Pressure Cleaning in Athens, AL

Keep It Clean Services does pressure cleaning in Athens, AL for hard surfaces at homes and businesses. Concrete and siding take a beating here. Humid summers grow mildew and algae, red clay washes onto walkways, and cars leave their marks on the driveway. A garden hose will not lift any of that. Owner Bobby Redus has run Keep It Clean from East Pryor Street in Athens since 2002, and the same family-owned crew that cleans your carpet and tile can clean the outside of your home too.

What we pressure clean

We clean hard outdoor surfaces for homeowners and businesses:

• Concrete driveways
• Sidewalks, walkways and front steps
• Vinyl house siding
• Decks and fences
• Brick and pavers, like patios and paver walkways
• Parking lots for businesses

We do not clean roofs.

A customer wrote in a Google review that we "did an excellent job this past summer pressure washing my driveway," and that the job did not take long. Our photos show real driveways and a vinyl siding job, before and after.

Why concrete and siding turn dark

Concrete is full of tiny pores. Dirt, pollen, leaf stains, red clay and the film from car tires settle into them a little at a time, so a driveway goes from light gray to dark and blotchy so slowly you hardly notice. In North Alabama, the long humid summers add mildew and algae. That is the green or black film you see on the shady side of a house, on the north wall, under trees and next to the gutters.

Left alone, that growth holds moisture against the surface and keeps spreading. A walkway with algae on it can also get slick when it rains. Pressure cleaning lifts the buildup out of the surface instead of just wetting it, so the concrete and siding look clean again.

Different surfaces need different handling. Concrete can take strong pressure. Vinyl siding and wood decks and fences need a gentler touch, because too much pressure can force water behind siding panels or rough up wood. For oil and grease on concrete, we use hot water, which loosens it far better than cold. We look at what you have before we start and clean each surface the way it should be cleaned.

How a pressure cleaning visit works

1. Look and quote. We walk the areas you want cleaned, point out problem spots and give you a written price before any work starts.
2. Get ready. We move what needs moving, like doormats, planters and small furniture, and check for outlets, lights and windows that need care.
3. Clean. We work across each surface in even passes so the result looks even, with no stripes.
4. Rinse and check. We rinse the area and walk through the results with you before we leave.

Why trust us

• Local since 2002. Owner Bobby Redus runs the company from East Pryor Street in Athens and shows up on the job.
• 5.0 stars on 93 Google reviews. Read what your neighbors say on our Google Business Profile.
• Straight answers. You get a written price before we start, with no hidden fees.
• Our clean guarantee. If anything we cleaned is not right, call within 7 days and we come back and re-clean it.
• Next-day appointments. In most cases we can be there the next day, with evening and weekend work for businesses.
• One company for inside and out. Our IICRC-certified crew also does carpet cleaning and tile and grout cleaning, so you can book it all with one call.

Learn more about us or contact us at (256) 431-3226.

Questions about pressure cleaning

What is the difference between pressure cleaning and pressure washing?

Most people use the two names for the same job: spraying water at high pressure to lift dirt, mildew and stains off a hard surface. Some companies call it power washing too. What matters more than the name is how the cleaning is done. Concrete can take strong pressure, while siding and softer surfaces need a gentler approach so nothing gets damaged. When you call Keep It Clean, tell us what you want cleaned, and we will tell you how we plan to clean it before we start.

How often should I pressure clean my driveway?

For most homes in Athens, once a year keeps a driveway looking good. If your driveway is shaded, sits under trees or stays damp, mildew and algae come back faster, so it may need cleaning more often. Driveways with heavy car traffic or red clay runoff from the yard also get dirty quicker. Spring is a popular time, after the pollen and before summer gets going. Fall works well too, after the leaves drop. If you are getting ready to sell your home, a clean driveway makes a strong first impression.

Can pressure cleaning remove oil stains?

Pressure cleaning lifts surface dirt, mildew and grime well, and we use hot water on oil and grease, because heat loosens it far better than cold water. Old oil stains that soaked deep into the concrete over years may not come out all the way, because the oil sits below the surface. Fresh spots come out more easily than old ones. We look at each stain during the walk-through and tell you honestly what we expect before we start, so there are no surprises. If a stain will only lighten, we say so up front.

Is pressure cleaning safe for vinyl siding?

Yes, when it is done the right way. Vinyl siding should not be blasted at full pressure, because too much force can push water behind the panels or damage them. Siding needs a gentler approach than concrete. Our photos show a vinyl siding job before and after, where the green film on the wall came off and left the siding bright again. If you have older siding, loose panels or damaged spots, point them out during the walk-through so we can work around them.

What causes the green and black stains on my house?

The green, black or gray film on siding is usually mildew and algae. North Alabama's warm, humid weather is perfect for them, so they grow fastest on the shady side of the house, near trees and bushes, and on walls that stay damp. They are not just a looks problem. The film holds moisture against your home and keeps spreading if nobody cleans it. Pressure cleaning removes it so your siding looks clean again. Trimming back plants that touch the house can help slow it from coming back.

Do I need to be home for pressure cleaning?

Not always. Since pressure cleaning is outside work, many customers are at work while we clean. We do need water access, usually an outside spigot, and a way to reach the areas you want cleaned, so unlock any gates. We will walk the job with you first, in person or by phone, and give you a written price. Please close windows near the work area, move cars out of the driveway, and keep pets inside while we work. We will let you know when we are done.

How long does pressure cleaning take?

A typical driveway takes a few hours or less, depending on its size and how dirty it is. One customer wrote that the job on their driveway did not take long. House siding takes longer than a driveway, because each wall gets handled with care. Bigger jobs, like a long walkway plus the whole house, can take most of a day. We give you a time estimate along with your written price, so you know what to expect before we start.

Do you pressure clean for businesses?

Yes. We pressure clean for businesses as well as homes, including parking lots, sidewalks and entrances. A clean entrance and parking lot tell customers you care about your place. For businesses, we work evenings and weekends, so you do not have to close your doors while we clean. If you also need regular cleaning inside the building, ask about our janitorial cleaning service. Call us and tell us what you need cleaned, and we will put a written quote together.

Do I need to do anything before you arrive?

A few small things help the job go smoothly. Move cars out of the driveway and garage entry. Clear doormats, planters, toys and outdoor furniture off the areas you want cleaned, or tell us and we will move light items. Close windows and doors near the work. Make sure we can reach an outside water spigot and that gates are unlocked. Keep pets inside until we finish. If you know of loose siding, cracked concrete or a fragile spot, tell us when we arrive.

What areas do you serve for pressure cleaning?

Our shop is on East Pryor Street in Athens, and we do pressure cleaning for homes and businesses across Limestone County and North Alabama. That includes Decatur, Madison, Huntsville, Hartselle, Tanner and Elkmont. Next-day appointments are usually available. If you are near Athens and not sure we cover your street, call (256) 431-3226 and ask. You can book carpet or tile cleaning for the same visit, so the inside of your home gets done along with the outside. We are open Monday through Friday 9 to 5 and Saturday 10 to 3.