Power Washing and the Weather
One thing we can not do is rely on the weather, living here in the Ozarks is sometime a challenge. I have seen weather change form one extreme to the other in less than hours. I was washing concrete Wednesday for a construction clean-up. They needed it done for a grand opening today. In any case started out around 9:00 and the temps were at 50 plus we had some clouds since a front was on the way. reached almost 60 degrees till the wind kicked up by the time I finished and made it home to get things put up it had dropped 20 degrees and woke up to freezing temps in the morning by late after noon snow. Today it has stopped and left us here with 8 to 9 inches of snow with a high of 19 degrees.
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| Cleaned by Pete cleaning concrete in Springfield MO |
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| Last step before the grand opening clean the construction mishaps off the concrete, Cleaned by Pete in Springfield MO. |
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| They thought the new concrete just need a little rinse the changed their minds when the say this. Cleaned by Pete has cleaned the right side and is working hard to get this concrete ready. |
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| Cleaning concrete in Springfield MO Cleaned by Pete. |
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| Using the water broom in this picture with new concrete to much pressure could damaged it to the point it has to be repoured. Cleaned by Pete know how much pressure is too much and what need to be done to get the best clean possible. |
About now you may be saying why are these pictures in here this is about weather. Yes but you can see we work with water and mother nature dose this thing where it takes a liquid and makes it solid. Water will freeze even above 32 degrees. Wind and conditions can be just right it will freeze or can even turn to snow. A pressure washer with a wide fan pattern works much the same way as a snow making machine works the process is much the same to break down the water in to small partials and have them chill and fall back to the ground. It is an amazing process with pressure flow and atomization of the water partials. What is even more amazing is hot water can freeze with this process even faster, due to the fact is has less oxygen in it due to heating and at the molecule level the partials are spaced further apart letting more air around them. More chilled air smaller partials instance ice or snow.
We as washers have to be aware of our situation and the safety of our clients and their clients, forming ice on concrete or walk ways is a safety issue we can not take lightly. In the wrong conditions we could have a ice glazed parking lot and gas islands in stead of a cleaned on. Freezing water has another interesting aspect as it becomes a solid it expands. Freezing water can crack the strongest steel or brass, not to mention the ceramic glass pistons that are in our pumps. We can not let water stand on what we are cleaning or in our machines, pumps, heating coils, hoses, guns and other tools. When the temperatures start to drop. Safety is the largest issue and loss of equipment is next followed by our own physical well being. Winterizing is an on going battle with winter. This is why someone puts their washer up in the shed in the late fall and come time for spring projects. They get out the power washer and water pours out of it or it make no pressure. Frozen water has claimed another power washer. One must always try to get all the water out and replace it with some form of antifreeze. We like the pink "RV antifreeze" it is safe for the earth and water-ways if we should get a spill. Also safe for animals and pets that may be around and it is rated at 50 below. Winter care for our equipment still means attention and caution through out the entire winter season. We don't put them up and just forget about them. Most professional power washers owe their livelyhood to these machines, I know I do so taking care of them is up most. It use to be said "You can tell a lot about a man or woman on how they treat of keep their tools". This is as true today as in the past if you don't keep your tools and machines with care and maintenance you can not expect them to to the best job.
Now this was yesterday less than 24 hours between cleaning the parking lot and islands and taking the pictures below. From 60 degrees to low 20's .
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| Less then 24 hours later this is what we had with temps in the low to mid 20's. |
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| Less then 24 hours later this is what we had with temps in the mid 20's. | | |
Then today the high is 19 degrees and around 8+ inches of snow fell last night and this morning 12 inches in some local areas. Cleaned by Pete take great pride in having the right equipment and with that takes great care of it. Power washing may stop during the winter but maintenance and caring for the machines does not.
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| Today's view |
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| Today's view |
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| Today's view |
Cleaned by Pete will be ready if there is a break in winter or for next year's cleaning. Our phones are still on and working call us at 417-459-7869 for your power washing needs
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Thank you very informative. hope to visit again.We are Hi-Tech Power Washing Louisville KY company in Louisville, KY. This is a great post. I look forward to reading more of them
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