Pressure Washing vs. Power Washing: What’s the Difference?

There are so many types of cleaning out there it can be hard to keep track, especially if you don’t know the first thing about cleaning. Two of the most confusing terms are pressure washing vs. power washing. For real, what’s the difference? They sound so similar, and don’t pressure and power basically mean the same thing? The truth is, they are really similar, but there is an important distinction. Let’s talk it through.

What’s the Difference?

The main distinction between pressure washing vs. power washing is the temperature of the water. Power washing uses hot water, and pressure washing does not. While it may seem minimal, this is actually a very important distinction to make. Both use basically the same amount of pressure to clean your home or building, but the hot water is not safe for all structures. So, it’s important to keep these two terms straight, and work with a cleaning business that knows the difference.

What Surfaces are Safe for Pressure Washing vs. Power Washing?

Pretty much all exterior surfaces are safe for pressure washing. Pressure washing is the easy part, because the temperature is not nearly as hot. So, you can use it on your home, your sidewalk, your parking lot, etc. But, power washing cannot be used for everything. Often, the water is too hot to be safely used on your home or building itself. Instead, it is better to reserve power washing for more concrete structures … literally. Surfaces such as concrete are ideal for power washing because, not only are they sturdy enough to withstand the heat, they also get dirtier. Think about it: your parking lot or driveway is probably much dirtier than your home or office building, right? The heat of the water helps pull the grime up more quickly and efficiently than pressure alone. 

Isn’t That Pressure and Heat Dangerous?

Pressure washing and power washing can sound scary. The water is coming out of the cleaner at a pressure high enough to clean quickly, and then you add heat on top of that. So what happens if something goes wrong?

Hopefully nothing will go wrong, but there is always the possibility for accidents, especially if a team is cleaning an upper level of a building. Should something happen, you don’t want to be held liable for something the cleaning crew did. So, it is always important to work with a cleaning company that carries insurance for its employees. Insurance is not required for cleaning companies, but it is always a good sign that a company takes its job and safety seriously. 

Who Can Do Pressure Washing and Power Washing?

While you can buy pressure washers for home use, it is best to leave these tasks to the professionals. After all, accidents happen. If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area or Sacramento, ASF Clean Team has you covered. We provide pressure washing and power washing services for both residential and commercial clients. Plus, we have insurance for all of our employees. Get a free quote today to get a sparkling finish for your home or building’s exterior.

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. 

Professional Pressure Washing VS. DIY

You want your house to look nice, to have that curb appeal, and to be a place that coming home to is a joyful experience. But, when your roof, siding, porch, and driveway are coated with dirt, grime, or even ash, it can start to lose that aesthetic. However, there’s a quick and easy way to combat the dirt that naturally accumulates over time by pressure washing. When it comes to cleaning your home and property’s exterior, you can choose to DIY the job, or contact a professional pressure washing company.

What Does Pressure Washing Mean?

Pressure washing is a cleaning method that uses high-pressure water to remove dirt, grime, and other build-up from surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, decks, and houses. It’s an efficient and effective way to keep your property looking its best and extend its lifespan.

Doing it Yourself

While it’s possible to pressure wash your home yourself, it’s not usually a wise decision. Pressure washers are expensive and can often cause damage to your home and furniture if not used properly. It’s also very time-consuming and could potentially cause an injury for homeowners with little experience in handling pressure washing equipment. 

Plus there are aspects to pressure washing that the average homeowner simply doesn’t know. For instance, there is a difference between soft washing and pressure washing, which allows for an effective clean on more delicate surfaces. There are also instances in which hot water is more useful. So, while you can rent or even buy a pressure washer to clean your home DIY-style, it’s not something everyone should do.

Why Hire a Professional Pressure Washing Company?

While DIY pressure washing is an option, there are many benefits to hiring a professional pressure washing service. Experience and expertise can go a long way toward a job well done. While you can pressure wash your home’s exterior, a professional understands the different techniques needed to properly clean a variety of surfaces, including knowing when to soft wash and when to power wash with hot water.

Professional cleaning companies also have access to commercial-grade equipment that is much more powerful than a consumer-grade pressure washer you might rent or buy. This means they can clean more effectively and in less time and will have the correct nozzles or accessories for cleaning efficiently.

It’s also a safer option. The professional will have the training and safety equipment necessary to get the job done safely and efficiently. They know how to handle the equipment and can avoid accidents or damage to your property.

And of course, it’s time-saving to hire a company to handle your home’s exterior cleaning. Instead of spending hours pressure washing by yourself on a Saturday, you can relax and enjoy a clean home all weekend long.

