Retail Strip Pressure Washing

You may not notice the details on the exterior of retail strips, but customers do every day. Over time, businesses appear worn down due to mold build-up, dirty windows that appear older but are actually not long ago put in, and can even develop a disease from bird droppings. Pressure washing outside retail strips can benefit tenants and relieve eyesores for incoming customers.

Retail Strip Pressure Washing

Mold or Fungi

Mold and/or Fungi will build up continuously as a result of excessive water not dried properly. What exactly is mold? Mold is actually another term for fungi, which are organisms that thrive from spoiled foods or bacteria forming colonies. They have spores that release unpleasant fumes into the air and will drive away clients who have allergies. Discoloration on buildings due to molding can conclude in losing business. Addressing toxic molds provides understanding the following health guidelines.

Windows

Cleaning windows twice a year is recommended. Increase business by efficiently removing dirt and grime from windows that can permanently damage the glass. Glass is versatile and able to withstand any weather. Harsh weather can wear down the appearance and block any sunlight from shiny into the retail strips. Pressure washing will make it easy to freshen the look of windows and avoid any major destruction. This will benefit retail shops and save a few bucks.

Bird Droppings

While bird droppings are uninviting, they can consequence in serious health issues. Histoplasmosis is one of many bird diseases that have heavy fumes that will pose a potential harm to retail strips and human beings. Not to mention, seeing undesirable droppings that could drive cast out customers and set a bad reputation for business owners. We can’t avoid birds and their annoying gifts, but we do have an easy way to keep the retail strips nice and clean!

Preserve retail strips by contact us today!

3 Reasons to Pressure Wash Your Restaurant’s Exterior

Everyone starts to feel a little cooped up during the winter. When spring rolls around and it starts getting warm enough to eat outside, your customers are going to start their meals out on your patio. There are a lot of different steps that your company takes to keep the area clean, inviting, and interesting. But if pressure washing isn’t part of that to-do list, you could be losing customers and doing more work than you need to. Here’s why:

3 Reasons to Pressure Wash Your Restaurant's Exterior

1. Pressure washing removes buildup.

Even in Texas, the snowy season will leave your exterior covered in rock salt and chemicals designed to melt ice. But that safety measure can start to eat into your patio’s surface and leave behind stains. Pressure washing gets rid of the residue and any stains. It also prevents more damage from building up.

Pressure washing also gets rid of bugs. If your patio has a lot of tiny nooks and crannies in the surface, insects might have used them to hole up for winter or to lay eggs. Get rid of them before they wake up or hatch in the spring so you don’t have to deal with the infestations.

2. Don’t let allergens ruin the experience.

Once the plants around your restaurant start waking up, the air is going to be filled with allergens and pollen. Those same irritants are going to cling to your exterior walls and the patio floor. But a good pressure washing can cut through organic buildup. If you have customers who spend the entire meal sneezing, they might not come back.

3. Make the outdoor eating area look like new.

Spring is all about things looking fresh and new. Pressure washing can give new life to your patio area by removing old stains from traffic and wear and tear. The process cleans the surfaces so they lose the dimness of embedded dirt and grime. Just like with your restaurant’s interior, it looks more inviting if it’s clean.

Go to 214 Pressure Washing to schedule your appointment and get a jump on your spring cleaning.

3 Ways to Cut Down on Rust on Your Commercial Building

Rust says a lot about a property, and it doesn’t say anything good. Some rust is unavoidable, and it seems like it reappears as soon as you remove. Sometimes rust is even part of the decor if your building has a rustic feel and you’ve controlled the patina on some iron decorative elements.

3 Ways to Cut Down on Rust on Your Commercial Building

But the rest of the time, rust makes people think the building isn’t being maintained. Rusty sidewalks imply the landscaping is low budget or nonexistent and it decreases the property’s curb appeal. If there’s rust on the building itself, that’s even worse. Here are three ways to get rid of the rust:

1. Galvanize the exposed metal.

You can’t keep water off of your property. So you need to make sure the metal elements are as protected as possible from rain, irrigation, and humidity. Identify the most common rust areas and look into the most cost-effective ways to solve the problem long-term. If you have rusty plumbing fixtures or vents along the building’s exterior, replace them with galvanized counterparts. If your wrought iron fence is coated in rust, clean it and have a protective seal applied.

