Our Ultimate Guide to Caring for Solar Panels

Whether you already have solar panels or are looking to get some, you know that it’s a wonderful investment. And, it’s an investment you need to care for. If you want to get maximum use out of your solar panels, you have to take care of them. But, do you know how? At ASF Clean Team, we have a lot of experience caring for solar panels. So, we put together this guide to help you take care of yours.

Keep Your Solar Panels Clean

The most important part in caring for solar panels is just keeping your solar panels clean. You may have heard that you don’t need to clean your solar panels because Mother Nature does the work for you. We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this just isn’t true. Sure, it seems like rain will clean your solar panels for you, but it really just moves the dirt around.

Think about your car. If your car is dirty, you take it to a car wash. But wait, it’s supposed to rain tomorrow. So do you still take your car to the car wash today? No, you don’t, and it’s not because the rain will clean your car. The rain itself is dirty, and if you wash your car, it’ll get all dirty again. But you still have to take your car to the car wash because the rain doesn’t actually clean it. 

You can apply this same logic to your solar panels. If it rains, the dirt will just be rearranged on your solar panels. Instead, you need to actually clean your solar panels, like taking your car to a car wash. The only difference is that cleaning your car only impacts aesthetics, while cleaning solar panels impacts functionality. With dirt built up, the sun isn’t directly hitting your solar panels, and you’re not getting the energy you need. But if you clean your solar panels, you will boost your energy.

Never Use Hose Water

So, you need to clean your solar panels. But how do you clean them? Do you clean them with a hose like your car? Absolutely not. You should never use hose water on your solar panels.

Why? Well, it’s the same concept as the rain. Hose water isn’t pure, filtered water. It is water that also has minerals and other deposits in it. So when you clean your solar panels with hose water, you’re getting them somewhat cleaner than the rain. But there will still be streaks left behind along with mineral deposits, that will affect your solar panels’ efficiency. So, skip the hose and opt for a cleaning method that leaves your solar panels sparkling.

Use the Best Tools for the Best Clean

We now know that you can’t use hose water to clean your solar panels. So how can you get the best clean? Should you just get a couple of gallons of filtered water, get up there, and clean them by hand? While we’re sure that would be entertaining, it’s not really efficient nor effective.

To truly get the best clean, you need the best tools. Otherwise, you just won’t get a sparkling finish on your solar panels and have them working like they’re brand new. If you go to your local hardware store, though, you won’t find anything on their shelves that will do the job right.

But, at ASF Clean Team, we have the tools needed for solar panel cleaning. We took your idea of getting some filtered water to clean and made it 1000x easier. Our tools filter the water as they go, so no mineral deposits are left behind. They’re designed specifically to clean solar panels—something you won’t find at the hardware store. There won’t be any streaks left behind. Our tools are longer than tools you may be looking at to clean those hard-to-reach places, like on top of your roof. And to top it all off, they’re operated by a professional, meaning you don’t have to worry about accidentally damaging your solar panels while cleaning them.

Take Advantage of the Daylight

As the seasons change, days get shorter and nights get longer. When you got your solar panels, you were probably thinking about how sunny it is outside and not about the nighttime. So now that fall and winter have come around, you’re starting to realize your solar panels aren’t as efficient as they could be. 

We’ve discussed that the cleanliness of your solar panels is directly related to how well they function. If there is a layer of dirt and debris on your solar panels, they’re not going to absorb energy from the sun as well. You may not have noticed it during the spring and summer since the days were longer, but now that they’re shorter, you’re starting to notice the effect on your energy.

It is especially important to get a professional solar panel cleaning in fall and winter. There are fewer hours of sunlight each day, which means your solar panels have less time to absorb the energy your home needs. A professional clean is the best clean, and the best way to ensure your solar panels are working efficiently. 

Start Caring for Solar Panels 

Whether you haven’t bought your solar panels yet or have owned them for years, it’s never too late to learn how to care for them properly. We offer both residential solar panel cleaning services and commercial solar panel cleaning services to meet all of your needs.

