Summer is a time that businesses often move. They tend to slow down in the summer, making the process of moving a bit easier to handle, without leaving work undone or clients out in the cold. If you own a commercial building that is not seeing new tenants fill your empty spaces over the summer, it may be a problem with your building’s appearance, over any other factors. The benefit of this problem is the fix is not only easy, but relatively inexpensive.

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It makes sense that we want our buildings and neighborhoods to stay clean throughout the year. We look to keep our business exteriors appealing and graffiti off our city streets. Keeping a city clean adds to its prosperity and makes it inviting to visitors and locals alike. Yet, in today’s world of global warming and climate change, we cannot afford to sacrifice the environment while keeping it clean. Therefore, when cleaning your buildings and city structures, make sure that the environment is your first priority. [Read more…]

The exterior of your home is a shield from the forces of nature. It is the part of the home that gets hit with rain, sleet, snow, wind, and anything else mother nature decides to throw. The good news is this shield protects your home’s interior from Mother Nature’s wrath, keeping you and your family warm and secure. However, when the sun begins to shine and the days are longer, your house that may have been a beautiful white, blue, or yellow color, now appears gray, black, and just dirty. Take one look and you may hear yourself ask, “What color is my home’s exterior?”  You may rush to buy paint to make it look the way you want to present it to the world, but that may be unnecessary and much more expensive than need be.

Power Washing for the Win!

The first item on your list to present your best exterior should always be power washing. The exterior of your home, whether it needs paint or not, needs to be cleaned off all of the dirt and grime which stick to your siding like dirt sticks to kids. If you do not power wash your exterior first, your paint will not properly cover your home’s exterior. Additionally, once you power wash your home, you may determine it is beautiful just the way it is and you may not need to repaint the exterior any time soon. This process saves you time, money, and sanity, while helping your home return to its original luster.

The Again…

Once the power washing is completed, you may notice you do not like the color of your home’s exterior or there is damage to the paint from years of exposure to the elements. Since you are already in the process of this home improvement project, now is the perfect time to start painting. First, find out if any ordinances in your town dictate the color of the exterior of your home. You do not want to paint your home purple when your town has an ordinance that says all homes must be white, beige or yellow. Next, make sure you are using the best paint to stand up to the exterior elements.  When purchasing your paint, the sales person should be able to help you find the right paint for your job, as interior paint would not be appropriate and will cause more harm than good. Finally, find the color scheme that best suits your home’s personality. This is a labor intensive job that you do not want to repeat in five years. Make sure you love the color you choose and do not settle.

If you are looking at your home, wondering the color and what it should look like, contact the experts at RTD Power Washing at 612-868-7312. They will gladly help you determine if power washing alone is the best option or if you should begin looking at paint as well. Either way, you know the experts at RTD Power Washing are experts you can trust.

Power washing your fleet and commercial property, when done properly, is almost an art form. There are techniques which can result in more harm than good if not followed properly. More importantly the environmental repercussions can be detrimental if proper protocol is not followed. Therefore, it is essential to make sure your chosen power washing service maintains employee certification for environmental regulations. This includes Bay Area Stormwater Agencies Associations and Power Washers of North America certifications. There are several benefits to hiring power washing companies with these certifications.

Bay Area Stormwater Agencies Association

The Bay Area Stormwater Agencies Association, or BASMAA, offers pressure washers specific training to aid in reducing pollution. This type of certification trains individuals about the hazards of harsh chemicals on the environment. It also educates pressure washers on the wastes that surface cleaning can generate and how to avoid such waste. BASMAA also teaches surface cleaners about properly cleaning up after their byproducts to keep the environment safe. Certified technicians learn about the byproducts of their work, where it goes, and how it affects those who utilize local water sources. They are taught environmentally sound methods to wash your commercial building or fleet. These methods will keep the environment safe and work better than the soap products of the past, too.

Power Washers of North America

Another valuable certification is the Power Washers of North America (PWNA) certification. This type of certification aids in understanding the environmental impact and ensuring the methods and byproducts are environmentally friendly. This also includes understanding fleet washing and all that is included in the process. There are several other potential certifications available, all of which are nationally recognized and carry a high standard.

