Lanai Cleaning - if possible, Remove/Clear personal items. We will move all
furniture from decking & lanai areas and placed back in original place after cleaning is complete.
- For an Exterior Cleaning – remove any items hanging on exterior walls that could
fall off and other decorative items that could tip over if possible.
- Make sure all windows & doors are closed. If you are aware of any areas that
may possibly leak, please let us know when making appointment & also notify the
technician on day of service.
- Move all vehicles out of the way from overspray. We do our best to rinse
everything off but it is better to have out of the way. In addition, you are
welcome to come & go just be aware of the spray & also that our hoses CANNOT
be run over without damaging.
Remember: It is not the dirty water with 10% solution that splashes on the plants but the
liquid the plant drinks that can severely damage the plant.
|
How to Avoid Contractor Rip-Offs & Misconseptions About Pressure Washing
Rip-Off #1:
Unbelievably Low Price. To some degree, all of us are attracted to low price because we want to work within a budget. But some contractors use low pressure washing prices as the bait in order to land a job. They are hoping you are basing your buying decision on price alone and if they are the cheapest, they will get the job.
Unfortunately once they get the job they have to take shortcuts in order to make a profit. Professional power washing is not as cheap as some unethical power washers would like you to believe. Make sure you are paying for the level of quality you expect.
Rip-Off #2:
Crafty Claims Like: Specializing in Hot Water Washing . You may read this in ads, or hear this from contractors. Whether a contractor uses hot water or cold water and the right chemicals, the end result is the same. Hot water does speed up the cleaning process in commercial and industrial uses but what does it mean to the homeowner?
The truth is hot water has no benefit and shouldn't be used in residential services. It can warp vinyl siding, damage wood and asphalt shingles, and can be detrimental to plants and shrubbery. Crafty claims like this are nothing more than a desperate attempt of trickery to gain your business.
Rip-Off #3:
Outdated Beliefs: "Just Power Wash the Deck and Use an Expensive Sealer." Many people believe that using an expensive sealer will make all the difference. The fact is: the number one reason a sealer fails, no matter how much it cost, is because the wood is not prepared properly. Wood goes through many stages while being cleaned. When using the proper cleaner the wood turns very dark, as the ph level goes up. A neutralizing process is necessary to lower the wood to a more acidic level, so the sealer will adhere properly.
With the wood prepared properly, it can then be sealed with a contractor grade sealer. If an old sealer is present, the deck will need stripped so the new sealer can adhere to the wood properly. This stripping process is only done properly using a stripping agent, NOT high water pressure.
Obviously, each contractor will be biased toward his own method. You should look to what wood professionals say. There are wood restoration classes that contractors can take to become certified, check to see if the contractor you are considering is certified.
Rip-Off #4:
Offering To Wash Anything and Everything. Contractors wash many different things, from houses to tractors and from decks to parking lots. A company offering to wash almost anything may look impressive but is a sign of not being established.
There are a lot of fly by night companies that come and go, who offer to wash anything for a dollar, they never really get good at one thing. Make sure you hire a contractor that specializes in just a handful of the services you are interested in.
6 Costly Misconceptions About Pressure Washing
Misconception #1
It's Easy Enough That We Can Do It Ourselves
This may be true to some extent but you can easily cause damage to yourself and your home if your not careful. I don't recommend to anyone to pressure wash from a ladder, this is very dangerous and should be left to a professional. Washing your vinyl siding from the ground at an upward angle will force water behind the siding causing water damage. Getting up in the air and away from the house will allow you to rinse the siding at a flatter angle. This can only be done with the proper equipment. Another thing is even small consumer grade pressure washing units put out too much pressure to wash vinyl, asphalt shingles, and pressure treated wood. Having the right equipment allows you to turn down the pressure, so your not causing damage.
Misconception #2
High Pressure Is The Only Way To Get It Clean
Not true at all. Only contractors that use inferior cleaners have to depend on high pressure to do the job. High pressure can do a lot of damage to your home. To much pressure will force water to get behind the siding of your home causing mold and mildew problems. Wood is softer than you might think, and using too much pressure to wash a deck can cut wood and leave unsightly marks and scars that will show through the sealer. Using too much pressure on asphalt shingles is a huge mistake. Shingles have small pieces of grit on them, similar to sand, called granules. Excessive pressure can blow these granules off the shingles, lessening the longevity of your roof. Make sure contractor grade cleaners and the right amount of pressure are being used.
