EAST COAST POWERWASHING INC.

Ok, so the other day I was driving through Kingston down by the police station and there they were, two guys with a pump sprayer a bunch of  bottles of bleach on the ground and a box-store pressure washer.  Now, I could tell just by driving by that they had no clue what they were doing, but the sad thing is, most people don’t know how to tell the difference between the good ones and bad ones. 

If you ever hear the expression “you get what you pay for” you will know what I am talking about. Well in every contractor job this is true. You will get a low ball quote from some “fly-by-nighter” who does not remotely understand what it entails to get the job done right.

Unfortunately, the power washing industry is plagued with these “fly-by-nighters” or “Splash-and-Dashers” that think that because they have an “Elcheepo-Depot” pressure washer that they know how to power wash. Most of them have the improper tools for the job and they believe that bleach actually cleans without damaging anything.

You can usually find these “fly-by-nighters” signs nailed to telephone poles throughout your neighborhood. I actually saw one of these signs nailed to a telephone pole that was on private property with “NO TRESSPASSING” signs and a fence around it. What does that tell you about the ethics of that person?

Here are some questions to ask:

1. Are they certified or do they have any type of license for the type of job that they are doing?
2. Do they have the proper knowledge of their equipment and the cleaning process?
3. Do they use a mold inhibitor to protect your home and neutralize the cleaning products?
4. Do they require you to pay cash or write the check out in their name?
5. Are they doing the job legally?
6. Do they have insurance?
7. Do they have a business license?
8. Do they offer a guarantee?
9. How much $liability$ are you exposing yourself to?

I have found that hiring the low bidder only causes headaches. What happens if you are not happy with the job, are they going to come back? (LOL). No, they are gone with your money because they are a one time employee. They will come out, do a half-assed job, and expect you to pay them in cash, only never to see them again.

If you have ever seen one of those home shows on TV about contractor nightmares you will always hear them say to hire the right person for the job the first time and you will not have any problems. They always say make sure they have insurance, licenses, guarantees, and are going to be there when you need them.

Protect yourself by asking these questions. Any reputable company will be more than happy to show you and documentation or give you phone numbers so that you can verify your concerns. If you don’t get your questions answered to your satisfaction – move on to the next company.

Blog here.

How East Coast Powerwashing cleans in South Shore and Cape Cod Massachusetts

 

There are four components to the cleaning process; they are Chemical, Heat, Agitation and Time and are easily remembered with the acronym ‘CHAT’.  Typically to effectively clean you need two or more of these components.  For example, if you don’t have a hot water power washer you have eliminated the heat component and must rely more on the chemical, agitation or dwell time for the chemical to do its work.  Heat increases the reactivity of chemicals and allows you to use less chemical and shorter dwell times.  If you don’t use a very effective chemical, then you need to rely more on agitation to release the soils or other contaminants from the surface that you are cleaning.  Agitation can be done with a truck wash brush on an extension pole when cleaning siding or the agitation can be accomplished through the water applied under high pressure.  Some contract cleaners rely more on agitation through the use of brushing or high pressure, where others using “Soft Washing” (low-pressure) techniques depend more on the use of chemicals  and dwell time to accomplish the task.  The general principle is that if you decrease the use of or eliminate one or more of the components of CHAT then you must increase the use of the other components to compensate. So these guys saying that they are going to “Soft Wash” your home are dumping a ton of chemical on your home and it’s draining right into your yard. 

 

Soft Wash may enhance the look of your home for a short period of time, But, it just does not clean your home to remove carbon type pollutants such as acid rain, exhaust carbons (from vehicles), dirt, grease or grime from your home. Please don’t fall prey to the scam artist or the un-ethical, un-insured, un-qualified, un-trained power washers.

 

To protect yourself, download my book (7 Costly Mistakes Even Smart Homeowners Make While Hiring a Power Washer)  today for free at eastcoastpowerwashing.com.

 

A Simple Way to Add $30,000 Value To Your Home Before You List Your It For Sale

 

With home sellers concerned about the real estate market being in the worst slump in many years, they are looking for creative ways to attract buyers.  Some homeowners will go crazy and spend all kinds of money and fix up things that have been in need of repair for years.  They will plant new bushes, paint inside and out and some will even remodel bathrooms and kitchens. 

 

The thing that never comes to the home sellers mind is that power washing the home is one of the most inexpensive but yet the most cost effective way to add value and curb appeal to your home.  Your realtor will stress curb appeal, because the potential buyers will think,” if the house is dirty on the outside, I can imagine what it looks like on the inside, let’s not even look at this one and go look at a  different one”. 

 

 When I talk about power washing I’m not just talking about the outside walls of your home, I talking about the roof, siding, deck, patio, walkways, driveways, fences, pool decks plus anything else you may have attached to your home or in your yard.  Because everyone knows a clean house will sell faster and for more money than a dirty house will.