Clean energy is important to solar panel owners, and we understand that. We actually have a similar value: we only use environmentally-friendly cleaning products for our services, and often we only use water to get the job done. So, there’s no making excuses! If you truly want your solar panels to produce clean energy efficiently, we have you covered.

Contact ASF Clean Team online today to get a free quote. We’ll be happy to discuss the best ways we can help you in caring for solar panels.

Rain is Not Enough to Wash Your Windows or Sidewalk

Have you ever hoped that a good rainfall might clean your dirty windows and paved surfaces? The truth is, rain is not enough to wash your windows or sidewalk. It turns out that after a rainfall your dirty windows may look even dirtier! How can that be? What happens is that the rain disturbs the dirt, dust, pollen, and fingerprints that are adhering to the windows.  

When those raindrops splash on the window’s surface, the grime is moved around and looks worse than before. What about your dirty driveway? The kids had a great time with their sidewalk chalk and now your sidewalks and driveway look like a rainbow unicorn forest. Will the rain wash that mess off? Unfortunately, it will barely touch it. All is not lost, however, when you hire ASF Clean Team to clean those dirty windows or sidewalks. 

We Will Get the Job Done

Once you accept the fact that the windows and sidewalks will not clean themselves and that the rain isn’t going to do the job either, give ASF Clean Team a call.  Rainfall doesn’t provide enough “muscle” to get rid of the streaks and grime that have built up on your windows.  Rain also isn’t up to scrubbing that chalk away completely. We have the right tools and the experience to get your windows and paved surfaces sparkling clean again.

No Harsh Chemicals on Windows

AFS Clean Team has discovered that we can accomplish a thorough cleaning without using harsh chemicals. We use only eco-friendly, biodegradable cleaning products and state-of-the-art window cleaning equipment. When we clean your windows, we don’t just give the glass a going over. We take it further and clean the sills, the tracks, the frames and the screens.  Do you have mineral deposits? Our products do the job to remove them effectively. 

What About the Sidewalks?

When it comes to the dirty paved surfaces around your property, we have superior methods to tackle those as well. We use a technique called Power Washing. Our special equipment employs ultra-hot water that is sprayed on the paved surfaces at very high pressure. It will take care of that chalky sidewalk “artwork” with ease. As a matter of fact, you may be so impressed with the results that you will want us to clean other paved surfaces on your property such as walkways and patios. We can get rid of mold, built-up dirt, algae, and other substances that have made those surfaces look dingy. 

Rain is not enough to wash your windows or sidewalk. When you need an exceptional clean, you need to call in an experienced company to do the job. ASF Clean Team is not your average window cleaning company. When you call us, you are getting a company that will go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction. And our team is well trained and fully insured too, so you can have complete confidence in us. Get in touch with us to discuss your office and home window washing and sidewalk cleaning needs.

3 Things We’re Thankful For at ASF Clean Team

Life can get hectic, and it’s been especially hectic this past year. While 2020 seemed to last forever, 2021 has just flown by. One of our favorite parts about this time of year is that in the midst of all the crazy, we get to take a step back and reflect on all of the great things that have happened. Looking back on 2021, here are 3 big things we’re thankful for at ASF Clean Team.

Businesses are Reopening

Do you all remember in March 2020, right at the beginning of everything shutting down, when we all thought things would be back to normal by Easter? It’s almost two years later, and things are still not back to normal. It’s easy to focus on the negative side, but let’s look at the positive.

Now, businesses that were curbside only can welcome guests back into their store or restaurant. Co-workers who haven’t been in the office for almost two years get to see each other face-to-face again. Extroverts can finally start getting re-energized. And though there are still some obstacles, for the most part, this can all be done safely. If your office is getting ready to welcome staff back in, call in ASF Clean Team for a full disinfecting and sanitizing to give everyone a fresh start. 

