Don’t break the bricks

Brick is one of the most popular construction materials used for residential structures because of its nice exterior effect and its resistance to heat. But just like any other surfaces, brickworks also need maintenance otherwise any substances that might have been absorbed into it can cause erosion and damage the brick. Moreover, this does not look appealing anymore and the worse that can happen is replacement which is undeniably costly. When it comes to cleaning brickworks, brick companies would always remind people to be cautious in using pressure washers because there is a possibility that if used incorrectly it might scar up the bricks and can eventually break which would cause more damage. But in the nature of how bricks are applied in construction, they are usually used in the exterior areas which mean that they are exposed to factors such as heat, rain, mold, mildew, dust, etc. and it is a fact that if this is the case it would be impossible to clean the bricks by just wiping them. With this in mind, the best way to clean brickworks is still pressure washing.

               There are several differences when cleaning a brick surface from cleaning a concrete surface using a pressure washer. Extra steps should be done if bricks are involved. An example of this is scraping first the surface of the brickwork to remove any mortar left after construction. It is also a general rule in brick cleaning is to pre-soak the area and then apply a cleaning solution. Once the surface is wet, then you can start pressure washing. The typical way to do it is start from the top to the bottom. However, it is very important that you be careful with the mortar joint specifically on the corners because they can be easily blown out. If there is a heavy or stubborn stain or dirt on the joint, instead of focusing the pressure on that area, it is better to use a stronger solution that is still just enough not to ruin the bricks. Because focusing the pressure on the joint can cause it to be weak and would eventually break down. Pressure cleaning can be very effective and safe on bricks if it is done correctly and properly. But there have been incidents that instead of positive effects, damages have been the result. That is why before anyone can perform pressure washing on bricks, training must be done.

                In cases like this where we want to get optimum result, two options are available. If you are the type of person who wants the D-I-Y thing, you must invest in the correct pressure washer together with the needed attachments and gadgets as well as the best cleaning solutions and of course proper training to do it right. But if you want the easier way out, you can contact a pressure washing service, talk to a professional and let them perfectly do the job for you. Surely, experienced pressure washing professionals will not break your bricks.

Tips to Keep the Glow of your Stained Glass Window

It’s not only in churches that we see stained glass windows. Even on residential homes, stained glass windows are used in lieu of the ordinary glass windows to give the house an added charm and beauty. Stained glass windows are indeed attractive because of its artistic touch especially if it’s antique and aside from that, it also adds value to a house. However, it is very important that stained glass windows are cleaned and maintained properly to avoid the fading of its beauty. If cleaned harshly the glazing or the waterproofing of the glass may be removed and this would gradually be ruined. Careful window maintenance for this type of window should be given attention. It is recommended to have professional window cleaners to do the job because they are trained in cleaning different types of windows. But if you would like to try cleaning it yourself, here are some simple tips that may be helpful.

            First, prepare the material that you need to do the task. Use a soft cloth specifically microfiber to wipe the glass, you will need at least two of this. You will also need cotton buds or cotton swab for the edges. For the cleaning solution, you will need distilled water, this helps to avoid streak on the glass. Mix it with approximately 1/8 cup of a pH-neutral cleaner that is vinegar-free, ammonia-free, and non-abrasive. Next, dip and soak one cloth to the mixture and make sure that wring out the cloth until it is almost dry before you start wiping. Do this to avoid drips on the area. Start wiping one section of glass thoroughly but carefully. Once you finish cleaning one section, wipe it dry with the other microfiber cloth that you prepared. Do the same thing to the remaining sections of the stained glass window. When done, get a cotton swab and dip it to the solution and gently use it to clean the edges of each section and make sure to wipe it clean before proceeding to the next section. Doing this to all of your stained glass window would surely make them shine and glow beautifully with the light.

            This task might sound easy with the tips given but keep in mind that stained glass has lead. The leading between glass sections are naturally dark-colored so you don’t have to polish them. However, if you see some kind of white powder on the leading, this means it is due to oxidation and this can be harmful if inhaled. Make sure to put a face mask and use gloves to wipe away the white powder. Make sure that you wash thoroughly the mask and gloves afterwards or better yet throw them away. Also, make sure that children won’t go near the oxidized leading. Moreover, if you see a lot of this white powder on your stained glass windows, it is strongly advisable to call professional cleaners to also help you have the windows restored. Always remember that window cleaning is important not only because it keeps the beauty of your house but also for a healthy home sweet home.

