When it comes to deck maintenance, we all pretty much forget that it needs maintaining throughout the years, as it can erode and begin to loose its finish. Decks in Portland go through such extreme weather conditions, from heavy rain, to Ultra Violet rays in the summer. The decks can take serious hits from this weather, and when the finishes start to lose effect, years are taken off of your decks life span. So, lets take a look at what you can do to maintain your deck’s life, and not have to replace your whole decking, if you leave it, that is what you will be looking at doing in a few years time. The best thing you can do for your deck is to have it refinished by a deck refinishing Portland service. Deck refinishing is an art, you can't simply go down to your local hardware store and try to buy a kit that states you can do it yourself, as you will do it wrong unless you are fully trained and qualified in deck finishes.

If you want to do an effective job on your deck, you will need to hire a professional company skilled in deck refinishing to take over, and they will properly replace the finish on your decking. If you leave the decking as it is, and don't do anything to maintain it, you will be paying out another large sum of cash to either remove it, or replace the whole deck. When you first installed the deck, you didn't think about it leaving your home, and you didn't think about it eroding did you? No, and you wouldn't want to put it at risk, so the best thing you can do is maintain in through the years, so that it doesn't succumb to any erosion or damage. Refinishing your decking is something that should only be done by a professional deck maintenance company, as if you try to do it, and you have no deck staining expertise, you will cause more damage than good to the deck, which ultimately costs your more money.

Decks are used very frequently, especially in the summer, and if you have pets. Dogs and cats love to sleep on decking in the sun, and your kids will most likely play out with them on the decking too. Family BBQ's and sporting activities often take place on decks in the summer too. All these activities will cause the finish on your decking to slowly but surely come to some damage, wear and tear. It is vital that once in awhile you hire a deck refinishing service to come and maintain your decking for you, as the more you use your decking, the more worn it will become. However, you shouldn't have to limit your time on your decking just because you don't want it to get too worn, as you paid a lot of money for it, and you are going to want to use it. The way you solve this issue is simply by living life normally at home, using your decking as you would, and having it serviced every now and then, so that the finish never gets worn, and you can enjoy the decking in the sun without having to worry. You won't have to worry about the weather conditions at all, as they will be harmless to your decking if you maintain it effectively.

There are many types of finishes you can use on your decking, just because you had a particular finish before doesn't mean you can't change it the next time. However, certain types of stain, once put on, limit your future choices. A fifteen minute meeting with a deck refinishing expert will help you avoid any long term mistakes.

If you want a professional deck refinishing service in the Portland area to refinish your decking, look no further as we offer the most high quality refinishing service in Portland. Here at All Surface Cleaning, we care about our customers and their decks and will always ask for your approval on the job, so that you will always be satisfied with the end result. Get in contact with us today at All Surface Cleaning, and make your decking look brand new again.

Cleaning gutters is actually a tough job. So many people attempt to clean their own gutters, take one look inside them, scoop out some of the rotting foliage and muck, and then realize they don't have the skills, strength or stamina for the job. Some of the goo and muck that is collected by home gutters is disgusting, it's not through any faults of our own, it is simply nature taking its course on our gutters. Therefore, where such germs and dirt is present, certain safety precautions must be taken when cleaning out gutters, and it is in fact a skill in itself. For those who attempt to clean their gutters themselves, you should be wearing protective gloves, and old clothes, as you will get dirty, and you must have a strong stomach, as you may encounter birds, pests and other rotten creatures. Instead of trying to go it alone, and let your pride get in the way, why not call the professionals in to do the job effectively?

A lot of people never clean their gutters, they leave them alone from the day they are installed, and then one day, they break from the weight of debris or start to over flow or leak, and they then need replacing. This is actually going to end up costing you a fortune, replacing your gutters every few years, wouldn't you rather your gutter system last you decades rather than a few years? Calling a professional gutter cleaning Portland service to come and clean your gutters is beneficial it will in fact, save yourself money in the long run.

The debris, algae and excessive water in your gutters when left can actually cause bigger issues than you might have first thought. Saving money on guttering isn't all you can save through getting your gutters cleaned. Water leakage from clogged gutters can erode wall sidings, and cause roof leaks, foundation seepage and basement flooding. The erosion can also cause pest infestation and nesting to occur, so the gutter cleaning service won't be the only service you need to call out, as you'll need to get a pest control service on the scene too. See how much money you can save through simply having your gutters cleaned and maintained by a professional gutter cleaning service?