At ASF Clean Team, you’ll find the best of the best when it comes to residential or commercial pressure washing. Our technicians are insured, highly experienced, and professional, ensuring you’ll get that sprinkling finish, every time. Contact us today and get a quote for pressure washing or one of our other fantastic services.  

How to Protect Your Historic Home with a Gentle Clean

One of the amazing benefits of living in the San Francisco area is that many of us are able to live in historic homes. These homes have been around for decades and truly mean something to our community. It’s not just another house. And because of that, you need to treat it as such. Therefore, you need to protect your historic home with a gentle clean.

Protect Your Historic Home

When you live in a historic home, you are trusted with its upkeep. You are trusted to ensure that it remains historic and is not damaged (to the best of your ability) while under your care. Of course there are always circumstances that you do not have control over, but you can control the cleanliness of your historic home.

In order to protect your historic home, you need to keep it clean, inside and out. The more build up there is, the more likely your home is to be damaged. Letting dirt and debris pile up can negatively impact your home’s integrity. So even though you may not think the outside of your home needs to be cleaned, it does. 

Why a Gentle Clean?

Okay so your historic home needs to be kept clean to keep it in shape. But why a gentle clean? Why can’t you just go at it with your power washer?

Historic homes are not built like homes today are. These homes were designed before tools like power washers were invented, and were built before the cleaning chemicals used today were common. Plus, they’re just older. They are not made to withstand the harshness of a power wash, especially with chemicals. In fact, some of today’s houses shouldn’t even be power washed; they should be cleaned using a technique called soft washing.

What is Soft Washing?

Soft washing is very similar to pressure washing and power washing. In fact, it’s pretty much the same technique. The only difference is the pressure. Instead of a high pressure, soft washing uses low pressure.

The low pressure is going to help protect your historic home because it isn’t as harsh as the other methods. The water and our state-of-the-art equipment can get the job done while still maintaining the integrity of your home. On the other hand, if you used a higher pressure and, as a result, a harsher cleaning method, your home would be clean but possibly at the cost of its integrity. When there are methods for a gentle clean available that are just as effective and easy, there is no reason to try a more forceful method.

Request a Quote Today

At ASF Clean Team in San Francisco, we have plenty of experience cleaning and protecting historic homes. As a locally-owned, small business, we know how important maintaining a historic home is. If you’re unsure of the best cleaning method for your home, don’t worry. We’ll help you figure everything out. Contact us today to request a quote and prepare to bring back the beauty of your historic home.

How Much Does it Cost to Pressure Wash My House and Driveway in San Francisco?

Between little bursts of sporadic rain and dust settling back down after, your driveway and home could probably use some freshening up! But how much does it cost to pressure wash your house and driveway in San Francisco? That cost depends on a number of factors.

How Big is the Pressure Washing Job?

One of these factors is how big the pressure washing job is. This depends on the time it takes, the size of the property, how much pressure washing is needed, and if you requested additional services.

How Much Time it Takes to Pressure Wash

While it typically only takes ASF Clean Team between two to three hours to pressure wash a home, there are a few things that could change this.

Size of the Property

Some properties take longer than others to pressure wash, simply because of their size. So if you have a larger home or a long driveway, it’ll probably take us more time, effort, and additional tools to clean.

How Much Pressure Washing is Needed

Your house might have a light layer of dirt that doesn’t take much time to clean. Or your driveway could have years of deeply packed grime that requires a bit more effort to pressure wash. 

Other Services Included with Pressure Washing

You may have requested other services along with pressure washing, like window cleaning, gutter cleaning, or roof cleaning. These additional services affect both the time it takes for us to complete a job, as well as the cost.

However, while it may sound like more time and money up front, you’re actually saving time and money by including everything in one job! This lessens the number of visits we make to your home to perform services. So rather than book separate services for several different trips, we highly recommend booking it all under one job if you need more than pressure washing.

Cost to pressure wash may include other services
The cost to pressure wash your house and driveway depends on several things.

Where Your House is Located

One of the first things we ask here at ASF Clean Team is your home’s address. This will tell us how near or far your home is in relation to our office, and if you’re in a serviceable area. We travel throughout the San Francisco Bay area, but it may cost a bit more the further out we go. This is something we ask for in all of our services. Just something to keep in mind!

Determine Cost to Pressure Wash with a Custom Quote

As you can see, the cost of pressure washing varies from home to home! Each property and job is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all cost to pressure wash your house and driveway in San Francisco. It’s best to reach out for a custom quote for your property.

