Houston Pressure Washers: We Answer the 9 Most Frequently Asked Questions

Have You Got Questions? We Have Answers!

So, it's time to do some pressure washing...now what? With so many choices out there, coupled with the fact that many retailers are now selling pressure washers, how do you cut through the nonsense and make the best choices? Not to worry! We have the answers to the 9 Most Frequently Asked Questions about pressure washers.

What do I really need? How much is enough?

Good question. The answer depends on several things. For one, what exactly are you going to be pressure washing and how often? If you are a home owner pressure washing your house, you should be fine purchasing a cold water unit. We recommend at least a machine that puts out 1,500 psi (pounds per square inch) at 3 or 4 gallons of water per minute. If you are washing a commercial property, you may want to go with a little higher pressure. Also, be sure to always have enough high pressure hose to allow unrestrained movement. We recommend at least 150-200 feet of steel wire braid high pressure hose to give you maximum mobility.

Hot water or cold?

Cold water pressure washers handle such cleaning situations as dirt, mildew, and algae removal from building exteriors and sidewalks. Combined with a detergent injector, a cold water pressure washer will generally be sufficient. However, when you need to remove oil or grease, hot water is the only way to go. Hot Water pressure washers are ideal for removing oil and grease stains from driveways, removing oil and grease from heavy equipment, gum from commercial sidewalks, and practically any substance where removal is dependent on breaking down the molecular structure. (In other words, anything you need to "melt away")

What about electric pressure washers?

Electric Pressure Washers have certainly made inroads in recent years. While gasoline and diesel powered pressure washers may be more mobile in some instances, there is a great environmental benefit to the alternative electric pressure washer. Because they are clean running, electric pressure washers are ideal for cleaning situations where emissions would other wise be a problem. There are both hot water and cold water electric pressure washers. Action Cleaning Equipment carries a full line of electric pressure washers for the environmentally minded.

What about pressure washers sold at home improvement stores?

In recent years, pressure washers have become a booming retail business. Home improvement and hardware stores have jumped on board in an effort to gain a share of the market. Prices have reached all time lows and pressure washers are available everywhere you look. However, on closer inspection, a conscientious consumer would realize that there's a vast difference between what is available to the general public and the higher end, industrial grade machines establishments such as Action Cleaning Equipment carry. For the home owner who only plans to use a pressure washer once or twice a year for very limited application, one of these machines may be sufficient. For the individual who needs a consistently dependable pressure washer on a regular basis for a variety of applications, only higher end pressure washers such as those sold by Action Cleaning Equipment will suffice.

What is a surface cleaner and why should I use one?

Surface Cleaners are pressure washer attachments that clean flat surfaces such as driveways, patios, sidewalks, and decks. They are round in construction and mounted on casters for easy maneuvering. The secret to their success is the swivel in the center of the unit which feeds two separate nozzle tips. These tips move in a circular motion and leave a streak free finish on a cleaned surface. Another huge benefit to using a surface cleaner is the amount of time and energy saved. On average, a surface cleaner is between 3 and 10 times faster than washing with a wand. There are now surface cleaners without casters which may also be used for cleaning vertical surfaces.

What is an injector and how would it help me?

An injector is a tool designed to spread detergents and chemicals over large areas very quickly. For example, imagine having to apply detergent or bleach with a bucket and a broom or scrub brush over a large area. An injector introduces the detergent or chemical into the outflowing stream of water and spreads it quickly. This is a highly effective way to reduce time and energy spent on a cleaning project.

I don't like heights, how can I reach the high areas without a ladder?

There was a time when pressure washing any high areas required climbing a ladder and nerves of steel. While there are still some applications that require climbing, many cleaning situations may now be addressed with both feet firmly planted on the ground. One tool that helps facilitate easy cleaning of high spots is the X-Jet Injector. This revolutionary pressure washing accessory has been known to apply chemicals and detergents as high as 35-40 feet vertically. This is especially useful for situations where setting up a ladder is virtually impossible or highly dangerous. Another useful tool for reaching high areas is the telescopic wand. Extending 18-20 feet, a telescopic wand is ideal for washing eaves and overhangs on two story homes or tall one story commercial buildings.

It's my first time, got any suggestions to make things easier?