Cleaning gutters is hard work and should be done by a professional to do it effectively. Even more importantly, gutter cleaning is very dangerous. Ladder falls are the number one source of household accidents that result in emergency visits. Professionals will be able to scoop out the rubbish and clean the gutters, leaving them shining and dirt free, so that it looks good as new, and is being maintained in pristine condition.

We rarely think to clean out our gutters, usually all our cleaning thoughts go into our homes inside and our gardens, areas such as roofs and guttering never really come into it. However, maintaining clean gutters is something that should be maintained just as your carpet on your living room floor would be. It's tough to remember all the places to clean in your home, but if you do keep your gutters clean, you are saving yourself and home from having to pay out huge costs for siding erosion and other damages that germs and muck can cause to your home, it costs so little to have your gutters maintained every now and then.

If you want to hire a professional and well reputable gutter cleaning service, here at All Surface Cleaning we offer one the highest standard gutter cleaning services. We do the job effectively and professionally every time, and work for fair prices, so you will get great value for a fraction of the cost it would be to replace guttering or any damages caused to your home from erosion. With hundreds of satisfied clients under our belt already, we know our service works, and works well. Get in contact with All Surface Cleaning today, and have your gutters properly maintained.

Many people don't think of roof moss as a problem. The sight of little patches of moss on a roof can evoke images of quaintness and charm in some people’s minds. The problem is that in a place like Portland moss growth can get out of hand. Everyone who lives in this great city is all too familiar with its damp and rainy weather. The humidity that this tends to produce, particularly in the fall provides the perfect condition for roof moss to grow; and before you know it, what you once considered cute can become an unsightly mess.

Now, however charming you find roof moss you don't want it to decrease the value of your house. That is why it's best to get control of it before it becomes unmanageable. Having your roof routinely cleaned by professionals that do roof moss removal is essential to preserving the value and integrity of your house.

At this point, the obvious question is: 'why can't I clean my own roof?' In this age of 'do-it-yourself' it is understandable that you as a homeowner would much prefer to clean your own roof than pay someone to do it. And there is little doubt that there are many guides and videos out there to help you along the way. But mastering the techniques and using the tools to perform a roof cleaning effectively are not things easily obtained by laypersons. Only the experts, the professionals who have dedicated their lives to this work, can bring the right practices to bear for this kind of job.

There is also the fact that roof moss removal can be dangerous. Climbing on top of a roof to carry out extensive work requires someone who has had training and experience. It can be hazardous for an amateur to attempt such work—and this is particularly true with houses that have large steep roofs.

Establishing a schedule for periodic roof cleaning by trained professionals can save you a lot of money in the long run. If you allow moss to grow on your roof, then it may come to the point where the moss has grown so wildly and has become so rooted in the spaces and crevices in your roof that it cannot be cleaned. In such instances, roof replacement becomes the only option. And such extensive work can cost you a larger amount of money than roof cleaning would have.

This is not difficult to imagine. If you don't take your car in for its periodic maintenance, you will eventually have trouble with your engine or other vital car parts—trouble that will cost you a lot more than if you had just established a periodic maintenance system. The same logic applies to roof moss removal. If you don't clean your roof regularly, then you risk permanent damage.

Another good reason to remove moss from your roof, as it was alluded to before, is that you want the value of your home to appreciate, which is difficult to achieve if your home is seen as run-down or un-kept. Although you may find the sight of moss tolerable, there are many others who may not feel the same way. And you always want to keep your options open on when to sell your house.

It must also be noted that a number of companies have offered sprays that they say will instantly remove roof moss. Avoid these promises. Often, the products they're selling do not work on the kind of moss that grows in Portland. So, you should be wary of anyone promising quick fix solutions to roof moss. Indeed, it is probably a good idea to ignore all such sellers, for there is no such thing as an all region roof moss removal spray.

The safest, most reliable way to deal with roof moss is to call an expert. If you are interested in preserving your roof, it is necessary to establish a maintenance plan and stick to it. The weather in Portland can be quite hard on roofs; however, you don't need to agonize over keeping yours clean and pristine. Well-trained professionals can apply the tools and techniques required to remove the moss and help save you the time, money, and overall burden of having to do so yourself.
 