It only takes a few minutes to get a quote from ASF Clean Team! You can contact us online or chat with us on our website with our Messenger service. Or if you prefer talking to someone on the phone, give us a call at (415) 704-7102 at our San Francisco office. Get your quote today!

Hot Pressure Washing Eliminates the Need for Harsh Chemicals

In your effort to go green, you may be looking for ways to clean the exterior of your home with environmentally friendly products and methods. Did you know that hot pressure washing eliminates the need for harsh chemicals? It does! Hot pressure washing is one of the most eco-friendly cleaning methods, using little to no chemicals at all to get that sparkling finish. Here’s how.

Why You Should Avoid Harsh Chemicals When Cleaning Your Home’s Exterior

There are a multitude of reasons why you should avoid harmful cleaning products, but here are some of the top reasons why:

Harsh Chemicals are Bad for the Environment

Strong cleaning products may sound more effective, and in some ways they are… but not in a good way. They could be rinsed into storm drains, which could end up in nearby water sources like San Francisco’s creeks and Bay, affecting the aquatic life and community. This could be severely detrimental to the local environment.

Harsh Chemicals Also Damage Your Home

It doesn’t end there. Harsh chemicals are not only harmful to the environment but could also cause damage to your home, like breaking down the asphalt in your driveway. Your home and property are a big investment of your time and money. So, invest in better cleaning solutions that not only get a deep clean, but don’t harm the environment or your home.

Hot Pressure Washing Cleans with Heat and Pressure, Not Chemicals!

Hot pressure washing does all of the same things harsh chemicals do — but with better, more eco-friendly results!

The Pressure Does the Deep Scrubbing

Some chemicals are used to break down stuck-on debris, so you can avoid deep scrubbing. With hot pressure washing, the pressure from the water is all we need to remove stubborn dirt and debris from the exterior of your home.

The Heat Does the Sanitizing

When it comes to sanitizing, sometimes all you need is just really hot water! Our professional-grade pressure washers use piping hot, filtered water to sanitize your exterior surfaces, like siding, stairs, decks, and driveways. So, between the pressure and heat, there’s no need for harsh chemicals when you use a hot pressure washer!

Hot Pressure Washing Services with ASF Clean Team

At ASF Clean Team, our goal is to not only provide the best services but to treat you and your property with absolute care and courtesy. Part of that goal is cleaning with products and methods that are environmentally friendly and don’t cause damage to your home.

We make it a point to avoid harsh chemicals. All of our tools provide a deep clean without chemicals. And if we do have to use them, we have carefully and professionally vetted them to ensure that they are green, gentle, and effective.

Go green with ASF Clean Team! We can deep clean the exterior of your San Francisco home with our hot pressure washing services and more. Contact us today for a custom quote or give us a call at our San Francisco office at (415) 367-0951.

Give the Gift of Clean to a Loved One

The season of giving is here. Last month, we gave thanks for all we have. Now, we get to show our appreciation by giving gifts to our loved ones. The little ones are easy; they’ve had their wish lists ready for months. But what about that person in your life who insists they don’t need anything this year? You know—the person who could really use some help but won’t ask for it. This year, give the gift of clean to a loved one.

To the One Who Could Really Use a Break

We all know that one person who could really use a break. Maybe they’re a single parent running their kids everywhere while working. Maybe they’re not a single parent, but they’re still so busy they barely have time to sit down and eat. Or maybe none of that applies to them, but they could still really use a break.

When we’re busy, the last thing any of us wants to do is clean. We can find the motivation to clean the stuff that gets in our way, like laundry, toys, and dishes. But that deep cleaning? Forget about it. We can’t really be bothered with it inside the house, never mind the outside.

That’s why this year you should give the gift of clean to a loved one who could really use a break. Do they have solar panels you know haven’t been cleaned since they were installed? Could their home’s exterior just really use some pressure washing? Or maybe their windows are covered in fingerprints from little hands.

At ASF Clean Team, we have residential exterior detailing covered. And the best part is, your loved one doesn’t even have to be home when we stop by. We’ll send them a text to let them know we’re coming, but if they’re busy, we’ll send them before and after pictures. It’s the perfect gift for a busy friend who could really just use a little help.

To the Busy Business Owner

The gift of clean doesn’t stop at home. Do you know a business owner who is just really overwhelmed this holiday season? Or just in general? Take some stress off of their plate by giving them the gift of clean. Like our residential services, we have your commercial cleaning needs covered. 

Whether they own an office or a storefront, we will leave their business sparkling clean. And like our residential services, as long as we’re only servicing the exterior, they won’t even have to be there. We will need someone to let us in for our disinfecting and sanitizing services, though.

