Commercial pressure washing is a quick, efficient way to deep clean surfaces using pressurized water and a cleaning solution. Those surfaces might be cement patios, parking lots, walkways, or even the exterior of a commercial building itself.
What makes pressure washing so versatile is the ability to adjust the psi (pounds per square inch) of water hitting the surface to be cleaned. Most pressure washers can be set for between 500 and 3,000 psi, though larger commercial pressure washers can blast away with 50,000 psi. The correct psi depends on the job at hand.
As you might imagine, the proper pressure needed to blast mold from a stucco storefront is very different from the pressure needed to remove the same mold from a sidewalk.
Pressure washing is also an efficient way to destroy surfaces and kill landscaping around commercial buildings. Knowing the precise pressure and cleaning solution to use on any given surface isn’t a matter of guesswork or trial and error. It’s a sophisticated science requiring intense training like that received by More Clean of Texas certified technicians.
We’ve seen too many businesses do damage because an enthusiastic building manager decided to handle her own commercial pressure washing services or hired someone who happened to have a commercial pressure washer but little or no experience.
The truth is, commercial pressure washing looks easy from a distance. Countless homeowners rent pressure washers to clean their driveways or homes each summer. They—and perhaps you—figure it can’t be much different to clean a commercial property, right?
It’s not the same…and we’d like to spare you some misery by sharing the top three mistakes we see building managers make when deciding how to go about pressure washing commercial buildings.
#1. They use an inexperienced vendor for commercial pressure washing services.
If you’re a Do-It-Yourself sort, good for you. If you’ve found changing light bulbs and checking HVAC systems yourself saves money as you manage your commercial property, you might think providing your own commercial pressure washing services is another way to keep your budget under control.
But when it comes to commercial pressure washing, DIY projects often end up DOA.
Do-It-Yourselfers and inexperienced vendors lack the training and experience to select and operate proper equipment, mix appropriate cleaning solutions, and use the best cleaning technique. It takes just seconds for an ill-placed jet of overly-pressurized water to strip off paint or even blast a hole through a thin stucco exterior.
Here’s what you’re looking to see from your commercial pressure washing services provider: a long list of satisfied customers, the proper equipment, and the right certifications. Anything less and you’re risking an incomplete cleaning job or worse: a porthole drilled into the side of your building.
Plus, you risk an Environmental Protection Agency fine of $25,000 every day you pressure wash if your inexperienced vendor fails to properly manage runoff. See our article about compliance with EPA regulations here. (provide internal link)
#2 They do just half the commercial pressure washing job.
Do you really have to pressure wash sidewalks as well as the entranceway? Does it truly matter if walkways are kept clean?
Yes and yes—and here’s why: dirt, dust, bird droppings, mold, pollution, and debris have a cumulative effect on surfaces. You can’t count on occasional rainstorms to wash away leaves or pollen that sticks to surfaces. Graffiti won’t erase itself. And some exteriors—brick especially—can deteriorate if left unwashed too long.
One business decided to hire a commercial pressure washing service to clean their building’s exterior but then didn’t follow through with also cleaning walkways. The result—the debris from the building’s surfaces and gutters simply sat on the walkways—waiting to be tracked into the building by foot traffic.
So don’t settle for hit-and-miss commercial pressure washing. Do it right—and do it all.
#3 They wait too long between pressure washing commercial buildings.
We’re often asked how long commercial properties can wait between pressure washings.
Our answer— it depends.
If you’re pressure washing a parking lot, that’s one thing. If you’re pressure washing dumpsters or other equipment, that’s another. And if you’re washing the exterior of your building, there’s still another answer. More Clean of Texas is happy to recommend a commercial pressure washing schedule that meets your needs.
Here’s a rule of thumb: pressure wash what needs to be washed when it begins to get dirty, not after a surface is so compromised that commercial pressure washing may not be able to rectify the situation.
Even better, put commercial pressure washing services in your maintenance budget so you can keep your property sparkling and inviting. Your business will benefit because…
- A clean exterior is a welcome mat you lay out for your customers, residents, and tenants. They notice when parking lots, entranceways, and building exteriors are dingy or stained. It’s not a good look for inspiring confidence.
- Keeping surfaces clean reduces repairs. Commercial pressure washing can remove chemicals that compromise surfaces and delay or eliminate the need for expensive repairs.
- Clean surfaces are healthier for you and others who use the building. Nobody benefits from pollutants, pollen, mildew, and algae—and pressure washing significantly reduces their presence.
- Here’s one additional mistake: some building managers don’t give us a call.
Our team at More Clean of Texas is trained to deliver whatever commercial pressure washing services you require. We’ll carefully evaluate what’s needed in your unique situation and provide a professional, cost-effective solution you can trust.
#4 Here’s one additional mistake: some building managers don’t give us a call.
Our team at More Clean of Texas is trained to deliver whatever commercial pressure washing services you require. We’ll carefully evaluate what’s needed in your unique situation and provide a professional, cost-effective solution you can trust.
