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Get rid of unwelcome roommates!

2/8/2018

January has set some records in NZ, but not only for the amazing high temperatures! While we were flocking to our favourite water hole to seek relief from the heat, the heat has resulted in a record number of creepy crawlies.

A recent article published on News Hub confirmed what we have already noticed, and dreaded. White tails in particular have been in larger than normal numbers as a result of the mild winter and warmer summer. And you are not the only one to love your home, those white bummed critters do too! While they are generally not an aggressive specie they do bite if provoked. Yes I know we don’t internationally go out to provoke “Sir White Bum” we do it unknowingly because they love to nest in our clothes and shoes which offer them a sheltered warm home.

Your best line of defense against white tails and other creepy crawlies is having your house treated. Our spider treatment is the ideal solution to get rid of an array of creepy crawlies and prevent those white tails from becoming roommates!

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A house wash can give your home a new lease on life!

8/14/2017

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My Nana always said, “Take care of your pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves” … Nana also always said she was always right, and I will tell you what, she was never wrong either. Except it was only many years later that I learned that Nana may have said those pearls of wisdom but she was in fact quoting Benjamin Franklin.

Times are tough for everyone these days, and we all need to take care of our pennies, but what do you do when you need to look after your investments too and that can cost quite a few of those pennies?? You absolutely need to make sure you get the best mileage out of your investments, but so too out of the services required for the up keep of those investments. Regular house washing can extend the life of your home; one of your biggest investments, we have already established that. However, how can it stretch your pennies? Simple! A house wash costs a considerable less than painting your entire house. So if your house is looking a bit tired and in need of a “pick me up” sometimes the solution can be as simple as a bit of water and some elbow grease!

Regular water blasting to your home will increase its curb appeal, making you feel great and proud about your home. It will also remove mould and mildew that grows over our wet winter months which can be a health risk to your family. I good house wash will remove cobwebs and spiders taking your house from tired to terrific!

So before pouring away your dollars on re-painting your entire home why not spend a few pennies and spruce up the old bricks and mortar with a house wash and make it feel as bright as the blossoms of spring again.

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Bye Bye Dry July

8/1/2017

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While our many customers have been putting themselves to the “Dry July” challenge, we at Smartwash have had our own challenges! Dry July for us mean less waterblasting, more downtime as we carried out routine maintenance on our water blasting and house treatment equipment. Having our waterblasting and house treatment equipment functioning at optimum levels is of utmost important to us as it ensures we get the most from our equipment so we can deliver the high level of service you have always enjoyed.

With that said, we do know that many of you still need our services, be it a house wash, roof wash, roof treatment, spider treatment, gutter, deck or driveway clean … you still want your house looking spic and span! We do accommodate for this. “The show must go on” as they say. We did our best to meet many of the deadlines but there were those less urgent jobs that were put out for a short period and for that we want to thank you for your patience and understanding! Rest assured that our waterblasting and house treatment equipment is now serviced and checked and will carry on working as hard as our team to give you the cleanest looking home, just as you deserve! And with spring only a month away it is not a moment too soon!

Beat the spring clean rush! Book your house wash, house treatment, gutter clean, deck clean etc now before everyone springs into action with the spring clean madness!

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It's all in a name!

6/14/2017

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Let’s talk about terminology that can often lead to misunderstandings. Here are some pointers to guide you when booking your next house wash:

Soft wash:
A soft wash refers to the chemical used to clean your home. For this, we use a mild eco friendly detergent, ideal for your annual clean and getting rid of dust and cobwebs. A soft wash has nothing to do about the water pressure. The water pressure is a separate element which is accessed and adjusted for each area we undertake.
Chem wash:
This wash uses a stronger chemical, ideal for pre-painting prep, removing stubborn marks, grease build-up or homes that need that extra TLC. While we take every care when cleaning your home the chemical can effect plants in close proximity so we suggest if you are concerned, to have those plants covered while we wash your home.
Elevation, is it a 1 level or a 2 level or an elevated roof?
When asking is your house a 1 level or a 2 level we refer to the outside of your property, so while your home may be a 1 level home on the inside but part of the house is built over the garage, the outer elevation is 2 levels. A similar concept applies to a 3 level home. We need to know the elevation to ensure we are adequately prepared when we come and carry your house wash and that we have the correct tools required for the job. So even if only part of the house is an extra elevation and the majority isn’t it will still fall into the higher category. A similar principle applies when we say you have an elevated roof or elevated house. Your home may be 1 level but your roof, roof pitch or house is higher than the average.
What is the difference between a Roof Treatment and a Roof Wash?
A roof treatment is a simple way of treating moss, mould and lichen growth on your roof. We simply spray a treatment solution on the roof and it kills off the moss, mould and lichen. The principal works the same as spraying a weed killer in the garden. This treatment does however take time to take effect. It will take several weeks before you notice the moss dying off and can take a couple of months before it dies and eventually starts falling off. A roof wash is exactly that. One of our skilled service man is up on your roof with our high-pressure washers and washing the roof (it is important to note here that the water pressure is adjusted to suit each job we carry out). A roof wash is far more labour intensive and requires extra care and safety equipment and is therefore often more costly than a treatment.

