Frequently Asked Questions

Published on: December 12th, 2022

Chemwash Waikato FAQs

Our most frequently asked questions are answered below. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 07 854 9815, or send us an email. We are here to help!

How much does it cost to clean a house?

Every house has unique cleaning requirements, which means that the cost will vary from property to property. That’s why Chemwash offers customised free quotes with no obligation. Our experienced staff will visit your property personally to make sure your cost estimate is accurate, rather than overestimated.

For instance, let’s consider a typical single-storey weatherboard house. We will clean from the top of the outside gutter and proceed downwards, washing across the fascia, under the soffit, and then finally down the walls to the ground. A standard wash for this kind of property will typically cost around $280, which includes GST.

If you are intending to paint your house, the quote may be a bit higher, as it requires a slightly different process. This is because we also have to remove any loose, flaky, or oxidised surface coatings. If you are unsure what kind of wash your house needs, there’s no need to worry. We’re happy to inspect your property and advise accordingly.

In addition to our standard house washing, we also offer special roof treatments, gutter clean-outs, and pest control services as part of our Full House Package. And if you book our Full House Package, you’ll also get a 10% discount. For more details, just ask our team, or request a free quote online.

Which products do you use?

Our cleaning formula is essentially made up of common household ingredients. There’s nothing in there that you won’t find under your kitchen sink. We often compare it to washing up liquid, with a few other ordinary chemicals added. We also add a lot of water to our formula to help remove dirt and grime.

As a leading exterior cleaning company, we also have access to a range of products designed to address various cleaning challenges. We’re happy to discuss any specifics with you and develop a customised cleaning plan. If you have any concerns about our products, we can provide you with the relevant safety data sheets.

We don’t want any water blasting!

Rest assured, our cleaning process is much gentler and safer than water blasting. Instead of relying on high pressure, we use a combination of detergent (we call it soap) and low-pressure washing. It’s basically quite similar to washing the dishes. The soap is sprayed onto the surface, allowing it to stick to the dirt and grime. This can then be easily washed away without affecting the surfaces themselves. Our machines use far less pressure than even the most basic water blaster, ensuring that your surfaces are not at risk of being damaged. That means you can have peace of mind knowing your property is in safe hands.

Will it kill my plants?

Our detergents are biodegradable, and specifically designed to not kill plants. Regardless, we still take great care to avoid spraying directly on them, and take all the necessary precautions to ensure they remain unharmed. However, we understand that even as good as we are, some overspray can occasionally happen. Therefore, just to be safe, we recommend taking some simple steps to protect your plants. Before we start the cleaning process, we suggest that you water your plants to create a protective layer of moisture. Then, after we’ve gone, give them another rinse. If you prefer, we can even take care of this for you. Just let us know!

Will it hurt my pets?

Our detergents are also designed to be safe for use around both pets and people. However, we do recommend keeping your pets inside while we are cleaning your property. Additionally, if we are spray treating cobbles or driveways, it is advisable to keep your pets away from the treated areas until they have dried completely.

What if my roof is covered in lichen and moss?

The best way to remove moss and lichen from your roof (and the most cost effective) is a spray treatment. The spray is applied to the affected area and left to work together with the weather. This kills off any moss, mould, or lichen, and can keep it off the roof for up to two years. We guarantee its effectiveness on this basis.

Note that it can take up to six weeks for the material to die, and then six to nine months for it to be washed or blown away with the wind and rain. To prevent it from coming back, we recommend spray treating your roof every two years.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for an instant result, we can wash the roof in the traditional manner (depending on the roof). However, this method is not recommended unless you’re planning to paint the roof afterward. It can be more time-consuming, and access equipment or scaffolding may be needed. Additionally, the roots of the lichen may be embedded in the coated surface, making it impossible to remove without damaging the coating. This could result in a patchy or stripy appearance. Typically, a spray treatment for a standard three-bedroom box type house costs around $280, while a standard wash can cost three or four times more.

Will a spray treatment be sufficient if I’m planning to paint my roof?

Unfortunately, no. A spray treatment will not sufficiently prepare your surface for painting. If you are planning to paint your house, we would recommend having any loose, flaky, or oxidized paintwork removed before proceeding. However, the good news is that we can help with this process as well. Our team can remove the old paintwork, leaving your surface ready for painting. We can even recommend a trusted painter to come in and finish the job once we’ve done our part.

My roof looks all dusty, can you clean it?

If the roof is made of metal, or a bit old, the dusty look is most likely oxidization. Oxidation is a natural process that occurs over time due to exposure to the elements, especially UV rays. It can cause discoloration and fading of the roof paint. Think of it like curtains fading in the sun.

Unfortunately, this can make it difficult to achieve a consistent look after cleaning. While we can clean the roof and remove dirt and grime, we cannot restore the paint to its original colour or evenness. Therefore, painting the roof is recommended after cleaning to ensure a uniform appearance.

What about pollen?