Misconception #3
The Cleaners Being Used Will Damage Your Plants Or Hurt Your Pets
Quality contractors use only environmentally safe products that will not harm your pets. But plants are more sensitive and need to be protected. If a cleaner is allowed to dry on the leaves of a plant it can leave burn spots. Covering plants with plastic is an option, but that can also be dangerous to the plants on a hot day. A better alternative is to wet the plants down with water before, during, and after the cleaning process. As long as cleaners are not allowed to dry on the plants, there should be no damage.
Misconception #4
Your Roof Is Black Or Has Black Streaks On It And Needs Replaced
Not necessarily true. Unsightly black stains or streaks on asphalt shingles is caused by a hardy type of algae called Gloeocapsa magma. This type of algae thrives in humid and warm climates and usually appears, first, on the North slope of the roof where shade is prevalent and moisture tends to accumulate. The algae feeds on the crushed limestone that is used in asphalt shingles. Rain then spreads the algae down the roof, causing black streaks. As the algae breaks down the shingles, the granules that protect the shingle are loosened and begin to fall off. This causes the roof to deteriorate and diminishes the roof's ability to reflect heat rays. If left untreated, the algae will reduce the life of your roof, diminish your home's curb appeal, and increase your home cooling cost.
This roof algae can be killed and removed to restore your roofs appearance. But the right cleaners and low pressure is a must, so that damage is not done to the roof.
Misconception #5
You Should Hire the Company that Offers the Lowest Price
Maybe, but not always. Here are some points to consider:
- The price you see advertised may not be the price you pay. Many homeowners have learned that the low price they saw advertised lasted only until the contractor did the estimate. Then they were pressured into paying a lot more for a variety of add-ons .
- Some contractors market strategy is to get jobs by being the lowest bidder. The contractor will then cut corners in order to turn a profit.
- Due to low start up costs, many companies come and go. When first starting up, a lot of companies do not educate themselves, because power washing looks easy and profitable. So, they lack the right equipment, cleaners, insurance, knowledge, professionalism, and normally, will charge an extremely low price.
Misconception #6
Any Honest Power Washing Company Should be Able to Give an Estimate Over the Phone
It would be easier if this were true, but it is not. Honest, reputable power washing companies almost never give a cleaning estimate over the phone. Most companies charge by the square foot or linear foot. But there are too many variables that can change that price from one home to another. For instance, different types of terrain or landscaping can affect the price. What type of wood is your deck? Has it ever been sealed? Is water accessible at the job site? Maybe your house is not extremely dirty and could be done for less than a dirty house the same size. The good news is, once an estimate is given by a quality contractor, you know that that's the price you will pay (no last minute surprises)
|
Freguently Asked Questions
Q: Is your company licensed & insured?
A: Yes, our company is fully licensed & insured, We also carry Workers' Compensation
Q: Will cleaning my roof damage the shingles?
A: When the wrong cleaning methods are used, the answer is yes. Inexperienced Roof Cleaning contractors or home owners can easily damage shingles by removing excessive amounts of shingle granules, which are there to protect the shingles. The main culprit of roof cleaning damage is using too much water pressure to blast the shingles clean. Never allow a pressure washer to be used on your roof!
Q: Do some of the other lye or sodium hydroxide-based roof cleaners work well?
A: Unfortunately, they do not. The shingle manufacturers do not recommend these roof cleaning products because they are not very effective. They only work when used in conjunction with excessive pressure from a pressure washer, which leads to lessened longevity of the roof. When not used with pressure, some of these products even state on the label that the roof may take 2-3 months to begin appearing clean after an application, and in some cases more than one roof cleaning application is necessary.
Q: Will the bleach-based products harm my landscaping?
A: It can when handled improperly; after all, roof algae are plants. You’ve probably used bleach before when doing laundry, right? Would you give the same gallon jug of bleach to a 4 year-old and tell them to do the whites with it? Of course you wouldn’t; because in the wrong hands it can be harmful either to them or your clothes. Well, it’s the same thing with roof cleaning. This is why it is important to let a roof cleaning professional clean the roof for you. They know how to handle the cleaner to protect themselves and your property from damage.
Q: How long will my roof stay clean?
A: There are some bio-cides and sealers on the market that claim to keep the algae away for good, but their test results are very limited so no one really knows. We offer a 3 year Spot-Free warranty on all roof cleanings!.
Q: After washing my house will it leave streaks on my windows?
