Don wanted some responsible pressure cleaning when he called us to clean, acid etch and paint the concrete driveway/car park and main entrance to one of his suburban retail outlets over the coming Easter break.
We hadn’t heard from him in a number of years although we did routinely do responsible pressure cleaning for him in the past.
When we went to measure up we were shocked to see the condition of the surface. It appears he’d been opting for cheaper quotes and engaged contractors who either didn’t know what they were doing ….or simply didn’t give a damn. It was quite evident they had been using pressure washers (Gurni’s) which had gouged the substrate.
Don ultimately became apprehensive that further pressure washing, even responsible pressure cleaning, might simply highlight the pre-existing damage to his treasured concrete shop entrance, so he decided not to proceed. Regrettably the damage has already been done and lamentably the gateway to his business is almost beyond salvation at reasonable cost.
There are a number of ways deterioration like this can occur but usually it’s attributable to four basic causes: –
- Inexperienced operator (leaving a rotary head on in a set position whilst taking a phone call)
- Using equipment with too much pressure and too little water volume, which tends to bite or slice into the surface (eg: 5000 psi & 21 litres/minute)
- Use of the wrong head on the lance (turbo head when it should have been a fan-jet)
- Failure to use chemicals or use of the wrong chemicals
Pictures below show block walls at a Brisbane Tertiary Institution that have been ruined by inappropriate use of pressure cleaning equipment.
We recommend you engage contractors who know what they’re doing. Some Companies have been around for years just like us but their employees, or in some cases sub-contractors, are relatively inexperienced.
Call Waterworks on (07) 3300 6100 – employees of our Quality Assured Company have between 20 and 30 years experience and all of that at Waterworks Professional Exteriors.
At the initiative of Logan City Mayor, Pam Parker, several local volunteers, primarily from the Islamic community converged on the Beenleigh Tree Farm on Saturday 9/02/13 to assist in restoration of the property, which was looking like a war zone early in the day.
Intrec Constructions, who have been working at the Council Chambers, organized bobcats from Gecko and high volume water blasting equipment from Waterworks, to augment hired equipment from local hire firm Harrisons.
The photos below give a fair indication of the mess left by the receding waters of the Logan River which inundated the property during the recent floods.
After putting in a solid day’s work the volunteers (numbering approximately 50) then set off on the long drive to Bundaberg where their offers of assistance will undoubtedly be warmly appreciated.
Many thanks to Beenleigh Rotary who were on hand to provide a BBQ lunch complete with halal sausages.
In the aftermath of the devastation wrought by ex TC Oswald the turbidity levels at Brisbane’s prime water filtration site at Mt Crosby reached crisis point mid week threatening a possible system collapse.
The filters clogged and required cleaning for re-starts resulting in supply problems of clean tap water in Brisbane’s suburbs.
Premier Newman and Lord Mayor Quirk appealed to the public via various media outlets to limit water usage to the bare essentials and this was followed up in the form of a Ministerial Directive issued on Tuesday night.
Early Wednesday morning the External Cleaning Industry Association (ECIA) informed Members of the unfolding potential crisis and asked them to curtail clean up activities involving the use of town water, in compliance with that Directive.
ECIA Director Kevin Halpin said early today:
“We’re pleased with the response of our Members in postponing building cleaning jobs in the short term to avert a possible drinking water crisis. Most of us are suitably equipped to carry out other necessary tasks, such as pumping out flooded basements or sourcing water from outside the town supplies, in any case. It is a bit of a worry however, when others in the Industry don’t show any restraint. I strongly urge members of the public to be aware of the potential water shortage and the impact this might have on Brisbane’s limited supplies and give some thought to who they are engaging to do their clean up work.”
If you have signed up for Solar Panels for your home or business, plan ahead with some basic roof maintenance first.
When you think about it, it’s pretty basic stuff ….if these people had left their roof restoration till after the event, they’d be faced with the prospect of temporarily removing their panels (at considerable cost) or simply having the roofer work around them (less than satisfactory) to effectively repoint the ridge capping – the panels overlap the ridges – not to mention the problems trying to paint.
As AFL Legend and Aussie “Lambassador” Sam Kekovich would say…”You know that makes sense!”
This roof was done by our tradesmen just prior to the solar panels’ installation.
The owner is also keeping cool through the summer months and delighted with the choice of quality insulation paint which, though a Terra Cotta colour, manages to effectively keep the temperature well below what would otherwise be the case. Yes folks you don’t have to stick to White and Pastels. High quality Insulation Paint now comes in a variety of colours …such as Bluestone and Charcoal and they do an excellent job.
Ring (07) 3300 6100 for an obligation-free* quote.
* We do high pressure water blasting; not high pressure sales.
It makes real “cents” to clean your factory/warehouse dirty skylights in this age of escalating power costs.
The photos below show stark contrasts between the before and after (sample) condition of the dirty skylights and their effects, both above and below (where it counts most). You don’t need much imagination to gauge how much more light comes streaming in on a sunny day…but even on overcast days you can probably settle for half lights and still be compliant with safety requirements.
Ring (07) 3300 6100 now to put yourself in the picture.
Rooftop view of alsynite dirty skylight cleaned up.
Sample clean topside view of skylight
The photos below show the same warehouse following the owners decision to press ahead with the project. Two of our Safe Work at Heights operators undertook the task just prior to Christmas 2012 with a ground crew keeping a close eye on the vacuum/recycling equipment ensuring waste was adequately treated on-site.
The underside prior to cleaning
light up
Richlands warehouse roof
Skylights & solar panels
No need for lights here
You should have the general idea re the substantial improvement in visibility.
High above the city mall in the wee hours
It was with much fanfare that these artworks were unveiled earlier in the year on the Wintergarden’s walls in the Brisbane City Mall, Edward Street and more recently, Elizabeth Street (opposite the Irish Club).
With strobe backing lights, after dark they really bring the City’s central hub to life and are treasured assets adding spark to Brisbane’s nightlife.
We have been charged with the responsibility of their regular maintenance and this is currently being carried out on at three-monthly intervals, but, you won’t see us (in the Mall at least), unless you’re having a particularly late night.
Large articulated booms are skillfully manoeuvred into position by our experienced operators to wash, without damaging, the delicate surfaces at close range.
This photo gives some indication of what’s involved in the City Mall and the one on the next page shows us accessing the artwork in Elizabeth St.
Cleaning building art in downtown Brisbane
Waterworks are occasionally offered projects which are a little different from our normal roof cleaning, external building restoration and surface rejuvenating. Such projects are a challenge we love to accept and to achieve an excellent result is always our aim.
Cleaning external building artwork comes with the challenges of access usually involving height, and time constraints dictated by city bylaws and traffic. We are always equal to the task.
This sculpture stretches from the rear facade of the recently demolished Regent Theatre along the Wintergarden car park taking in parts of the Hilton up to the Embassy Hotel in downtown Brisbane.
During this current patch of wet weather, it might pay dividends to check the safety of your driveway.
If you have a steep drive you should give some thought to getting it pressure cleaned.
Look at these pictures of slippery drives and you be the judge. I wouldn’t want my family or friends visiting (in two wheel drive vehicles) taking risks in the present spate of bad weather.