As you begin to search for the perfect Portland roof cleaner, you may soon realize that you have multiple options. But does this mean that every company is the same as the next? Of course not. You need to know which qualities are most important in a roof cleaning company. This is the best way to be confident in your final decision.

Results

If nothing else, you want to hire a company that is going to deliver results. Let's face it: you don't want to pay for roof cleaning services if you are not going to be happy with the final result. When the job is done, you want to be able to look at your roof and realize that it is cleaner now than it was before.

Tip: don't be shy about asking your Portland roof cleaning company for references. This is often times the best way to ensure high quality results.

Safety

This is a two-fold quality. First and foremost, you want to make sure that the crew working on your roof is taking extreme caution at all times. Not only will this go a long way in keeping them safe, but it will do the same for anybody else who may be around the area.

Additionally, you must make sure that the company realizes the importance of keeping your roof in good condition. In other words, you don't want them to do anything that will jeopardize the safety of your roof as it is right now. This may sound like overkill, but it is something that you should discuss with any company before moving forward.

Other Services

If you are interested in roof cleaning there is a good chance that you may need a related service completed at the same time. This could include everything from gutter cleaning to deck cleaning to pressure washing.

When you hire one company to handle all these tasks, you are going to find two things to be true: you are going to be happier with the overall result and you are going to love the fact that you are able to save money.

Don't automatically assume that a roof cleaning company is only going to offer this one service – they may be able to help in many other ways.

Customer Service

From the moment you contact a Portland roof cleaner to the moment the job is done, you should expect to receive a high level of customer service.

When you feel that your business is appreciated, it is much easier to move forward with the job in a confident manner.

Questions to Ask

Are you still unsure as to which qualities you should be looking for in a roof cleaning company? If so, you are not alone – this is a big decision.

Here are a few questions to ask any provider that you speak with:
• What am I going to get for my money? In other words, you should know what you are paying for.
• Is it possible for me to speak with some of your past customers? This gives you the chance to get a good feel for what other people think of the service.
• Are there any other services you can complete for me while at my home? Don't be surprised if you can have your gutters cleaned, for example, for a small charge.

Compare Portland Roof Cleaners with Success

There are many ways to compare companies that clean roofs, with the best method being the internet. Not only can you learn more about a company from their website, but you can check for reviews of their services on third party sites.

Of course, if you have any questions you should feel free to contact the company via telephone. It is often times easier to get your questions answered and better understand a company when you are talking in real time.

Now that you know which qualities are most important in a Portland roof cleaning company, you should take the time to compare your options and make a final decision. Soon enough, you will have the right team on the job and in no time at all your roof will be clean and you will be a happy homeowner.

When it comes to keeping a clean home, we commonly only consider certain areas of our homes, and forget others. This is through no fault of our own, we just simply forget sometimes, as there are certain areas of our houses that we never clean, this is for numerous reasons. Sometimes we may not be able to reach a certain area, therefore we don't clean it, other times, there are areas we never see, therefore we don't think to clean them, as we never see them. While this is humorous in a way it can actually lead to some quite serious matters and dangers. When an area is never cleaned, substantial amounts of dust can gather, and while dust looks harmless, it is in fact one of the main killers when it comes to erosion and breakages in homes and electrical equipment. Dust can gather within a few days, so imagine the amount of dust that will have formed in areas you haven't ever cleaned, it's a scary thought.

One area of our homes that most residents never clean is their roofs. Home owners generally never clean their roofs for a few reasons, one it's unsafe and two it never crosses their minds. We generally come in and out of our homes, and glance at our roofs and never think any more of them. There may be times where we need shingles or tiles fixed, or even times where we get a whole new roof put on, but we never think about the maintenance or cleaning of our roofs. It is in fact a skill, roof cleaning isn't something that anyone can do, you must be a trained roofer and in roof cleaning to be able to do the job effectively and safely. You should never attempt to clean your roof, or to climb onto your roof to inspect how dirty it is, if you can see it through a window that's fine, but never put yourself at risk of falling and injuring yourself on a roof, as you will regret it.