These certifications allow the client to be confident they are working with technicians who care about their work as well as the environment. This allows the client to also show their clients they are concerned about the environment and only work with like-minded companies. Environmental issues, especially clean water issues, are one of the most pressing issues of the day. Therefore, it is essential to show customers that you are on the Earth’s side. This will aid in attracting a more socially conscious customer, as well as those who just want to know their water is safe to drink.

There are other benefits to hiring a firm with high environmental standards. The investment of requiring these technicians to maintain these certifications shows that the technicians are not fly-by-night sub-contractors. You do not want someone who only cares about the hours billed before they move onto the next job and next dollar. These certifications show that the firm is staffed by employees who work for a company that cares about who they hire to represent them in the field. These firms would rather hire an employee than a sub-contractor. They want to ensure the employee has the company’s best interest at heart, as opposed to his or her own. If you would like to work with a power washing company that cares about the environment and the message they send, contact the experts at RTD Power Washing at (612) 868-7312.

Like most exterior projects, most property owners do not even consider power washing until spring comes around. They allow the dirt and grime to pile up on the exterior of their building throughout the coldest months of the year. Then, they clean the building as soon as the frost breaks. While this may be the standard in building maintenance, it is not necessarily the best option to help maintain your property and keep it safe from winter damage. As a property owner, it may behoove you to consider power washing your commercial property after each significant snow storm throughout the winter.

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Cars do not only need to be washed in warm weather. The same is true – maybe even more so – when it comes to power washing commercial fleets of trucks. In addition to the normal elements that affect vehicles all throughout the year, winter storms create additional issues which may cause rust, paint removal, and other damages to your fleet. Rock salt is full of chemicals which can negatively affect the underbelly and other areas of your fleet. This can lead to costly repairs that could have otherwise been prevented.

The Issues

The main reason many fleets are power washed throughout the year is to keep up the look of the exterior. However, there are other issues that can arise which are related to excessive dirt and prolonged exposure to the elements such as rain, ice, and snow. If left unattended, rust can begin to appear, which affects how the exterior of the vehicle performs. As more and more rust builds up, it can actually eat away at the metal. This causes holes in the exterior, as well as less flexibility in the joints. Snow aids in forming rust, just as rain and bodies of water do. In addition, rock salt can not only in cause rusting, but it can begin to chip away at the paint on the exterior of the vehicle. As the paint chips away, the metal is unprotected. This leaves it susceptible to damage, such as increased rust exposure.

As for the look of the vehicle, a dirty fleet is seen as an unreliable fleet. Many customers look at a dirty fleet as representing a company that does not take pride in their work. It can cost the company in the bottom line, making it less cost effective to run the fleet during the winter.

Finally, a dirty vehicle is also less fuel efficient as a clean fleet. Dirt actually weighs down a vehicle slightly. However, as more and more dirt and debris build up on the truck, the more weight is added. This causes the vehicle to use more fuel to continue operating.

Winter Washing Solutions

When it comes to commercial fleets, the best way to keep your fleet clean, especially in the winter, is through the use of power washing. Power washing your fleet maintains the beauty and reliability of your vehicle, extending its lifetime. By utilizing a well-equipped power washing company, specialized chemicals will help clean your fleet without creating additional water damage issues. Your vehicle will run more efficiently, look more beautiful, and be protected from the elements.

RTD Power Washing offers affordable, reliable fleet power washing throughout the entire year. They understand the need to maintain the beauty and efficiency of your fleet throughout the year. In addition, they are Clean Water Act Compliant, making sure the environment is not negatively affected by power washing your fleet. To learn more about the best ways to keep your fleet clean throughout the entire year, contact RTD Power Washing at (612) 868-7312.

Commercial property value is determined by several factors, such as location, building size, internal features, and cleanliness, to name a few. While little can be done regarding location, building size, and some internal features, cleanliness is something that can easily be controlled by the owner of the property. Cleanliness, with respects to commercial property, is about more than just the inside of the building. It deals a lot with the external portion of the property, including the sidewalk and even the garbage area. It is important to understand the benefits of a thorough power washing to help boost the rental and the sale value.

