Pressure cleaning companies are a dime a dozen, and choosing the wrong one can cost you not just time and money, but can also bring you a lot of stress. However, finding the right pressure cleaning company to match your needs and budget is easier said than done, which is why asking the right questions is an important first step.
It’s always a good idea to clarify beforehand what kind of cleaning process they use, the type of cleaning materials and tools they depend on, and other things that matter to you and the rest of your household. Knowing what questions to ask can help you avoid unpleasant surprises and headaches down the line.
In this article, we’ve gathered a list of the best questions to ask pressure cleaning companies so you can be confident with your decision-making. These cover the cleaning method of choice, products commonly used, votes of confidence from previous customers, insurance, and job guarantee.
Finding the Right Pressure Cleaning Company
Not all pressure cleaning companies are created equal. From their strategic values and principles, to cleaning methods and kinds of equipment and products they use, they can all vary greatly. How long they’ve been in business is also another key thing to consider, as higher levels of competence may come with more years invested in the business. Some may have been around long before you’ve even heard about pressure washers; while others may have just recently set up shop一these are things you’d want to know.
Choosing the wrong pressure cleaning company can spell all the difference between a successful outcome一one that meets your expectations and standards, and a disappointing result that will cost you more than you’re willing to pay. That hastily made decision can lead to endless hours of agony over a botched job: much time wasted, ridiculous costs, a perpetually flooded basement, damage to property brought about by poorly trained staff一this can go on and on.
Take the necessary steps in finding the company that’s perfect for your needs. If you live in the Mid-Atlantic part of the United States, you can begin with Excel Residential Services. We’d be happy to answer your questions (and even the ones you may forget to ask), and provide you with a free quote, too.
1. What Is Your Cleaning Method?
The most basic question you’d want to start off with is the most obvious one: “What is the cleaning method that you use?” Pressure cleaning is a general term for any type of cleaning that involves pressurized water and an electric motor or gas engine, sometimes computerized, to get rid of dirt and filth on surfaces and crevices. However, there are as many different types of pressure cleaning methods as there are levels of thoroughness.
First, there’s cold water pressure cleaning. Oftentimes loosely referred to as “pressure cleaning,” this method banks mainly on the level of water pressure and on the strength of the chemical ingredients in its cleaning solution to blast away dirt. Although it can help break down dirt and crust formations, the cleanliness achieved can remain, well, on the surface. This is because cold pressure washing only uses cold dihydrogen molecules (basically just a fancy way of saying “cold water”). More stubborn stains, grease, and other annoying traces of whatever the area you want cleaned has gone through, may be left behind. This also means that you’ll need to schedule cleaning services more frequently.
There’s also power washing. This method relies on highly pressurized hot water to not just do a superficial job but to really achieve deep cleaning. Unlike more lukewarm cleaning methods, it depends on heat to effectively kill bacteria and cut through grime more easily. This can be particularly helpful in humid places, where mold and mildew can grow profusely, especially during the summer months. Just like how much cleaner your dishes can get when you use hot water to wash them, high water temperatures in power washing is tougher on hard and stubborn dirt.
Different kinds of surfaces and problem areas may require specific pressure cleaning methods, and a good pressure cleaning company will know exactly the right one for your needs.
2. What cleaning tools and products do you use?
A professional pressure cleaning company that’s worth its salt doesn’t only treat your property right; it extends its kindness and consideration to the environment, too. So go ahead and ask if they can enhance your curb appeal without harming the earth (okay, maybe just ask if they use environmentally-friendly products.)
Since power washing relies heavily on heat for its effectiveness, it doesn’t need to use large quantities of cleaning solutions. However, some cleaning companies may use chemicals that can be damaging to the environment. Certain compounds in bleach and phosphate-based cleaning solutions can pollute lakes and streams, creating algae and starving the fish of oxygen. You don’t even have to go that far—your flower beds and lawns can also be damaged.
Harsh cleaning solutions can also hurt everything else that breathes, including kids who may live in your home, by releasing toxic fumes into the air. These chemicals can be inhaled and cause many respiratory ailments, even critical ones. Go with a company that only uses green and gentle solutions to eliminate mold, mildew, and all sorts of undesirables.
While gentleness is a good thing, it has to be balanced out by potency. You will know if a professional pressure cleaner company has set the bar high if they use high-quality cleaning ingredients that are non-abrasive and biodegradable and yet are equally powerful to do serious combat with grime, dirt, and even contaminants.
Lastly, their commercial equipment should be of high quality and in perfect working condition. A cleaning professional may tell you to check the company’s pneumatic (operated by air or gas under pressure) wheels on steel hubs, steel frames, steel sprays, and triplex pumps. One way to get into the “heat of things” is by directly asking the company what kind of equipment and which specific brands they’re using and how long these have been running (and wearing and tearing). Then do some research on reputable sites.
3. Can you provide reputable references?
The most important reference is the one given by the state or other regulatory body, and that’s of course a general business license to legally operate, as well as a special license or bond to indicate compliance to area-specific laws. These licenses can protect you from unscrupulous individuals and unethical business practices. Knowing that your chosen company has the mandatory legal documents ensures that they’ve been properly vetted, giving you invaluable peace of mind.
Once you’ve confirmed that they’re legit, ask if they can share reviews or feedback that previous or existing customers have written either on social media, on their website, or other sites and platforms. Having experienced the services of the company first hand, these references can tell you how professional the company is, if their cleaners follow instructions and handle property respectfully, or if they seem to cut corners and enjoy long breaks, etc. Securing actual customer reviews can assure you of both the company’s competence and consistency.
4. Do you have insurance for your employees?
Many things can happen to cleaners and other staff while on the job. They can easily get injured and suffer from fractures, lacerations, sprains, and multiple traumas. This is the reason why workers’ compensation insurance is mandated in most states for almost all pressure cleaning businesses. Having workers’ compensation insurance in place will ensure that the workers won’t have to pay out of their pockets if anything untoward happens. This will also give the company, as well as yourself, protection from liabilities.
5. Do you offer a work guarantee?
You'll know if a company can deliver the goods if they’re confident enough to give you a work guarantee, such as making sure that all your instructions are followed to a T and that all your expectations are met. Should you experience any dissatisfaction, you can bet that the company that will do everything within its means to make it right will be the one that can guarantee your happiness.
The Power of Asking Questions
If you want to get the best value for your money and be confident that you’re choosing the perfect pressure cleaning company for your cleaning needs, don’t be afraid to ask questions. The perfect one will give you all the right answers.
If you’re looking for a professional power washing company with meticulous cleaning methods and superior cleaning standards, give Excel Residential Services a call to get a free quote today.