2. Pressure wash the property.

But before you start protecting your building against future rust, you have to remove the current coat. Using chemicals to remove the rust can be dangerous: not only can they etch through the metal, they will stain the surrounding surfaces.

A pressure washing surface will use the right cleaners and water pressure for every surface, including sidewalks, siding, and metal fixtures.

3. Schedule regular washes.

You can’t galvanize or seal everything, and that means the rust is going to come back. If you have multiple investment properties or your schedule is too hectic to keep scheduling pressure washing appointments, set a schedule for routine service. Pressure washing works best every six months to a year because that stops the corrosion from setting in for too long.

Call 214 Pressure Washing here to schedule an estimate today!

Is There a Green or Black Powder Growing on Your Siding?

Even though spring cleaning gets most of the attention, fall cleaning is an essential part of home maintenance in North Texas. Plants keep growing, the hornets become more active, and there’s still a lot of nature activity before things start to slow down in December. If you’re maintaining your house from this second wave of the long growing season, you may have seen a powdery organic growth start to form on your siding. Darker siding and large bushes can hide it. But once you see it, you’re probably wondering how to go about the organic growth removal process:

Is There a Green or Black Powder Growing on Your Siding?

Here are some questions we can answer for you:

  • What is it?
  • How do I remove it?
  • It’s not mildew, is it? Is it dangerous?

Don’t worry. It’s probably not mildew. If you’re worried about mildew and black mold around your home’s exterior, check where humidity is high and air circulation is low. This includes the vent flashing on your roof, between your outdoor air conditioning condenser unit, and around the gutter seams. Your windows frames are also a tempting target for dangerous dampness, so check for drafts and water damage for autumn gets underway.

The growth on the flat panels of your siding started off as fungus. This fungus probably started growing in spring and summer when nearby trees were releasing pollen. Since them, a collection of moss, lichens, and molds found it and started using it as a food source. While the mold that might be mixed into the growth isn’t ideal, it’s not necessarily the stuff of indoor nightmares and respiratory problems.

Instead, the main concern with this organic growth is eventual damage. The buildup is taking root in your siding and, while the root systems are tiny, they will start to make the material crumble. The growth can also find its way to the underlying wood and your roof shingles. The best way to remove the growth is to hire an expert power washer. They know the right combination chlorinated chemicals to kill the growth without damaging the surrounding materials. They can also safely wash your home’s siding and brick walls to stop growths you haven’t seen yet.

Go to 214 Pressure Washing here to schedule an appointment.

Proper Cast Stone Cleaning

The beauty of cast stone is obvious when you see it up close. It can be found in many places in different architectures, mainly used as a decorative flourish. But under the surface, there’s much more going on.

Proper Cast Stone Cleaning

Cast stone is not actually stone, but a masonry product that can be made from any number of materials such as cement, sands, or even crushed stone. Different color pigments can be added to change the appearance further.

Because it is not solid stone, cleaning it can be a very precarious task. If you want to effectively clean cast stone without damaging or otherwise affecting its natural look and beauty, there are a few things to keep in mind. Delicacy and patience are the keys to this cleaning process.

Cast stone is a softer building material so it is not something that is conducive to power washing. Because it is made from other materials, if you use an aggressive method to clean it, such as power washing or sandblasting, you could do irreparable damage to the elements that make it up.

A more delicate process is needed to effectively clean cast stone without separating the different elements that make it up. Your best course of action is not to clean your cast stone structures yourself. Leave it to the professionals and let 214 Pressure Washing do it for you!

214 Pressure Washing uses a very special blend of chemicals combined with a low pressure but high volume wash to effectively restore its natural look and beauty without damaging it.

And we aren’t limited to just cast stone! We are here to help you with all of your commercial pressure washing needs in the Dallas area.

Contact us at 214 Pressure Washing for more information about how we can help you get your cast stone looking clean and beautiful again!