 

Let’s look at it from the buyer’s eyes.  We (the buyers) see a photo online and think wow, beautiful house. Then we pull up to it and can see the roof is all black.(Gross) we think, ok, it needs a new roof, that’s about $8000 - $10,000 for a new roof.  Now we are at the front door and notice the siding is real dirty and we think this place needs paint or new siding, that’s another $8000 – $10,000. Not to mention the deck needs to be replaced, $10,000 easy plus the front walk and steps are gross.  We think, man we are up to $26,000 - $30,000 and haven’t even stepped into the front door.  Ok so now we are taking a quick walk around the outside of the house and we come upon this huge deck that I could imagine it would be an awesome place to entertain in the summer, but it’s so dirty and un-kept looking I would be afraid to step on it.

 

All in my head (the buyer)all I could see is dollar signs, The cost of the house and the cost of all these repairs has clearly put me over budget.  So I think to myself I can see $30,000 in repairs so I will offer $50,000 less than what they are asking because now (we the buyer) think the house is a fixer-upper

 

Just remember, that rotten "first impression" that prospective buyers have will often times overwhelm any improvements or features that are inside your home. Roof stains also have the potential to catch the attention of a home inspector who could decide to make negative comments about it to the buyers, who in turn might decide to lower their offer once again after the home inspection.

I bet you never imagined that you could add $30,000 of value to your home with a professional cleaning from East Coast Powerwashing.

 

 

Dan Galvin of East Coast Powerwashing Inc, has been asked by the national association, Power Washers of North America (PWNA.org), to teach house washing certification at their national convention this October. 

The PWNA has recognized East Coast Powerwashing's unique cleaning process and has requested that they teach their cleaning process at the National Convention to improve the industry.

 

One of Dan's goals has been to educate 1,000 power washing business owners and workers on the proper method of power washing.  Since 2008, Dan has been traveling the country instructing and educating new and old power washers in these methods.

 

Not only is this a completely volunteer position, it has also cost Dan thousands of dollars a year in travel expenses and hundreds of hours of his personal time.

 

You may ask, why?

 

Because, not only does Dan want to educate other power washers, he also want to educate the public about the power washing industry, and what better way than through the actual people doing the job. 

 

Dan wants’ everyone to know that power washers are NOT "Splash-and-Dashers" looking to make a few bucks for beer money; we are an actual industry of professionals that care about our business, our customers and the communities in which we live and work.

 

However, Dan also wants you to know that the industry has a dark side; it often attracts a large number of "fly-by-nighters" - people that don't understand how to properly get the job done and are often willing to cut corners on quality and safety just to make a few bucks.  You, the homeowner have to be aware of these "fly-by-nighters", because while getting "a deal" might be an attractive proposition, if something sounds too good to be true - well, it almost always turns out to be a bad decision in the long run.

 

The good news is that people like Dan and other professional power washers are continually investing in educating themselves and their employees on how to do the job safely and correctly. 

 

 

I just had my pressure treated deck is cleaned and it’s still green in some spots, WHY?

 

When pressure treated decks are cleaned properly, all the mold and mildew will be removed, however, you may still see some green in the wood. Why?

 

Pressure treated wood also know as green wood is treated with a variety of chemicals to give it an increased resistance to moisture, fungus and wood eating insects.  Some of these chemicals are water based and some are oil based. (They all change the color of the grain).  This type of protection makes the wood heaver and easily identifiable. 

 

So, when you see green in wood it’s not always mold.  Below are some of the most common types of chemicals use in treating pressure treated wood.

 

Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA)

o    CCA was once the most common chemical used in pressure treating. It contains chromium, copper and arsenic and turns the wood dark green. CCA protects against decay, fungi and wood-boring insects but is also poisonous to humans and listed by the State of California as a carcinogen. Since 2004, the lumber industry, under pressure from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), discontinued its use for residential lumber. It is still used for industrial purposes such as pole, pilings and bridge timbers and is still the best preservative there is, according to the Natural Handyman.

       Alkaline Copper Quat (ACQ)

o    ACQ contains copper and a quaternary ammonium compound, hence it is commonly called quat. It less toxic than CCA and has replaced it as the most common pressure treatment for residential use. There are two kinds of quat commonly used, AQC-B and AQC-D. The former is formulated with ammoniacal copper and turns the wood a dark greenish-brown color. The latter uses amine copper and turns the wood lightish-brown. Both chemicals can penetrate difficult-to-treat species like Douglas Fir and are primarily used on the West Coast. ACQ protects wood against rot and insects, but unlike CCA, is unsuitable for underwater use.

       Copper Azole (CBA)

o    CBA is another copper amine product that has been developed for residential use. It contains copper and tebuconazole and may also contain a little boric acid. It protects against rot and insects, but like ACQ, is unsuitable for marine use. It does not penetrate as readily as ACQ, and ammonia is sometimes added during the treatment to improve penetration. CBA turns the wood light brown

 

What Your Landscaper Never Told You!

