5 Reasons Why Pressure Washing In February Makes A Lot Of Sense

February in the Pacific Northwest isn't usually the time when we think about pressure washing. In fact, this task often goes overlooked until well into the summer months. However, pressure washing early in the year - especially now during the perpetually damp season - brings several benefits that go beyond a clean facade and curb appeal. Of course, during this drab time of year, we take anything that makes things a bit brighter - even if it's a driveway. And when the sun does come out, your home is certainly ready to shine!

Pressure cleaning (as well as window cleaning) in February can yield several advantages for homeowners beyond just a clean facade. Here are five reasons why pressure washing in February is beneficial for homeowners:

1. Prevention of Slip-and-Fall Accidents: Winter weather brings not only cold temperatures and sometimes ice and snow, but usually mud and grime - fertile ground for moss and algae. All of these can create hazardous conditions on outdoor surfaces.

   Sidewalks, driveways, patios, decks, and walkways can become slippery and treacherous, increasing the risk of slip-and-fall accidents for homeowners and visitors alike.

   Pressure washing in February helps to remove built-up mud, sand, and slippery organic matter, restoring surfaces to a safe condition. By eliminating these hazards, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and injuries on their property, providing peace of mind for themselves and their guests.

2. Improved Indoor Air Quality: During the winter months, outdoor surfaces accumulate dirt, grime, pollen, and other allergens, which can easily be tracked into the home on shoes and pet paws. As a result, indoor air quality may suffer, leading to respiratory issues and allergies for homeowners and their families.

   Pressure washing exterior surfaces such as sidewalks, entryways, and decks in February helps to remove this debris before it has a chance to make its way indoors. By keeping outdoor areas clean, homeowners can minimize the amount of dirt and allergens tracked into their homes, resulting in better indoor air quality and a healthier living environment for everyone.

3. Prevention of Structural Damage: Winter weather can be harsh on a home's exterior surfaces, causing dirt, mold, mildew, and algae to accumulate over time. If left unchecked, these contaminants can not only detract from the appearance of the home but also cause structural damage. Mold and mildew, in particular, can degrade surfaces such as siding, decks, and fences, leading to costly repairs down the line.

   By pressure washing these surfaces periodically, homeowners can remove built-up contaminants and prevent them from causing long-term damage. Regular maintenance helps to extend the lifespan of exterior surfaces, preserving the structural integrity of the home and saving homeowners money on repairs in the long run.

4. Enhanced Curb Appeal: First impressions matter, especially when it comes to the exterior of your home. Over the winter months, dirt, grime, and stains can accumulate on surfaces such as siding, driveways, and sidewalks, leaving the home looking dull and neglected.

   A late winter cleaning regimen provides homeowners with an opportunity to refresh their home's exterior and not only enhance its curb appeal but also offer a much-needed mental boost that comes with any clean and bright space.

   By removing built-up dirt and stains, pressure washing reveals the true beauty of outdoor surfaces, giving the home a clean, well-maintained appearance. Whether you're looking to sell your home or simply take pride in its appearance, pressure washing in February can help you achieve that coveted curb appeal that makes a lasting impression on neighbors and passersby.

5. Preparation for Spring: As winter begins to wane and spring approaches, homeowners start to turn their attention to outdoor activities and gatherings. Whether it's hosting a barbecue, planting a garden, or simply enjoying the sunshine, a clean outdoor space sets the stage for springtime enjoyment.

   Proactive exterior home care allows homeowners to prepare their outdoor areas for the upcoming season, ensuring that they're clean, safe, and ready to be enjoyed. All the more reason to beat the spring rush and maximize the time to relax and appreciate their outdoor oasis once the warmer weather arrives.

DAPrDAN is honored to assist with all your exterior home maintenance needs. Questions or looking for a quote? Call (425) 659-3009 or click here for an instant quote.

Is Pressure Washing with Chemicals Bad?

Customers often wonder if we pressure wash with chemicals. Before we address that, let's clarify the use of the term "pressure washing." This term is often used mistakenly when customers mean “soft washing” or “house washing.” We use different cleaning systems for specific parts of your property to ensure the job is done right and without any damage to your home. You don't want us to pressure wash your roof or siding like we would your driveway (see our blog on The Power of Soft Washing to learn more). With that technical clarification aside, let's move on to the topic this blog will clarify. 

