FAQ

Often times we get questions that we’ve already answered before for many of our clients. We’ve made a list of the most frequently asked questions and answers conveniently available to you below. However, if you cannot find the answers to the questions you have for us, we invite you to contact us so we can help you.

Is your company licensed and insured?
Yes! We are fully licensed and insured. We can also provide the documentation upon request.

Do you only service Residential homes or do you service Commercial Properties as well?

Yes, we service both Residential and Commercial Properties. We can handle any exterior cleaning project you need completed.

Do I have to make an appointment to receive my free estimate?

Absolutely not, We are able to provide an estimate in minutes when you call 614-465-6479 or visit our website at www.ohiopowerwashing.com and click on request a free estimate.

How far in advance do I need to call?
In most cases, we can complete the job in 24 to 72 hours from the time you scheduled the service. We may even be able to complete a job the same day we provide your quote!

Why should I choose your company over another pressure washing company?
We are well educated on the latest cleaning techniques, while many companies have yet to discover them. We also strive to make long-term clients and will do what whatever it takes to earn your business year after year.

How are you different from the other companies?
We focus on delivering the highest standards with a strong emphasis on providing you with the best customer service around. We return our calls within a reasonable amount of time, and take the time to explain the process to our clients.

Do you use subcontractors?
Never! Every member of our crew works directly for Ohio Power Washing.

Do you offer discounts or coupons?
Yes, we offer various types of package discounts, and specials at different times throughout the year. We also offer reduced price maintenance plans, and 10% off for senior citizens. We also can organize special pricing for property managers, landlords, housing or condo associations as well as clients needing multiple units cleaned. Please call to discuss details.

Will pressure washing damage my property?
No it will not. We use a low pressure cleaning method which is no different than a rainfall in combination with the right chemicals.

What payment options do you have?
Homeowners
Cash, Checks or Credit Cards are preferred upon completion of the job.
If needed, we do take most major credit cards. We can email you an invoice that has a “Pay with Credit Card” option. Payments are processed by Square which is a trusted company in credit card processing. We do not take, or store, your credit card numbers in our system.
Commercial
For most jobs that only take a day or two we prefer payment by check upon completion of the job.
We can also provide Net 10, 15, or 30 day options depending on the service Those invoices will allow you to pay by either an ACH transfer or company credit card to ensure payment is received on time.
Depending on your needs and circumstances we can modify options for you.
Deposits are not required on the majority of work we do. However, some services may require materials that can not be returned or incur expense to returns them. We may ask for materials cost before beginning those services.

Why is a regular maintenance schedule important?
The shortest answer is it provides higher quality with consistent results at the best price improving the look and safety of your home or business. This in turn promotes personal and employee well being which increases productivity and attracts more customers and friends.

Will our landscaping be harmed in the pressure cleaning process?
No. Our cleaning process is not only safe and environmentally friendly, but we guarantee your flowers, plants, and surrounding areas will be safe.

What if there is no water access near the area to be cleaned?
We have the ability to fill our water tanks to be able to clean vacant homes or remote areas in case of no water supply!

Do I need to be home for the house to be cleaned?

You absolutely do not need to be home when our professionals come to wash your home! All you need to do is to keep ALL OF YOUR WINDOWS AND DOORS SECURELY CLOSED. All the residential services we offer our scheduled and completed during the day when homeowners are at home or work. We take before and after photos of every job to document and to show the difference the cleaning made.

What do I need to do before you come?
Just make sure that all of your windows and doors are closed tight. We will clear any areas of furniture, plants, pots, etc… Our goal is to make your experience as hassle-free for you as possible!
(If you have any windows or doors that leak, please let us know so we can use extra caution around them.)

How long will it take to wash my house?
This depends on the size of the house. A basic one level rambler will usually take under an hour while a larger two-level detailed Colonial with wrap around front porch, can take 2-4 hours.

Do you use high-pressure washing?

Contrary to popular belief, high-pressure washing techniques will damage your home. You can feel confident with our extensive training and experience that your house will be cleaned in a professional manner – however, we provide a “soft-wash” cleaning experience for your property, which is in fact much more effective and long-lasting.

Does your service use hot or cold water?
We have both, hot water is best for cleaning greasy flat surfaces, however – we actually do not use hot water for house washing. Contrary to popular belief hot water is not needed and the high temperature of the hoses [200+F] on your lawn will kill the grass where it lays. Hot water is primarily used for cleaning greasy flat surfaces and the removal of gum in commercial areas. It is also used for fleet cleaning and heavy equipment. It is not necessary for residential homes.

Does your process use harsh cleaners?
It does not. We use a proprietary mix of soft chemicals that are designed to kill the mildew while also loosening cobwebs and other pollutants from the siding. Our house washing chemicals kill all mildew, unlike competitor’s products which leave microscopic mildew attached to the siding. When competitor’s take these shortcuts, it allows mildew and mold to grow back in a month or two. Keep in mind we have been doing this for over 15 years!

How often should I clean my home?
Siding manufacturers recommend cleaning every 12-24 months. Every home is on a case by case basis, however, depending on the elements surrounding the home.