Professional Exterior Stucco Cleaning

The professionals at 214 Pressure Washing are experts at cleaning exterior stucco. We have extensive experience working on both commercial buildings and residential homes. Servicing the Dallas and Fort Worth area, our customers are our top priority.

Professional Exterior Stucco Cleaning

Stucco is a very porous material. The textured surface promotes the growth of dirt, grime, mold, and mildew. It is common for water and debris to settle in the cracks and create stains. Time is of the essence when it comes to removing this unsightly discoloration. If left uncleaned, the stucco will become black and start cracking. Our expert team understands that stucco is a somewhat fragile material. Making sure that exterior stucco is cleaned the right way is essential. If there is too much water pressure used, the stucco will start to peel from the structure. Cracks will begin to form, creating costly repairs.

BENEFITS OF USING 214 PRESSURE WASHING

  • We never use high pressure when cleaning exterior stucco
  • We use the perfect blend of cleaning solutions and water
  • Our method is safe in treating dirty and neglected exterior stucco
  • Our team handles commercial and residential stucco cleaning

VISIBLE CRACKS / CHIPS / HAIRLINE FRACTURES

We inspect the building for any visible chips, cracks, or hairline fractures. Damaged stucco must be repaired and sealed before the cleaning process begins. Washing damaged stucco can create costly problems in the future. We make sure to address all defects before cleaning begins.

DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE DISCOLORATION

We evaluate the problem area to determine the cause of the discoloration on the stucco.

  • GREEN STAINS are indicative of algae growth
  • BLACK STAINS that appear as dirt, could in fact be mildew

We will also check to see if there are any evident signs of water leakage from overhanging structures. Our professionals will make suggestions to prevent further water problems. It is our goal to create a plan that prevents damage to the existing stucco.

214 Pressure Washing will have your exterior stucco looking like new in no time. Contact us today to discuss your exterior stucco cleaning needs.

Clean Your Home Exterior with Soft Pressure Washing

Dirt, grime, and mold can build up on the sides of your home and fencing. A soft pressure wash from 214 Pressure Washing will clean your exterior walls without harming the stucco, stone, brick, vinyl or other building materials. The solution based soft wash will not harm painted exteriors.

Clean Your Home Exterior with Soft Pressure Washing

The Dallas Ft.-Worth Metroplex area can experience harsh winter weather, windstorms and heavy rains along with intense summer heat. The wind, rain, dust and even freezing weather can lead to the build-up of dirt on many exterior surfaces. A professional washing will improve your curb appeal and restore the natural colors of your home’s exterior without harming the surface.

A special cleaning solution is applied using a high-volume pressure system. This hose system sets the pressure level necessary to remove dirt and grime based on the surface materials.

Stone and Stains

Cast stone, natural stone, brick and similar materials will eventually disintegrate when exposed to high-pressure washing. Grains of sand and other materials can be washed away with continued water pressure on a high setting. Paint can be removed with too much pressure.

Special equipment operated by trained technicians must be used to treat stone and brick on homes and fences. The soft wash solution will remove dirt, rust and even tannin stains caused by trees with the right chemical mixture. The original texture of the walls will appear brighter. The soft wash will also clean grouting or mortar without damage to its surface.

Professional technicians at 214 Pressure Washing have the equipment necessary to reach upper floors and the area under the eaves and gables of a roof where mold can grow. They carefully clean the walls around rain gutters that can collect excess debris.

Contact us for information on washing your pool deck and walkways in addition to a soft wash for your home.

Got Gum Stains? 3 Reasons They’re as Bad as Graffiti

Believe it or not, that sticky, pink stuff that turns into black blotches around the common areas of your business has some similarities to graffiti. Here are 3 reasons gum stains can be just as detrimental to your business as graffiti tags:

Got Gum Stains? 3 Reasons They're as Bad as Graffiti

1) They multiply. Just like one graffiti tag can lead to more, so can one unsightly bubble gum blotch on your business walkways, sidewalks, and benches. If you don’t want more of the same, it is important to have gum stains removed quickly and thoroughly.

