Here’s how Pristine Clean can help you win the battle against algae and protect your home

By Mimi Vanderhaven

Last year’s mild winter combined with this year’s wet spring has created a perfect breeding ground for moss, algae, mildew and grime that have gripped Northeast Ohio homes now that summer is here. Take a walk around your house. There’s a good chance you’ll see moss on your siding, algae on your roof, mildew on your driveway, and grime—everywhere.

“We’ve never seen it this bad,” says Anthony Alberino, who along with Ken Wilson co-founded Pristine Clean back in 2008. “Now that summer is here and the sun is finally shining, homeowners are seeing how dirty their homes actually are. Our business usually slows down in July, but not this year. Our phones are ringing off the hook.”

Having your home professionally power washed is about more than aesthetics; it’s also about protecting your investment in your roof, siding and concrete.

Protect Your Siding
Without regular maintenance, important parts of your home break down and have to be replaced.

“Many homeowners are surprised to learn that vinyl siding is not completely maintenance-free,” Anthony explains. “Sure, you don’t have to paint it, but you do have to clean it. Vinyl siding features a UV coating that prevents it from fading and cracking. Grime—that is, dirt, algae and bacteria—break down this coating causing your siding to fade and look chalky. It’s designed to be maintained, not with high-pressure blasting, but with soft pressure. We perform a soft-pressure wash using a mild mildewcide, which helps remove the grime and kill the algae and bacteria.”

Pristine also applies gloss-enhanced surface protection to help your home shine.

Protect Your Roof
Those black streaks on your roof aren’t dirt, stains from tree debris, or even unsightly mildew. They are gloeocapsa magma, an ancient algae that breaks down your roof by feeding off of the limestone granules embedded in the shingles.

“Gloeocapsa magma can dramatically reduce the life of your roof,” Anthony cautions.

“If you see black streaks on your roof, give us a call. We offer a 100% guarantee to remove all of the algae. We use a soft wash here, too, to avoid damage to your roof. And when that algae comes off, people say, ‘Wow, it looks like a new roof.’”

Protect Your Driveway
Northeast Ohio’s harsh winters chip away at our concrete sidewalks and driveways. That’s because concrete is porous, so when water penetrates your driveway then freezes, it creates cracking and flaking.

“The freeze-thaw cycle is especially damaging these days,” Anthony says. “It doesn’t get cold and stay cold like it used to; it’s constantly freezing then warming up all winter, magnifying the traditional freeze-thaw cycle. It’s like a jackhammer on your concrete.”

Pristine’s Concrete Clean and Seal—which protects concrete, brick, and paver surfaces—includes a pressure wash of your concrete with a walk-behind surface cleaner and the application of a biodegradable cleanser to gently lift and remove surface marks and contaminants. Then comes an application of a deep-penetrating, siloxane-based concrete sealant, which is absorbed into the concrete to protect the driveway and preserve its longevity. The side benefit is that the process leaves your surfaces free of ugly mildew and moss, particularly in shady areas.

And you don’t have to wait until fall to clean and seal your driveway.

Upfront Pricing
Pristine Clean has a flat-rate pricing policy so no one in its organization is motivated to do what so many home improvement companies do: quote you an inflated price then hope you don’t negotiate down.

‘That’s just not us,” Anthony assures.

“Forging trust with our customer is our top priority so we don’t rely on tricks or gimmicks. Educating the customer is key because the more you know about power washing, the more likely you are to choose us. We’re low pressure. We offer our best price to every customer up front, period. Customers tell me all the time that they chose us because our people were the nicest. We love to hear that.”

Headquartered in Berea, Pristine Clean beautifies homes throughout Northeast Ohio. They are consistent winners of the Angie’s List Super Service Award and are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau. Call 440-454-7041 to arrange for a free estimate, or visit PristineClean.com. All technicians are bonded, insured and certified by the Power Washers of North America.