Today there is a wide range of building materials, textures and finishes available to choose from and many of these require a more delicate approach when it comes to cleaning. A popular cleaning method when it comes to the removal of mould, dirt and grime from exterior surfaces, such as roofs, walls, fences, paths and driveways, is pressure washing. Pressure washing can be an effective method in many situations, however, it can cause serious damage to certain materials and surfaces. For example, it can remove paint and chip tiles. This is where soft washing comes in.

Soft washing is a ‘low pressure,’ alternative cleaning method that involves the application of a specially formulated cleaning solution which is later washed off with a regular hose after having time to activate and effectively attack the grime and mould on your outdoor surfaces. Our soft wash solution is also effective in the removal of algae, droppings, tannins, dirt and lichen.

We recommend soft washing for the following areas:

• Metal, tile and terracotta roof systems,
• Canvas awnings and shade sails,
• Timber weatherboard, siding and older fragile paint systems,
• Modern architectural moulding and facades, and
• Areas affected by mould and algae.

Our technicians are trained and experienced in soft washing and make sure to consider things like foliage protection, pets, water containment and run-off.

Llew is now home and back to work after a full-on weekend on the Gold Coast where he undertook training for soft washing service stations. He pulled an all-nighter Thursday night while the team performed a full building wash on a service station for the practical side of the training course. He’s looking forward to implementing what he’s learned back home in Townsville and Far North Queensland.

The Gutter-Vac Townsville team has had a full-on week cleaning the gutters and solar panels at a couple of schools in Charters Towers and Townsville. It was all hands on deck with a total of 643 panels to clean in Charters Towers and another 228 at a school here in Townsville. A massive effort by all involved, well-done team!

Lately we’ve been getting a lot of requests for gutter guard installation. Gutter guard can be a great solution for keeping debris out of your gutters, in certain situations. However, there are a few things you need to consider before committing to the costly installation of gutter guard.

What type of debris is collecting in your gutters and on your roof?

If the debris collecting in your gutters and on your roof consists of large leaves and sticks then gutter guard may be the answer. However, for fine debris such as small leaves, pine needles and seeds, gutter guard won’t be very effective as these things will still get through.

How much debris is collecting in your gutters and how often do they require cleaning?

If you find that your gutters do not fill with debris and only require cleaning every one or two years then it probably isn’t worth having gutter guard installed. A general maintenance check and clean every year or so will suffice. However, if your gutters require cleaning every 3 or 4 months then gutter guard may help reduce the number of cleans required per year.

Dust and grime will still build up in your gutters!

Something a lot of people don’t realise is, even if the gutter guard is stopping a lot of the bulk debris from getting in the gutters, dirt and grime will still collect in them. This means that the gutters will still need to be cleaned every so often. If left for too long your gutters can become the perfect breeding ground for vermin and a great place for plants, grass and moss to grow. Cleaning gutters once gutter guard is fitted can be a difficult and time-consuming process as the gutter guard needs to either be removed completely or one edge needs to be unscrewed and lifted to gain access to the gutters. It then needs to be refitted once the clean is finished.

Debris will still build up on your roof and on top of the gutter guard.

Larger debris will still collect on your roof and on top of the gutter guard which will still need to be cleaned off regularly. If this debris is not cleaned off regularly then it may result in your roof becoming discoloured or rusted.

How does the cost of regular cleaning and gutter guard installation compare?

You also need to consider how the cost of installing gutter guard compares to the cost of having your gutters cleaned regularly, and how often you will need to have your gutters and roof cleaned after gutter guard is installed.

If you’d like any more information on the pros and cons of gutter guard and what to consider before having it installed feel free to contact us. We are happy to answer any questions you may have and can provide you with a free quote. You can contact us on 0412 309 379 or email us at townsville@guttervac.com.au.