It is possible to remove pollen from a roof, but there is a catch. Similar to lichen, pollen can become embedded in the roof’s surface, and removing it may cause damage to the roof coating. This can result in an uneven appearance that can only be fixed by painting the roof. For those who do not wish to paint their roof, we suggest waiting until pollen season has ended and allowing the pollen to decompose naturally. At that point, we can apply a spray treatment to remove any remaining pollen, although this process may take some time to be fully effective.

My house is two storey, can you reach that high?

Of course! We have various options available to clean homes of any shape or size. Our 8.2-metre-long ladders can usually get us to the top storey of most houses. They are also specially designed to not lean on your gutters and cause damage. In some cases, we may need to use rope and harness equipment to access the roof. Most of the time though, we can clean roofing safely and effectively from our ladders or even from the ground. If needed, we can also provide specific access equipment to get the job done. Rest assured, we’ll find a safe way to get your home cleaned, no matter the situation.

My gutters are full, can you clean them out?

Absolutely! Gutters are often neglected and can cause problems if they become clogged. The main issue with gutters is that they are not visible to the eye. It is only when something goes wrong that they are noticed. That’s why it is best to have them cleaned regularly to avoid any potential problems. We do not recommend fixed mesh-type gutter guards, as they tend to have material grow through them. This makes your gutters much more difficult to access and clean out.

How often gutters should be cleaned can vary depending on the location. In some areas, the build up of material can occur quickly and require a clear out twice a year. However, in other areas, the build up may be slower. Typically, we recommend having gutters cleaned out at least once a year, preferably before the winter months. However, we can offer more specific recommendations once we have assessed your property.

My cobbles are all dirty and need cleaning!

We offer two options for cleaning cobbles. The first is a traditional clean, which can show immediate results. However, even with our low-pressure method, there is a risk of blowing out the locking sand between the cobbles. This causes them to shift and become uneven. In this case, resanding and potentially recompacting may be necessary.

The second option is a spray treatment, which is similar to the process we use for cleaning roofs. This will refresh the appearance of your cobbles and eliminate any moss or lichen. However, this method is not a quick fix and may take six to nine months to be fully effective. Unfortunately, spray treatments will not eliminate any weeds growing between the cobbles either.

What about concrete paths?

Cleaning concrete is best done with a professional service like ours, rather than DIY. As with cobbles, we provide two options. While a standard wash will give you an immediate result, a spray treatment is more cost-effective and will work over time.

Using a high pressure water blaster for cleaning concrete is not recommended, especially if you are doing it yourself. Water blasting can cause damage to the surface and create a rough texture for dirt and mould to accumulate. It’s better to rely on professional low pressure cleaners for an effective and safe cleaning process.

Can you clean decks and make them less slippery?

Yes and yes. We can clean most decks and restore them to their natural colour. However, the results will depend on the deck’s condition and the type of wood used. We use a low-pressure, detergent-based system that provides a better outcome than a standard water blaster. Our system is gentle and will not damage or scar the wood. It will also remove residue and reduce risk of slipping in the long term.

What about my windows?

If you opt for an exterior house wash, your windows will be cleaned as part of the process. However, if you prefer, we can also clean your exterior windows separately. For window cleaning, we use a Pure Water system, which is particularly effective for new windows. This system removes all trace elements from tap water, meaning there will be no scaling and water marks left behind by the clean. While this process won’t remove existing water marks, it will leave your windows as crystal clear as physically possible.

What if I have a cedar clad house?

It’s important to note that cedar and other special timbers require specific cleaning methods and products to avoid damage. Our team have the expertise and equipment needed to clean them properly. If you have cedar or other special timber on your property, we recommend giving us a call first. We can assess the situation personally and provide the appropriate solution.

What’s in your spider control treatment?

Our spider control treatment involves a pesticide called Bifenthrin, which is commonly used in the food manufacturing industry. Although it sometimes has a slight odour at first, it is safe for use around people and pets. As a precautionary measure, we recommend that occupants leave the treated property for three to four hours to allow the pesticide to settle. Like other standard insect sprays, it can be mildly irritating before it dries, but poses no harm.

What about other pest control like cockroaches or rodents?

We’ve got you covered there too! We offer a range of pest control services that are tailored to your specific needs. Our technicians also hold the highest pest control qualification available in New Zealand.

Whether you’re dealing with ants, rodents, or other pests, we can provide effective solutions. To determine the best course of action, we’ll visit your property, assess the situation, and create a customized plan for pest removal. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Can I get a free quote?

Certainly! We offer free on-site visits to assess the areas you want us to clean. If you’d like to be there during the visit, you are more than welcome. However, we understand how busy life can get, so we can just as easily drop by when you are not home.

During the visit, we’ll take pictures of the areas that require cleaning and prepare a quote with separate pricing for each item. We also take note of any specific requests you may have. There is no obligation to proceed with all or any if the items on the quote. If you wish to exclude some, we can adjust accordingly. This way, you have an idea of the cost and can decide to proceed at your convenience.

To request your free quote, simply fill out our easy online quote form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.