When all else fails and confusion reigns our friendly staff are always on hand to guide and assist you!

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Beat the winter moss, mould and lichen blues.

5/11/2017

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When winter comes around many people choose to take a break from home care, but this could lead to your home’s downfall!
Winter is associated with cool, damp conditions. These cool, damp conditions coupled with the lack of sunshine are the ideal recipe for moss, mould and lichens to grow on your roof. When your roof is in a shaded area the problem multiplies.
Moss, mould and lichens are not just an eyesore; they cause damage to your roof in several ways. This unsightly matter holds moisture on your roofing material. Whether it be asphalt shingles or wood shingles, even corrugated iron roofing, water is destructive.
Moss, mould and lichens are a growing matter, their roots or growth structures can penetrate the roof materials. This speeds up their demise as it allows water to better permeate through the roof covering materials.
When the temperature plummets to near or below freezing the water retained by the growth of moss, mould or lichen increases the risk of frost damage. These icy conditions can cause the shingles to crack, and wear faster.
While moss, mould and lichen are not good news for your roof, it is easily solved! Moss, mould and lichen treatment is a simply spray away. If you would rather not be playing around on your roof in these cold months, and can’t be bothered figuring out the right dosage of treatment for your moss, mould and lichen problem we are happy to do this job for you. We have years of experience and can get the job done quicker than you to find your spray bottle!!!

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Keep your gutters clean!

4/26/2017

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Gutters are vital to keeping our homes tidy and healthy. Their job is to divert water away from the house. Blocked gutters cause water to overflow into roofs and ceilings, often getting into walls as well. The water can seep as far as the foundations of your home. This brings about several problems:

It puts your family’s health at risk, as damp walls, structures and foundations are an ideal environment for mould to spore. This leads to breathing problems, fevers, headaches, itchy or irritable eyes to name a few. It can be especially harmful to those with a compromised immunity or respiratory difficulties.
When water seeps into the structures of your house and it’s foundations it can severally compromise the structural integrity of your home.
Gutters that overflow can damage concrete and paving beneath. Although concrete is known for its hardy strength, water can seep into fine cracks causing the minerals in the concrete to dissolve over time, this leads to further cracking and the formation of gaps.
Water constantly running down the sides of your gutters and the side of your walls not only leaves a trail of dirt but also fades the colour and damages the paintwork.

With the recent heavy rains experienced around Auckland accompanied by the strong winds, now is the perfect time to check your gutters before the winter rains set in. Nobody enjoys dragging out the ladders, it is a tedious job! Let us help, we are fully equipped and can have your gutters flowing freely in a jiffy!

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Winter Woolies!! - how to care for your property over Winter

6/23/2016

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OK, so we might not have to do much to prepare for snow up here in the sunny North Island BUT ... we still need to ensure we are looking after our properties over the wetter winter months. So, how do we do that? There are two areas you should be focusing on over the next few months.

Gutters and Spouting
Moss, Mould, Lichen Treatments

Let's start with those Gutters - now's the time to do a health check. Look for any cracks or disconnected pipes and ensure the exterior is strong and flowing. If there are any blockages these will show as the rain comes. Sometimes you can't always see these blockages but a quick check of the guttering bays will give you an indication of the health of your spouting. If they are full of leaves and debris, now's the time to clear these and consider applying a treatment to ensure moss and mould do not build up, especially if you are on tank water, you want to ensure the path is nice and clear! Blocked gutters are a recipe for disaster in terms of overflowing which can damage your gutters, spouting and cladding as well as potential pooling water in your garden which can turn stagnant ... yuk!

Now for treatments - believe it or not, now is the best time of the year to treat around your property as this when moss, mould and lichen are most active. We advise cleaning any troublesome areas with low pressure water blasting followed by an applied treatment of moss and mould killer which will prevent this from regrowing. A lot of areas will require a second treatment in about 6 months after the first treatment to ensure the moss and mould do not get a chance to retaliate! I'm sorry to tell you, this is going to be an ongoing battle against the green and black army! Here in New Zealand we have the perfect climate for growth of all kinds. Our wet and warm conditions are moss, mould and lichen's idea of a dream home, make sure you don't let them settle in to yours!

Feel free to call the team at Smartwash at any time if you have any questions about how best to tackle your properties winter worries!

2 Comments

Get rid of unwelcome roommates!

A house wash can give your home a new lease on life!

Bye Bye Dry July

It's all in a name!

Beat the winter moss, mould and lichen blues.

Keep your gutters clean!

Winter Woolies!! - how to care for your property over Winter

Jeremy

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