Window washers far and wide use a variety of methods to get your windows cleaned.  The most common is called the drop-down method which is where the window washer pulls the squeegee from the very top to the very bottom and then wipes his squeegee clean and starts over.

Another common method is the left to right slide which is very much like the drop down method but the window washer pulls the squeegee from side to side.  The method that most professional window washers use is called the “s method” which will be discussed in a bit.

The drop-down method and the side-to-side methods are both window cleaning techniques that the typical start up window washer will use.  They both provide a modestly clean window but it leaves much to be desired.  For one, it is much slower than the “S method” and it leaves quite a bit of soap scum and water behind on the top of the frame, the side, in the middle of the pane and on the sill.

The S Method window cleaning technique takes a decent bit of time to learn, but it pays off in better results, quicker times, and happier customers.   Rather than re-invent the wheel and create a video that highlights the “s method” of window washing, I have found an excellent YouTube video by Christopher Lyman that shows how to wash windows using this method.

Any window washer, or home owner for that matter, that is interested in improving their window cleaning techniques should take a look and learn how to use this method.

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If you are interested in having one of our Professional Window Washers wash your windows give us a call at 901-257-9306 or send us an Email Here.

Now that the holidays are over, everyone is getting back into the swing of working and doing routine household maintenance. Gutter cleaning  is on a lot of people’s to-do lists, and since Memphis is still in it’s rainy season, this is probably closer to the top than the bottom of those to-do lists. Of the services we offer here at Clean Pro Memphis, I would say that gutter cleaning is the one that home owners are most likely to try themselves.

Proper window cleaning requires lots of time, attention to detail, and effective squeegee techniques, and pressure washing requires a lot of equipment that most people just don’t have. Gutter Cleaning, however, seems pretty simple – and it is simple, as long as your gutters are simple.

Take a look at the “simple gutters” on this home I found on Google Maps. There is a large two story section, a small one story section, and the gutters don’t make any crazy twists and turns. The gutters are probably the same in the back.

Do it yourself gutter cleaning doesn’t pose much of a threat if your home has simple gutters like this one. The first thing that you will need is an extension ladder with an attachment to keep the ladder from resting on the gutters. You may not have an extension ladder, but you could buy one on Craigslist for $75 – $100, or go and buy a new one at Lowes or Home Depot for $200 – $300.

Once you’re ready to start make sure that your attachment is secured to the top of the ladder, and that the base of the ladder is firmly positioned on the ground so it won’t slip. If it’s been a while since you went to the gym you may want someone to help you move it each time, ladders can become unwieldy, especially when extended up to two stories.

Once you’re at the gutter line, clean all of the debris out by hand, or you could use a small scooper if you have one. When the main portion of dirt and leaves is gone use a water hose to rinse out the rest of the debris. While you’re rinsing pay special attention to your downspouts. There’s a good chance that one or more of them are clogged.

It could be a simple clog where the opening is backed up, or if it’s been a really long time since your gutters were cleaned then it could be a clog in the elbow joint of the downspouts. If that’s the case then you’ll need a screwdriver or small ratchet set to detach the elbow joints so you can clean them out. Remember that all this time you’ll be working from the top of your ladder, and safety is paramount, so always choose the slow, safe option over the fast, easy option.

After everything is cleaned out you’ll want to make sure none of those nasty leaves fell and landed on your walkways, shrubs, and flower beds so be sure to check around your house for unsightly gutter garbage that you may have dropped while on the ladder.

Of course, if your home gutters do make crazy twists and turn or you’re not fond of working from great heights, then do it yourself gutter cleaning might not be for you.

Clean Pro Memphis, on the other hand, has dealt with all the tricky angles and has experience working from ladders, so if you find yourself in any of these scenarios then consider giving us a call at 901-257-9306 or just send us an email.

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Newsletters are wonderful items, especially newsletters sent by email. With the Post Office raising postage rates and decreasing service days, we figure it would just be better to not depend on them at all.

If you need some convincing as to why you need to sign up for our newsletter then be forewarned, you are about to be reasoned into signing up!

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Well, the list wasn’t as long as we wanted it to be, but you’re probably already convinced, aren’t you? After all, who wouldn’t want to sign up for our newsletter and save money on quality services?

