Home Appliances | University Painters

exterior / interior painting, home painters

Regular Post

Written by Colleen Kalil

21 June 2018

Pressure Washing Around Your House

exterior painting, interior painting, painters If you think pressure washing is just for your home’s exterior, think again. Pressure (or power) washing is a great way to clean and refresh many large areas quickly. A washer can be used on most any surface. Let’s start with your home’s exterior. As the years pass, your home’s exterior can take a beating. Rain, snow, dirt, birds – well, you get it. Pressure washing is good for cleaning aluminum or vinyl siding, clapboard, brick, or stone. Be careful with wood shingles as the pressure may gouge or damage them and can push water under the shingles causing mildew problems. You can add a mild detergent to the power washer for the first cleaning and then follow up with clean water to take off all soap residue.

Like wood shingles, any wood surface should be treated with care when using a pressure washer. Be sure to use a low-pressure nozzle or you could strip the finish or other coatings off the wood, or oversoak the wood. Proper use of the washer on wood will help you remove dirt, grime, mildew, or other stains.

Metal surfaces such as rain gutters, drains, and fencing are also good targets for a power wash. Even an outdoor grill can be power washed. Don’t hold the jet too close to the surface though to avoid scratches.

Concrete, stone, and brick can also be cleaned with a power washer. Make your garage floor look like new by adding a little detergent to your washer to get rid of grease and oil. Whether your driveway is brick, stone, or concrete, it can be washed too. Never use a pressure washer on asphalt surfaces unless you want to replace it.

Power washing is also off limits for roof shingles, especially asphalt shingles. It’s likely to cause more damage than good including loosening shingles, driving water under shingles, and blowing them off entirely.

Your in-ground swimming pool or a Jacuzzi can be pressure washed. If the washer is able to create steam or use hot water, you can eliminate germs and other contaminants from these vulnerable areas.

University Painters not only paints interiors and exteriors, they can pressure wash surfaces around your home for a cleaner, fresher look. Contact us today for a free appointment.

Regular Post

Written by Colleen Kalil

27 May 2018

Pressure Wash Carefully To Prevent Damage

painters, repair,, maintenance services Pressure washers are a quick way to clean up discolored surfaces around your property. A pressure washer uses a powerful blast of water and steam and should be used carefully to prevent damage and prevent personal injury. They can be used for many purposes but can damage some wood, aluminum siding, and stone surfaces.

Pressure washing a deck can clean off built-up dirt and grease and even remove old paint. Newer composite deck materials may not require such a high-powered device. Most wood used for decks can stand up to a pressure washing but first test a small, inconspicuous place to be sure the wood can handle the pressure.

Do not pressure wash your painted house! It may be tempting, but will likely damage the paint and take it off in some places. If you want to wash down your home, a little soap and water with your normal garden hose are more than sufficient for cleaning. Sometimes a pressure washer can be used on vinyl – not aluminum – siding, but it’s best to check with an expert before proceeding.

Another area to avoid using a power washer is the roof. Regardless of the material used for your roof, power cleaning can cause damage and be expensive to repair. If you have trouble with moss or other natural grown on the shingles, try a little bleach and water. The problem can also be prevented by cutting back branches that overhang the roof and block sunlight.

Concrete is the perfect surface to power wash and remove mold, mildew, and grease. University Painters are knowledgeable and experienced and know how to clean the surfaces around your house without damaging them. Call us today for a free consultation.

Regular Post

Written by Josh Jablon

2 January 2018

Home Issues That Homeowners Should Not Ignore

Homeowners do not have to fix minor cosmetic issues around the house right away but it is important to know how to identify problems that need to be addressed as soon as possible. Here are some of them:

Pest Damage

Many homeowners think that pest infestations are a mere annoyance but rats and termites do not just bring germs and other pathogens into your home. They can also cause tremendous amount of physical damage to your home in a short period of time.

Water Leaks

Figures from the United States Geological Survey agency show that a slow leak can cost a family more than $200 a year in wasted water. Besides wasting money on your utility bill, water leaks will damage virtually everything that it touches.

Broken Garage Door

A broken garage door can pose a safety risk to your family. Thieves can easily break in if you have an unfixed garage door. A garage door that does not close all the way also gives easier access to pests.

Damage To The Roof

A damaged roof can decrease the value of your property. It can also result in structural problems when rainstorms occur. Homeowners need to check the roof and the attic for signs of water damage at least twice a year.

Frayed Wires

Many homeowners ignore repairing damaged wiring unless they run into important home appliances such as the refrigerator. Frayed wires are unfortunately one of the most common causes of house fires. The condition can create short circuits that may possibly escalate into a fire hazard.

Flaking Paint

Colors can transform your house into a home. Adding an extra coat of paint will not only increase the value of your property, it can also improve insulation and protect the structure of your home.

Peeling paint is a common problem for ceilings and bathroom walls because of possible water leaks and high humidity. Flaking paint can be an eyesore in what could be an attractive bathroom but there is another reason why peeling paint warrants attention: areas with flaking paints serve as a prime breeding ground for disease-causing bacteria and mildew.

If your home was built before 1978, it likely used lead-based paint so it’s a good idea to hire a professional who can handle the repair. University Painters can provide you with the professional painting services that you need. Contact us today to learn how we can help you with your painting issues in your home.