 

I have these little black spots all over the front of my house, they go all the way up to the second floor WHAT ARE THEY?

 

I you live in New England I can guarantee that what you are asking about is the infamous “artillery fungus”.

 

The following questions and answers are from Dr. Donald D. Davis, Penn State.

Ok, so what the heck is “artillery fungus”?

 

The artillery fungus is a white-rotting, wood-decay fungus that likes to live on moist bark mulch you have around your home. It is in the genus Sphaerobolus (Greek for “sphere thrower”) and is very common across the USA, especially in the East, as well as many other parts of the world. The most common species seems to be S. iowensis. The artillery fungus is technically a “Basidiomycete” fungus (like the common mushroom that we eat), and probably is most closely related to a group of fungi called “earth stars”. However, the artillery fungus is much smaller that the earth star that you may see occasionally growing in your yard. There may be other fungi and fungi-like organisms growing in your mulch.

 

I looked at my mulch, I don’t see anything.

The artillery fungus is quite small – the fruiting bodies are about 1/10 of an inch across and are very hard to see in the mulch.

 

 

Why is it called the “artillery” fungus? Is it also called the “shotgun fungus”?

 

The term artillery refers to the fact that the artillery fungus actively shoots its spore masses, sort of like a cannon or howitzer.  The spores are usually shot only a short distance, several feet, but the wind can carry them for longer distances, even up to the second story of a house.

 

Why do light-colored houses have more problems than darker houses?

 

 In nature, the artillery fungus shoots its spores towards sunlight. In the absence of direct sunlight, it shoots the spores at highly reflective surfaces, such as white house siding. And, of course, the black spots show up better on white surfaces, so they are noticed more easily.

Why is this problem more severe in some years than in others?

The artillery fungus grows better and produces more spores during wet years, such as 2009 and 2010 (here in the Northeast). It is most common during the cool spring and fall, and is much less of a problem in the hot dry periods of mid-summer. And, not at all a problem during the winter here in Massachusetts.

 

The number of spots seems to be worse on the north side of my house. Is this just my imagination?

 

It is not your imagination, and you are a good observer. The artillery fungus often grows better in the mulch on the cool, shady, moist side of the house (usually the north side of the house here in the Northeast) where growing conditions are more suitable for the fungus.

Are those spots alive? Will they hurt my house, like eat holes in my siding?

Yes, they are alive, but not in the sense that they can hurt your siding. They are dormant, or sleeping, and pose no threat to the siding other than staining it.

So, how do I get the artillery fungus off my house siding? Will any cleaning chemicals remove it? Power washing? How about just plain scraping? Do the spores stick to all kinds of siding?

The spore masses of the artillery fungus stick like super-glue. We have not found a good, efficient way to get them off without leaving a stain or damaging the siding, especially on old dry siding. Power washing may work on vinyl siding that still has a shiny, oily, sheen, but in most cases power washing will only get about 50% of the spores off.

Each spore mass can be physically scraped, “steel-wooled”, or sanded off. Then the stain might be removed with an ink eraser, but this is a pain, literally and you will damage your siding.

Beware of any cleansers that have claims that sound “too good to be true”, with regards to removing the artillery fungus. It is likely that they are, in fact, too good to be true.

 

How did the artillery fungus get in my mulch? My neighbors do not have it – only me! Why me!

This is extremely difficult to answer. The artillery fungus commonly occurs on dead trees, dead branches, rotting wood, etc. throughout the Northeast. I have seen it in the forest on standing dead trees and limbs on the ground, as well on wood in mulch-producing yards. If infested material is used for mulch, the artillery fungus may be already in the mulch when the load of mulch arrives at a job site, and may then grow rapidly along your foundation during cool moist conditions. However, this is likely a problem only when mulch is not composted, which subjects the mulch to higher internal temperatures.

Or spore masses may already be present at a site on old mulch, previously infested plant leaves, rabbit or deer droppings, decaying leaves, and grass. These existing spores may immediately infest new applications of mulch. In some cases, the spores also may be transported for very short distances via wind from adjacent infested sources. Spores may also be brought to the site on infested nursery plants, by being stuck to the undersurface of leaves, if the nursery also had an artillery fungus problem. When the leaves fall off onto the mulch the attached spores inoculate the mulch… here we go again!

People can also spread the artillery fungus in various ways. Some homeowners make the mistake of sanding, scraping, or otherwise removing the spore masses from the sides of their houses, and letting them fall onto their foundation mulch. Such spores are dormant, but very much alive. They germinate and infest the mulch.

You mean that the artillery fungus can come in on plants and shrubbery that I am planting along my foundation?

Yes, this is possible, but only if the nursery had an artillery fungus problem in its pots or beds. But, this does not appear to be very common in my experience.

In your studies, have you found any wood/bark mulches that the artillery fungus absolutely will NOT grow on?

