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Today’s the day. After numerous delays – family events, smaller DIY tasks inside, uncooperative weather – you can finally tackle the long-awaited exterior house painting project that’s been on the back burner. Blue skies and nothing but sunshine. But first, the siding looks a little dingy and definitely needs to be cleaned before you can paint. If you’ve decided to go the DIY route rather than hire professional Long Island power washers, we’ll offer some advice to help you get the results you need.

As you know, house siding accumulates a thin film of dirt, chalk, and other debris, and even if it’s not easily visible, it’s critical to remove all detritus before you start painting. The worst thing you could do is paint over dirt or minuscule debris which will eventually bleed through the paint, possibly forcing you to scrape or power wash all over again. The most effective way to clean your siding is to use a power washer.

PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR POWER WASHING

As the name implies, power washing uses a high-pressure stream of water to remove loose mold, paint, grime, mud, dust, chewing gum, and dirt from objects and surfaces like buildings, vehicles, and hard surfaces. To prepare your home’s siding for power washing, closely examine it for any cracks or gaps. If you find any of these areas, you may want to wash these spots by hand as a full-blown power wash could result in unintended damage.

Also make sure breakable objects are removed from the area or otherwise covered, as debris dislodged by the power washer could fly and break glass lighting, windows, and other fragile items. Pets and children should be kept away from the area that’s being washed, and we always recommend that homeowners refer to power washer documentation for operating instructions and tips on safety equipment to wear during power washing.

LONG ISLAND POWER WASHING TIPS

• Please remember to use a power washer carefully, as the water jets can easily further damage wood or vinyl siding which may already be in questionable shape. Unless you’re careful, the pressure can effortlessly gouge wood siding or dislodge mortar from between bricks. Also, don’t be surprised if you still have to scrape a few spots, as even experienced power washing services may have to do the same. Pressure washing can be used on aluminum, wood, vinyl siding, and masonry, but we don’t recommend it for moisture-vulnerable hardboard siding, which is very hard to fix if it’s accidentally gouged.
• Save time, money, and effort by renting a power washer that puts out 2,000 pounds per square inch and plan on keeping it overnight, just in case.
• Pair a six-foot extension wand with the right nozzle, usually a 15- or 20-degree model. A zero-degree should be avoided unless you’re an experienced professional.
• Don’t drive water directly into visible cracks or gaps in the siding.

HOW LONG AFTER POWER WASHING CAN YOU PAINT?

There are numerous factors that determine the time needed for Massapequa area homeowners to paint after using a power washer. The three most obvious are:

Moisture within the siding following power washing

In a perfect world, you should wait about three to four days afterward before you start exterior painting. This gives typical surfaces like wood, brick, and other porous materials time to fully dry. It’s never a good idea to paint onto still wet surfaces. For example, if the wood beneath the siding is drenched, the paint may begin to bubble. When the siding is hot, moisture escapes from the wood, leading to visible imperfections.

Weather Conditions

You never want to paint when it’s raining. Humidity and cold temperatures in waterfront towns like Massapequa and Oyster Bay can affect the waiting time between washing and applying paint. These conditions add moisture to the air, meaning it could take longer for any surfaces to dry. If you try power washing under these conditions, only bad things will result. Our advice? Simply wait until dryer weather before you think of exterior painting.

What about kinds of paint?

The kind of paint you want to use also is important. If you power wash on a rain-free, sunny day, you can likely begin painting within 24 hours using latex-based paint. Oil-based paints should only be applied to fully dried surfaces, so you’ll need more time between power washing and painting.

Using a power washer is a big undertaking, most likely one you’ve committed to in anticipation of an even larger project. You may be preparing your home for a large family gathering, or getting ready to work with a realtor and sell it, and believe your residence would benefit from a fresh coat of paint.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU SHOULDN’T CLEAN WITH A POWER WASHER?

If you have any doubts about what can or can’t be cleaned with a power washer in Brookville, Melville and nearby communities, please call our professional Long Island pressure washers for more information on services in Seaford, Wantagh and nearby communities. Generally speaking, you should never use power washing on:

• Windows
• Electric meters, or anything electrical for that matter
• Asphalt shingles
• Gutters and downspouts
• Structures with old brick or crumbling mortar
• Motor vehicles
• Stained or fragile surfaces
• Light fixtures

WORK WITH A TRUSTED PROFESSIONAL

Majestic Windows & Exterior Cleaning has been a preferred window cleaner and pressure washer for hundreds of customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and neighboring communities for more than 20 years. Whether you’re a residential or business customer with big or small power washing needs, contact us today at 631-421-2295 to arrange a no-obligation inspection.