Families Get to be Reunited

When we look back on positives from 2021, it’s hard not to think of the shift back to regular life. Sure, things started to get back to normal towards the end of 2020, but it really picked up in 2021. Instead of seeing people through smudged windows, we got to start seeing each other in person again socially.

This means that for some people they finally get to see their family members again. After almost two years, they get to hug each other. They get to see new family members in person for the first time. While video chat has been an amazing blessing to have during the pandemic, there’s just nothing like the feeling of being reunited with your family.

We’ve Been Fortunate with Our Business and Family

We have more than 3 things we’re thankful for at ASF Clean Team, but the biggest one on our list is how fortunate we have been this past year. According to PolitiFact, one-third of small businesses have closed over the course of the pandemic. As a small, woman-owned, family business, this was a great concern for us.

But over the course of the pandemic, we’ve been fortunate. We’ve still been able to help our wonderful clients. We’ve provided disinfecting and sanitizing services, as well as our exterior detailing services. People have returned to work safely, knowing that their workplace was clean because of our business.

And through it all, we’ve been able to be together as a family. Not only are we family-owned, but our team and clients are our family as well. It is such a blessing to be able to connect with these people and do the job we love in a time where everyone seems so disconnected. It’s been a crazy year, but we couldn’t be more thankful for everything we’ve been given.

Happy Thanksgiving from ASF Clean Team.

Prep Your Home for the Holidays with a Fresh Clean

After many months of staying home, families across the country are planning more holiday gatherings and travel in 2021. Will you be hosting a house full of loved ones this holiday season? The good news is, stress-free celebrations are possible with some advanced planning. No, we aren’t suggesting you put up the tree and hang the stockings just yet. However, if you prep your home for the holidays with a fresh clean from ASF Clean Team, you can concentrate on all the fun things your family associates with home and holiday festivities. 

Window Cleaning

You have plenty of items on your holiday to-do list, so why not call in the pros at ASF Clean Team to take care of those dirty windows for you? Increase your curb appeal and greet your guests with style. During the holiday season, our windows are a focal point that features our seasonal decor. The sparkling lights of your Christmas tree will shine all the more brightly through sparkling clean windows. Show your efforts off to their best advantage. Clean windows will also let more natural light in on dreary winter days.

Sidewalks and Driveways

Make the approach to your front door truly welcoming with fresh clean surfaces. The ultra-hot power washing technique used by ASF Clean Team removes dirt, grease and grime, mildew, and other build-up from the paved surfaces around your home. We tend to focus on our interiors when preparing for guests, but we encourage you to remember the importance of having clean inviting exteriors as well. Whether you are hosting a formal holiday party or a casual family gathering, make your guests feel welcome with a sparkling exterior. Best of all, long after your guests have departed, you will enjoy the lasting results of your ASF Clean Team power-washed surfaces.

Gutter Cleaning

No one enjoys cleaning their gutters, so it is a perfect job to call in the pros at ASF Clean Team for. It is best to get those gutters cleaned out before hanging your Christmas lights. The debris and gunk clogging your gutters could be hazardous should they come into contact with your holiday lights. When gutters are cleaned properly, rainwater passes through them and down the downspouts, eliminating water spilling over and drenching your guests as they approach your house. That would be a poor welcome indeed! With clean, cleared-out gutters and downspouts, your home will be ready for whatever weather comes your way this winter season. 

You have plenty to do in preparation for your family gatherings this holiday season. Don’t let yourself become overwhelmed! Let ASF Clean Team take away some of the holiday hassle. Prep your home for the holidays with a fresh clean by ASF Clean Team! Some tasks are best left to the professionals. We have state-of-the-art equipment, and the expertise and experience to do the job right. When you call us to come out in advance, the result is that you will be less frazzled and able to spend more time with your friends and family when they join you to celebrate the holidays. Contact us for a quote for services. 