No. All mulches that we studied eventually supported the artillery fungus after being outside for several years. However, some mulch performed better than others.

So what mulch(es) appear to be best?

 We tested 27 mulches in the field, and found that some supported more artillery fungus than others. In one study, the most resistant mulch was large pine bark nuggets. The large bark nuggets stay hard and dry, conditions that the artillery fungus does not like. Cypress mulch also performed well, as it probably contains some anti-fungal, anti-decay chemical(s). However, there may be some environmental, non-sustainable reasons for not using cypress.



 How about artificially colored mulches?

We have tested mulches of various colors, as well as the chemicals themselves that are used to color the mulches. The chemicals in our tests, at the concentrations used, did not inhibit the artillery fungus.

Colored mulches appeared to very slightly, but only temporarily, inhibit the artillery fungus. We attribute this to the colored mulches being slightly more water repellent and therefore remain drier than the non-colored mulches, at least at first. As the colors faded due to rain and sunlight, the artillery fungus moved right

Should I put down new mulch each year?

Interestingly, homeowners that put down a new layer of mulch each year generally have a lesser artillery fungus problem. But, we have not confirmed this practice. But it does seem to work, if you don't miss a year! I have also heard that if you constantly turn your mulch over and keep it dry, you will also have lesser artillery fungus.

What if I just paint over the spores on my wood.

That will probably seal them in. It may solve your problem, but will give a pebbly appearance to your paint job. Each repainting will seal in the artillery fungus even more.

Are there any registered fungicides that will kill the artillery fungus

There are no fungicides labeled for use against the artillery fungus in landscape mulch. We have tested many different fungicides in the laboratory, but have to take the experiment to the field.

 

I cannot get those black spores off my siding, without leaving a lot of small brown stains. My siding is ruined. Will my homeowner’s insurance pay for residing my house?

Some insurance companies will and others won’t. It depends on your insurance company, your agent, the exemptions in your policy, and especially your lawyer.

So, what is the final, ultimate solution to my problem???

Take out all of the infested mulch (usually just around the foundation - not out in the yard), bag it in a biodegradable bag, and take it to a landfill. Then put down a layer of black plastic, and overlay it with stone or an artificial (non-organic) mulch.

But, I don’t like stone - it’s so cold! I want to stay organic, and, like, use, like some sort of wood/bark mulch. Yet I can’t stand the artillery fungus. It’s driving me bonkers. What should I do?? I’m at my wit’s end.

 

Well, then, you have to learn to live with the problem. That is, you cannot beat the artillery fungus (at this time), so manage it. Use mulches that the artillery fungus doesn’t like, such as large pine bark nuggets. Then, put down a fresh layer of mulch each year – we have no evidence for this, but yearly applications of layers of mulch really seem to inhibit the artillery fungus.

Another possibility, but one we have not investigated, is to use ground cover such as ivy, periwinkle, or pachysandra in place of the mulch around your foundation. It seems likely that the artillery fungus would not grow well under the canopy (on the fallen dead leaves) of such ground-cover plants. Or, establish lawn right up to your foundation. An artificial mulch made of plastic, old tires, etc. should work, but we have not tested it.

Where ever you are, and whatever you do, your job is to be as
EXCEPTIONAL as possible!

This past weekend I attended a roundtable hosted by Tom and Barbara Vogel, owners of ACR Pressure Washing Services in Easton, Pennsylvania. . The Vogel’s have been hosting these power washing roundtables to promote education and camaraderie in our industry for many years, and I personally want to thank them for an exceptional job.

I an not just saying that because they let me be the first speaker and set the pace for all those who followed, I honstly can say they did an exception job.

The Vogel’s truly enjoy a friendship with each and every attendee, whether it was their first time meeting them or not. During the roundtable there was laughter and jokes along with serious discussions on the power washing industry. They also had a food table spread that would make any caterer jealous!!

As I walked around listening to everyone I could tell that they treasured their time at the ACR roundtable. The flow of information between everyone was awesome, and the speakers were the icing on the cake. And speaking of cake, which was delicious, I would like to wish Barbara a happy birthday and may you have many more.

Tom and Barbara Vogel are exceptional people, and that is how they live their life. They are NOT your average, run of the mill, mediocre, just another power washer supply house. They are Outstanding, Amazing, Astonishing, Exceptional, in everything they do. In the way they look, the way they feel, the way they act, the way they treat others, and in the value they bring to the power washing industry is just incredible.

So my question to you is: Can you be like Tom and Barbara Vogel? Are you doing all you can do? What is the quality or the value of what you are doing? Is it the best you can do? Is it Exceptional? Amazing? Astonishing? Is what you are doing, the way you live your life, the interactions you have with others, and the value you bring to the marketplace you serve, the best that you can possibly bring?

The late Earl Nightingale, once said that “Our rewards will always be in exact proportion to our service.” Said another way, the marketplace rewards you in exact proportion to the value you bring to it. Bring a little value, receive a little reward; a lot of value produces a bigger reward. So, if you bring a lot of value to the lives of others, you can expect to be rewarded in exact proportion.