If you’ve got a tough cleaning job ahead, it’s only natural to wonder what’s the fastest and most effective way to get the job done. Let’s say you’re renovating your first house and realize the cement patio’s been painted several times, or you’d like to freshen the siding with a coat of paint but it’s a filthy mess. You can, of course, attempt to remove paint the old-fashioned way – with lots of elbow grease and only-god knows how many paint scrapers. Or, you could call a Long Island pressure washing professional for some quick advice.

Most pressure washers have a tank and special nozzle for dispensing soap or cleaning solutions. Depending on your cleaning task, there’s probably a purpose-made cleaning solution that might speed the job along and make it a bit easier. Degreasers are ideal for driveways, and a multipurpose house wash solution will assist in removing detritus from siding or patio surfaces.

Calcium and lime deposits

Fountains, pools, retaining walls, and other hard surfaces can accumulate calcium and lime sediments over time. Hard water creates such mineral deposits which are hard to remove. Scale can also be removed by experienced pressure washing services.

Chewing gum

Ahh, chewing gun – it’s not just for your bedpost overnight. It’s simply one of the stickiest, hardest things to remove from any surface, like concrete driveways and other kinds of hard surfaces. Pressure washing works wonders on nasty gooey globs, even if there hardened and been trampled in place. The trick is utilizing hot water while spraying the gum to get it to melt. Using a 4000 pounds-per-square-inch (psi) setting and working the surface in a fan pattern should remove it quickly.

Deck stains

Yes, pressure washing can remove a deck finish, but it demands precise care, so you don’t damage the deck. A pressure setting of 1500 psi should suffice. Hold the sprayer approximately 3 inches off the deck and move the sprayer in the same direction as the grain.

General-purpose stains

Pressure washing experts will add specialized detergent to the water, turning the tool into a powerful stain remover. With the right cleaning solutions, you can lift stains from wood and vinyl siding, driveways and walkways, paving stones, decks, and other materials. You can even use a power washer to lift stains off the roof of your house. Most detergent mixes work on all kinds of stains left by dirt, leaves, and other detritus from algae, built-up grime, and other stains.

For unusually tough stains, pretreat with the soapy mixture and a stiff brush. We also recommend you consider using an environmentally friendly, water-based and biodegradable product.

Graffiti

Unless you commissioned Banksy for graffiti, you’ll want to remove it from your property, and few tools are better at this than a pressure washer with a 2000 psi to 3000 psi setting, especially for stains on concrete or brick. For brick and metal surfaces, we recommend first using a chemical product, then a power washer to clean away any lingering paint and residue.

Mold and mildew

As any Long Island pressure washing professional will tell you, mold and mildew needs to be removed from wherever it grows on your property. It can lead to damage and destroy your home and health. Pressure washing is an efficient way of removing mold and mildew from many surfaces, like glass, concrete, pavers, roofing, wood, and siding. By combing a mold and mildew remover with a pressure washer, you can also get rid of the stains mildew and mold leave behind.

Oil and grease

Remember when your sister’s boyfriend left his beat-up VW Beetle in the driveway, and your father discovered oil and grease stains afterward? What a pain to remove, but with power washing, you can remove those stains from the garage, driveway, and walkway in short order. You’ll need a degreasing solution and a power washer capable of a 1700 or higher psi setting. Tough stains may require some pretreating followed by a high-pressure nozzle.

Paint

Peeling or flaking paint on a fence, siding, or a brick surface is a pain in the butt for any homeowner. Long Island power washing makes it easier and quicker. As a precaution, do a patch test before you fully begin to make sure the high-pressure spray won’t damage the surface you’re cleaning. Spray a tiny area and then adjust the pressure as required. Then, work in sections and maintain sprayer movement for the best result.

When removing paint from a wood surface using a pressure washer, be sure to spray with the grain of the wood. If any thinner or stripping chemicals have been used to remove the paint, be sure to rinse thoroughly with the power washer to ensure good paint adhesion when the new coat is applied.

Rust

If you have metal surfaces with spots of rust, using a pressure washer with a 3000-psi setting and a narrow-angle nozzle will power away rust in short order. The compact water jet is powerful enough to get rid of rust and save you some time if you have to scrape and sand.

Call Our Long Island Pressure Washing Experts

Majestic Windows & Exterior Cleaning has been a preferred window cleaner in Suffolk and Nassau counties and Long Island proper for 20 years. Whether you need windows cleaned or have a need for pressure washing services, contact us online today or call 631-421-2295 for more information.

If you’ve decided to paint your home’s exterior or other hard surface that’s already been painted, you’ve got a long job ahead of you. No matter your level of expertise, this kind of endeavor will take several hours if not longer. But what if you must remove existing paint first? That’s another hours-long task to look forward to. And now the final question – which pre-paint treatment is the best, pressure washing or scraping?