Make Holiday Window Displays Shine with Window Washing

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Halloween has passed, Thanksgiving is here, and winter holidays are just around the corner. Many stores have already switched over to their holiday window displays. The one downside of a beautiful display, though, is fingers touching the glass while they excitedly point out their favorite views. Not to worry, though. You can make your holiday window displays shine with window washing.

How do windows get dirty anyway?

Before setting up your holiday display, you probably worked on cleaning your windows really well. After all, they need to be clean for people to enjoy your display. So how do they get dirty, especially on the inside, if you just cleaned them?

It’s pretty easy to understand how the outside of windows get dirty. People touch them. Bump into them. If your storefront is actually outside and not in a mall, nature does its work dirtying up your windows, too. But the inside is just a puzzle you can’t crack.

The inside of your windows get dirty just like the outside. They may not be as easy for people to touch, but you’ll still have dust pile up on them. And there will be some bumping, even if it’s just from you when you’re cleaning. 

But there’s another culprit you probably haven’t considered: your cleaning products. If you aren’t using professional window washing products, your cleaner will still leave some residue behind. And your windows won’t be as clean as they could be. At ASF Clean Team, we use eco-friendly cleaners and just plain water to get the job done. So, there won’t be any grime left behind.

How can you make holiday window displays shine?

Your holiday display is already set up and ready to go. So how are we going to make those windows shine without messing it up? The short answer is that we’re professionals. We’re not going to be climbing through your display with a bottle of window cleaner and some paper towels. 

Instead, we have professional equipment we use. This includes equipment with long necks, helping us clean those hard to reach places. We’ll use our equipment, water, and eco-friendly cleaning products to make your windows absolutely gleam. 

All of the grime and dust will be cleaned up from not just the window panes, but every part of the window. This means that your display can have all of the attention, not the dirt and grime. And our technique ensures that no streaks are left behind on the windows, like your basic window cleaner may leave.

Get ready for the holidays

You have so many things on your to-do list for the holidays. When you check your list twice, you can go ahead and cross “window washing” off. Just give ASF Clean Team a call. We’ll be happy to discuss your window washing needs and how we can make your holiday season a little bit easier. Or, if you prefer, you can get a free quote online. We hope to hear from you soon.

What’s the Most Reputable Window Cleaner Near Me?

Your windows are on the outside of your home or building. You probably don’t think about cleaning them often because, well, they’re just going to get dirty again. But whether they’re the windows on trembolona comprar your home or your business, you deserve to be able to enjoy the view out of them. And you deserve to have them cleaned by a reputable window cleaner.

Why do my windows need to be cleaned?

You paid for your view. Whether that’s in a high rise office building or a quaint little neighborhood. And when there is dust, debris, and, yes, ash on the outside of your windows, you can’t enjoy that view. 

It’s easy to clean the inside of your windows. But the exterior is a whole different story. Sometimes it’s just because you don’t want to climb a ladder to clean the outside of your home, and sometimes it’s because, even with a ladder, you legitimately cannot reach the outside of those windows. But, if the exterior of the windows aren’t washed, your view will still be obscured and your windows will just not look that great to visitors. So, you need to hire a reputable window cleaner to clean them for you.

How do I find a reputable window cleaner?

Like anything in life, it can be difficult to find a reputable window cleaner near you. Your neighbor knows someone who knows someone, but how do you know if they’ll actually do the job right?

There are a few key things to look for in a window cleaner. First, you want a window cleaner who is insured. Window washing can be straightforward, but where ladders are involved, accidents can follow—no matter how experienced you are. What happens if your neighbor’s friend’s friend cleans your windows and gets hurt? You’re left liable. But, with a window cleaner who is insured, you don’t have to worry about it.

You also want to look for a window cleaner with great reviews and a good rating from the Better Business Bureau. Again, your neighbor’s friend’s friend may get the job done, but will he do it well? Will you get the best bang for your buck? Or will you get the same effort as when you ask your child to clean their room? Word of mouth can sometimes be a great way to find a window cleaner, but it’s hard to know if they’re reputable without being able to verify it online.