We have these small, black spots that look like specks of tar, all over the vinyl siding of our house what is this, and can you remove it?
Most of the time this is Artillery Fungus also called shotgun fungus because of it appearance. It is wood-decay fungus that likes to live on moist landscape mulch, The spores are usually shot only a short distance but the wind can carry them for longer distances and even up to the second story of a house. These spores stick to your house like glue and can not be removed through a normal house wash, we do not offer a service to remove these spores.

Our house is really high. Do you have ladders high enough to reach?
We do have ladders on the truck but we do not need ladders to reach the high areas of your house. Most pressure washing companies use high pressure water to blast the dirt off of your home so they have to wash from ladders or crawl around on your roof. This is very dangerous and many accidents and even deaths occur each year because of this. Our low pressure cleaning technique allows us to gently apply our special house cleaning detergents to all areas of your home. Since we do not rely on high pressure, we can get our soap as high as 50’ while safely standing on the ground.

Is mold dangerous? Can mold damage my property value?
Yes, mold and mildew on and around your home create unhealthy conditions for those with asthma and allergies. Through our safe methods in pressure washing and soft washing, we can safely and effectively remove organic growth (mold, mildew) from any exterior surface. This will help keep you and your family safe and healthy. A routine house wash keeps your neighborhood property values up, and it safeguards your property from much more costly repairs.

Should I remove my Window Screens?

Weather you leave the screens in or remove them is up to you. Most homeowners leave them in so that they get washed and rinsed. When screens are removed from the windows we are able to remove the dirt, debris, bugs etc. that lie in between the screens and the windows leaving a much cleaner surface. If screens are not able to be removed, we can still clean these surfaces with low pressure.

Will our landscaping be harmed in the roof cleaning process?

No. Our cleaning process is not only safe and environmentally friendly, but we guarantee your flowers, plants, and surrounding areas will be safe.

Is cleaning my roof only cosmetic?

No. Black streaks will prevent your shingles from deflecting the sun properly and can increase your heating and cooling costs. In addition, the algae is feeding on the limestone in your roof tiles, and roof shingles, it is slowly breaking them down, reducing the life of your shingles by up to 50%!

Can I clean my own roof?

You can attempt, however, cleaning a roof correctly involves an extremely slippery surface that can be very dangerous and should only be attempted by a qualified, licensed and insured professional that specializes in roof cleaning.

What type of commercial work can your company do?
Multiple Exterior Surface cleaning including: Power Washing, Soft-Washing, Concrete Cleaning & Sealing, Industrial Service, High Reach Cleaning and more – Single service, routine maintenance, and post-construction services.
Most of our services are on commercial buildings that are 3 stories or less. We also have the needed aerial lift certification to do work on both interior and exterior surfaces beyond 3 stories.
One Time, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis. We do not currently offer storefront cleaning on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

We have a big building, can a small company like yourself really handle it all?
Definitely! You might be surprised how much we can get done in a short amount of time. Most of the time there is only 1 to 3 of us which may take us a little longer on some projects but since we don’t have a large crew the intrusion and disruption to your staff is minimal and many times not even noticed. However, when needed, we do work with a small group of other sole-proprietors that can come together and get larger jobs done quickly and efficiently.

What’s the value in using a small company like you?
The biggest value our customers appreciate is trust. Employees just don’t have the same investment in the company as the owners do which can determine their actions and ethics. We realize many companies encourage and create quality employees but that isn’t always the case. With our company you have direct access to the owner who is typically doing a good portion of the labor as well.

Do you offer a treatment plan at a discounted rate?

Yes. We offer a treatment plan customized to your needs and return to your home or business on an annual, bi-annual, quarterly or monthly basis at a discounted rate.

How often should I clean my Commercial Property?
This is a question we get a lot. All situations call for different solutions, so there’s no one right answer. Various factors will determine how quickly your business gets dirty. What we know for sure is that a dirty front entrance and storefront HURTS BUSINESS and will cost you much more money than having it professionally cleaned on a regular schedule. Give us a call and we will determine the right schedule for your store so your business and profits are maximized.

Can you schedule regular maintenance for our property?
Ohio Power Washings commercial services group specializes in providing regular scheduled maintenance on a timeframe that best suits your needs.
The combination of our professional cleaning expertise and modern pressure washing and surface cleaning equipment consistently deliver outstanding commercial exterior cleaning results for all types of businesses properties.
A clean commercial building exterior speaks volumes about your business. Beyond just looking good, a clean building exterior reflects your company’s stability and success while portraying a solid and professional identity. Don’t leave those all important first impressions of your company to chance, give Ohio Power Washing a chance to keep your building looking new, clean, and respectable.

Why should I get my gutters cleaned?
Your gutters are designed to drain the water from you roof way from your house and foundation. Full gutters and clogged downspouts can lead to roof and gutter damage or leaky basements.

How often should I get my gutters cleaned?
Most homeowners should get their gutters cleaned twice a year. Once obviously after the leaves fall and once again in the spring after bud and seeds have fallen. It takes a relatively small amount of debris to cover or clog a downspout.