2) They leave a bad impression. Sticky, ugly gum spots devalue the hard work you have put into creating a positive reputation with your customers. They create a feeling of uncleanliness and detract from the environment and experience you are trying to provide your clients as they enter your shopping center or business. Like graffiti, they are not the type of “mark” you are trying to leave!

3) They’re difficult to remove.  Left to sit, gum can seep into porous surfaces like concrete, stone, and wood and become very difficult to remove. Ever try to scrape off an old gum wad yourself? Then you know how difficult and messy it can be to completely remove it. Add in the hot summer sun and you’re going to need even more elbow grease or possibly risk costly repairs down the road. Good thing you have a friend in the gum removing business with 214 Pressure Washing!

Just like graffiti, gum stains are unwelcome intruders that detract from the aesthetics, cleanliness, and reputation of your shopping center, retail space, or business. Contact us today and we’ll do some spring cleaning on those unsightly gum blotches before the summer arrives. We can even do the cleaning after hours so we don’t disturb your business. We have all the right tools and the expertise to make gum…gone!

Schedule Pressure Washing to Protect Your Exterior Walls

Anything exposed to the elements will start to develop damage over time. This applies to the metal fixtures on a building’s exterior as much as it does to a car’s body and frame. The same moss growing up the side of the tree in your parking lot will take hold along the side of your building. But regular power or pressure washing can keep your building looking like new. It can even help protect it and minimize expensive repairs. Here’s how:

Schedule Pressure Washing to Protect Your Exterior Walls from Organic Growth

Stop plants from taking root in porous exterior materials.

Concrete, brick, and wood are porous. Even if the wood surface feels smooth, microscopic holes and pores in the surface allow organic growth to hold onto the surface and develop roots or stickers. These small feelers can dig into the surface layer, forming new cracks and making the material crumble. Ivy, moss, and fungus can slowly eat through the surface, weakening the overall material and discoloring it. You can get the walls power or pressure washed, which use heat and pressure respectively, to clear out current buildups of organic growth. The deep clean also removes roots and stickers so the plants are less likely to take hold again.

Prepare the surface for a stain or topcoat.

If your building is in a particularly humid region or is adjacent to a wooded area, then regular pressure washing appointments can help keep the organic material at bay. But if you want to ensure seamless protection against the growth, a nonporous sealant can keep the walls even safer. Get the exterior pressure washed to deep clean and prepare the surface for application. The combination of a tight sealant and regularly scheduled washes offers a stronger defense against organic growth.

Whether you have moss that is discoloring the walls or stubborn ivy that is burrowing into the surface, it has no business being on your building. Go to 214 Pressure Washing to get it removed.

Stop the Broken Window Theory by Pressure Washing Your Parking Lot

How your commercial building looks matters. It’s one of the first impressions your customers have about your company. It’s where your employees spend the majority of their day. But having a clean building exterior is made up of smaller tasks and maintenance projects. Make sure your building is getting optimal maintenance by counteracting the broken window theory.

Stop the Broken Window Theory by Pressure Washing Your Parking Lot

What is the broken window theory?

This theory was originally created as a concept in criminology. If there’s evidence of one crime happening, it’s easier and more likely for another crime to happen. Negative factors build up on each other based on the impressions people have of an area. But the broken window theory has grown to encapsulate several different ideas about human behavior. If your parking lot is grimy and unkempt, it looks like the property managers or owners don’t care about the appearance. That makes it easier to drop a piece of garbage and just not pick it up. If the parking lot isn’t kept clean, people are more likely to cut across the medians’ landscaping. In fact, landscapers may be less likely to optimize the space, especially if it looks like no one cares. That’s not to say third-party service providers will cut corners or not meet their commitments, but it does mean there is less of a reason to exceed expectations.

The broken window theory applies in reverse, too. The nicer a property looks and the more signs there are of regular maintenance and care, the more visitors and workers will maintain that standard. A freshly cleaned parking lot implicitly encourages people to pick up dropped trash. It means the medians will be better maintained and the more pedestrians will stick to approved areas and paths.

The more you do to make your building look like an orderly place to work, the more that idea will manifest. Start with a deep-cleaned parking lot by going to 214 Pressure Washing here.