Find a reputable window cleaner near you

When you go online, you can find lists of window cleaners near you. And you can do all of the work to go through and figure out which is the most reputable window cleaner near you. But, we’ll make it even easier for you if you live in the San Francisco Bay Area. ASF Clean Team checks off all of the boxes on the “Reputable Window Cleaner” checklist. Whether you’re looking for residential window washing or commercial window washing, we have you covered. Contact us today to get a quote and learn more about our services.

What’s the Typical Cost of Window Washing in San Francisco?

What’s the typical cost of window washing in San Francisco? Well, that depends. If you are looking for a bargain, that is what you will get. We have all heard the expression “You get what you pay for”. In the world of window washing, this is definitely the case. In San Francisco, for $250, a bargain window cleaning job will get you an un-uniformed individual who drives up in his own car, with slipshod equipment, and no insurance coverage. Only the window glass will be washed. Not the sills, frames, or screens. Also, if you are unsatisfied with the job, you may not get a call back. 

On the other hand, what would you expect to pay for and receive for a truly top-notch professional window cleaning in San Francisco? If you want to see an exceptional job done, it pays to hire an exceptional company. An ASF Clean Team window cleaning starts at $400. So, what do you get for this price and why is it worth it? Here’s a breakdown:

We Are A Professional Company

  • AFS Clean team is a woman owned company that has been in business for over 10 years
  • We have over 350 positive customer reviews on Yelp
  • We are fully insured with Worker’s Compensation, Employer’s Liability, Commercial General Liability, and Commercial Automobile Liability, and a 15 mil Umbrella Insurance
  • Our employees earn a decent wage, get proper safety trainings, are uniformed, and drive in a company fleet
  • We are up-to-date with new techniques, tools and use the highest quality state-of-the-art equipment

What Affects the Price?

Our prices start at $400, but can go up depending on certain factors. Like window type, window count, and debris type on windows, plus accessibility to get to the windows as these details will influence the job’s work scope. What will it take to access the windows? Ladders, water fed pole, repelling equipment, lifts, or access from inside are also considerations that can affect the price. 

Services We Can Provide

ASF Clean Team can do much more than simply clean the windows’ exterior surfaces. We can also clean the interior of the windows. In addition, the client can request that we clean the window tracks, sills, and frames, which often get extremely dirty. Our crew can also remove, wash, and re-set window screens. 

Get an Estimate Ahead of Time

Our customers can get a rapid free online estimate or request a site visit to obtain an estimate for services. Our live customer service representatives and schedulers are available 24 hours to answer any questions and all of our technicians speak English and live in the community.AFS Clean Team is particularly proud of our company and our excellent customer service. Take a look at our “About Us” video to learn more about our start in the business and our mission. We are a company that always goes that extra mile to make sure our client is completely satisfied. We will even take before and after photos, if you like! The typical cost of window washing in San Francisco can vary considerably from company to company. However, when you want to see professional results, you need to hire an extraordinary team to do the job. Our goal is to provide the highest quality service, outstanding customer relations, and superb customer satisfaction. Give us a call, we’d love to do business with you.

What Does “Soft Washing” Mean?

Alright, alright. So there’s pressure washing and power washing, and now you’re finding out there’s another term—soft washing. How do you keep all of these straight? And what does “soft washing” even mean? Well, let’s clear up the confusion right now.

Seriously. What’s the difference?

You probably already understand the difference between pressure washing and power washing. So where does soft washing fit in? To review, pressure washing and power washing are pretty similar. Pressure washing uses a lot of pressure, and power washing does the same, but uses really, really hot water. Soft washing is basically just another variation. Soft washing typically only requires cold water, but soft hot pressure washing can also be requested. 

While pressure washing and power washing work great for a lot of surfaces, they don’t work great for all surfaces. Some surfaces just can’t take all the pressure and need a little more TLC. So, soft washing still uses water to clean these surfaces, but with less pressure. 