We all know that this life is terminal none of us are going to get out of it alive. Every one of us is going to exit at some time, we just don’t know when or what the circumstances of our leaving will be.

I have built my company, East Coast Powerwashing, truly believing that you have to use the best product and do the best job because anything other than that is doing a total disservice to my customers, my business and my family.

Create a life that you can be proud of, get out there and be as EXCEPTIONAL as you can be. There are so many people who need that part of you… and you never know who they are!

Did you ever hear the expression “you get what you pay for”? Well in every contractor job this is true. You will get a low ball quote from some “fly-by-nighter” who does not remotely understand what it entails to get the job done right.

Unfortunately, the power washing industry is plagued with these “fly-by-nighters” or “Splash-and-Dashers” that think that because they have an “Elcheepo-Depot” pressure washer that they know how to power wash. Most of them have the improper tools for the job and they believe that bleach actually cleans without damaging anything.
You can usually find these “fly-by-nighters” signs nailed to telephone poles throughout your neighborhood. I actually saw one of these signs nailed to a telephone pole that was on private property with “NO TRESSPASSING” signs and a fence around it. What does that tell you about the ethics of that person?

Here are some questions to ask:

1.  Are they certified or do they have any type of license for the type of job that they are doing?
2.  Do they have the proper knowledge of their equipment and the cleaning process?
3.  Do they use a mold inhibitor to protect your home and neutralize the cleaning products?
4.  Do they require you to pay cash or write the check out in their name?
5.  Are they doing the job legally?
6.  Do they have insurance?
7.  Do they have a business license?
8.  Do they offer a guarantee?
9.  How much $liability$ are you exposing yourself to?

I have found that hiring the low bidder only causes headaches. What happens if you are not happy with the job, are they going to come back? (LOL). No, they are gone with your money because they are a one time employee. They will come out, do a half-assed job, and expect you to pay them in cash, only never to see them again.
If you have ever seen one of those home shows on TV about contractor nightmares you will always hear them say to hire the right person for the job the first time and you will not have any problems. They always say make sure they have insurance, licenses, guarantees, and are going to be there when you need them.

Protect yourself by asking these questions. Any reputable company will be more than happy to show you and documentation or give you phone numbers so that you can verify your concerns. If you don’t get your questions answered to your satisfaction – move on to the next company.

My name is Dan Galvin and together with the love of my life, my wife of twenty years – Heather – we own and operate East Coast Powerwashing Inc. Our original company’s name was S.A.M.S. Mobile Wash which started off as a Fleet Washing (truck washing) company and would also clean houses and sidewalks as the jobs came along.

I joined the power washing business in 2003, when I purchased S.A.M.S. Mobile Wash from my uncle Ken. Prior to that I worked 13 years in the insurance business and also served six years in the U.S. Navy. (USS Oliver Hazard Perry FFG-7)

My wife was totally against me starting in the power washing business because she had no knowledge of the industry and asked me, “How the heck are you going to make a living with a G.D. garden hose!!!!!” She was not very happy with me.

Well it has been over 7 years since I started in the power washing business and I am proud to say that I have accomplished more than most power washers have. I would say the one main key to my success in the power washing business is because I joined Power Washers of North America (PWNA), www.PWNA.org, when I first started in business in 2003.

I mention the PWNA because it is one of the only power washing association out there today and its members are the core of the industry. I immediately became strongly involved with the PWNA. Through community projects organized by PWNA, I even got to work on washing the Jefferson Memorial and Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, for which I was rewarded one the most prestigious award in our industry – the Robert Hinderliter Award (founder of the PWNA) – “PWNA’S Most Valuable Member of the Year” in 2007. And as a result of the work I did with PWNA over the years, I was also recognized with the Merit Award in 2008.

I am very proud to say that in 2008 I was elected to the industry’s highest position as President of Power Washers of North America. It is truly an honor to be elected to this position and work with an incredible board of directors.

Prior to my election as President of the PWNA, I was a member of the PWNA Education Committee which designs and approves certification courses for the power washing industry across North America such as House Washing, Fleet Washing, Flat Surface Cleaning and More. We worked very hard as a committee to design courses that are the proper and professional way to power wash all while protecting the home and business owners.

I tell you all this because one of my goals is to educate the public about the power washing industry. We are NOT “Splash-and-Dashers” looking to make a few bucks for beer money; we are an actual industry of professionals that care about our businesses, our customers, and the communities in which we live and work.

However, our industry has a dark side; it often attracts a large number of “fly by nighters” – people that don’t understand how to properly get the job done and are often willing to cut corners on quality and safety just to make a few bucks. You, the homeowner, have to be aware of them, because while getting “a deal” might be an attractive proposition, if something is too good to be true – well, it almost always turns out to be a bad decision in the long run.