There are many types of roofs, commercial roofs for warehouses and residential roofs, each different in size, shape, design and material which makes cleaning each of them an art. You must master roof cleaning to run the service, as each roof will be different, some roofs may be eroding and damaged, while others may be perfect, and just need a minimal cleaning. Knowing how to deal with these roofs is something you must be trained in.

With many homes and commercial buildings in Portland, there are many roofs to be cleaned. However, probably only a tiny percentage of the Portland population actually has their roofs cleaned, and it's guaranteed that if you put a clean roof next to an unclean roof that you could tell the difference. Homes that have their roofs cleaned go up in value, they look more presentable and stylish, and they allow their residents to feel good about their home. Unclean roofs look dark, dingy and dirty which isn't going to do anyone any favors. If you need your roof cleaned because you want to sell your home, it's a great idea to do so, as your property will gleam in the sun, and really stand out from the rest of the houses down your street.

Roof cleaning Portland services aren't too easy to find, you will be able to find roofing contractors, but many of them won't be skilled enough to clean existing roofs. You can find exceptional roof cleaning Portland services here at All Surface Cleaning, as we offer the highest standard roof cleaning available in Portland. We take great pride in our customer satisfaction, which means we won't leave a job, until we think you are completely happy with the work we've done. Working with this sort of ethic has allowed us to have many repeat clients who love our work, and we love serving our Portland area, making commercial and residential roofs more presentable. If you would like to have your roof cleaned by professionals, get in contact with All Surface Cleaning today.

Treating a Roof With Moss Killer – Is More Work Needed?

One of the nice things about working with us folks at All Surface is that we are not married to just one type of roof moss removal.   We offer more combinations of cleaning methods than anyone.  We offer standalone roof moss treatments, combinations of hand brushing and treating, washing and air-blowing to mention some of the more common.  Why is this important?  Because every roof's moss problem is unique.  What worked on your neighbors roof might not work on yours. 

Every few years we hear a revival of an common fallacy;  some company offers to only treat a roof promising that this is all that is needed and that the moss will fall off by itself.  A homeowner buys into the idea of saving a little money for this seemingly simple solution. Unfortunately, sometimes this works but more often it does not and you may end up wasting your money. 

The photo above is of a roof a homeowner called us out to review.  It had been treated several months earlier by another company who promised her that the moss would fall off within a few weeks.  This specific type of moss would not have come off by itself in over a year.  Plus, it looked rather hideous, don't you agree?

Why Only Treating a Roof Moss Problem Might Not be Enough

The reason why treating only works sometimes is that it depends on the roof type and more importantly, the type and size of the moss.  There are indeed some types and size of moss that respond well to only being treated.  However, even with those types of situations, the time frame for the moss dislodging off the roof needs to be extended out much longer than just a few weeks.  Many months or even longer than a year are some times required for the moss to come off by itself.  In some environments, if the dead moss does not come off soon enough it ends up serving as a nice bed for a new batch of moss to restart in.  So in addition to the type and size of moss, the environment around the house needs to be taken into consideration as when when considering this moss removal method.

Generally speaking, for a moss treatment only method of roof moss removal to work, the moss needs to be very small.  This means the homeowner needs to be getting on the problem very quickly.  Unfortunately, most people just don't really pay much attention to the problem until it has advanced a little further.  Most times more work is needed to solve your problem than just applying moss killer.

So before you believe anyone touting that their "one method fits all roofs" approach will solve your problem, check around first with some reputable pros.  Speaking of roof cleaning pros, why not call us today and get the straight scoop on your roof!  503-590-9274.

Remember,

"Your Roof Protects You, All Surface Protects Your Roof!"

Roof Cleaning and Treating Safety Tips

Being on top of a roof, or even just climbing a ladder to get to the roof, can be a very dangerous proposition.  In our opinion, it should always be left to a trained professional.  This brief video shows a few of the safety precautions our crews take to ensure adequate safety for them and others.  This video is not intended to teach you everything you need to know to be on a roof safely.  Actually, it's effect might be to the contrary – once you see what is involved you may come to your senses and decide to leave roof cleaning and treating to the pros.

If you want nothing to do with being on top of your roof for roof cleaning, roof treating or gutter cleaning, please give us a call.   503-590-9274.