AHH, THE JOYS OF PAINT SCRAPING

A committed DIY enthusiast will tell you there’s nothing more satisfying than doing small home repairs and renovation work on your own. If that sounds crazy, you’re not the only one that feels that way. For millions of people, manual labor-intensive work – even around their own homes – is a non-starter. And that’s manual scraping is as a pre-paint treatment. It’s physically grueling. Depending on the weather, you may have to wait hours or days before starting, let alone finishing the job in a reasonable amount of time.

And there are other considerations for Long Island homeowners when it comes to paint scraping. You must buy supplies, often more than once. Scraping paint from wood, brick, or stone can quickly wear down even the best paint scraper you can buy. Why spend your own time, and money on supplies you may never use again, when a pressure washing company could do the work for you, often finishing in only a few hours?

PRESSURE WASHING VS SCRAPING: WHICH IS THE BEST PRE-PAINT TREATMENT?

If you’re up for a challenge and the thought of manual paint scraping doesn’t bother you, have at it. Otherwise, a better option may be to go with a reputable Long Island pressure washing service to do the job for you. With the right equipment and expertise, professional cleaners can have your home’s exterior or another surface prepped and ready for painting in a matter of hours.

THE BENEFITS OF PRESSURE WASHING

For small projects like paint scraping for a one-story home, pressure washing is a better option than doing the work by hand. It’s less abrasive to surfaces like wood, brick patios, concrete, and masonry. These kinds of machines also work on softer surfaces, including siding, tiled areas, and wood decks.

Pressure washing removes many items which adhere to paint

One essential thing to consider when choosing between pressure washing and paint scraping is how well one works compared to the other. When scraping by hand, you’ll likely get tired and there’s no guarantee you won’t miss a patch of paint that needs to be removed. With pressure washing, the chances of missing paint are slim, especially when the work is done by a professional. Because the pressure washer uses water, your home will also receive a thorough cleaning and scrubbing. You’re eliminating debris, grime, mildew, and nasty microscopic life forms living on your home’s exterior. By thoroughly removing all traces of old paint and cleaning at the same time, you’re better preparing for fresh paint than if you were to scrape by hand.

Saves time

Ten times out of 10, an experienced pressure washing company can get the paint preparation job completed quickly and more efficiently than the average homeowner. You won’t have to spend time gathering supplies or cleaning up afterward.

TIPS TO FOLLOW

• Make sure your Long Island pressure washing company uses the right nozzle before starting work, and low-pressure water. In most cases, a 15- or 25-degree nozzle will work fine.
• Cover cars, exterior light fixtures, and plants before the work begins. The company you hire should use lightweight canvas drop cloths to cover plants and clingy plastic to cover doors, windows, and light fixtures.
• Prior to painting, make sure you pick the right primer for your home’s exterior. Consult with a paint professional or paint supply store for the right product advice.
• Give yourself enough time, and plan for inclement weather.

WHY WE RECOMMEND PRESSURE WASHING BEFORE PAINTING

To summarize: Pressure washing is your best opportunity to remove all manner of bugs and debris before painting. It’s critical to clean your house to ensure a new coat of paint has the opportunity to bond with the primer. By removing all the gunk, you can make sure the paint glides smoothly, and not just roll over dirt. But there’s more than dirt to worry about. There also could be mildew or mold, which a pressure washing company can remove by using a bleaching solution to completely remove all mildew from the outside of your home.

Pressure washing is the first important step in prepping your home for its paint job. In addition to pressure washing, our team also sands and scrapes as needed, resets loose nails, primes bare areas, and repairs minor cracks in stucco. By putting in a little bit of extra effort into prepping your home’s exterior, a Long Island pressure washing company will ensure the best paint job possible.

NASSAU & SUFFOLK COUNTY PRESSURE CLEANING SPECIALISTS

For more than 20 years, Majestic Windows & Exterior Cleaning has served hundreds of customers in Huntington, Wantagh, and more communities throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. We pride ourselves on offering expert-level exterior cleanings at affordable prices. All of our technicians are trained and experienced and work diligently with homeowners to explain how a home’s exterior will be cleaned. Call us today at 631-421-2295 for a no-obligation consultation.

Unless you’re a hermit or live in a converted missile silo, most people spend a good deal of time looking through a window day and night. Sometimes it’s just a matter of curiosity – is that a hummingbird in my flower bed? Sometimes it’s a matter of necessity – is the city recycling truck going to hit my car when it backs up? But in most cases, our modern and computer-driven world means fewer people are spending less and less time outside. This means that your windows, literally, are your view to the outside world. Watching what’s happening outside, even for a few moments at a neighbor walking the dog, is a source of relaxation and solace for many of us – elevating windows to a level of importance worthy of care and attention.

