Blog - Page 3 of 3 - Bright Services Group

How a Pressure Wash Can Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

“Curb appeal” is more than just the name of a show on HGTV. It’s a term used in the real estate business to describe the general attractiveness of a home when viewed from the sidewalk. It’s the first impression that can make or break the sale of your home in the eyes of the buyer.

To show the exterior of your home in the best possible light, you should consider a professional pressure wash. Over time, dirt, mold, algae, mildew, and pollen build up on the outside of your home, and attempting to clean it on your own can be at best difficult and at worst life-threatening. For example, rinsing the exterior of your home with a garden hose will clean off some basic surface debris, but due to the low pressure of the water, you may end up feeding the mold more than removing it. You could rent a pressure washer and attempt to wash the home on your own, but the massive water pressure can cause injuries to the inexperienced. Common injuries reported by homeowners using pressure washers include abrasions, slips on wet surfaces, falls off ladders, blindness and other eye injuries, and deep tissue damage from the water blasting into the skin.

At Bright Services, we apply an environmentally friendly cleaning solution to the outside of your gutters, soffits, fascia, and siding. We allow that solution to sit for approximately 5 minutes in order to emulsify the dirt and kill the mold, mildew, and algae. We then use a specialized house washing tool to gently wash your home. Finally, we insure your porches, steps, walkways, and driveways are thoroughly rinsed clean. We look forward to meeting with you.

How to Spot and Prevent Algae on Your Roof

A healthy roof is critical to the structure of your home, so it is essential to give it proper maintenance. A major predator of asphalt roofing you should be vigilant about is algae.

If you see any black discoloration on your roof, chances are it is an algae called Gloecapsa Magma. This algae thrives in a moisture-rich environment, fueled by water and shade. It typically first appears in heavily shaded areas of the roof, or on the north side, which usually receives less sunlight. The spores of the algae travel through the air, so it is possible for it to transfer from your neighbor’s roof to your own. Once on your roof, it expands rapidly, so a swift response is needed. Not only is the algae unsightly, but over time, the moisture it retains can prematurely age your shingles. If you allow the algae to thrive, you may end up needing to replace your entire roof.

It may be tempting, but do not rent a pressure washer and try to clean the shingles on your own. The high water pressure will impact the integrity of the shingles. Instead, call the professionals at Bright Services. We apply an environmentally friendly solution to the affected areas of your roof, and then rinse it gently with a low pressure water system.

You should also think toward the future in terms of the algae reoccurring. It has been shown that traces of metal stop algae growth. Consider installing copper or zinc strips under the shingles at the edge of the roof. As rainwater washes over the metal, it will make the environment inhospitable to algae.

Cedar Roof Cleaning – How to properly maintain

There are many benefits to having a cedar roof because it adds unparalleled beauty and curb appeal to your home. However, as with a wooden deck, proper maintenance is required to keep it looking and performing its best. You will want to have your cedar roof properly cleaned and sealed to keep out algae and moss.

Think of your cedar roof in its original state, as a tree. Once the bark is stripped from a tree, the wood has nothing to protect itself. Exposure to the elements causes immediate damage to the wood, leading to costly repairs and replacement.

dar roof cleaning and sealing of a cedar roof is something best left to professionals. This is because pressure washing is required to clean cedar. Pressure washing is a dangerous undertaking that far off the ground, and not a job for the uninitiated. Compounding the danger is the fact that wooden roofs become very slippery when wet because they are not covered in the granules that give asphalt shingles their traction.

You will want to call an experienced professional to handle cleaning your roof, and at Bright Services, we are ready to get the job done right for you.

Signs it is time to restore your deck

Spring has arrived, and chances are the warmer weather has spurred you to uncover your grill and dust off your patio furniture. As you are about to increase the use of your deck, now is the perfect time to check for signs of wear. This is especially true if your deck is made of wood, as opposed to composite decking such as Trex. Here are four key things to inspect to make sure your deck is safe for use.

1) First, inspect your deck for any stains to the wood. These are displeasing to the eye, but more importantly, some stains have the potential to eat through your protective sealant. When sealant is worn away, the wood is more likely to absorb moisture, and eventually, to rot. To remove a stain, gently rub it with a soft cloth coated with a mixture of mild detergent and water. Always make sure to rinse the area thoroughly after cleaning.

2) Second, look for and remove any loose or protruding nails and screws. Replace them with new ones adjacent to the existing holes to improve the stability of your deck.

3) Next, look at the big picture and check the boards themselves for signs of wear and tear. If you see a split in a piece of wood, that is an indication that it is on its way to breaking. It is important to replace damaged or broken boards, which are especially common in high traffic areas, for the safety of everyone using your deck.

4) Dry rot to the boards of your deck is always a possibility, regardless of the climate in which you live. It is typically the result of continued exposure to moisture on untreated decking. Signs of dry rot include shrinking boards with dark stains, fungal growth, and a damp, musty odor. If you suspect dry rot, it is important to call in a decking professional who can assess the damage and make recommendations for repair.

The service professionals at Bright Services are happy to assist you with any questions regarding the care and maintenance of your deck. Give us a call today at 610-522-7494.