Generally speaking, since even a mild pitch roof of only one story can present the risk of serious injury or death, please think twice before getting on a roof and strongly consider using a professional instead.   Disclaimer – the advice given in this video is not meant to be a complete guide to roof safety and is in no way intended as a substitute for thorough roof safety training.  The creators, participants and distributors of this video disclaim any liabilities or loss in connection with practices and advice herein.

What is currently going on in the Portland Roof Cleaning marketplace?

 Understandably, everyone wants a positive story to tell prospective customers.   The problem is, sometimes for some companies, there isn't much positive to tell.   In those cases, companies look at what they are able to offer, whether it is good or not, and market it as the best solution.  This is what is happening in the Portland roof cleaning market currently.  

 Roof cleaning companies in Portland are confusing the heck out of poor homeowners who are simply trying to figure out what is the best way to handle their roof.  In just the last year, I have seen websites popup claiming the following:

• Power washing is the only way to go because it cleans the most deeply.
• Only treating with a "special solution" is the only way to go because it has no mechanical abrasion at all.
• Pre-treating with a moss killer and then brushing off is the only way because the roof moss comes off the easiest.
• Gentle, low-pressure power washing in the only way to go because it still washes without being too harsh.
• Air blowing and subsequent treatment with moss killer is the only way to go because it avoid granule loss but still kills the moss.

 And if you add what to treat a cedar roof with to the equation, you will get at least 5 different claims of what product type is the "absolute best available as determined by top scientist at a secret facility." 

 All are good reasons.   All could be just what your roof needs.   And all could end up causing harm or not solving the problem (a form of harm) if they were used in the wrong situation as a result of a company "forcing" their method on all roofs.   Perspective is what the homeowner truly needs for an informed roof moss removal decision.

 Fortunately, we specialize is "perspective."   Since we offer virtually every possible method of roof cleaning available, you do not have to worry about, well to be frank, being lied to.   Of course, some companies really do believe their single method of roof cleaning is the best one, but that error comes from a lack of…perspective.  

 We will review your roof and give you a customized roof cleaning plan that is based on your roof's needs, not what equipment we have back at the warehouse or treatment we are overstocked in.   If you were a roof, isn't this what you would want for yourself?   Call us today to get the straight story on your roof.   503-590-9274.  

Remember, Your Roof Protects You, All Surface Protects Your Roof!

Choosing the Proper Roof Cleaning Method for Your Roof Moss Removal Project

Sometimes it is easy to feel that the hard part of a home maintenance decision is over once we have decided that we are going to do it.  However, that is really only the start of the process.   After coming to terms that there is a problem with your mossy roof and you are going to get your roof cleaned, you then need to decide who is going to do the work and by what method the cleaning will be done.

This video tells a sad story – well as sad of a story that you can tell about a roof in approximately 60 seconds.   It shows a roof that had been power washed by an amateur with no specialized power washing equipment.   While in general power washing roofs should be avoided, we always acknowledge that there are still occasions, due to the specific nature of the moss infestation, that it is the best or only solution.   It's rare, but there are times when that is the case.  In such instances, properly adjusted, specialize washers should be used to prevent as little granule loss (or fiber or glaze loss if a cedar or tile roof) as possible. 

The bottom line is that a proper roof cleaning solution must be matched to your home's specific, unique roof moss removal problem.  And sadly, this video shows what happens when a cookie cutter approach was applied to one roof.

Our friends at Angie's List (where we just happen to have some of the best roof and gutter contractor ratings in the Portland area) allowed us to share these

8 great Tips for a Green Home.  

We would include the following tips of our own (the graphics on their tips are much cooler, though:)

1. Consider solar reflective roofing options when it is time to replace you roof. Cooling costs and energy usage can be greatly reduced, even in cloudy Portland.
2. A well maintained roof (ie, one that gets periodic roof cleaning) keeps your old roof out of the landfill for much longer.
3. Consider roof treatments that avoid metallic components.  Our proprietary line of "Guard" treatments (CompGuard, TileGuard and CedarGuard) and among the most environmentally compatible roof treatments available.
4. Clean gutters, or even better protected gutters (learn more here), keep much organic debris from filtering into the city sewer system.

[Via: Angie's List Window Replacement]

If you are ready to get your home's roof and gutters GREEN, please give us a call today and let us help you – 503-590-9274.