A: In a few cases, yes. We use a soft wash cleaning technique that uses light chemical solution & proper rinsing. This should eliminate most streaking and will be similar to rain or your hose spraying the windows. However,if the circumstance should happen, we offer professional window cleaning after every house wash at an affordable package rate.
Q: Can you get the oil stains out of my driveway?
A: It is very doubtful as pressure cleaners we will be able to totally remove deep set in oil stains. Oil stains set in very easily into your property and have to be removed when the incident occures. The likelihood we can totally remove is minimal, however, we can generally lighten it. Therefore, we cannot guarantee it. We have found our techniques to be very effective on dirt, mold, rust & algae. We do not want to put additional pressure on surface to remove paint or cause costly damage to the surface.
Q: Do I have to be home for you to pressure clean my house?
A: No, we can have our technichians clean and sanitize your home while your at lunch, shopping, working, etc. We can then arrange for payment to be mailed in or picked up at a later date and time to convience you and your schedule.
Q: Can you remove rust stains?
A: Each situation varies with rust, however we do apply a light acid wash to rust infected areas and have had outstanding results! We ask that you mention rust stains when calling to schedule an appointment. Rust removal is an additional charge. Since each situation is different we cannot guarantee all rust stains will be gone but generally they will be much lighter or less noticeable.
|
Employee Policy
A-1 Pressure Washing is a Drug-Free Workplace and Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the purpose of A-1 to help provide a safe and drug-free work environment for our customers and employees. With this goal in mind and because of the serious drug abuse problem in today's workplace, we have established the following policy below for existing and future employees of A-1 Pressure Washing.
A-1 completes a thorough background evaluation on all potential employees. After fully being evaluated and found suitable for our work field, each employee is then put through a extensive training course on proper chemical use, cleaning methods, and customer service.
We have found that a well-trained, respectful, and uniformed employee is one of the most important aspects to great customer service. You can count on A-1's highly trained staff, years of experience, professional grade equipment, and professional grade cleaners to get your job done right the first time.
A-1 Drug Free Policy is as Follows:
A-1 Prohitbits:
The use, possession, solicitation for, or sale of narcotics or other illegal drugs, alcohol, or prescription medication without a prescription on A-1 Pressure Washing, customer premises or while performing an assignment.
If for any circumstance you are found guilty of breaking one of the rules above, on A-1 Pressure Washing, company truck, or a customers property, You will be IMMEDIATELY escorted off and TERMINATED from A-1. We strive to provide a safe and trusting work environment for our customers and employees.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of A-1 Pressure Washing to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) according to job qualifications without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, or marital, family, or disability status, status as a Vietnam-era veteran, special disabled veteran or veteran who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized. A-1 is committed to affirmative action (AA) and to taking positive steps to eliminate barriers that may exist in EEO and in employment practices. Focal areas of EEO and AA include, but are not limited to: recruiting, promotion, demotion, transfer, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, training, and education.
Staff members and others working for A-1 at all levels are expected to implement and abide by A-1's policy of nondiscrimination in services and employment opportunity. All staff members are expected to make every reasonable effort to carry out their responsibilities to assure that equal employment opportunity is available to all. It is further expected that all staff members will demonstrate sensitivity to and respect for a culturally diverse workforce and demonstrate commitment to A-1's equal opportunity and affirmative action objectives.
The importance of fulfilling this policy can not be overemphasized. Any violation of this policy by a staff member of A-1 Pressure Washing may result in corrective action, including, when appropriate, discharge.
A-1 Pressure Washing is an equal opportunity employer. Policy prohibits discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Further, A-1 will continue to support and promote equal employment opportunity, human dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity. This commitment is made by A-1 in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.
