Cleaning Santa Cruz

Author: Lubell Aaron

  • How the Pros do it

    Before the pressure washing occurs on any wood deck, it’s crucial to clear out the spaces between the boards.  Here’s a look at a 15 year old wood deck in the Scotts Valley area.  After the spaces have been cleaned, the pressure washing can begin.

    I can’t stress enough how important this part of the deck maintenance process is.  Don’t expect this type of AAA service from just any pressure washing firm you happen to dial out of the yellow pages or the like.  It just doesn’t work like that.  This my friends is how the Pros do it!

  • Spring Loaded Malinois

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    Bosco RIP

  • Seasons End

    Lots to update.  Projects galore.  It was a shingle maintenance heavy summer.  Pictures to follow from all 2009 Santa Cruz County deck maintenance work too.   IMG_1386

  • Two Year Wait

    This redwood fence was erected in Fall 2007.  Like all newly constructed fences or decks, there is a waiting period before one should even consider having the wood washed and stained.  That waiting period depends on many things.  Certainly fences(anything vertically constructed) can go longer without treatment, yet there comes a time when it IS time.  This fence is in Santa Cruz Ca.  By our recommendation, it sat two years.  It began to age.  It pushed out its sap and its moisture.  In November 2009 we got the call, and made it happen.  A special blend of Biowash Natural Deck Oil was used.  The pic on the left is an “in process” shot.  The middle pic is a good look at the finished look.  The pic on the right is a closeup shot with a four legged twig trying to keep incognit0.

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    If you live in Aptos, Soquel, Santa Cruz, Pleasure Point, Scotts Valley and have deck maintenance, shingle maintenance, or fencing questions, please shoot us an email

  • Exposed Aggregate

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    Pretty straightforward before and after.  This 12 year old aggregate, like most older exposed aggregate takes some finesse to properly clean. In this case, it’s the high GPM coupled with medium/low PSI that polishes(demolishes) these rocks.  You’ve been warned!!

  • Grey or Gray?

    IMG_1249This south facing wood balcony wall gets indirect light, but no direct sun.  The graying, which ultimately will turn black, is happening because a topical sealant has been used over the years, vs. using a transparent stain.  Topical sealants, although they do protect the wood, also magnetize an extra-ordinary amount of natural debris.  Because sealants can remain sticky(especially with limited sun exposure) you can see how and why the wood can turn grey and then black.

    To prevent this from happening to wood siding or shingle siding, it’s important to properly wash the wood boards and consistently maintain the wood with quality transparent stains.  This picture is evidence as to how well dirty siding will clean up with the right kind of pressure wash.  No lap marks and no more greying. The work isn’t done though.  The next step is to apply Biowash Natural Deck Oil.

    Aptos, California.   Deck & Siding Maintenance.

    Magnificent Stuff!

  • Pristine Shingles

    IMG_1057 IMG_1059 These angled shots turned out real cool I thought.  These pictures are taken from low on the ground, looking up at a partially finished shingle maintenance project in Santa Cruz.  The unfinished shingles are clean and ready for some Biowash Natural Deck Oil.  The clients decided on Cedar Tone, and as you can clearly see from the finished portions, they made a good choice.  These shingles face west, and receive an ample amount of afternoon sun.  They are approx. 8 years old.

  • Teak Wood Furniture

    A chair or two I can knock out n/c as part of the overall job. I’ll add value to just about every job I do. However, a whole fleet of quality outdoor furniture is another story. Truth is..furniture like this takes quite a bit of effort to clean, but the end result is stunning.

    Results are key you know!!!

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  • Hardwood Decks Santa Cruz & Monterey

    This Cumaru deck located in Monterey Ca is about four years old.  The owner mentioned that Penofin Oil was used at some point maybe a few years back.  Gads!  Another Penofin Plunder.  My opinion says Penofin is a very nasty, old fashioned sort of product and shouldn’t be used on beautiful hardwood like Cumaru or Ipe’ or the like.  It’s time to get with the times!  There was virtually no product left on this particular deck when I was asked to take it over. .

    7:30 pm.  No sunlight.  Complete.  Biowash Natural Deck Oil.(Special Cumaru Blend)

    IMG_1161Not Sticky, Not Stinky

    organic

  • Chefs Patio

    150 s/f concrete slab.  4 years old

    Walnut Creek, CA

    Lacquer Finish

    IMG_0923Quite The New Spot..

  • Redwood Shingle Siding

    Biowash Natural Deck Oil
    Cedar Tone
    Protection at its very finest.
    IMG_1097Approx seven year old siding.  First time staining these shingles since it was put up new.  I believe the shingles come pre-dipped with some sort of factory wax.(as i call it) Just one small patch left to do on the East Side Wall of this gorgeous home in Santa Cruz.  Smiles everywhere..

  • Robo-Dog

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    Zeus

    State-of-the-Art Canine

    Good Boy

  • REDRUM

    With a little muscle, and a bit of love, we uncovered this “old skool” colored concrete and left it Shining.

    Get it….Shining?

  • Half Way There..

    Cumaru Deck
    Monterey, CA
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  • Custom Wood Stain

    The name in Santa Cruz for deck maintenance, shingle and/or wood siding.  These guys do it right.  They do it honestly.  

    Shingle Maintenance, Custom Wood Deck Staining and Sealing, Wood Sided Homes

    Email is cleaningsantacruz@gmail.com

    Pictures of your wood deck or siding help expedite the process.IMG_1360

    Our work is so organic, this four legged twig thingy feels right at home!

  • testing new blog software

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    Kurt Haskins-Aaron Lubell

  • seven weeks in tropics

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    this is a test

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    February 7, 2009                  March 31, 2009

  • Drying Time

    The drying time of any wood deck that has been freshly stained depends on a number of factors.  These factors, combined with the method by which the stain is applied, will ultimately determine when the boards are dry.  We typically tell our clients to stay off the deck for 24 hours, yet if the deck gets a strong shot of direct sun…it’s pretty good to go within a few hours.  Here’s a freshly stained deck on the Pasatiempo Golf Course.  Notice the decks’benches in the foreground waiting their turn at some LOVE.

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  • Carmelization

    It’s a Process

    IMG_1046Cedar Shingles

    Santa Cruz, CA

    READY?

  • Candyland

    These shingles are essentially protected forever.  They have been stained 2x over the course of five years.  These shingles are protected from massive daily sun, yet still get about 1.5 hours of afternoon sun.  They are now bullet proof, or petrified, or Kris Kringleized, or ultra-carmelized, or…

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    If the outside of this home looks this good, imagine what the inside looks like.

    Shoes OFF please!!