The good news is that there is a large and growing number of Professional Power Washers who are continually investing in educating ourselves and our employees how to do our job safely and correctly.

Many a person will slap a magnetic sign on their truck, purchase a box-store pressure washer, grab a gallon of bleach, and call themselves a “Power Washer”. Then un-knowing homeowners will hire such a person, and as a result open themselves up to a myriad of problems.

You can recognize these guys by the magnetic signs, no uniform, and a pile of ladders atop their vehicle. We in the industry refer to them as “splash-and-dashers”. They are looking for their weekend beer money. They are unqualified, unreliable, and can pretty much bet uninsured!!!

Not only are the “splash and dashers” untrained, but they use inferior equipment such as that little 2.5 gallon pressure washer that you saw on sale at the local box-store. Therefore, if they are using inferior grade equipment, they are using inferior grade cleaners.

Do not fall for the misconception that bleach will clean. Bleach is not a detergent, it will not clean. Bleach could destroy the vinyl siding finish, which in turn shortens the life span of the vinyl and it will crack and split. It will no longer be shiny; it will be dull. Bleach also destroys the wood fiber in wood shingle homes and wood decking. Bleach will shorten the life span of shingles and decking.

The new scam out there is called “soft wash” – yes I called it a scam. I truly believe that that this type of washing is un-ethical! You have a guy mixing 3 – 4 gallons of bleach with 1 gallon of soap and he thinks that he has a house cleaner. I can guarantee that within six months mold and mildew will reappear on your home. If you do not get a 1 year guarantee against the return of mold and mildew from your power washer – they are washing wrong!

There have been several times that I have driven around and seen these “splash- and-dashers” washing someone’s home. I would stop in and talk to “splashers” only to find five gallons of Clorox bleach sitting beside their piece-of-crap pressure washer. I would ask them what detergent they were using and they would respond by pointing to the bleach. I would reiterate to them that the bleach does nothing more than hide the dirt. They respond with “my uncle is a painter, and that is all he ever uses” or “I don’t care, I’m getting paid, I’m out of here and won’t be around next year to hear their complaints”.

I try to educate these “splashers” and tell them that they should get properly trained and certified and join a nationally recognized organization that will better them in the long run, however they are just in it for the quick buck and are not looking for a long term relationship with you, the homeowner.

Make it easy on yourself, hire the right company the first time.

 

East Coast Powerwashing Inc. has certified power washers and has trained other power washers from around the country in the proper method of power washing. East Coast Powerwashing washes every house with the intention of removing pollutants, surface oxidation, and as well as mold and mildew.

We start by:
- Applying at low pressure, our specially formulated house wash detergent to the exterior of you home.- We then switch to rinse and wash each row of siding and/or pattern clean. (The rinse is started at the outside of the gutters and work down to the foundation)

- Once the rinse is complete we apply our mildew retardant surface sealant which is a unique formula that will enhance the appearance of vinyl and/or aluminum as well as prevent mildew reformation on all surfaces, including wood. Plus we guarantee no mold will return for one year.

By doing this type of power washing we provide our customers with excellent results. It also makes our competitors that utilize what we call the “splash & dash” method look like amateurs. (“Splash & Dash” or “Soft Wash” refers to the person that splashes bleach ( Sodium or Calcium Hypochlorite) on the house, rinses and leaves. Bleach does absolutely NOTHING for cleaning carbon type pollutants such as acid rain, exhaust carbons (from vehicles), dirt, grease or grime from your home.)

East Coast Powerwashing uses only the BEST house wash products on the market. Combined with our mold & mildew retardant surface sealant you can be assured that the soil around your home will be left with a neutral PH level. The soil PH level is very important for the health and safety of your plants, animals and children.

There are various levels of cleaning and various qualities of work. We at East Coast Powerwashing are “Setting the Standards” in the power washing industry and feel that doing the best job is the ONLY way you want your house washed.

PLYMOUTH —

By Rich Harbert

GateHouse News Service

Posted Jun 12, 2010 @ 06:00 AM

 A twist on the beloved children’s story Make Way For Ducklings is playing out on a lobster boat in Plymouth Harbor.

Capt. Dan Galvin’s version would be better titled No Wake For Ducklings.

 

Galvin is cutting back on his lobstering this month after finding his boat, the Genna Lynne, is home to a nest of duck eggs.

 

Galvin and his stern man, Bob Urichuk, discovered the nest earlier this week after noticing how a duck kept trying to land on the boat when they arrived early in the morning for a day of fishing.

The third morning they realized the duck was actually taking off. They concluded the bird must be nesting and found four eggs in a woolen nest under some survival gear.

 

Galvin did some research and learned the ducklings typically hatch in 25 to 28 days.

 

He has no idea when the eggs were laid but expects to see ducklings within the next couple of weeks.