Before starting any pressure washing project, it's always a good idea to walk around the entire job with a pen and notebook. Make a note of all areas to be washed and decide what materials are needed. Also make a note of any preemptive actions necessary such as covering of plants or addressing potential hazards such as open electrical outlets. Decide where you will start and where to place the pressure washer for maximum mobility and minimal movement. For example, if you put the washer one corner of the house, you can wash the front and the side without moving the machine. Get a gameplan and follow through. However, don't be afraid to change plans if you need to. Be sure to get extra hose to improve your mobility. If you are going to be pressure washing flat surfaces such as driveways, patios, sidewalks, or decks, a surface cleaner will save enormous amounts of time. An injector will also speed things up drastically when it comes to applying detergent or bleach. Be sure to allow yourself extra time for the unexpected. If you absolutely must climb a ladder, do that part of the job first while you are fresh and alert. Try to keep your equipment such as extra wands and ladders in one central location. This will make things easier at the end of the day when it's time to round everything up.

Rent or buy, which is right for me?

If you have never used a pressure washer, it's probably best to rent at first. This will eliminate the possibility of "buyer's remorse" down the road. If you don't plan on using a pressure washer on a regular basis, you may never need to purchase one. Action Cleaning Equipment has a full line of rental pressure washers for any application. If using a pressure washer is going to be a regular part of your future, then purchasing one will most likely prove to be a wise investment. Action Cleaning Equipment has a full line of pressure washers to fit any application.
I hope this article will be helpful when it's time for you to purchase or rent a pressure washer. For the best in Houston Pressure Washers please visit Action Cleaning.net.

Houston Foundation Repair Costs Are Going Through the Roof

Foundation Repair Costs Are Going Through the Roof...in case you haven't noticed. Unfortunately, this trend doesn't show any signs of slowing down. However, with a little snooping you can keep more of your hard earned dollars!

Foundation Repair gets more and more expensive. Even in a tough economy, many of the larger companies seem to be raising their rates continually. Of course, it begs the question: Why?

First, you need to understand that there is more competition for your business now more than ever. But wait...shouldn't more competition drive prices down? Ordinarily, the answer would be a resounding "Yes!". However, this is not your ordinary business.

Foundation Repair is a high stakes business which sees companies popping up and disappearing continually. Many go out of business before their first advertisements can reach publication. Once a Foundation Repair Company has survived its initial stages, the fight has just begun. At this stage, success means jumping into the deep end of a crowded pool.

Once competing in the big leagues, any business must rethink its strategy. With television commercials, celebrity endorsements, franchise fees, high overhead, and hundreds or even thousands of employees, most large Foundation Repair companies simply MUST charge high prices in order to stay in business. Now, imagine that you are the CEO of a high profile company and all your major competitors are raising the stakes with their advertising. You either follow suit, or your company begins to lose money. Eventually, you're out of business. So, like all your competitors, you bite the bullet and anty up for more advertising and pass along that expense to your customers. So, Foundation Repair Costs go up. It's a lose/lose scenario.

So, what's the answer? How do you get your job done properly without losing your life savings?

Seek out the local companies that enjoy that special niche where they are large enough to handle any job, but small enough to be accessible to all their customers. A small to medium sized company will want to serve its city and the surrounding areas without the hoopla. They don't need celebrities to tell you how good their work is; their satisfied customers are usually more than happy to do that for them. Most of them have found out that "word of mouth" is the best advertisement in the world.

In the end, you'll want to do business with a local Foundation Repair company that offers you Quality at an Affordable Price.

For the best Foundation Repair Houston Texas has to offer, please visit Keystone Foundation.com

Houston Foundations Suffer From Drought Conditions

Houston Foundation Repair often booms as an industry during the hot summer months. The reason for this is mostly drought or drought-like conditions. Currently, Houston and southeast Texas are experiencing a deficit in rainfall amounts. We are in the middle of an extreme drought.

In times like this, lawn and landscaping tend to capture our attention first. The most likely reason for this is that they are the first things to show signs of thirst for water. We focus on saving grass, shrubbery, plants, flowers and the like all while overlooking the truly important things such as our homes’ foundations.