Make a Moderate Location Appear Beautiful

We have all seen areas that look run down, yet with a bit of effort, they could be thriving communities. These areas have grime and dirt on their sidewalks, buildings, and almost every surface in sight. They are not the depths of the inner city, littered with graffiti and crime; however, they are not the center of the suburban community either. These areas are less desirable to many business owners looking to rent or purchase property because they do not appear successful. They appear to be dilapidated, which is usually not the face a business wishes to put on for the public. Therefore, many of the buildings become vacant, causing a cycle in which areas become completely run down. There is a fix! Simply power washing the location, including the building or buildings, sidewalks surrounding the building, parking area, and garbage area can brighten the area, helping it look pristine and successful. Suddenly, businesses will be happy to move into the space and help the area become the thriving metropolis it should be.

Keeping the Building Safe

More important than aesthetic appeal is the actual maintenance that power washing an area provides. As dirt and grime grow on a building, there is the possibility of moss and ivy growing as well. These plants can begin to eat away at your building, causing other issues to develop, such as mold and possibly even structural damage, in the long run, depending on the material of your building. Just like your home, a commercial building can only withstand so much moss and ivy before it begins to suffer.

Additionally, the garbage area must be cleaned regularly to help keep smells and food residue at bay. As these things pile up, the area can attract rodents and small animals looking to infest your building. This can become a health hazard as well as create health code violations, making the property unsafe for your employees and clients.

Properly power washing the building and garbage area will help to eliminate these issues that could be detrimental to your property. The cost to regularly power wash your commercial property will be far less than the cost to pay fines and fix issues that occur from damage that could have been avoided.

To get your commercial power washing estimate, contact the experts at RTD Power Washing at (612) 868-7312. They will be happy to come to your property and give you an estimate to keep it looking beautiful and staying safe.

Graffiti is a serious problem affecting our urban area. Now that summer is nearing, it seems the problem will only get worse. Graffiti makes our beautiful structures and neighborhoods look dingy and run down, leaving the effects of poverty in its wake. However, it does not have to stay broken and beaten.  We believe our city can be beautiful again. Therefore, we have initiated “The Fight Against Urban Blight,” wherein we will respond to reports of graffiti within 24 to 48 business hours of receipt. It is our way of giving back to our community that has given us so much.

Where It Works

We utilize special products in removing any and all graffiti throughout the city. Our products do not cause damage to the original surface and actually help restore the surface beauty to its luster prior to be defaced. Whether it be brick or painted surface, glass or vinyl, alley ways, residential garage doors, or even awnings, we can safely remove the ugly defamation without leaving any evidence of it ever having existed. We are fighting back to keep our city beautiful.

The Process

The best way to remove graffiti is through a hot water pressure washing combined with environmentally friendly cleaning solutions. This method is less abrasive to both the building and the environment and allows the original beauty to shine through, rather than causing more damage than the original graffiti. Our method has actually been the preferred method of many cuties when citing graffiti removal regulations.

We believe service matters as well as method and process. Therefore, we take the utmost care when servicing our community. Our employees (not subcontractors) are highly skilled and fully trained. And since they live and work in these areas, they care like we do, that they remain beautiful and well cared for.  In addition, we have been around for many years and look forward to staying in business for many more years, so we are more than willing to carry proper liability insurance coverage in case an issues does arise.

Not only do we care about the beauty of our community, we care about the environment. That is why we carry 1,000 gallons of water with us to allow us the ability to save your community water for the community. We also ensure our vehicles are EPA Clean Water Act Compliant, to not create an environmental issue in the wake of our services.

We live in your community. Our children play on the same playgrounds and attend the same school. We walk and drive past all of the same buildings. Therefore, we care about our home. We know that the cleaner an environment is, the more uplifted the community feels. We want our cities to be uplifted and remain clean and clear of graffiti. It is about more than defacing property.  It is about building a neighborhood that we are proud to call home. To report any issues of graffiti in your area or learn more about our power washing services, contact RTD Power Washing at 612.868.7312.

As the owner of a fleet of commercial vehicles, it is important that your vehicles are clean and represent your company the way you would want to be represented. However, the manner in which they are cleaned should be as important to you as the fact they are clean. If, for some reason, your fleet is not cleaned in the manner that is compliant with the Clean Water Act, you and your cleaning company may be fined and publicly exposed, tarnishing your business’s reputation. Therefore, it is important that the power washing service you are using ensures Clean Water Act compliance with every wash.

