Here’s how local power washing powerhouse Pristine Clean can protect your driveway, patio, and other concrete surfaces from Northeast Ohio’s destructive freeze-thaw cycle
By Mimi Vanderhaven
Have you ever noticed how concrete highways in South Florida have virtually no potholes and rarely need resurfacing? That’s because the freeze-thaw cycle that routinely reduces Cleveland’s roads to rubble doesn’t happen in more tropical regions.
The science behind this effect is somewhat complicated, but it has everything to do with the fact that, unlike most substances, water expands when it freezes. Here’s an example: Last week when some friends came over unannounced, I threw a bottle of wine in the freezer to supplement the one we had in the fridge. Unfortunately, I forgot about it, and the following day discovered the bottle had cracked. The wine (which is mostly water) froze, expanded and shattered the bottle. We asked Pristine Clean founder Ken Wilson to tell us more about protecting our concrete from meeting the same fate.
“Concrete looks solid, but it’s really porous,” Ken explains. “When water enters those pores and freezes, it expands by ten percent, which shatters the concrete. That’s why our Concrete Wash & Seal is so effective. We clean your driveway then seal it to prevent water from getting into your concrete and freezing. I’m sorry about your wine, by the way.”
And the correct sealant is crucial.
Choosing the Right Sealant
Using high-tech, walk-behind cleaning units, the techs at Pristine deep clean your concrete to clear it of dirt and contaminants, then apply a sealer made of silane-siloxane, which chemically reacts to create a hydrophobic barrier.
“The holes in the porous concrete vary in size,” Ken says. “We use this unique combination because silane fills the small spaces, and siloxane expands into the bigger spaces. Plus, after the application, our sealer will mitigate staining and protect your driveway and walkways against further contaminants, such as oils and road salt.”
In addition to its Concrete Wash & Seal service, Pristine Clean also power washes homes and cleans and revitalizes roofs. If you haven’t had your home power washed this year, you can still get that done, too, and not have to look at the built-up grime, algae and moss all winter long.
Your Concrete Is Worth Protecting
So why bother cleaning and sealing your driveway? The answer is simple: Protecting it is way cheaper than replacing it. “The cost of concrete and labor have soared over the past few years,” Ken says. “The average driveway now costs more than $15,000 to replace. That’s the average driveway.”
Part of this high price is rooted in a longtime concrete shortage, which has also encouraged manufacturers to cut corners by delivering lower-quality concrete to contractors. “That’s why today’s driveways are not the same quality as those poured many years ago,” Ken adds. “That also means they need extra protection from Northeast Ohio’s damaging freeze-thaw cycle to ensure a long life.”
Flat-Rate Pricing
Although Pristine uses advanced equipment and diligently trains its staff in the classroom and through on-the-job apprenticeships, one of the best reasons to choose Pristine is the pricing. Unlike home improvement companies that quote high prices and hope you don’t negotiate, Pristine employs a single low, flat-rate price based on the square footage of the job. And you can get an over-the-phone quote because the customer service pros can see your home on a Google Earth-style software program and give you an accurate quote on the phone. “We save homeowners money by not having to make two trips to the house—one to give the estimate and one to do the job.”
Headquartered in Berea, Pristine Clean beautifies and protects homes throughout Northeast Ohio. The company is highly rated on Google, Facebook, and HomeAdvisor, and is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau.
Call 440-454-7041 to arrange for a free estimate or visit PristineClean.com. All technicians are bonded, insured and certified by the Power Washers of North America.