Give the Gift of ASF Clean Team

We all have someone in our lives who could use the gift of clean this holiday season. If your loved one lives in the San Francisco area, give them the gift of ASF Clean Team. We promise we’ll leave their home or business sparkling. Contact us today, and we will be in touch to make this thoughtful gift idea a reality.

Hot Power Washing and Soft Power Washing Explained

If you own a home or business, you’ve probably heard of power washing, but what is power washing, exactly? Additionally, the term “soft washing” is probably new. Isn’t it just the same as pressure washing? Nope! Hot power washing and soft power washing are two techniques that may sound similar, but have two separate purposes. Let’s explain!

What Puts the “Power” in Power Washing?

Pressure washing, power washing, and soft washing are all similar techniques. But, they all have slight differences that make them unique. They all use varying levels of pressure to clean your building’s exterior. So what exactly puts the “power” in power washing? 

The heat is what makes power washing stand out. Pressure washing uses high pressure but a lower temperature to get the job done. However, power washing takes this high pressure and combines it with high heat to get an even better clean. This combination of heat and pressure isn’t ideal for all surfaces, though. This is where soft washing comes into the picture.

When Do You Use Hot Power Washing and Soft Power Washing?

The main difference between these two methods of power washing is the level of pressure. Hot power washing uses a higher temperature and higher pressure, which is not ideal for more sensitive surfaces. However, soft power washing uses a lower temperature and lower pressure, to effectively clean those surfaces that need a little more care.

Hot power washing is ideal for those really hard to clean surfaces. Do you have some old wooden patio furniture that’s grown moss or algae? What about stains on your garage floor or driveway that you just can’t seem to get off? Hot power washing can be perfect for these situations because the heat and pressure can clean quickly, and these surfaces can withstand them.

On the other hand, if you have a historic home that really needs a good clean, or maybe an awning with stains and gunk on it, soft washing is going to be your friend. The lower pressure and temperature, will safely clean those surfaces, making them shine.

How Do I Get Professional Power Washing Services?

Power washing and soft washing your building’s exterior isn’t something just anyone can do. These techniques require special equipment, and an expert professional who knows which technique is right for your business property or residential home. The different methods are not suitable for all surfaces, so it’s important you trust who you hire.

At ASF Clean Team, we’re known for our superior window cleaning services, but we also specialize in hot power washing and soft power washing. In some instances, hot soft washing may be necessary and can be done on request. Our employees know which method to use for different surfaces, and our professional equipment helps us get the job done right the first time. Plus, you can get your window cleaning and exterior detailing done at the same time, saving you time and money. Contact us today to learn more about power washing prices or any other questions you may have.

A Professional Clean for a Professional Business

As a business owner, you know how important it is to have a clean business. Not only does it foster a better work environment for your employees, but it impacts every single customer and client who comes by. So, you need to work with a cleaning company who is going to get things done right the first time, doesn’t waste your time, and doesn’t make you wait. But does a cleaning company like that actually exist? It does! ASF Clean Team gives you a professional clean for a professional business.

First Impressions are Important

There is almost nothing more important in the business world than a first impression. According to Forbes, your business only has seven seconds to make a first impression. And that’s the max! Some people may form their opinion even sooner than that. If you’re a boutique on the street, all you may get is a quick glance before someone decides whether or not they want to stop and come in or just keep walking on by. If you work in an office, there’s a good chance that a potential client has formed their opinion before you’ve even greeted them. So, the cleanliness of your business (a.k.a. their first impression) is of utmost importance.

Making a Great First Impression

The easiest way to make a great first impression is to make sure the outside of your building is sparkling clean. But, you can still run up against unexpected obstacles. Even if you clean your building so it’s spotless, you may come to work one day and find graffiti on your storefront. You don’t have the time (or the tools) to clean that before you open! But, if you work with ASF Clean Team, you don’t have to worry about it for long. Let us know about the problem, and we’ll have your storefront sparkling clean again in no more than 48 hours. Not having to worry about doing this yourself not only means you can run your business with a peace of mind, but you can also give your customers the best experience possible regardless of the graffiti.

Regularly Schedule Exterior Cleaning Services

There are a million and twelve things to keep track of when running a business. That being said, cleaning the exterior of your building is probably one of the last things on your mind. It’s just something people don’t think of often, even with their home! You may be wiping down your windows, but that’s about it. However, when potential customers and clients come by, they’re going to notice the cleanliness of your building’s exterior. We’ve all been to those places where we aren’t sure we want to touch the door handle with a ten foot pole. While your business probably isn’t that dirty, you still don’t want the dirt to be noticeable.

