YOUR ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CLEANING COMPANYYOUR ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CLEANING COMPANY
January 14th, 2019
Deciding to have a pool in the backyard often begins with the most noble of intentions, including valuable family time, teaching the kids how to swim and relaxing summers spent by the pool side. However, many pool owners quickly find pool maintenance to be quite the opposite of relaxing and the wearisome task of cleaning or resurfacing the pool often gets pushed to the backburner, which means that notion of a perfect summer by the pool becomes pointless when you realise the pool is full of algae and sludge.
The good news is cleaning and maintaining your pool doesn’t have to be difficult. With some basic tips and maintenance, you can ensure your pool stays in top condition when warmer weather comes around.
Pool Skimming
Skimming the surface of your pool every few days is probably the easiest and most basic way to maintain your pool. Using a net with a long handle, you can remove bugs, leaves and other debris from your pool’s surface. This not only improves the pool’s circulation system, but also lessens the amount of chlorine you will need to add to the pool.
Pool Scrubbing
Similar to pool skimming, scrubbing your pool is another basic of pool maintenance. It does require a bit more elbow grease but does not need to be done as often. The type of scrub brush you need will depend on the material of your pool walls. Scrubbing is essential to removing algae and calcium deposits.
Filter Cleaning
In general, cleaning the pool filter only needs to be done a few times a month. It is handy to check your pool filter manual to determine precisely how often you will need to clean yours. A bit of dirt actually helps the filter stay efficient, but too much dirt will have the opposite effect.
Check the Water Levels
It is important to keep an eye on the water level to ensure it doesn’t drop below filter levels. Water levels can drop for a number of reasons, including hotter days, excessive splashing and other normal wear and tear. If you find the water level to be low, use a garden hose to top it back up to a safe level.
Water Testing and Chemical Levels
Clean water is essential to pool maintenance as this means your pool is safe to enjoy. Chlorine and PH levels are the main focus here, and you can purchase pool testing kits to check the levels yourself. It is recommended to do this only after you have consulted with a pool maintenance professional, as each pool has different ideal chemical levels.
Schedule an Annual Check-Up
Although you may see nothing noticeably wrong with your pool, particularly if you conduct basic maintenance, it is still a good idea to get a professional in to have a look once a year. This offers peace of mind and can save you costly repairs in the long run should a problem be identified. A pool service professional will look over your pool equipment and do a check on the health of your pool.
If you do spot any damage in your pool, it becomes even more important to consult with a professional expert so the issue can be addressed immediately. Restoring or resurfacing your pool means less likelihood of injury to your family from rough surfaces, prevention of further damage and an improved appearance.
At FCT Cleaning, we provide high quality pool resurfacing and restoration services at competitive prices. Whether you wish to resurface, repaint or replaster your pool, our experts have the right tools and expertise to complete the job efficiently. For an estimate, give us a call today on (08) 9204 3333.
December 6th, 2018
Having a boat offers many lifestyle benefits. Whether this means soaking up the sun with your partner or a moment of solitude out at sea, taking your boat out can be a relaxing way to spend your free time. As boats are often quite an extravagant investment, it’s important to properly maintain and clean your boat in order to keep it in good working condition and ensure it continues to shine and sparkle under the sun.
Maintaining regular upkeep of your boat is, luckily, not difficult and offers many benefits including maximum boat performance and prevention of costly repairs. It is important to check your boat before each trip out. The last thing you want is a breakdown at sea, and this can be caused by poor maintenance practices such as fuel shortage or mechanical and engine failure. By putting together a checklist and ticking it off before your take our boat out each time, you can ensure your boat trips will remain safe and pleasant.
It should be a no-brainer that preventative boat care and maintenance offers many benefits as a boat owner, but here are just a few reasons why maintaining your boat is important.
Safety
Nobody wants an unpleasant journey out to sea that can end in injury or worse, particularly if you are taking the boat out with your kids or your loved one. By ensuring your boat is always in optimum condition and checking for any irregularities prior to taking it out, you can have peace of mind when it comes to the safety of yourself and your family.
Your Boat’s Shelf Life
Practising regular boat maintenance and storing your boat properly – preferably in a boat house – will increase the lifespan of your investment. This is particularly important if you plan on selling your boat one day. Frequent inspections, battery care, and other preventative maintenance will ensure your boat runs better, safer and will be kept in prime condition when it comes the time to sell.
Better Performance
Similar to cars, you want your boat to have peak performance. This means conducting preventative maintenance and regularly changing the oil. Quite simply, and like most engines, your boat will perform better if it’s taken care of. Regularly changing the oil means saving you in long-term costs as your boat is less likely to develop an issue that will require an expensive major repair.