 

Galvin runs a power washing business and generally only goes out on the boat on days when business is slow and weather is favorable. The boat had been sitting in the water unattended for about two weeks before he and Urichuk first noticed the duck last Thursday. They spotted the duck again Friday and, after a weekend off, discovered the nest Monday.

 

“I have no idea where she went when we were out on water. We’re out sometimes for six to eight hours,” Galvin said. “It’s bizarre.”

 

The Galvins were instantly reminded of Make Way For Ducklings, Robert McCloskey’s story of how Boston police officers comes to the rescue of a family of mallards making its way across busy city streets to the city’s Public Garden. The 1941 picture book remains a classic among children of all ages and spawned a monument in the Public Garden to Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings, Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Ouack, Pack and Quack.

 

Rack, Sack, Tack and Uack may not be far behind.

Galvin’s power washing business has kept him off the water this week and an upcoming family vacation should get the duck family through nesting season.

 

“We were trying to think up names, like Make Wake For Ducklings, but it’s basically No Wake For Ducklings because we’re not going out right now,” Galvin said. “We’ll just leave her alone and let the ducks hatch and, hopefully, four little ducklings will be out there soon.”

Don’t Get Ripped Off by Scam Artist or Un-ethical, Unqualified Contractors. Protect Yourself With This Consumer Guide Absolutely FREE!

This special report reveals 7 dirty little secrets other power washers and contractors don’t want you to know. But beware – each of these secrets could easily cost you hundreds, even thousands of dollars and often much more!

Download your FREE eBook “7 Costly Mistakes Even Smart Homeowners Make When Hiring a Power Washer or any other contractor” today at

I have built East Coast Powerwashing Inc believing that you have to use the best product and do the best job because anything other than that is doing a total disservice to my customers, my business and my family. 

http://eastcoastpowerwashing.com

 

East Coast Powerwashing Inc. Joined the Power Washers of North America (PWNA) Clean Across North America by Cleaning the First Lutheran Church in Osterville MA. This church is very active in the community and East Coast Powerwashing Inc was proud to help them restore the church to the beautiful looking church it once was.

PWNA Clean Across North America 2010is a way for PWNA members across the continent and make a difference in your community! During the months of July, August, and September, 2010, power washing companies will be contributing their time, workers, and materials to various organizations and groups to work at schools, hospitals, shelters, parks, government buildings, as well as police and fire stations. Teams using environmentally safe procedures and EPA compliant cleaning methods will help clean accumulated dirt and grime, graffiti, mold, and mildew from our public buildings, streets, parks, and other public areas in order to give back to the communities they provide services in. All work will be performed using Best Management Practices developed by the PWNA to safely clean our communities assets.

Below are before and after photos of the church

East Coast Powerwashing is look for charitable organizations to “give back to”. If you know a charitable organization in need of FREE power washing services, go to our Charitable Giving page at eactcoastpowerwashing.com

I warn and warn people but they still hire these fly by nighters.  I just can’t seem to get the word out to everyone.  I drive around and see these bad power washing jobs that people actually paid for.  It’s the same thing, a painter turned power washer and all they do is use bleach.  I saw one painter with a pump sprayer and twenty gallons of bleach spraying bleach directly on the wood shingles!   Bleach eats wood!  I actually stopped and asked him why he was destroying this house with the bleach and his responds was this is the way he’s been doing it for twenty years.  My response should have been “well you’ve been doing it wrong for twenty years.”  However I just asked him, have you ever been trained in the correct way of cleaning wood?  Unfortunately he was not interested in learning, he just wanted to do the job and get paid.  I drove by that house the other day and it looks like crap!   

Another painter turned power washer turned a green painted house gray!  Why did it turn gray?  Because he just used bleach and the paint could not stand up to its corrosive properties.

There are companies out there that spend millions of dollars to develop the proper cleaners for different types of siding on a house.  Sure the correct cleaners cost a lot more than bleach, but if you are going to do a job why can’t you do it right!  I spend on average $73 more per house for the proper cleaners than those idiots that just use bleach, however the house I clean will stay cleaner three times longer and in some cases even longer.  I went by a house down the street from me who went with the cheep guy (saved himself $75.) three months ago.  Not only was it a bad job, but in just three months you can see mold growing on the front of the house. WOW!   Again, to do the job properly you need the correct products. 

I gave an estimate a few weeks ago and the guy asked me question after question, I loved it because no one ever asks these questions.  Come to find out he is a Real Estate Home Inspector and had seen some really bad power washing jobs and wanted to make sure that I knew what I was doing.  Not only did I answer all his questions right I went above and beyond and gave him a list of questions that every one hiring a contractor should ask along with a copy of my book 7 Costly Mistakes Even Smart Homeowners Make When Hiring a Power Washer.   Of course I got the job and did a great job cleaning as always!

As I was talking to him I told him how shocked and appalled by the lack of respect these so called power washers have for other people’s property.  They don’t care enough to get properly trained to do the job right.  I told him about the PWNA.org (Power Washers of North America) and how this association has training in place for several different types of power washing.  They offer courses, videos, hands-on training and many other ways to become educated and trained in the proper way to clean a home. 