Foundation Failure can be caused my many things. Perhaps one of the most overlooked causes is the compacting of soil due to drought conditions. When these conditions are in play, it is wise to maintain a consistent watering schedule for the sake of your soil, which will in turn save your greenery. Most importantly, it just may save your home’s foundation.

As emphasized in the last article, trees are the biggest water thieves known to man. I saw first hand evidence of this last week in west Houston. Standing in the yard of a client, I saw no less than 12 pine trees which towered from 30 to 70 feet in the air. My client had just had several trees removed because grass simply would not grow in the yard. I learned that the yard had been last watered 2 days earlier, though it could not be proven by the condition of the ground which was hard and dry.

This brings us to another point: even in normal conditions, it is possible for your soil to experience drought conditions simply because it is being robbed of water. While trees are nice to have, they present home owners with a huge liability of Foundation Failure. If you have trees in your yard, it is critical that you maintain a consistent daily watering schedule. Yes, your water bill will be higher as your consumption increases. However, consider this: which is likely to be more expensive – a monthly water bill or Foundation Repair Cost? Remember, nothing is so costly as regret.

For the best Foundation Repair Houston Texas has to offer, please visit Keystone Foundation.com

Why Watering Your Lawn Is Important

Foundation Repair is all too often necessary after a period of extreme drought. The main cause of Foundation Failure is the expanding and contracting of the soil on which your home’s foundation rests. In times of severe drought, soil dries out and contracts. This leaves a considerable void which gravity attempts to fill with your home’s foundation.

To further complicate matters, each tree in your yard consumes vast amounts of water and moisture on a daily basis. A full grown Live Oak Tree can easily rob your yard’s soil of 700-800 gallons per day. With root systems that reach depths equal to the height of the tree and sometimes running linearally up to and beneath your home’s foundation, it’s easy to see how even one tree can cause settlement problems in your concrete slab. Multiply the number of trees in your yard and you multiply the number of potential problem.

Many Foundation problems can easily be avoided by consistently watering your lawn. While a fully automated sprinkler system is your best bet, even a sprinkler water hose attachment or two will help immensely. Equally important is when you water your lawn. Watering in the heat of a hot summer day can have adverse affects and defeat your purpose. First, a significant amount of the water will simply evaporate and you will have wasted your money when it’s time to pay the water bill. Secondly, whatever amount of water manages to stay on the grass will heat up in the sun, having the effect of pouring hot water on your grass.

A split watering schedule is preferrable. Watering in the morning prepares your lawn for the hot day ahead. Watering in the evening replentishes what was lost through the heat of the day. While this may sound time consuming and expensive, it will almost guarantee that your lawn and your foundation will get ample moisture.

So, how long should you leave the sprinklers on? For the most part, it will depend on the condition of your soil. Once your yard is holding moisture, the length of time shortens considerably. In most cases, it is reasonable to expect to run sprinklers 20-30 minutes if you have an automated system. If you must manually water or use a hose attachment, it would be 20-30 minutes per area. A good rule of thumb is to water until your soil refuses to accept more water. When you see standing water or water running off, you will know your objective has been reached.

A little consistency and water go a long way to maintaining a healthy concrete slab foundation.

For the best Foundation Repair Houston Texas has to offer, please visit Keystone Foundation.com

Foundation Failure! 5 Things You Should Know Before Buying A Home

There it is! Your dream home sits there before your very eyes. You found just about everything you ever wanted and it’s in a great location. The house passed inspection. You’ve worked, sacrificed, and saved to make a down payment. You’ve jumped through the hoops and moved Heaven and Earth to make it a reality. What else could you possibly need to do before signing on the dotted line and walking into your dream?

Well, as it turns out, there are 5 more things to consider…and they all have something to do with your future dream home’s foundation.

1) Not all home inspections are equal.

Though most professional inspectors are extremely good at what they do, they can and often do miss signs of future foundation failure. A professional inspector’s field is so broad that it can be difficult or almost impossible to be proficient at every single area. Often, what passes inspection as “settling cracks” is really a neon sign announcing upcoming Foundation Failure.