When our customers ask, "Do you use chemicals," what they're really asking is, "Are your practices eco-friendly?" After all, just about everything is a chemical. It's not about whether or not we use chemicals. It's about which chemicals we use and if they are harmful to our customers, their property, or the environment.

What is a chemical, and does that apply to house washing?

The word "chemical" conjures the image from the original 'Batman' movie with Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson when the Joker fell into a vat of chemicals. It was slimy and obviously toxic. But not all chemicals are. If you jump into a pool of pure water, you're jumping into a chemical. 

Technically, a chemical is any substance consisting of matter. Hydrogen and oxygen make up water (H2O); most toothpaste contains zinc oxide (ZnO). Both are chemicals, safe, and eco-friendly. Furthermore, chemicals are often necessary to improve the safety and cleanliness of a given environment. For example, chlorine dioxide (CIO2) is used to disinfect drinking water (article here). And, as we noted in our blog on soft washing with bleach, the context and use of a chemical dictate whether or not it's safe. While bleach is an effective chemical for stopping the spread of Covid-19, it should not be ingested or injected (article here). Hopefully, you didn't need this information, but you may be eligible for a Darwin award if you did. 

Our snarkiness aside, it's not about whether or not your exterior cleaning services contractor uses chemicals. It's about which chemicals they use and how. 

Does your contractor use eco-friendly soft washing chemicals?

DAPrDAN's mission is to serve you. If chemicals were inherently harmful to you, your property, or the environment, we would not use them. Also, we'd be out of business since we wouldn't be able to clean your home without them. Therefore, when our customers ask if we use chemicals, we inform them that every solution we treat their property with is both a chemical and biodegradable, which means it will decompose by natural biological processes. So, when you're shopping for eco-friendly pressure washing, ask the contractor if the chemicals they use are biodegradable (and confirm they won't actually pressure wash your roof or siding, as we stated in the introduction). If they don't use biodegradable chemicals or aren't sure, run in the opposite direction. Contractors new to the business are known to inadvertently create homemade mustard gas by mixing chlorine bleach with phosphate-based dishwasher detergent. Your exterior cleaning services contractor should know which chemicals they use because they mindfully chose them with you, your home, and the environment in mind. And, if they did mindfully choose non-biodegradable chemicals, well...we don't know what to say to that. It’s just not good for anyone.

Prior to eco-friendly chemicals for soft washing, houses were washed with high pressure and water. While this seems environmentally friendly, its consequences were not. Because the high pressure tore off the home’s paint, primer and new paint were used to replace it. Both these chemicals are not eco-friendly.

Everything DAPrDAN does, including the chemicals we use and the methods we apply them, is on purpose with your well-being in mind. This is why we are certified by Softwash Systems, which is vital for many reasons, including the fact that we use their biodegradable cleaning solutions. Softwash Systems went to great lengths early in their tenure to create a biodegradable cleaning solution. (i.e., eco-friendly). They've always been committed to eco-friendly practices. In their own words, they are not "a new GREEN company." Hopefully, when you read what they write on their Chemicals page, you will disconnect the association between the word "chemical" and the Joker's vat in 'Batman' and replace that association with a clean home in a lush, vibrant neighborhood. Or even better, maybe you can think of DAPrDAN instead (*wink wink*). 

Can you clean your property without chemicals?

Whether soft washing your roof or pressure washing your driveway, chemicals are necessary to treat your property with the appropriate care to get the job done right. This is the case because everything is a chemical, as we've already established, and because effective cleaning solutions applied by qualified technicians will remove dirt, debris, and organic growth while preventing it from growing back. Fortunately, you now know that this is not a bad thing.

Now that we've alleviated your anxiety about chemicals, we must state the obligatory and obvious, though true: if your property needs any exterior cleaning services, DAPrDAN is your trusted partner with your best interests in mind serving Seattle and surrounding cities, including Burien, Medina, and Deer Harbor. 

Get an instant quote today.