Like everyone he agreed, but I think he was just happy he found me and didn’t have to hire one of those “Splash and Dashers”.

People don’t be afraid to ask questions! 

I could go on and on about these untrained, unqualified, unethical, and probably uninsured idiots but i will end it here.

I will only use the best products and have the best service, because anything else would be a total disservice to my customers, my business and my family.

 

Dan Galvin

East Coast Powerwashing

 

.

Not all service providers are equally qualified to help you with your power washing projects. And, unfortunately, many are only interested in getting a few of your hard earned dollars without much concern for providing you with good quality service and lasting value. These questions will help you recognize quality contractors and spot the “bad apples.”

1. 1.           Do they have insurance?
2. 2.           Do they have a business license?
3. 3.           Do they offer a guarantee?
4. 4.           Are they certified or do they have any type of license
   for the type of job that they are doing?
5. 5.           Do they have the proper knowledge of their equipment
   and the cleaning process?
6. 6.           Do they use a mold inhibitor to protect your home and
   neutralize the cleaning products?
7. 7.           Do they require you to pay cash or write the check out
   in their name?
   

Consumer Warning! Read This Before you Hire a Power Washer to Clean your Deck or House

By: Dan Galvin, Owner East Coast Powerwashing, Inc.

We’ve all seen them. The simple handwritten signs tacked illegally on telephone poles around town offering to power wash your deck or house on the cheap. It’s probably tempting to consider using someone who will charge less – after all, it’s just a bit of high powered water, right? What could possibly go wrong?

Plenty.

Sub-Standard Equipment

Let’s start with the equipment these “splash and dashers” use. If you wanted to power wash your own house (and you’d be surprised how many people try), you’d visit your local big box store and purchase a little pressure washer. This is the same thing these guys do. These machines aren’t intended for use on big jobs like houses or decks, which is one reason they don’t come with long hoses. They also don’t have the cleaning capacity that professional pressure washing equipment does, so your house won’t be as clean as it could be.

Inappropriate Cleaning Solutions

One of the worst things you can apply to your home’s exterior is bleach. Bleach is not a cleaner, it simply eats away at things – including your vinyl siding, wood deck and unsuspecting plants. Bleach is great at masking a problem like mold, because when the splash and dashers are finished, the mold is gone. But is it? Guaranteed, within six months you’ll see mold growing on your house again and your cheap power washer guy? He’ll be off doing something new and be totally unaccountable for his shoddy work.

Unsafe Working Conditions and Insurance

A ladder, to the professional power washer, is a dangerous tool. Our Power washing wands can reach up to over 30 feet. That’s why we very rarely use ladders. Splash and dashers use ladders and frequently have several with them on any given job. The problem is that a ladder isn’t a stable object. If the pressure is too high in the washer, it could literally blow a ladder – and the person on it – away from the house and down to disaster.

Which brings me to my next point: Insurance. Many homeowners assume that anyone in business for himself has insurance. This is a dangerous assumption that could cost you more than just money. Always ask to see proof of liability and Workman’s Compensation insurance. If someone tries to show you their auto or health insurance certificate, do not hire them! A cheap cleaning job isn’t worth it if your uninsured contractor has an accident, and you lose your house to cover his medical bills.

Why Hire a Professional Power Washer

Professional power washers are trained in the best practices for cleaning, restoring, water reclamation, environmental issues. They take the time to learn their craft and become certified by the Power Washers of North America (www.pwna.org), an organization dedicated to the support, education and being the voice of the power washing industry.

There really is more to power washing that putting water into a pressure washer and turning it on. For example, remember the bleach discussion? Bleach is the product of choice for the splash and dashers because it’s cheap and appears to do the job. But what bleach does is dry out your vinyl siding, eat away at your wood decks and kill plants that happen to be in the way. Bleach is caustic and bad for the environment. Professionals don’t use bleach because it doesn’t work and isn’t safe.

Professional power washers use cleaning and sealing products appropriate for each surface. In addition, because they’re environmentally conscious, they use as many products as possible that are earth-friendly. This also includes safe and prudent water use so that they not only don’t pollute, but use just enough water to get the job done…and no more.

Professional power washers will also guarantee their work and work with you until you’re satisfied. And they’ll still be around next time you want to reach them.

Because I believe so strongly in what I do, I’ve written a book, “Seven Costly Mistakes Smart Homeowners Make When Hiring a Power Washer.” In it, I discuss some of the ideas introduced in this article in more detail and give you other mistakes to avoid. While it’s a quick read, the information I provide can save you time and money the next time you look to hire a power washer. Get your complimentary copy by going to http://eastcoastpowerwashing.com.

Your home may be one of the largest investments you make in your lifetime. Protect its value and beauty by hiring a professional power washer the first time and every time.