A Cleaner Boat
Everyone wants a clean boat to show off. If you take your boat out often, it recommended to have a professional boat cleaner like FCT Cleaning clean your boat a few times a year. Professional boat cleaning services can range from a simple clean of both the exterior and interior, to anti fouling and restoring your boat after fire damage.
At FCT Cleaning, we have several years of experience in boat cleaning, whether you are looking to sell your boat, rent it out, restore it or simply want regular professional maintenance. Our cleaning products are eco-friendly and free from phosphates, parabens, bleach and ethanol, so you can be sure there won’t be any chemical smells after the clean.
For a more detailed discussion on how we can help with your boat, give FCT Cleaning a call today on (08) 9204 3333 or contact us via our website.
November 29th, 2018
Fires can happen at any time and the experience is always traumatic for those involved. It means not only the loss of your personal belongings, but also your home or business, not to mention the extensive damage fires cause to a property. It is understandably difficult to remain calm in such a high-stress situation, but it is important to start thinking about how to restore your property so that life can go back to normal as soon as possible.
The below steps should be taken immediately after a fire has occurred in order to minimise damage and start the restoration process.
The first action to take is to contact a Fire Damage Restoration service like FCT Cleaning. A qualified fire restoration contractor is able to assess the damage to your property and provide you with a cost estimate, as well as advise you on how best to begin the clean-up process.
You should also contact your home insurance company to let them know that a fire has occurred. They should be able to answer any concerns you have about what happens next and also provide you with properly licensed business referrals that can assist you with the restoration. This is important, as you want to avoid “fire chasing” contractors who target victims of house fires and pressure them into signing expensive repair contracts while performing low-quality repair work.
By using a licensed and insured fire damage restoration company, you reduce the risk of further damage to your property. They are professionally trained to handle fire damage and will do everything possible to help you through this difficult time.
Fire Damage Restoration services will perform a more thorough clean up using industrial-grade products and equipment such as dry cleaning soot sponges and specialised vacuum filters. They will also help to save as much of your personal belongings as possible. This can include appliances, clothing and furniture. It is best to keep a record of everything they remove from your home by taking pictures of each item and keeping a notebook that can be referred to when needed. Once the fire restoration is complete, any salvageable appliances and furniture items will be returned to your property.
Using a fire restoration service means that they will work quickly and professionally to get your property back to normal as soon as possible, and will stay in touch with you post-restoration to ensure that all repairs were done correctly and your property isn’t experiencing any further problems.
Fires can caused prolonged damage. While some signs are apparent such as wall discolouration and smoke stains, others are more obscure. Air conditioner vents, spaces behind walls and other hidden areas can contain ash and soot, and will continue to cause problems if not repaired. It is recommended you have the property inspected thoroughly by professionals to determine what needs to be done.
At FCT Cleaning, we have over 20 years of industry experience and our friendly team is always at hand to help you with any concerns you might have about fire damage. We are fully licensed professionals and specialise in fire damage restoration and cleaning. Contact us for an obligation-free quote today.
November 19th, 2018
Deciding to have a pool in the backyard often begins with the most noble of intentions, including valuable family time, teaching the kids how to swim and relaxing summers spent by the pool side. However, many pool owners quickly find pool maintenance to be quite the opposite of relaxing and the wearisome task of cleaning or resurfacing the pool often gets pushed to the backburner, which means that notion of a perfect summer by the pool becomes pointless when you realise the pool is full of algae and sludge.
Being able to enjoy your pool is just one benefit of regular pool maintenance. Reducing the risk of hazards, prolonging the life span of your pool and saving on costly repairs are also perks of have your pool frequently inspected. The good news is cleaning and maintaining your pool doesn’t have to be difficult, particularly if you enlist the help of a professional company such as FCT Cleaning. Below are just some of the benefits of regular pool maintenance.
Saves Money
Regular inspections of your pool will ensure potential issues are spotted before they escalate into further damage, which can mean much more costly repairs in the long run. Having your pool inspected means minor repairs can be carried out immediately.
Keeps your Family Safe
A dirty pool is never fun to swim in, but the health risks involved poses a much bigger problem for you and your loved ones. If your pool has the incorrect pH levels or the amount of chemicals is not properly balanced, this can cause harm to you and your family. Frequently checking these levels in your pool is paramount in keeping it safe for everyone to enjoy.
Keeps your Pool Looking Good
There is nothing more off-putting than a pool that is covered in mould, grime and fungus, or one that has debris, insects and leaves scattered all around the surface. Regular maintenance of your pool means that it is kept in top, crystal clear condition and will never be an eyesore to you or your house guests. This becomes even more important when it comes time to sell your property.