But not everyone can clean their windows themselves and, in many cases, can’t and shouldn’t. If you’re too busy to clean your windows, don’t know where to start, or have a medical condition that restricts movement, it’s probably a good idea to think about calling a Long Island window cleaning service for help. Here are the top reasons why you should consider a professional window washing service to handle the job for you:

Banish the bugs

Having your windows professionally cleaned isn’t just a matter of improving your view to the outside world, it can also be a convenient way to banish pesky insects. If you go too long between window cleaning, bees and hornets may cozy up behind the shutters or beside the screens. Wasps, especially, are known for making their homes near storm windows, while ladybug colonies mostly go for dirty window channels.

If your windows are a hot spot for bees, wasps, or other pests, it’s a little hard to use them the way they were designed. With an assist from Long Island window washing professionals, the bugs will be cleaned away, and any mess they leave behind like nests or shed skin. This will help ensure your family is less of a bug bite target on their own property, and keep your windows appearing clean with expert window cleaning.

You can see more clearly

There’s a line from a song that goes, “I can see clearly now the rain is gone,” but if your windows are filthy that’s harder than you can imagine. It’s hard to put a price on a beautiful view, obscuring your pleasure at the sight of blossoming flowers and lush green grass. You pay good money to live in a nice home, and you deserve the best view possible when looking through windows. Keeping your windows clean contributes to a positive attitude – and you won’t have to be surprised when unexpected guests show up on your front porch.

Extend the life of your windows

Everything wears down over time, and even with technology, they tend to fall victim to Mother Nature. Your windowpanes are buffeted by tough weather, collect dirt and grime, suffer micro-impacts from sticks, stones, and bugs and over time, they can become fragile and lose their transparency. The longer the oxidation, hard minerals, and moisture from acid rain sits on the surface of the glass, the harder it is to remove stains. This could ruin your windows and cut into their lifespan.

Frequent window cleaning by our Long Island area professionals makes it simple to remove the persistent hard water stains, mold and grime that are a widespread problem and give your windows extra years for you to enjoy the view.

Why pay for extra supplies?

Let’s face it, store-bought window cleaning spray and paper towels won’t get your windows as clean as the results from a professional window washer. Why? That’s because paper towels can leave annoying smudges by smearing dust and dirt around the windowpane, no matter how many you use. And if you don’t get the results you expect, you may head off to the store for more DIY supplies. But why bother?

We use special techniques and cleaning equipment to get the job done right, including non-abrasive cleaners and cleaning poles which will leave your windows sparkling clean. Instead of buying products to wash your windows, let our cleaners use their own supplies and equipment for clean, streak-free windows the first time.

Don’t reach too high, let us do it for you

Reaching ground-level windows may seem pretty easy, but if there’s a flower bed, shrubs, or an air conditioning unit in the way, it may be harder than you thought. Cleaning first-floor windows without any blockages might be trouble-free, but what if you can’t reach the second story or higher? Our window washing professionals are dispatched to your residence with the right safety equipment required to reach the top floor of your home and clean the exterior windows and skylights that are often neglected. And those shrubs blocking the window? Not a problem.

Safer than DIY

Accidents can happen, and you don’t need a trip to the emergency room because you slipped off a stepstool while cleaning your windows. Our team of window cleaners are experienced, knowledgeable, and take every precaution necessary to wash your windows safely and efficiently. A DIY project sounds good because you think you can save money, but with the cost of healthcare related to emergency room visits, why put yourself at risk?

Majestic Windows & Exterior Cleaning has been a preferred window cleaner and pressure washer for hundreds of customers in Long Island and nearby communities for many years. Contact us today at 631-421-2295 for more information.

Pressure washing is more dangerous than many people realize.

Fortunately, with basic safety precautions, you can avoid 99% of all pressure washing injuries.

Some people give themselves serious wounds using a pressure washer. Others knock themselves out with carbon monoxide poisoning after running the pressure washer in an enclosed space.

Here are some safety tips for DIY pressure washing at home:

1. Run Pressure Washers in Well-Ventilated Spaces: Never run any gas-powered machine in an enclosed space. Thousands harm themselves every year from carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure your pressure washer has plenty of ventilation in an outdoor space to avoid toxic fumes.

2. Use Durable Extension Cords for Electrical Pressure Washers: Electric-powered pressure washers have their own challenges. Some amateur pressure washers have inadvertently electrocuted themselves by using poor-quality extension cords. Make sure the extension cord is free of any standing water. Make sure it’s rated for wet, outdoor use. Keep the extension cord away from any wet area around your cleaning surface. Use a grounded pressure washer and plug into a grounded electrical outlet.

3. Wear Eye Protection: Pressure washing can kick dirt, debris, and pebbles into the air. Every year, thousands are injured by this flying debris. Wear eye protection. Otherwise, you risk permanent damage to your eyesight.

4. Avoid Pressure Washing Around People and Pets: If you’re pressure washing around the house, be sure to do it away from people and pets. Dogs may be curious about the pressure washer, and accidentally spraying your dog can lead to serious injuries.