Pressure Washing – More than just cleaning

            Pressure washing as a cleaning method has become widely known to be an effective technique when it comes to maintaining the cleanliness & beauty of one’s home, office, or even a building. But more than just the usual ‘clean’ after-effect that we get, what are the advantages of pressure washing and what do we really benefit from it?

            First, let us start with the word ‘effective’. Cleaning structures with pressure washers can thoroughly remove dirt, molds, graffiti and other stains on the surface. It can also take away impurities that can cause aging which eventually destroys building materials. Moreover, pressure cleaning can remove molds which can cause allergic reactions and can be harmful to people and other pollutants that can make surfaces slippery that also cause accidents. In other words, there is no doubt that pressure washing means effective cleaning. If it is effective then it is also efficient. Pressure washing is efficient in a way that it saves effort therefore it also saves time. Manual cleaning process such as wiping or scrubbing is indeed backbreaking and takes a lot of time before you can remove the dirt or mold on the surface and sometimes you even have to use a ladder to reach high areas. This is no longer needed in pressure washing because you can aim the sprayer upward to get those areas clean. Also, sweeping the path way or drive way also consumes an enormous period of time. But with pressure washing, these tasks can be completed in half the time or even less.

Another advantage is saving money because being able to maintain a clean structure whether it’s a house or an office indicates that they are less likely to get defects and you are less likely to spend more money on having them neither fixed nor replaced. Some people may think that pressure washing is costly but what’s more costly is the need to fix or replace parts of your home or office just because you were not able to maintain them. Certainly, pressure washing is also a preventive measure. Of course a regular cleaning means adding to the longevity and durability of the building materials. More than avoiding defects, it also maintains the beauty of the structure because it eliminates the contaminants that causes rotting or aging of the surface that makes it look old. It is important to remember that a structure’s value depreciates over time, but if you will be able to maintain its quality, you will be able to maximize its value.

            Furthermore, pressure washing gives you the option of either doing it yourself or hiring professionals to do it for you. If you decide to buy a pressure washer, there are different types available in the market that you might find suitable for the cleaning that you need. But if you want to just leave it to the professionals, there are many companies that offer pressure washing services which means you can actually find a great service to do the cleaning for you. Whichever you choose, at the end of the day, you will be satisfied of what pressure cleaning has done for you.

Why Call the Pro to Clean your Window?

           
               A house is definitely one of the most important possessions of an individual. Whether it is a simple house or a mansion, it is a lifetime investment. And because of that, people make sure that they keep it in good shape by maintaining the cleanliness of every part of the house. Cleanliness is more than just the nice appearance but also keeping it free from pollutants or contaminants that can ruin the materials used to build the house. However, doing the maintenance tasks alone is definitely not an easy job if done by the homeowner alone. One of the tasks that are difficult to do is cleaning the windows, whether it is casement, awning, or jalousie type and especially if you have a lot of windows at home. Surely a window is one of the basic parts of the house and because of this it is also one of the things that are easily noticed. There are many businesses nowadays that focus mainly on maintenance services for residential or business offices and one of the services that they provide is window cleaning or window maintenance. But why is it advisable to hire professional cleaners rather than cleaning the windows yourself?

            Have you tried cleaning your windows and after wiping them dry you see some white marks on the surface and you end up wiping it again? Have you felt so tired and stressed because you were not able to enjoy your day or weekend because you have to do the window cleaning all day plus the fact that you have to climb ladders or stand above the chairs or tables just to reach some windows or surfaces beyond your reach? If your answer to all this questions is a big yes, then you already have an idea why it is recommended to call professionals to do this job.

            Professional window cleaners can do the job properly way faster than you could.  This is because they know the technique on how to do it right. Also, they use the correct solution suitable for window cleaning and for the materials of your window. Additionally, they have the right window cleaning tools and equipment such as the squeegees, scrapers, belt holsters, buckets and much more which you don’t have to provide. They also have the tools to use in cleaning surfaces that are hard to reach. Because of this, cleaning is easier for them. Aside from taking all the hassle and difficulties of window cleaning from you, you can also be assured of thoroughly cleaned windows.

            The investment of buying a house doesn't end there. It is an investment which means it needs to be maintained if you don’t want to lose its value. Surely, spending some amount for professional window cleaning is a wiser tactic than doing it yourself or not doing it at all. This way, you can prolong the beauty of your house and you can maximize its resale value in case you are planning to sell it. And more than just money, you can’t replace the comforting feeling of seeing your windows neat and clean without you getting stressed from cleaning it because you have the pros to do it for you – that is just priceless.

