FAQs Archive - Page 3 of 5 - Lilypad Exterior Cleaning

Q: Do we clear the downpipe too?

Yes we do, every single gutter job we will double check downpipes for blockages using our gutter vacuum nozzle. If we suspect there is a blockage or know there is a blockage then we will manually dismantle the downpipe to clear it. However, if the blockage is below ground level then this is outside of our scope of work and will refer to a drainage company.

Q: How high can we reach with our gutter vacuums?

The beauty of us using gutter vacuum systems is we do not need to rely on the use of ladders which not only makes our job infinity safer but also quicker and more efficient. Using our gutter vacuum poles we can reach up to a height of a 4 story property.

Q: Do you need to be home when you come to clear my gutters?

If you know you will not be home for the scheduled visit to clear the gutters it is not a problem so long as we have full access to the perimeter of the property where the gutters are situated. We have our own petrol generators which we can use to run our vacuums, making us fully self sustainable.

Q: How often should you get your gutters cleared?

Getting your gutters cleared once a year is fairly normal, this is due to the leaves falling at the end of each year. However, if you do not have any high trees in the vicinity of your property then you could very likely push the clearing to 18-24 months. One thing to consider though is other than leaves, moss is one of the primary causes for blocked gutters. This moss comes from the roof of your property and with wind and rainfall clumps of moss will slowly fill your gutters.

Q: Does the weather affect the results of soft washing?

The weather is a big factor to the outcome of a chemical soft wash. If it is a hot summers day a chemical may not have enough time for its desired dwelling time before evaporating or decaying from UV exposure. With that we also need to bear in mind some chemicals should not be left to dry as they can cause streaking on the surface. Another weather condition we need to be mindful of is whether it is too cold. Like all chemical reactions, the warmer the temperature the faster the reaction and in our case the more effective a chemical is. When the temperatures drop to low single digits in the winter periods the majority of the chemicals we use will simply not work so these jobs will need to be rescheduled to a warmer day. And lastly an obvious weather conditions that we do unfortunately have a lot of here in the UK is rain. If it is forecasted to rain we have to take into consideration the strengths of the dilution rates we mix chemicals up too to either counter balance the fact light rain will dilute an applied chemical or in worse cases heavy rain will completely wash away the chemicals causing us to need to wait for the rain to pass or reschedule the job to a dry day.

Q: How do you apply the chemicals?

On the day of cleaning we will decide on the method of application unless it is already planned. The primary factor that determines how we apply a chemical is solely focused on safety. If we plan to spray the chemical we must determine where any potential overspray may reach and if this poses a threat to members of the public passing by, local flora and fauna and waterways etc. We will also check the weather and if the day of cleaning has strong winds, then we will again have to consider the potential of overspray. If applying the chemicals via spraying is determined not to be the best option, then we can use out chemical backpacks with our water fed poles and brush to brush the chemicals onto the surfaces. This mitigates all risks of potential overspray.

Q: Do I need a license to use soft washing methods and chemicals?

The quick answer to this is no you don’t, there is no such license that exists. However, to purchase the chemicals you will be asked to prove your intended use of the chemical and that it will only be used in a professional manner under a business. Along with this to abide by HSE regulations, the chemicals must be used within their label compliance i.e. a bleaching agent stating to be used for exterior cleaning to then be used for exactly that and nothing else. So no there is no license however they are controlled substances that are not readily available to the public and will only be sold to professionals.

Q: Why would you use soft washing methods of cleaning over pressure washing?

In most cases we often mix the two methods of cleaning, using high pressure washing to clean the majority of the dirt from a surface followed by a chemical soft wash to kill organics or to lift stains etc. However soft washing will often be chosen as the sole method of cleaning, this is usually in the case where surfaces are fragile by nature, age or weathered, pressure sensitive or there is a reason for why the use of a pressure washer is restricted. The ideal surfaces for soft washing would be brickwork, render, limestone, canopies made of fabric like materials and many more.

Q: Is soft washing environmentally friendly?

A good portion of the chemicals we use are biodegradable and break down with simple UV exposure from the Sun along with oxidizing from being in contact with the air. Those that do neither of these are water soluble and once rinsed down are diluted to a concentration that is no longer harmful to the environment. In the case of chemical spills we always carry chemical spill kits on the van to absorb any spilt chemical.