Pressure washing and sealing your driveway before winter is essential to protecting it from Northeast Ohio’s damaging freeze-thaw cycle

Pristine Driveway Grey Cap
Pristine Clean’s professionally-trained technicians clean your concrete surfaces with state-of-the-art walk-behind surface cleaners, then apply a silane-siloxane sealant which creates a hydrophobic barrier, protecting your driveway, patio and walkways from Northeast Ohio’s harsh winter.

By Mitch Allen

At the risk of anthropomorphizing your concrete driveway, it’s pretty anxious right now. Winter is coming and it hasn’t been cleaned and sealed, perhaps in years. It’s anticipating the upcoming ice and snow, the freeze-thaw cycle, in the way that you and I might anticipate Leatherface coming after us in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

It isn’t going to be pretty.

Unfortunately, your driveway can’t pick up the phone and call a company like Pristine Clean. It doesn’t have that kind of power.

But you do.

The Power of Ice
“I usually think of the freeze-thaw cycle as a jackhammer, not a chainsaw,” says North Ridgeville’s Ken Wilson, who isn’t exactly sure how to take my metaphor. “But either way, when water freezes, it expands, and if that force can reduce a mountain to rubble, imagine what it can do to your driveway.”

According to Ken, who founded Pristine Clean along with Anthony Alberino, homeowners need to act now.

North Ridgeville resident Ken Wilson (left) and Anthony Alberino are the founders of Pristine Clean, one of Northeast Ohio’s fastest growing companies. They clean siding, roofs and concrete surfaces, and—against industry trends—offer their best price to every customer right up front.

“As soon as the nighttime temperatures drop too low—and that’s coming faster than any of us would hope—concrete sealants cannot penetrate and protect,” he says. “That’s why September and October are such big months for us. If you don’t do it now, it won’t get done.”

Preventing Chipping, Pitting, Cracking
“Water can be most damaging to concrete’s structure,” says Ken. “It penetrates into the molecules, then when it freezes, it expands and takes up to nine percent more space, shattering your concrete. Our goal in sealing is to fill those molecular spaces so water cannot penetrate them, ensuring the integrity of your driveway, patio and walkways.”

Using high-tech walk-behind cleaning units, the highly trained techs at Pristine deep clean the concrete to clear it of dirt and contaminants. Then they apply a sealer made of silane-siloxane, which chemically reacts to create a hydrophobic barrier.

“Concrete is porous and the holes are various sizes,” Ken explains.

“We use this unique combination because silane fills the small spaces, and siloxane expands into the bigger spaces. Plus, after the application, our sealer will mitigate staining and protect your driveway and walkways against further contaminants, such as oils and road salt.”

In addition to concrete clean and seal services, Pristine Clean also power washes homes and decks and cleans roofs. If you haven’t had your home power washed this season, Ken says it’s still in your long-term best interest to eliminate built-up grime, algae and moss from the siding and roof before winter hits.

The Best Up Front Price Every Time
Unfortunately, there are home improvement companies out there who will quote an exaggerated price for a service in hopes that the homeowner will not try to negotiate down.

Pristine doesn’t do that.

“Honesty and professionalism are the main reasons for our spectacular growth trajectory,” says Ken. “You won’t find pricing gimmicks or games with us. That’s just not how we roll. Every customer gets our best price, up front, period.”

For Ken and Anthony, a well-educated customer is the best kind.

“We always take the time to explain what we’re doing,” adds Ken. “After all, we are in the business of helping people take the best care of their homes, and we respect what an important job that is. And the more people understand about our industry, the more likely they are to choose us.”

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.