Does soft washing still clean my home?

The selling point of pressure washing and power washing is that the high pressure helps get all the dirt off of your building, driveway, etc. So what happens if you take away some of that pressure? Does it still get the job done?

Even with less pressure, soft washing still gives surfaces a great clean. It can get rid of anything on the exterior of your home or business, including algae and mildew. The process is ideal for protecting surfaces that can’t handle the pressure.

Can I soft wash it myself?

Technically, you can soft wash on your own. You can find all kinds of articles and videos online about it. But, we don’t like to deal with technicalities. We like to deal with safety.

Oftentimes when we talk about surfaces suitable for this service, we’re referring to the exterior of some buildings and roofs. Cleaning these surfaces often involves a ladder. Plus, even though you’re dealing with less pressure, you’re still dealing with pressurized water. If you’re not a trained professional, it’s not necessarily the safest situation to put yourself in. Just one slip and you could be in a lot of danger.

But isn’t it dangerous for you, too?

All of these services can all be dangerous. They often usually involve equipment and ladders. But, when you’re working with trained professionals, it’s less dangerous. We undergo the training necessary to perform these services safely, and we have access to better tools for the process than you can get at the big box store.

But accidents still happen. That’s why at ASF Clean Team, we have insurance for all of our employees. If an accident happens while we’re providing your service, we have it covered.
If you need residential soft washing or commercial soft washing services, let us know. We can even help you figure out which of these services is best for your surfaces. Contact us today.

Busy Holiday Season for Your Business? We Can Help!

Ah, November. It is officially the time of year where if you haven’t started shopping for holiday gifts yet, you’re behind. With Black Friday just around the corner and winter holidays following closely behind, let us help you keep things clean during the busy holiday season.

The Most Wonderful Window Washing of the Year

It’s no secret that windows get dirty really easily at any time of year. For many businesses, it’s easy enough to have your closing employees wipe down the windows and glass doors at the end of the night—unless you have high rise windows.

And during the busy holiday season your employees have more on their plates. They probably don’t have as much time to wipe down the windows. So, day after day, your business is left with windows that have fingerprints all over them. These accumulate, and suddenly you can’t see out your windows anymore. 

Instead of giving your employees yet another task while they’re already busier than usual, hire a professional window cleaning company. ASF Clean Team can keep your store’s windows sparkling clean during the end-of-year craziness.

Pressure Wash, Power Wash, Soft Washing, Rock

To be honest—it was hard putting these cleaning methods into a song. If you didn’t get the reference, read it to the tune of “Jingle Bell Rock”.

Anyways, the cleanliness of your business’s exterior doesn’t stop with the windows. You also have the building itself, awnings, sidewalks, parking lot—you name it. Some of this may be covered by your lease, but that isn’t always the case.

The outside of your business is the first part people see. The holiday season is shining and sparkly, and your building should be, too. We can get your entire exterior clean with power washing, pressure washing, and soft washing. All three of these are pretty much the same technique, but with slight differences in water temperature and/or pressure. These adjustments are made to best suit the surface we’re cleaning to prevent damage. At the end of the day, what matters most is that your building is sparkling clean, and we’ll make that happen.

I’m Dreaming of Disinfecting

A busy holiday season means a lot of people coming in and out of your business. And as much as we wish it wasn’t true, COVID is still around, plus all of the other icky winter illnesses. Prepare for the influx of people by disinfecting and sanitizing your business.

We recommend professional disinfecting and sanitizing at the beginning of your busy holiday season. That way, your building will be as germ-free as possible before the holiday shoppers arrive. Then, have us disinfect and sanitize again once the busy season is over. Or, you could go crazy and add another visit after Black Friday. The frequency is up to you.

All I Want for Christmas is a Clean Business

Dirt and germs are enough of a pain to deal with during the year. But when you’re in the middle of your busy holiday season, it’s the last thing you want to pile on. Contact ASF Clean Team today so we can help take some of the stress off your shoulders.