To solve this problem, you can simply schedule cleaning services so you don’t even think about it! ASF Clean Team can help make your business shine with pressure washing, power washing, and more. You can schedule regular cleaning services (you get to choose how often), and we’ll be there. You don’t even have to put it on your calendar because we’ll let you know when we’re on our way. And as long as we have access to the area we’re cleaning, you don’t have to be there, either. We’ll send you before and after pictures so you can see how the job was done. It’s that easy!

Enjoy the View

Enough talking about the customers and clients. Even though they’re super important, so are you! Whether you’re in an office building or a store front, you are paying for that space. And you deserve to enjoy what you’re paying for, especially if you’re in a high rise office space. San Francisco real estate is not cheap. Your professional business deserves a professional clean. And you deserve to enjoy your high rise view with a high quality clean. You don’t want to clean those windows yourself. Not only is it not fun, it can be dangerous if you’re not a professional. So, let us handle it. Our clean team has both the equipment and the experience to give your windows a professional clean, and do it safely. 

Leave It to the Professionals

When it comes to cleaning your business, you truly want to leave it to the professionals. You are the best at what you do, and we are the best at what we do. Which is why you don’t want to leave the cleaning to just any professionals. 

Did you know that it is not legally required for cleaning teams to have insurance for their employees? This means that you could hire a totally legit, certified cleaning team, but they may not have employee insurance. So, if an employee gets injured while cleaning your business, you could end up being liable. 

But, if you hire an insured cleaning team, you don’t have to worry about that. At ASF Clean Team, we insure all of our employees. We know that no matter how experienced we are, sometimes accidents just happen. That’s why they’re called accidents. And if an accident happens, we don’t want that to be on you. We care about our clients and our employees, and understand that holding insurance is important so everyone is taken care of, even if it’s not legally required. So, don’t just work with any cleaning business. Work with one that’s insured.

Get a Professional Clean for a Professional Business

Your professional business deserves a professional clean. You don’t want to do the work yourself, and you don’t want just anyone to do it. If you’re in the San Francisco Bay area, choose ASF Clean Team. We’re as professional as it gets. As mentioned, we are an insured cleaning team, and we have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. We also provide a chemical free clean, so not only are you getting a high quality clean, you’re getting a safe, natural clean. Request a bid today to get started.

Can One Company Clean My Windows, Gutters, Siding, and Sidewalks?

There is one company that can clean it all! If your goal is to clean your windows or anything else, ASF Clean Team is who you want to call. Offering three types of washing techniques (pressure washing, power washing, soft washing), window cleaning, gutter cleaning, cobweb removal, and solar panel cleaning, you will indeed have your home sparkling clean once we are done. We even service older homes and high-rise buildings. If you are in the San Francisco area, we are here to help, no matter your need. 

Can ASF Clean Team clean my windows?

We can! In fact, that’s what we’re most known for. Our experts are able to clean most homes’ windows in just two to three hours and without the use of harsh chemicals. We train and ensure our professional employees so that they are ready to take on all types of windows as well. If you have a tricky sunroom or skylight situation, we can handle it. We can also handle high-rise buildings if you are looking to have your business cared for. 

Can ASF Clean Team clean my gutters?

Absolutely! Not only do our extraordinary employees clean your gutters to help protect your home and roof, but they can also install gutter guards to ensure your gutters stay clean once we’re done. Keeping your gutters clean and clear will ensure that your home is safe from water damage over time.

Can ASF Clean Team clean my siding?

You bet! We actually offer three types of washing techniques, as well. This enables us to deep clean not only siding, but other types of surfaces as well. We offer standard pressure washing to make sure even the most basic of surfaces are sparkling clean. If something is extra grimy, we can use power washing to get all of it off without using chemicals. Older homes that are more fragile can be soft-washed to preserve their integrity.

Can ASF Clean Team clean my sidewalks?

Again, we offer all three power washing, pressure washing, and soft washing, so we are well-equipped to handle any surface your home has to offer. While most sidewalks do well with pressure washing, if you have something unique or extra special, we are happy to look at those as well. We will determine which method is the best for your specific situation and go from there. Our goal is to care for your home like it is our own.

Can ASF Clean Team do all of this on the same day?

Not only can we do it all on the same day, but booking all of the services together in one job will save you time and money. Since we can get it all done in one job, you won’t have to make the effort to schedule several separate services. Let us know all that you are looking for when you reach out for a quote

Let us know what your specific goals are for your home today. We are ready to help you make your home look fantastic for the coming holiday season!