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The common thought on pressure washing is that anyone can do it. That is true, to a degree. Anyone with the proper tools and proper techniques can use a pressure washer without any issues. The real question is, do you know how to wash properly and do you have the tools necessary to do the job quickly, thoroughly and without damaging your property? In our “self-help” blog today we are going to “educate” you on selecting a Hot Water Pressure Washer and why they are better suited for pressure washing.  We will leave a the proper techniques to another day.

Why does a Hot Water Pressure Washer Matter?

I think the best analogy that can be used is that of washing dishes. Try to take a heavily soiled plate that just had grandma’s meat loaf, bacon cooked green beans, and a host of other items on it and try to cut through the grease and particles with regular cold tap water. What happens?  Well, you can usually get a most of the particles off but the grease and other residue still remains. You add some soap and scrub like crazy and 90% of it is removed.  Then you decide to put it in the dishwasher and let it get really clean. What could have worked from the very beginning is hot water.

For the job to be done right, you must use hot water for the vast majority of the surfaces that need to be cleaned. If you are retired and you have nothing better to do than stand outside and fight the cold for several hours then by all means use that cold water unit. However, if you want to get the job done quickly and correctly, your time would be better spent using a hot water pressure washer.

Where can I find a Hot Water Pressure Washer?

You can find hot water pressure washers at places like Northern Tool and Equipment but the place we suggest is Hotsy!

Hotsy pressure washers are simply the best.  They offer a full 7 year warranty, use only the best pumps and engines, and offer financing if you want to go that route.  The pressure washer that we recommend at Clean Pro Memphis is their Diesel Heated, Diesel Powered HSS.

Now as evidenced that they offer financing you can imagine these are not cheap.  You can easily spend over $5,000 for a quality pressure washer.  This is probably not the best solution for the average home owner considering most people would just put them in the garage and never touch them. However, if you own a farm, apartment complex, car lot, or manage properties this particular unit would be perfect for you.

Additional Benefits of a Hot Water Pressure Washer

• Its cuts cleaning time down dramatically
• Actually dissolves grease
• You use less chemicals
• Greener!
• Work in colder environments

I hope this has helped convince you why Hot Water Pressure Washers are the proper tools for the pressure washing industry. Of course, if you don’t want to spend the time doing the work yourself, or you don’t want to spend upwards of $5,000 purchasing a pressure washer then I have a suggestion:  Use Clean Pro Memphis!

You can learn more about our Pressure Washing Services here. 

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Do It Yourself Window Washing

It seems this lady has taken the “doing it yourself window washing” a little too far.

I think it might better to let the professionals take care of this bit of cleaning.  Cleaning a bathroom mirror is a bit different than cleaning a window from great heights.

The high-rise window washers at Clean Pro Memphis, and all of our window washers for that matter, are trained to do the job right…that means doing a good job and doing it safely.   Send us an email or give us a call at 901-257-9306 and please step away from the ledge……

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There are many different solutions that can be used for window washing. The particular one that is used industry wide is: Dawn dish soap. Of course, I have been known to be a rebel and have used Ajax in a pinch. Combine a few squirts of your favorite “grease cutter” dish soap into a few gallons of warm water, stir and get ready to wash some windows.

You can go out into the garage and grab a sponge and throw it into the water solution and hopefully you have a squeegee lying around. If not, go by home depot, lowes, or your “local” store and pick  one up.  If you want to get really fancy, you can order online from the company we use: Brilliant Windows. They provide top-notch window washing equipment and I highly recommend them.

After you have a decent squeegee you can get cracking. Take your sponge, squeeze out the excess moisture, wash your window with it, then take your squeegee and start from the top and drop it to the bottom.  Take a towel, clean the squeegee, then repeat. When you are done with the squeegee  take a lint free towel and clean the top and the sides of the glass where it meets the frames to insure it will not drip on you.

It is as simple as that.  Of course, getting them to look perfect takes “months” of practice but for the average home owner this will at least give you good looking windows without too much hassle.

Of course, it is really cold outside right now, so if you need your windows washed and prefer sipping coffee while other people work, give Clean Pro Memphis a call at 901-257-9306 or email us here to set up a free estimate.

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