Frequently asked questions

Gutter Cleaning:

    -    What does gutter cleaning consist of?
                Gutter cleaning consists of cleaning all debris from gutters valleys, and downspouts.
                Also cleaning up all gutter related debris off the ground. In addition, the worker will identify problem areas and suggest corrective action.

    -   What do you do with the debris?
                Most often we use your refuse container or compost pile to dispose of it We can haul it away for an additional fee of $5.00 a bucket.

    -    Can you clear clogs?
                99.9% of the time, Yes. We have special hoses and nozzles that can feed into your downspouts that will clear them. The times that we cant, have
                been due to a collapsed pipe underground. If this is the case a rooter service may need to be called out. If they cannot fix it an alternative
                method of diverting the water away from the foundation should be utilized.

    -    The outside of our gutter is dirty is this included?
                The gutter fascia is not included in your estimate, but can be upon your request or recommended on the job.

    -    Do you do repairs?
                We do minor repairs like fixing leaks in the corners or tacking the gutters back in where they have come loose. Any serious repairs should be
                handled by a specialist.

    -    When and how often should I have my gutters cleaned?
                Gutter cleaning is a form of preventive maintenance that can actually prolong the life of your home. For that reason, gutters should be cleaned
                as often as needed. Generally, most of our customers have their gutters cleaned three to about four times per year depending on the
                surroundings of their homes (i.e. trees with blossoms, pollen strings, leaves, pine needles, seeds, acorns, sticks and other debris). The
                following are the recommended times to clean your gutters. Please keep in mind you might need even more frequent service, and that each
                year the weather patterns are a little different and for that reason there is a range in time for each cleaning.

                    1. In early summer, between late May and end of June to rid your gutters of an accumulation of winter debris. In addition, some of the
                        tender tree foliage is blown off the trees along with blossoms and pollen strings which because of their consistency will clog your gutters
                        causing them to hold water, providing a perfect breeding ground for mosquito larva.
                    2. In mid to late summer, in August through September because, despite the fact that most leaves are firmly attached to the trees, some
                        still come down and end up in the gutters. Thunderstorms, strong winds and drought, all are strong contributors to large accumulations
                        of leaves, sticks and debris in the gutters in late summer.
                    3. In early fall, in late October through end of November, leaves quickly accumulate in your gutters and the sheer volume of leaves requires
                        the gutters to be cleared.
                    4. In late fall, cleaning time depends on where you live and is between late November and the end of January, when most leaves are off
                        the trees. This gutter cleaning is a balancing act of waiting for most leaves to be off the trees and not waiting too long so that all gutters
                        freeze solid with the ice and leaves in them.

    -   Should I have strainers in our downspouts?
            The installation of gutter strainers will help your gutters by reducing downspout blocking, and will keep leaves and sticks from going in the
            downspouts where they often get stuck and form impermeable to water downspout clogs. Strainers are especially important when your
            gutters are connected to underground drains where leaves and debris could accumulate and create a serious blockage which may require
            expensive equipment to unclog or even replacement of the whole underground system may be required.

Roof cleaning:

    -    How do you clean my roof?
                We offer a variety of cleaning techniques depending on your type of roof, pitch, and condition. Regular maintenance is most common
                We blow and/or rinse lose debris off the roof.

    -    Why does my roof have black streaks?
                Those black areas of your roof is a type of algae that grows most commonly on the north sides. We can remove this with the help of
                detergents and low pressure.

    -    Do you pressure wash roofs?
                Yes depending on its condition. A Pressure washer is a tool that requires skill and technique like every other tool. " I for one wouldn't
                dare operate a welder without knowing what I'm doing" - Tim Hunter. Its unfortunate in our industry that things are not more black and
                white, so common sense would say, do what is practical for the project, have the customers best interests in mind and strive for the
                best results.

    -    How often should I have my roof cleaned?
                Every home has different types of trees surrounding them that will drop foliage once a year, some year-round. It is a good plan to have
                us out to maintain your roof at least once a year. We have some customers that need us out every couple of months to blow it off. It is
                a good rule of thumb to never let an accumulation of debris rest on your roof for any period of time. This can result in rotting, leaks,
                staining, algae, mildew & moss.