2) It’s All About Location, Location, Location

Where you buy is just as important as what you buy. Houses sitting on flood plains are a disaster just waiting to happen. Even houses on the highest parcels of a flood plain are susceptible to the devastating results of flooding. A home owner may breathe a well deserved sigh of relief when his or her home is spared from water in the house and not realize the impact flooding has had on the soil on which the house sits. Soils react to standing water in a negative way through either expanding and contracting or erosion. Either can lead to Foundation Failure.

3) The type of soil beneath the house dictates the future.

Different soil types do different things. Clays tend to expand and contract with moisture or the lack thereof. Sand mixes often erode with sever rain conditions. Loamy mixes, both sand and clay, can be vulnerable to the proportions of the soil mixtures. A soil analysis can almost predict the future of a home’s foundation.

4) Outdated plumbing is a recipe for disaster.

In older homes, cast iron plumbing was installed in the initial construction. As time passes, cast iron becomes porous and eventually starts to leak. The ground surrounding the leak softens and gives way to the incredible amount of weight of the house above it. This creates unnatural stress on a concrete slab foundation and leads to foundation failure. It is important to note that not all plumbing leaks manifest symptoms! Home owners will often state emphatically that there’s been no change in water pressure in any of the home’s fixtures, therefore there cannot be a “plumbing leak”. The reality is that a plumbing leak can actually be a sewer drain leak. Sewer drain leaks do not create decreased water pressure because they use gravity to carry away waste and waste water. Once water hits the sewer drain, it has served its purpose and is leaving. The functional capabilities of faucets and toilets are unaffected by sewer leaks, hence, no lowered water pressure.

5) Everything is subject to change without prior notice.

Though not often, a house can pass inspection and then have issues almost immediately after purchase. Timing is tricky because things don’t come with an expiration date on them. Couple that with an overloaded professional inspector and you could have a potential time bomb on your hands. It almost makes a potential home buyer want to just stay put and forgo that dream house…almost. There is still hope for that dream house.

A Foundation Repair Specialist is worth every penny he charges if he saves a potential home buyer his or her life savings. Unlike a general house inspector, a Foundation Specialist knows all the signs and can see where they’re going. Additionally, he knows all the right questions to ask the current home owner and can build the home’s back story. This enables him to tell you if there’s a happy ending or not.

Before you make a decision on purchasing a home, consult a local Foundation Professional. His or her expertise will come with a reasonable price which will insure that your interests are served and not the interest of someone trying to unload a “money pit”. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

For the best Foundation Repair Houston Texas has to offer, please visit Keystone Foundation.com

Question: What's More Expensive Than a High Water Bill? Answer: Foundation Failure

While many people are unwilling to cut down on shower time, they think nothing of eliminating the watering of their home’s lawn in order to save a buck. The logic is that a little dry grass never hurt anyone. While dry grass is mainly an eyesore and a minor irritant to the neighbors, the underlying soil is where the real problem lies.

Foundation Failure is the result of unnatural and disproportionate stress placed upon a home’s concrete slab foundation. This stress is caused by movement in the soil beneath some area of the concrete slab. Most often, soil movement is caused by a plumbing or sewer leak which softens the ground surrounding the leak. Appearing out of nowhere, the symptoms are dramatic and noticeable. In these cases, a Foundation Repair Company is called and the issue is resolved. However, there is another, more sinister danger which hides silently in plain sight as it deals deadly blows on a daily basis. That danger is drought.

Soil expands and contracts with changes in temperature and moisture levels. When drought conditions are present, soil becomes compacted and shrinks. This can cause voids in certain areas beneath a home’s concrete slab foundation. These voids create stress which can, in turn, lead to Foundation Failure.

Foundation Repair can be expensive, depending on the company and the method used. Even cut rate foundation repair is more than home owners want to spend. Let’s face it, this is not an enjoyable way to spend hard earned money! And while we’re on the topic, cut rate foundation repair is almost always the most expensive in the long run because it doesn’t last. (this is a topic for another day, though)

So, home owners must ask themselves one thing: “Am I willing to gamble with my home?” If the answer is no, then home owners would be well advised to start and maintain a consistent lawn watering schedule.(another future article, maybe the next one?) That few cents a gallon will ultimately be less than foundation repair and certainly easier on your pocketbook!

For the best in  Foundation Repair Houston Texas has to offer, please visit Keystone Foundation.com