How to

Wanting to pressure wash your deck but scared of doing it yourself? Watch the video below! Tips on Deck Cleaning Remove debris from between deck boards using a putty knife paying close attention to the areas where they cross over the deck joists Protect all shrubs and plants by covering with plastic sheeting or tarp Sweep the deck well Choose an appropriate cleaning agent depending whether your deck is made of wood, composite or vinyl If you are planning on sealing or painting your deck wait at least two days DIY Deck Cleaning Video Before & After Pictures   J&J Power Wash If you choose to go the second way and like the before and after photos pictured above please contact us at 215-703-8306 to setup a free estimate. We offer pressure washing, powerwashing, window cleaning and graffiti removal in the Greater Philadelphia area. To learn more about how to pressure wash please visit our...

According to a recent article by Steve Ferris, a local writer for HeraldStandard.com, all outdoor decks should be cleaned every spring and wood decks should be refinished quite regularly in order for them to last as long as possible. Depending how long you have been self-educating on do-it-yourself projects you have probably read conflicting opinions and ideas on how to properly treat your deck, porch and fences. Should you clean them every year? Should you sand and stain them every year? When do you seal wood decks and fences? When should you do-it-yourself and when should you hire a professional? The answer to all of these questions… it depends. Pat Ballon, owner of Brownsville Do It Best Hardware in Redstone Township, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania believes all decks should be cleaned and pressure washed regardless of whether it is made of wood, composite or vinyl. The term Spring Cleaning is around for a reason and it does not apply to just the inside of your home. Late March and early April is a great time to wash your deck and knock off any loose pieces that may be flaking or chipping from the harsh Winter.  Pressure washing your deck will also remove any mold or mildew that has survived the ten plus snow storms Pennsylvania residents lived through this year. If you want to learn additional Spring Cleaning powerwashign tips, check our previous articles. One thing to keep in mind is that wood deck cleaning detergents like trisodium phosphate helps not only remove dirt, algae and mold but helps keep them from returning longer than household bleach. After pressure washing and sanding the wood you should wait at least one day before applying stain or sealant.  Stains and sealants will help wood avoid water penetration. Unfortunately, many homeowners will use the less expensive brands, which may only last one or two years before another coat needs to be applied. A higher quality sealant will often last three to five years. One last piece of advice, NEVER use paint on a deck. Paint is not made to penetrate or seal wood, nor withstand foot...

When it rained or snowed this Winter did you use a de-icer, ice-melt or an anti-icer. Did it come in a box or bag. Was it a solid, liquid, granular, flakes, pellets, pearls or a powder. Was its main ingredient Sodium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, Potassium Chloride, Sodium Accetate or Liquid Glychol? At this point it does not really matter. It is no secrete Philadelphia and New Jersey has had a pretty harsh winter but Spring is just around the corner and the weather is clearing up. What does matter is getting rid of the white residue and salt that still remains after all the ice and snow has melted. Not cleaning your property of the ice melt and rock salt is not only an eye sore on the outside of your property but it can potentially damage your floors and carpeting inside your property if not taken care of properly. Calcium chloride and magnesium chloride ice melts leave behind an oily residue that can damage urethane or wax finishes used on wood floors. The oily residue can be slippery on smooth floors and can attract dirt on carpets. If never removed, either type of product may eventually harm wood floors by drawing out natural moisture, causing splintering, or lead to dry rot issues in carpets and rugs. Obviously, the best way to prevent ice melt damage is to prevent it from being tracked into the building by using mats on both sides of the door. And, since we do not recommend pressure washing during the winter months, it sets us up from Spring Cleaning. Until then you should vacuum carpets and/or mop flat surfaces regularly. In a couple of weeks when all the ice and snow is gone, give us a...

With this seemingly never ending harsh Winter property owners should prepare themselves for a thorough Spring Cleaning over the next several weeks. The snow, sleet, rain and hail from the handful of storms that shocked the Northeast over the past few months combined with freezing temperatures may have a residual effect on the exterior of  your properties, walkways, roofing, and driveways if not cleaned properly. The sub-zero temperatures have led to tons and tons of rock salt and other ice melting chemicals to be spread throughout public walkways, streets and highways as well as residential sidewalks, driveways, and streets. While the melting products being used seemingly worked wonders to get rid of the ice and snow, they not only can easily damage your cement and asphalt, but can spread to other areas of your property like decks and porches because of natural foot traffic. If you rent or own a commercial property that is in a high traffic area or you have a parking lot or loading dock in which a high volume of vehicles pass through on a daily basis, the puddles of rain, snow and slush can become airborne and spread to other parts of your property including your building. And while my intention is not to scare you I would like you to be made aware that the salt and ice melting products could have the same corrosive effects on your building as they have on walkways. We’ve all seen the white residue that remains shortly after the snow melts ruin a carpet or two of your local convenient store. If you have used rock salt or other ice melting products and think you are in need of pressure washing give us a...

How to Spring Clean your Deck or Patio With warm weather just around the corner (hopefully) we are quickly approaching Spring Cleaning, that time of year you forget about the harsh winter and get ready for Summer. Regardless of weather you are having people over for St Pattys Day in March, Cinco de Mayo in May or 4th of July in July, it is never to early to dust off your outdoor furniture, wipe off cushions, clean flower pots and pressure wash your deck or patio. Many homeowners we deal with will take care of cleaning their outdoor furniture as a do-it-yourself project and then call us in to handle the cleaning of the deck or patio. What you should keep in mind is that most powerwashing contractors can clean your outdoor furniture and cushions and will usually do so for a small additional charge. So, if you are planning on getting hiring a pressure washer for your patio or deck have the contractor come in for free quote and ask the additional cost for your furniture. If you decide to take on both projects on your own, read over the tips below. Deck & Patio Cleaning Tips if renting a pressure washer read the operator’s manual and instructions as some surfaces require less or more pressure than others always wear closed-toed shoes and goggles as most pressure washers can cut through skin easily different surfaces require different cleaning products and different cleaning techniques so choose accordingly never spray near power lines, service feeds or electrical meters grip pressure washing gun with both hands to avoid a kickback injury Buying & Renting Tips look for a pressure washer that is versatile and can be used for a variety of tasks a good pressure washer will have both a high pressure and low pressure mode for different tasks newer pressure washers offer lower emissions and better fuel efficiency choose a model that outputs at least 2.5gpm if you are pressure washing any concrete models are categorized in groups based upon usage frequency types of products and surfaces they are best suited for...

While it is not too common we receive calls from time to time asking for a free pressure washing estimates on areas with a low clearance. You probably do not have to worry about this is you live in a residential area but there are plenty of commercial areas that have height limits. Most people do not notice low clearance areas but nearly every parking garage we were ever asked to clean is no taller than 8 feet and most box trucks are no shorter than 10 and a half feet. This is why having a trailer is pretty much crucial if you need a parking garage pressure washed....