Compliance

The Clean Water Act basically stipulates that only water is to go down the drain, and, if other substances are making their way into the drain, they are sent through a purification system prior to re-entering the water supply. The only types of companies that can offer drainage and purification are car wash facilities that are built to be stationary for that purpose. However, mobile power washing companies must develop a system that will keep them, and in turn you, compliant with the law. Members of the Power Washers of North America can be granted Water Reclaimer Certified status, which means they provide a system in which their trucks reclaim the wastewater and dispose of it properly. As a result, the only thing that goes down the drain is rain. No chemicals or wastewater used in washing your fleet ever make their way to the drain.

The Environment

Power washing, if not done properly by a Water Reclaimer Certified company, can actually be quite dangerous to the environment. If improper chemicals are used to clean your fleet, the mere usage of the chemicals may negatively impact the environment, from releasing a powerful odor to releasing chemicals in the air that should never be found in nature. Furthermore, if the company is not Clean Water Act compliant, those same chemicals could feasibly make their way into to your drinking water. As learned with numerous town-wide environmental lawsuits, adding chemicals to the water supply can result in illnesses including cancer and other problems. It is of the utmost importance for the safety of your surrounding community, employees, and customers that you ensure your company washing your fleet cares as much about the environment you leave behind as you do.

RTD Power Washing prides itself on caring for the environment and conducting its services with the utmost respect for environmental laws. To begin, they make sure to use products that are environmentally friendly and do not cause harm to any living plants, animals, fish or people. In addition, they were the FIRST power washing contractor in Minnesota to earn Water Reclaimer Certification. Not only do they follow the standard set forth by the Clean Water Act, they go above and beyond the basic maintenance of those standards. To learn more about the way in which RTD Power Washing works to help clean your fleets and keep the environment clean and safe, contact them at 612-868-7312.

When the phrase power washing is heard most people think about their home’s exterior, car, concrete sidewalk or fence. Typically, this thought is accompanied with the idea of spring cleaning or repainting your exterior, or maybe even re-staining your deck. Power washing of industrial equipment is also a big part of what power washing companies do.  Power washing can be helpful within industry as much as for personal use. The idea of power washing is to help clean dirty surfaces that normal washing is not equipped to clean. It would only make sense to utilize this method to clean industrial machinery that deals with dirt well beyond the normal wear and tear of everyday life.

Industrial Equipment Power Washing

Industrial equipment covers a wide range of large pieces of machinery. Some places industrial equipment is used include farms, construction sites, warehouses, and manufacturing plants, just to name a few. These facilities and locations work in and around dirt, dust and grime on a daily basis. This dirt, grease and grime can either mask a problem occurring within a piece of equipment or, if left completely untreated, may eventually cause a problem to occur. It is essential to maintain a cleaning schedule for your equipment which includes scheduled power washing on a regular basis.

Power washing allows for dirt, grease and grime to be removed which can make it easier to spot a problem, like an oil leak or a broken part. It also allows for the dirt to avoid causing problems, such as extreme erosion or clogging of parts.

Scheduling of Maintenance

Power washing your equipment should be considered a part of your regular maintenance schedule. If oil changes and inspections are completed once every three months, then power washing should be added into that rotation. The benefits will far outweigh the associated costs and will save you money in the long run. For instance, if you start your quarterly maintenance schedule with a solid power washing of the equipment, you will be better able to inspect all of the moving parts and determine if anything actually needs to be replaced. You will be less likely to miss a cog or a screw that is rusted or needs replacing allowing your production to continue smoothly with less likelihood of a future breakdown. Accidents like that could involve ceasing production for an entire day or longer, not to mention saving costs of unplanned repairs.

While regulations may mandate how often certain maintenance and inspection should be completed, it does not mandate the use of power washing. However, costs and proper business practices should mandate this and allow your business to be at the height of performance and profitability. Your bottom line actually depends on it.  

To learn more about the importance of power washing your heavy equipment, contact the experts at RTD Power Washing at 612-868-7312.  Our experts are willing and able to answer any of your questions regarding scheduling and continued maintenance of your equipment through power washing.