Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why should I seal or stain my deck?
  2. What is the difference between a seal and stain?
  3. How are stains applied?
  4. How are seals applied?
  5. How often should I have my deck cleaned and protected?
  6. How often should I have my house washed?
  7. I can rent a pressure washing machine why should I hire a professional company?
  8. Can pressure washing siding damage the siding on my home?

Why should I seal or stain my deck?

  • Protection: To protect your investment from the damaging effects of weather elements and the sun
  • Aesthetics: Clearly the outside of your home is a great source of pride. Having a manicured lawn and beautiful, clean deck allow for a great outdoor living experience. Entertaining, cook outs with family and friends on clean, protected surfaces create joyful memories that last for years to come. The best way you can protect your deck is power wash cleaning and professionally applied protection products.

What is the difference between a seal and stain?

A seal is a film that's applied to the surface of the wood.

  • It is clear and has a little UV protection
  • Lasts 12 to 18 months
  • Requires just one coat

A stain penetrates the wood for more protection.

  • Wide variety of colors
  • Much more UV protection
  • Will last between three and five years
  • Two coats are applied

How are stains applied?

Applying stains is much more labor intensive than seals. After taping and putting plastic on the siding and covering all furniture and plants, the stain is applied with brushes and an airless sprayer. Elite technicians apply two coats of stain to every deck.

How are seals applied?

Elite takes great pride in our work and is very respectful of your property. We know that careless application of sealants and stains will kill grass and plants because water cannot penetrate.

Siding can be discolored and damaged if proper precautions are not taken.

That's why we tarp up all plants and shrubbery around the deck area. We cover toys and furniture to protect them from spray. Elite uses specialized tools to cover up siding as we are spraying close to the house and if necessary, we will brush the stain by hand to ensure that your home is protected.

How often should I have my deck cleaned and protected?

Deck builders, manufactures and professional pressure cleaners all agree that decks be cleaned and protection applied every 12 to 18 months to help prevent wood from warping, splintering and cracking.

How often should I have my house washed?

It really depends on how your house is situated. The more trees that shade your home, the longer its exterior stays damp which can lead to mold and mildew growth. In our 13 years' experience, we recommend that our customers have their homes professionally power washed every two to three years.

I can rent a pressure washing machine why should I hire a professional company?

  1. Safety - The pressure washers we use are 4000 pounds per square inch. With the right tip a pressure washer can put a hole through siding. Or skin.
  2. Value of your time - Thanks to years of experience we have become very efficient in performing services. We train employees extensively and no technician goes solo until they meet our standards.
  3. Damage to your property - Frequently we see decks damaged by homeowners getting too close to the wood when they pressure wash. Then as they decide to take a break they spray down the house getting too close to the siding causing permanent damage like lines or even holes.

  4. Not really a cost savings - By the time you pay to rent a machine, buy a residential cleaning product (not the professional "deck brightener" we use), a sprayer to spray the cleaner, buy the gas for the machine and spend all day Saturday pressure washing. Over $130 in materials plus your time.

    Then you must protect your deck with a seal or stain. In that case you must buy the stain, buy or rent a sprayer or buy brushes and rollers, tape all your siding, cover all the bushes and property then set aside at least two hours to seal a deck and six to seven hours to stain your deck. What is your time is worth?

Can pressure washing siding damage the siding on my home?

Water can damage siding. If too much pressure is applied underneath the layers of siding it can cause water to get behind the siding causing wood to rot. It can also cause damage siding by applying to much pressure directly on the home. This can cause lines and sometimes rips in the siding.

Elite Pressure Cleaning first trains our employees extensively before the arrive at your home. Our average technician has over two years of experience in the field. On homes we use low pressure and let the detergent to do the work. We follow up the rinse with a soft bristle brush to gently remove any hard to reach areas and heavily coated mold and mildew.

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