Eliminates Worry
Perhaps the most important part of regular pool maintenance is the peace of mind you get from knowing all components and parts are running smoothly and the pool is always safe for you and your family to use at any time. This is where a professional cleaning company can really help as they will do all the dirty work for you. All you will need to worry about is finding the time to take a dip.
At the end of the day, regular inspection of your pool means you will be alerted to any potential problems as soon as possible. If you do spot any damage, it becomes even more important to consult with a professional expert so the issue can be addressed immediately. Restoring or resurfacing your pool means less likelihood of injury to your family from rough surfaces, prevention of further damage and an improved appearance.
At FCT Cleaning, we provide high quality pool resurfacing and restoration services at competitive prices. Whether you wish to resurface, repaint or replaster your pool, our experts have the right tools and expertise to complete the job efficiently. For an estimate, give us a call today on (08) 9204 3333.
October 16th, 2018
Many homeowners invest a lot of time, money and effort into making their driveway look good as it is often the first home feature visitors will see when they enter your property. However, years of wear and tear can often leave your driveway looking less than impressive. Stains such as tyre marks, car oil spills, dirt and grime build-up, as well as general abrasion from frequent foot traffic can all contribute to a rundown driveway.
Luckily, high pressure cleaning is one of the most effective ways to clean your driveway and return it to its original state. It is not only environmentally-friendly, but stains can be removed in a matter of minutes while also clearing your driveway of any harmful bacteria and fungus. Below are just a few of the benefits of high pressure cleaning driveways.
Time-Effectiveness
Spending hours scrubbing your driveway is not very time-effective when you lead a busy lifestyle. The task is often labour intensive and tedious, not to mention you may not even remove the stains that have worn into the pavement. The amount of time and effort saved by hiring a professional to do high pressure cleaning means that you can dedicate your hours to more important things like spending time with your family and friends.
Curb Appeal
If you are thinking of selling your home, “curb appeal” becomes very important. The last thing you want is a stained and worn down driveway turning off your potential buyers and decreasing the value of your property. High pressure cleaning will restore your driveway to its original pristine condition and you will be able to showcase your property to buyers without worry.
Cost-Effectiveness
Maintaining your driveway regularly means less costs in the future. By prolonging the lifespan of your driveway with high pressure cleaning, you will be alerted to any cracks or damage on your driveway that need immediate attention. In the long run, this becomes highly cost-effective as major repairs can be avoided with some simple preventative maintenance.
Environmentally-Friendly
A major advantage of high pressure cleaning is its minimal environmental impact due to no chemicals being used. The water pressure is enough to clear the dirt, grime and stains off your driveway without releasing harmful chemicals into the drains. This makes high pressure cleaning a very attractive option for those wishing to be more eco-conscious.
Safety is Key
The build-up of mould, algae, oil and dust on a driveway can reduce friction on the surface, making it hazardous for your family and visitors. High pressure cleaning ensures these depositions are removed and that your driveway remains safe for all to use.
High pressure cleaning isn’t exclusive to driveways. It is an effective cleaning method for large areas including patios, BBQ areas and garages. FCT Cleaning has over 20 years of experience with high pressure cleaning and other cleaning services at very affordable prices. To chat with a friendly member of our team or for an obligation-free quote, give FCT Cleaning a call today on (08) 9204 3333.
September 19th, 2018
Signs of efflorescence developing on building wall (left) and results of surface cleaning (right)
If you have ever seen a white, powdery substance on the surface of a concrete or brick wall, you may be looking at something called “efflorescence”.
What is Efflorescence?
Most tradesmen and builders will have come across efflorescence at some stage. In French, efflorescence means to “flower out”. In this case, it is the “flowering out” of salt and mineral deposits on building surfaces such as concrete, masonry, brick and natural stone. It can have a white or grayish tint and take on a powdery form. As the salt deposits are white in colour, efflorescence is generally more noticeable on darker coloured surfaces.
While some may think of efflorescence as merely an aesthetic issue, the presence of this chalky substance can also be an indication of moisture intrusion that could lead to more major structural issues within the building.
What causes Efflorescence?
To put it simply, efflorescence happens when water-soluble salt migrates to the surface of a porous material. This forms a coating on the surface. Both water and salt is needed for efflorescence to make an appearance as moisture is what causes the salt to crystallise. The water could already be present in the surface itself or it can come from external sources such as rain and washing down surfaces. In many cases, efflorescence occurs during home construction when building surfaces are not properly covered overnight, allowing them to absorb moisture from rain and soil. While efflorescence is more common during the winter seasons due to the increased likelihood of wet weather conditions, it can still occur all year round.