Will getting my gutters clean create a mess?
The gunk (technical word) in your gutters, especially when wet, is messy. We take the utmost care to make as little mess as possible and clean up any mess that might come from cleaning the gutters. We properly dispose of any debris removed from your gutters so you don’t have to.

What are the black streaks on my gutters? Can they be removed?
The black streaks on your gutters are in the oxidation layer of the paint. The black streaks can be safely removed with low pressure cleaning and special cleaning solutions that Ohio Power Washing uses.

Do I even need to seal my concrete?
Exterior concrete in any region subject to freeze-thaw cycles should be sealed. However, concrete should also be sealed for stain repellence, dust reduction, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance and to maintain an attractive appearance.

What happens if I don’t seal my concrete?
Concrete is a porous material that readily absorbs liquids. In freeze-thaw climates, the expansion of frozen liquids can destroy the surface of unsealed concrete. Oil, salt, fertilizer, and other household chemicals can discolor and damage unsealed concrete.

How will my sealed surface look?
That all depends on the type of sealer that is applied. Most chemically reactive sealers are nearly invisible because they penetrate into the concrete. Solvent-based acrylic resin sealers and epoxies provide significant color enhancement and give concrete a high-gloss wet look. Water-based acrylic resin sealers provide moderate color enhancement and a satin appearance. Urethanes (generally applied as topcoat over epoxy) are available in a wide range of finishes, from matte to gloss. Many sealers can also be colored with translucent or opaque tints.We will consult with you to determine exactly what type of appearance you want and provide the perfect solution.

Will sealer make my concrete slippery?
Reactive penetrating sealers generally have little effect upon the concrete surface profile or traction. Most topical coatings can affect concrete surface profile, and may require the use of anti-skid additives in areas exposed to foot or vehicle traffic. You can be certain that Ohio Power Washing will use only the most appropriate sealer for your particular situation.

How long will my sealer last?
Because sealers penetrate the concrete, reactive chemical sealers will last the longest and generally only wear away if the substrate surface itself wears away, which may be 10 years or longer. You can get similar performance with epoxy or urethane sealers, which generally last 5 to 10 years depending on traffic exposure. Acrylic-resin sealers offer the shortest performance life – generally 1 to 3 years. Once again, we will select the best sealer for your particular situation.

Is concrete sealer environmentally friendly?
Concrete is locally made and can last for many decades with proper care. As sealers extend the useful life of concrete, they are an important component of “green” building and their use can qualify for additional LEED points..
As for the sealer itself, water-based products are generally considered the most environmentally friendly. Some solvent-based sealers can’t be sold in certain states, but new environmentally friendly solvents are now available. Ohio Power Washing only uses the most environmentally friendly sealers, and only ones in full compliance with all state and federal regulations.

What does sealing do for pavers?

Sealing is meant to protect pavers from the elements (i.e. rain, sun etc…) and anything foreign that were to fall on them. It creates an invisible barrier on top of the pavers that repels water, oil, and anything else you might accidentally drop on your driveway, patio or pool deck, so long as you wash it clean as soon as you spot it. Sealing also preserves the pavers’ natural beauty for years to come. Unfortunately, sealing does not prevent ants from coming up from your lawn or weeds from sprouting up due to seeds in the air. Other products may take care of that problem for you like a good ant killer sprayed in the yard, and a sand joint stabilizer, which is a more expensive product than the regular sealer.

How long does the process take?

It’s usually a 2-day process (weather permitting of course). The first day, a chemical wash is done followed by pressure cleaning with a 5,000 P.S.I pressure cleaner, getting almost anything out(stubborn penetrating stains like oil and rust may not come out). The second day, given that the surface to be sealed is completely dry, a sealer is sprayed on the pavers.
One or two coats are applied depending on the need. We suggest vehicles be driven over completed job 24 hours after sealing is done. Pedestrians may walk on sealed surface after just a couple of hours.

Will sealing my pavers make them shine?

Sealing is made to protect the pavers and also to preserve their beauty. When a sealer is applied, it darkens the original colors. Sometimes you might get the pavers to really shine, but it depends on your pavers’ colors. Darker colors tend to have a more noticeable sheen then lighter ones.

How can you tell if you need to reseal your pavers?
A simple test can help you tell if you need sealing or not, but it’s not the only one. Turn on your water hose and watch water bead up on the surface. If water is not beading, you might need a fresh coat of sealer.

When do my pavers need re-sanding?
Because Fine sand is the finishing touch of any paver job. It gets into the little spaces between the pavers and secures them, preventing them from moving or shifting. An application of sand and making sure the joints are tightly sealed will prevent future weed growth. After pressure cleaning, sometimes sand is blasted out of place. Re-sanding is recommended where necessary. Most people think that the sand needs to come all the way to the surface. Sand is securing the pavers together and does not need to be seen to do its job. If spaces are unusually large between the pavers, they might be shifting due to damage to your edge restraints and you might be in need of some repairs.

FAQ

Ohio Power Washing, LLC

Industrial Washing