Blog topic
Washing, sealing and staining that protects what you own. Written by the crew that does the work, for homeowners in Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington counties.
Water that gets into an empty joint freezes and lifts the paver beside it. Salt follows it in. The weeks between now and mid-October are the last chance to seal and stabilize before that cycle starts.
September and October are the second washing season in Northern Virginia. Vinyl, fiber cement, brick and stucco each get their own mix, gutters get their stripes scrubbed, and the roof gets treated before the leaves land on it.
Efflorescence that must come off first, joints flushed to the right depth, polymeric sand activated without haze, and a sealer chosen for breathability as much as looks. The full sequence for Northern Virginia pavers.
Dry wood under 15 percent moisture, boards cooler than the sun makes them, a dew point the evening will not reach, and two dry days after. The late May and September windows explained board by board.
Algae on the siding, Gloeocapsa magma on the shingles, mildew around the soffits and lichen on the shady slope. Each is alive, each needs chemistry rather than pressure, and each tells you something about the house.
Wait for the pine pollen to finish, then wash the concrete, pavers and stone. Keep pressure off the siding, the deck boards, the shingles and the window seals. A surface-by-surface guide for Northern Virginia homes.
Tell us what you are seeing in your yard. We will come out, explain the options in plain terms and put the scope and price in writing.