    -    Our roof is really steep, can you work on it safely?
                Most often yes. I would need to survey your roof for our safety equipment placement and options. There are some OSHA regulations
                that need to be considered and practiced on every project. Not all homes have the capability of meeting all the requirements set forth
                by OSHA. We have the experience to improvise and employ other methods of cleaning those surfaces if necessary. It is our policy to
                use rope and harness when working on roofs 9/12 Pitch or steeper.

Screen repair and replacing:

    -    My frame is bent can you fix it?
            We sometimes can fix it but most of the time we prefer to just replace the side.

    -    Our screens have holes in them, can you patch them?
            We prefer to replace the entire screening material.

siding cleaning (house wash):

De-Mossing and control:

- Here is one treatment for Moss http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,1630921,00.html

- This link will show you how to control moss,

http://www.cleanwaterservices.org/content/documents/Education%20and%20Outreach/Safe%20Roof%20Moss%20Control%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

- Oregon State University study on roof moss

http://bryophytes.science.oregonstate.edu/page18.htm

Pressure Washing:

    -    Can you get all the stains out of my driveway?
            Most of the time "Yes". There are those oil spots though. With the help of some chemicals we can lighten them up depending on how
            long they have been there, and how far they have penetrated the concrete.

-    Can you remove the leaf stains from my driveway?
            Yes, although we recommend cleaning the whole thing. These types of tannin stains can easily be removed with a sodium Hypochlorite
            and water mix.

    -    Can you pressure wash our deck?
            Yes, to different degrees. We can do our most usual safety clean. Decks and their stairs can get pretty slippery with the slightest bit of
            algae and mildew. So we could just do the mildew removal or we could prep the deck for painting or staining, by stripping the old stuff off.

Windows:

- How often should I have my windows cleaned?

Good maintenance for your windows would be at least twice a year. 1 cleaning inside and out and 1 cleaning exterior only.

We use only the best professional equipment on the market. Squeegees, washbars, microfiber cloths, and boabs. Our cleaning solution

is Titan Labs Glass Gleam 3 and Glass Gleam 4

- Do you wash the screens?

Depending on your choice of a standard or deluxe cleaning, your screens will be brushed with a cloth or soaped up, rinsed off, dried, and treated with Winsol screen protectant. This product is like armor all for your screens, that helps them last longer and look shinier.

- Our Last window cleaner never showed up on time and left streaks all over!

YIKES! We are a professional company that takes great pride in punctuality and quality work. My employee’s are trained, experienced professionals that will go the extra mile for you, but I must admit I’ve accidentally left a streak or two behind that went unnoticed. Window cleaning can be tricky. You can look at a piece of glass at a few different angles and think it looks great, then the sun comes out and out of nowhere there’s a streak or smudge. We strive for perfection but please understand that this is not carelessness or poor quality work. If you happen to notice any streaks, smudges, smears, spots, specs, or anything left behind please contact us within a reasonable amount of time and we will return promptly to resolve the issue.

- What do I need to do to prepare for your service?

We want this process to be as smooth as possible for you. All we would ever ask of you to move would be sentimental and irreplaceable items, so please relax, turn on your music or chat with us. We are here to serve you and provide a luxury service.

- We have high windows, can you reach them?

Our trucks are equipped with a 32’ ladder 24’, 16’ and a 6’ step ladder. We also carry extension poles. These I have found to take care of the majority of 2-3 story homes, but there are neighborhoods in the hills that often have a window or few that we will scratch our head at and wonder what the architect was thinking putting those there. We can provide a safe solution to access these, or sometimes were able to do them from inside.

- We haven’t had our windows cleaned since we moved in 20 years ago! Can you clean them?

Sure, we will do our best! We often find under the years of crud that there are stains on the glass, tracks are oxidized, and the screens crumble in our hands. Our goal and wishes are to leave you with a smile. This can be difficult when we have to point out mineral deposits, stains, scratches, and imperfections. We can make a big difference, even make you new screens. Just please consider having us out a little more often.