Why guard you gutter?

Gutters aren’t really noted as a significant part of a house especially if it’s not the rainy season. But once the rain comes down our gutters play an important role in directing the flow of the water. For the gutters to function properly, they should be clog-free. Leaves, twigs and other wastes can accumulate in the canal of the gutter that the flow of the water can be obstructed that would make the water stagnant which would eventually overflow. This is why it is indeed important to keep the gutter clog-free. However, cleaning the gutters yourself can sometimes be dangerous. Oftentimes, the leaves and other trash are stuck in the gutter that you have to pull them out and you can lose you balance on the ladder and can fall on the ground and the same thing might also happen if you stand on the roof.


Gutter guard is like a screens protection that is installed in your gutter so that it will block any trash that might accumulate in the canal area of the gutter. This means that the leaves, twigs and other wastes will be hindered from entering the area where the water should flow. Because of this, the water won’t be blocked as it flows to the direction going to the sprout of the gutter. Installing gutter guards also makes it a lot easier to clean the gutter and remove the waste because you no longer need to reach inside the canal of the gutter to get the leaves and other trash, instead you can just simply sweep them. Another reason why you need to use gutter guards is that they prevent animals such as birds, rats, possums, rodents and the likes getting into your gutters and eventually creating a comfortable place to call their home.


There are gutter screens available in the market but for best results, you can contact companies to do the gutter guard installation. If you would like to choose the material, make sure that it is of good quality. There are some products that look unpleasant but quality is still more important. You have to consider first the materials used, its look and the excellence of the installation as well. These factors will affect the performance and functionality of your gutter guards.
If you are looking for a company or contractor to do the gutter guard installation, make sure that you take the time to look for different options. It is better to have many options then select which provides the best service. Read through the company’s profile and check their previous works and records to make sure that they have the ability to the job perfectly for you. It is also advisable to ask people you trust who have had gutter guard installation in their homes and are happy with it.


Installing a gutter guard in your home might not be the number one thing in your to-do list but taking it to consideration is like making your home sweet home a big favor. Remember that your gutter is making your home a comfortable place to live in especially when it’s raining cats and dogs, it would really be nice to care for your gutter by guarding it.

Greet the sunshine with clean windows :)

“I remember, I remember. The house where I was born, the little window where the sun came peeping in at morn.” This is a quotation from an English poet named Thomas Hood. Based on the statement, we know how lovely the role of the window is in every home. Opening our windows each morning when we wake up is like welcoming the day ahead of us. Sometimes, you would just love to sit by the window pane and look at the beauty of the world while the rays of the sun shine on you. But surely, it would ruin your day when the moment you touch the window and feel the dust and the dirt on it.

Window cleaning sounds so simple and easy but doing it implies the opposite. However, you have to keep your windows clean unless you are aiming for a haunted house looking home. Windows are prone to blemishes, dust and other things that would make it look unpleasant. Dust and dirt, even in little amount, can accumulate and stick to the window that the longer you don’t clean it, the harder it will be difficult to remove the dirt. Glass windows are really nice because they have this modern and classy effect but once they are not kept clear and clean, it is also very easy to notice their flaws. It would also be really embarrassing if you have guests and your windows are unclean because this might create a bad impression of the entire house. This is very important when you are trying to maintain the resell value of your house. A well maintained home will have a better value that a house that looks like it has been forgotten. The beauty of the house has a big impact on its monetary value.

Aside from the visual disadvantage of having unclean windows, it has also bad effects on health. The dirt, if not given attention, can form molds and other harmful contaminants on the window frame. Moreover, this can easily be transferred to the curtains. It would be very easy to get inside the house and can cause allergies. These molds and mildew are not just harmful to humans but to the materials of the window as well. If this is not taken care of, the materials might be damaged over a certain period of time which would be a bigger problem since you have to repair them or have them replaced.

Apparently, the list of disadvantages of having a dirty window can be as long as the list of advantages of having a clean window. It’s up to you which list you would like your house to have. Window cleaning should not be taken for granted because if you do it won’t take long for your house to look like it is on a Halloween theme. If window cleaning sounds like a tiring thing for you, then call for help. Window cleaning services are always willing to clean your windows thoroughly so you don’t have to worry about it. Clean windows will always have you delighted to open them each day and greet the world with a smile.

♥