The main responsibility of commercial painting in Manteca contractors is to paint your business and give it a newer and more updated look. But after their work is done, it’s now your responsibility to keep the painted walls in good condition.
If you are regularly cleaning floors, windows, and pieces of furniture, why aren’t you cleaning the walls as well? Considering how important walls are in protecting occupants and their property, they deserve the right and proper cleaning and maintenance. But before you proceed, you should be aware that some painted walls require a different cleaning approach than the others.
No matter the size of your business, cleaning painted walls should be a part of your regular preventative maintenance. It doesn’t have to require complicated tools or techniques to keep the painted walls of your business looking clean and fresh. However, it can be somewhat time-consuming, especially if you own a bigger business or a business that receives a lot of traffic. That is why cleaning the walls should best be done after operating hours or on closing days, whenever possible.
Another thing that you should not forget is that cleaning interior walls may be different compared to cleaning exterior walls. Exterior walls take a lot more beating due to several factors such as heat, moisture, dust, and soot, as well as physical damage done by man or nature. That is why cleaning exterior walls tend to take a lot more effort compared to cleaning interior walls.
Cleaning painted interior walls
If you find a significant amount of dirt, stains or smudges on your interior walls, there are many ways to clean them. However, it is important to always start at the top and work your way down when cleaning the walls.
No matter the type of paint, it is always important to dust them first before washing them. Use the soft brush attachment for your vacuum and start removing the dust from the walls. Next, wipe them down with a mop, broom covered with a clean rag. For best results, spray the walls with a dusting agent and then wipe the dust away. You can also use an electrostatic dusting cloth, brush or duster in removing those unwanted dust particles from the walls.
Wipe away fingerprints or other stains as soon as they appear. However, avoid using too much water when cleaning the walls, as it can saturate them and lead to surface problems. Leave the walls to dry completely.
Cleaning different paint finishes
It is also important to determine what kind of paint is on the wall so that you can use the proper cleaning tools and methods:
Flat, satin, eggshell these finishes are duller compared to semi-gloss, glossy and enamel paints, so it is not advisable to use a brush, harsh cleaning agents or degreasers on them. When cleaning with a sponge or rag, be mindful not to scrub too hard, or else it will damage the paint. It is important that the wet sponge or rag should be wrung out completely before scrubbing the walls.
Semi-gloss, glossy and enamel – these finishes are more durable compared to flat, eggshell, and satin, thus they are easier to clean. Paints with a high amount of gloss are typically used in high-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, restrooms, and hallways. It is fine to use a mild degreaser or a mildly caustic cleaning agent. It is also okay to use a brush, as long as you do not scrub too hard.
Cleaning painted exterior walls
Most masonry paints for exterior surfaces have self-cleaning properties; however, if your business is situated in a busy and congested area, it can quickly pick up dirt and soot over time.
Depending on your area’s climatic conditions, the overall quality of the paint product, and the level texture on the walls, cleaning approaches can vary.
It is best to do cleaning outside on a warm, dry day. First, protect anything that surrounds your commercial building – cover the plants, shrubs, bushes, and lawns near the building with plastic sheets or drop cloths. Move outdoor furniture away from the work area. Use duct tape to protect all vents, outside light fixtures, and other electrical outlets so that they won’t get damaged by the water.
It is also important to do careful and thorough inspections around the building for any smudges, stains, molds and mildew, heavy deposits of soot and grime, and efflorescence on masonry surfaces. It is better to clean them by hand first. If you wash them, the stains may run onto nearby surfaces.
Cleaning the exterior walls, in most cases, usually consists of washing the area with soap, water, a rag or a regular scrub brush, and then rinsing it thoroughly.
For removing molds and mildew: mix up a solution of one part bleach and ten parts water into a spray bottle. Then spray the affected areas. Leave them for ten to twenty minutes, then rinse them thoroughly with a hose.
For removing efflorescence: it can be done by simply washing and scrubbing. Using a stiff metal brush, plain water or mild detergent, scrub those deposits away as soon as they appear. It can also be done by power washing, but it is important to keep the pressure low as you wash the efflorescence away. A spray that’s too powerful will actually break and open new pores in concrete and brick, encouraging new efflorescence.
For cleaning large and tall buildings, commercial establishments, and facilities, the best you can do is to hire professional cleaning services. These pros have the experience and the right tools and equipment in cleaning painted exterior surfaces and improving your business’ curb appeal. They can clean almost every type of stains that can make your buildings less appealing – rust stains, accumulated dirt and soot from pollution, bird droppings, grease, grime, gum, graffiti, and a lot more. These professionals can customize their cleaning methods to keep their buildings clean and in pristine condition.
Commercial painting in Manteca service companies can also do the job of cleaning the interior and exterior walls, but mostly as part of preparing the surfaces for the new paint.