Can Efflorescence be prevented?
The best way to remove efflorescence is to prevent it from happening in the first place. In general, efflorescence will only stop developing when the source of moisture is discovered and eliminated. This, however, is not always possible so it is likely that the salts will continue to reappear over time.
It is important and helpful to consider the formation of efflorescence during the early stages of a construction project as there are a number of construction techniques that can be used to minimise the chance of efflorescence developing such as proper storage of masonry materials, installation of capillary breaks or use of a sealant.
Before and after efflorescence cleaning
The Benefits of Efflorescence Cleaning
If left ignored, efflorescence can lead to more severe structural damage, deterioration or the formation of mould. While the substance itself is not harmful and is often seen as an aesthetic issue, if efflorescence is not properly examined and dealt with in a timely manner, it can lead to more expensive costs to fix the problem.
It is also recommended to remove efflorescence prior to painting as a surface with signs of efflorescence makes for a poor and brittle base that can stop paint from adhering to the surface effectively, thereby increasing the need for repairs in the future.
Before and after results of efflorescence cleaning
It is important to get efflorescence examined by a professional to determine if there are underlying issues that need to be addressed. Here at FCT, we have over 20 years of experience in professional surface cleaning so you can be confident leaving your efflorescence cleaning needs in our hands. We are a fully mobile operation and pride ourselves in providing exceptional service at competitive prices.
For an obligation-free quote or if you would like more information about what we can for you, please contact our friendly team on (08) 9204 3333 or email us at admin@fctcleaning.com.au.
July 10th, 2018
For many Australians out there, they will be renting a property instead of living in one that they own. This can be for many different reasons, but commonly it is because someone is saving for a deposit for their own home. Others may be wanting to try out a certain area to see if they like it before they buy, and some will have recently gone through a separation or divorce and so will need to rent for a while until they can get back on their feet. But no matter the reason for renting, it is always important to leave a building in tip-top condition when it comes time to leave. This is not only to pay respect to the building that has housed someone for the duration of their tenancy, but it is also a great way for people to ensure that they will have their full bond payments returned. Furthermore, it can build trust with the landlord and make it more likely that they will give them a positive reference if the person ever wants to rent again. It can also simply be common courtesy to leave a home in the best condition possible.
What is usually involved in an end-of-lease clean?
For some, when they complete an end-of-lease clean, they will think about the basics such as sweeping, vacuuming, dusting, and moping. There is actually a lot more involved in the process which is why so many people will hire professional help such as ourselves here at FCT. Many will not know that they will need to complete tasks such as cleaning the inside of an oven, washing walls, getting rid of cobwebs, hosing down windows, and clearing any overgrown garden areas. Another area that many people forget to focus on is driveways or any paths areas. The reason why it can be important to take care of these areas is because vehicles such as cars and motorbikes are driven over and parked on these areas. This means that they can suffer from tyre marks, dirt, and even oil leaks. A great way to make sure that outdoor paved areas are taken care of is with professional high-pressure cleaning. While this is not regularly the first thing that people will think of when it comes to an end-of-lease clean, it can actually be a great investment as it can lift the whole appearance of a building and help ensure that bond payments are returned in their entirety.
What does professional high-pressure cleaning involve?
Professional high-pressure cleaning is a completely mobile service where a company such as ourselves here at FCT will come to a property to take care of driveways, barbeque areas, outdoor furniture, and patios. We bring our own equipment which is designed to remove grime, grease, and dirt without damaging the integrity of the surface. This service is completely affordable and is the perfect way to take care of a building when ending a rental lease. Renters are able to implement professional high-pressure cleaning to not only impress their landlords with the immaculate condition that they leave a building, but they can ensure that they receive all of their bond payment back as well. This is why it can be so important to think about these types of services when it comes to an end-of-lease clean.
June 11th, 2018
Graffiti refers to a written slogan or drawing that has been sprayed, scratched or scribbled on to a wall or another surface in a public place. Whilst spray painted graffiti is the most common, drawings and tags in permanent marker or other substances are common sights around Perth. Not only is graffiti illegal; it is an unsightly eyesore that can greatly impact the overall presentation or value of a building.
There are several methods to remove graffiti safely and effectively:
FCT Cleaning specialise in graffiti removal on all kinds of surfaces on both public and private premises. We understand that graffiti can greatly impact the overall appearance of your property, and that the timely and efficient removal of graffiti is essential. FCT Cleaning have held a government contract for graffiti removal in the greater Perth area for over 20 years, and our professional team are fully trained to handle the removal of graffiti from all kinds of surfaces.