|
Providing Commercial & Residential:
Pressure Washing South West Florida, Pressure Cleaning South west Florida, Sidewalk Cleaning South West Florida, Driveway Cleaning South West Florida, Pool Deck & Pool Cage Pressure Washing South West Florida, Soft Washing South West Florida, Safe Shingle Roof Cleaning South West Florida, Safe Tile Roof Cleaning South West Florida, Safe Metal Roof Cleaning, South West Florida, Dumpster Pressure Cleaning South West Florida, Window Cleaning South West Florida, Property Maintenance Packages Florida, Mildew Prevention Florida
A-1 Pressure Washing & Roof Cleaning Provide our Services to:
Florida Homeowners, Florida Homeowner Associations, Florida Condo Associations, Florida Country Clubs, Florida Property Management Companies, Florida Restaurants, Florida Realtors, Multi Unit Strip Malls & Plazas Florida, Florida Gas Stations, Florida Business Parks, Florida Construction Companies, Florida Painting Companies
|
A-1 Pressure Washing & Non Pressure Roof Cleaning Serves:
Pressure Washing & Non Pressure Roof Cleaning Sarasota County, FL - 941.815.8454
Bee Ridge Roof Cleaning, Desoto Lakes,Crescent Beach, Englewood Roof Cleaning, Englewood Beach, Fruitville, Inglewood, Laurel, Nokomis, North Port Roof Cleaning, Osprey, Pinecraft, Riverview, Sarasota Roof Cleaning, Sarasota Square, Siesta Key, and Venice FL Roof Cleaning, Osprey, Plantation, Manasota Roof Cleaning, Manasota Beach, Siesta Key Safe Roof Cleaning, South Venice, Tarpon Point, Venice Beach Roof Cleaning, Venice Gardens, Venice Groves, Warm Mineral Springs Roof Cleaning
Pressure Washing & Non Pressure Roof Cleaning Charlotte County, FL - 941.815.8454
Acline Roof Cleaning, Aqui Esta, Bermont, Cape Haze Roof Cleaning, Charlotte Harbor, Charlotte Park, Cleveland, El Jo Bean Roof Cleaning, GilChrist, Grove City, Harbor View Roof Cleaning, Harbour Heights, Manasota Key, Morgantown, Murdock Safe Roof Cleaning, New point Comfort, Peace River Shores, Pirate Harbor, Placida Roof Cleaning, Port Charlotte FL Roof Cleaning, Punta Gorda, Punta Gorda Beach, Punta Gorda Isles, Ridge Haror, Rotonda FL Roof Cleaning, Sans Souci, Solana, South Punta Gorda Heights, Tee and Green Estates, Tropical Gulf Acres, Tuckers Corner
Pressure Washing & Non Pressure Roof Cleaning Manatee County, FL - 941.815.8454
Anna Maria, Bradenton Roof Cleaning, Bradenton Beach, Cortez Ellenton, Holmes Beach, Longboat Key, Roof Cleaning Lakewood Ranch, Manatee, Myakka City, Myakka, Oneco, Palmetto, Parrish, South Bradenton, Tallevast, Terra Ceia, Roof Cleaning in Bradenton FL, Lakeland, West Samoset.
Pressure Washing & Non Pressure Roof Cleaning Lee County, FL - 941.815.8454
Alva, Bayshore Roof Cleaning, Bayshore Manor, Biggar, Boca Grande Roof Cleaning, Bokeelia, Bonita Shores, Bonita Springs Roof Cleaning, Buckingham, Burnt Store Marina, Cape Coral Roof Cleaning, Captiva, Charleston Park, Cypress lake, Flamingo Bay, Forest Island Park, Fort Myers Roof Cleaning, Fort Myers Beach, Fort Myers Shores, Fort Myers Villas, Gasparilla Roof Cleaning, Gateway, Harlem Heights Roof Cleaning, Iona, Lehigh Acres Roof Cleaning, Lochmoor Waterway Estates, Matlacha, Matlacha Isles, Matlacha Shores, McGregor, North Fort Myers Roof Cleaning, Olga, Page Park, Palmona Park, Pine Island Center, Pine Manor, Pineland, Port Boca Grande Roof Cleaning, Punta Rassa, Saint James City, Salvista, San Carlos Park, Sanibel Roof Cleaning, Shell Point Village, Slater, Suncoast Estates, Telegraph Estates, Three Oaks, Tice, Truckland, Villas, Whiskey Creek Roof Cleaning
34280 34281 34282 34283 34284 34285 34286 34287 34288 34289 34290 34291 34292 34293 34294 34295 34296 34297 34298 34299 33948 33949
33952 33953 33954 33980 33981 33983 34223 34224 34295 34230 34231 34233 34234 34235 34236 34237 34238 34239 34240 34241 34242 34243
34260 34276 34277 34278 34201 34202 34203 34204 34205 34206 34207 34208 34209 34210 34211 34212 34280 34281 34282 34274 34275 33950
33951 33955 33980 33982 33983 33901 33902 33903 33905 33906 33907 33908 33911 33912 33913 33916 33917 33918 33919 33965 33994 33995
|
| |
