FAQ
Questions about exterior cleaning
Straight answers. If yours is not here, call or text and ask.
General
What areas do you serve?
We are based in Fort Myers and serve Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Fort Myers Beach, Estero, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres and the rest of Lee County.
What is the difference between pressure washing and soft washing?
Pressure washing uses high pressure water and is right for hard surfaces like concrete driveways. Soft washing uses a cleaning solution at low pressure and is right for stucco, painted surfaces, screens and roofs, where high pressure would do damage. We use whichever the surface calls for.
How do I get a quote?
Call or text us. Photos of the area you want cleaned help us give you an accurate quote quickly, often without a visit.
Do I need to be home while you work?
Usually not. We need access to the area and an outside spigot, and any cars moved off surfaces we are cleaning. We will let you know when we are finished.
Is it safe for my plants and pets?
We soak plants with water before we start and rinse them after, which protects them. Keep pets inside while we work and until surfaces have dried.
How often should I clean the outside of my home in Southwest Florida?
Growth never goes dormant here, so most homes benefit from a driveway cleaning once a year and a house or roof wash every one to three years, depending on shade and moisture.
Do you work with property managers and HOAs?
Yes. We work with property managers, rental owners and associations. Call or text to talk through the properties and the schedule.
I got an HOA letter about my driveway or roof. Can you help?
Yes. Under Florida law a homeowners' association has to give you at least 14 days' written notice before a fine hearing, and a violation that is fixed before the hearing cannot be fined. Call or text us with the date on the letter and a photo, and we will do our best to get it done in time.
Driveway and Concrete Cleaning
How often should I have my driveway cleaned in Fort Myers?
Most driveways here look their best with a cleaning once a year. Shaded drives, or ones next to irrigation or a lake, can need it more often because they stay damp.
Will pressure washing damage my concrete?
It can if the wand is held too close. We clean the flat surfaces with a surface cleaner that keeps the spray at a fixed height, which is what prevents the lines and etching you see on badly washed drives.
Do I need to be home?
No. We usually just need an outside spigot and the cars moved off the drive, and we will let you know when we are finished.
Can you get the orange stains out too?
Orange marks are usually rust from well water irrigation. They need a separate rust treatment, which we can do on the same visit. Pressure alone will not remove them.
House Washing (Soft Wash)
What is soft washing?
Soft washing cleans with a solution at low pressure instead of relying on high pressure water. The solution kills algae and mildew, and a gentle rinse carries it away, so painted and delicate surfaces are not damaged.
Is soft washing safe for my plants?
We soak the plants with water before we start and rinse them after, which is what protects them. If something is especially delicate, tell us and we will cover it.
How long does a house wash take?
Most single family homes take a few hours. You usually do not need to be home as long as we can reach an outside spigot.
Do you wash windows too?
The house wash rinses the windows along with the walls, but we do not do detailed window cleaning.
Roof Cleaning
What causes the black streaks on my roof?
An airborne algae called Gloeocapsa magma. It is common across the Gulf Coast and grows on the shady, damp parts of a roof.
Do you pressure wash roofs?
No. Pressure can strip shingle granules and crack tile. We clean roofs with a solution at low pressure, which is what the roofing industry recommends.
How long will my roof stay clean?
It depends on shade and moisture, but the algae does return over time. Most roofs here look good for a few years before the streaks start to show again.
Will the runoff hurt my landscaping?
We soak the plants and turf below with water before we start and rinse them again after, which is what protects them.
Paver Cleaning
Will cleaning my pavers wash out the sand?
Some joint sand comes out in any thorough cleaning. Setting the right pressure and height keeps it to a minimum, and we will tell you if your joints are already low.
Can you clean paver pool decks?
Yes. We keep the runoff out of the pool and treat the growth so the deck stays less slippery for longer.
Do you remove weeds from the joints?
The cleaning and treatment knock back growth in the joints. Deep rooted weeds may need pulling after.
Pool Cage and Lanai Cleaning
Will cleaning damage my pool screens?
We clean screens at low pressure, which is what keeps them intact. Screens that are already brittle or torn can still give way, and we will point those out first.
Is the solution safe for my pool?
We protect the pool from runoff while we work and rinse the area thoroughly. Tell us if your pool has anything that needs extra care.
How often should a pool cage be cleaned?
Most cages here do well with a cleaning every year or so. Heavily shaded cages can need it more often.
Rust Stain Removal
Why won't pressure washing remove rust stains?
Rust is iron that has oxidized into the surface. It is a chemical stain, so it needs a rust remover that dissolves it. Water pressure alone will not lift it.
Will the rust come back?
If the sprinklers still run on iron rich well water, yes. A filter or rust treatment on the irrigation well is the long term fix.
Can you remove rust from stucco walls?
Yes. Stucco is treated with a product and method made for it, and the wall is rinsed thoroughly after.
Call or text Paul
A real person answers, and we show up when we say we will. Send a photo by text and we can usually quote it without a visit.