How Pressure Washing Can Help You Avoid Possible Lawsuits in Houston

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by Kyle Ray

Your driveway and sidewalk are the introduction of your property or home. It is the first thing you see when you arrive and the first element that greets your visitors as well. Of course, you want it to be sparkling and friendly and this is where pressure washing comes in

Pressure washing is probably one of the most effective ways to get rid of a build-up of residue, mildew, and dirt. However, this isn’t the only way a power washer can benefit you. By maintaining your driveway and sidewalks of your residential property or your workplace, pressure washing can help you reduce your legal liability. Now that’s a win. 

How Pressure Washing Can Reduce Your Legal Liability in Texas

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Without regularly maintaining frequently traveled areas, residue will slowly build up. This includes things like mildew, mold, algae, and other slippery substances. In turn, these residues become tripping hazards and can cause slips and falls. 

So, by not maintaining the surfaces frequently traveled on your property, you put people at risk of slipping and potentially hurting themselves. 

This could easily turn into a lawsuit. 

Although you can pressure wash throughout the year, you would want to focus on it in the wetter, warmer months. Although you may wish it, rain won’t get rid of the tougher stains and build-up. Moreover, pollen is usually at its peaking point during these seasons. 

By power washing your driveway and sidewalks, you not only get rid of potential slippery and dangerous areas but you also lower the spread of pollen, which can help reduce allergies. 

Steps for preventing build-up

Everyday Clean Up

One of the best ways to keep your outdoor areas in pristine condition is to maintain them daily. This means sweeping the entryways and driveway from loose laying growths. This will also help to slow down the eventual build-up of algae and mold and other growths. 

While you do this, you can put out absorbent mats, anti-slip signs as well as anti-skid paint. It will allow visitors to be observant and careful while navigating the potentially hazardous areas. 

Cleaning concrete, decks, and entryways can be very time-consuming and quite challenging physically. So, it’s best to do the basic maintenance yourself and hire a professional pressure washing company when needed. 

Through basic maintenance, like sweeping and hosing off spills immediately, you can keep your outdoor surfaces clean for longer. This, combined with pressure washing every now and then, will help keep your driveway and sidewalks clean and safe for pedestrians. 

Pressure Washing

When you notice the growths are expanding and building up, now’s the time to hire a pressure washing company

The power of pressure washing is that it can take away any unwanted debris and build-up. Cracks in driveways and concrete may invite weeds, which can also be managed through pressure washing. It is also a quick and efficient way to get a sparking and safe surface area for walking on. 

Mildew

Mildew is your great enemy when it comes to the liability of your entryways or driveways. This is a fungus that grows due to water deposits in cracks and crevices. It is extremely slippery!

When you start seeing mildew forming, it is best to treat it immediately. This can easily be handled with a pressure washing system and some bleach. After you’ve treated the surface, hose it down to get rid of all residue. Moreover, due to the slippery nature of mildew, make sure you treat it on a clear, sunny day. 

Oil Stains
As cars move in and out of your property, they may leak a bit of oil here and there. These stains are not aesthetically pleasing at all and may also lead to slip and fall liabilities. So, it is best to treat them as quickly as possible. 

Brick cleaning

There are many household tricks to absorb oil stains overnight, such as using clay-based cat litter and powder laundry detergents. However, whichever method you decide to use, make sure to wash it off the next day. 

It’s also best to bring in a pressure washing company for tough-to-remove stains. They will be able to provide a deep clean as a power washer is much stronger than a standard hose. 

The Statute of Limitations For Slips and Falls in Houston, Texas

All of the above steps will help to prevent slips and falls on your property. However, if someone does happen to slip and fall on your deck, driveway, or sidewalks, they have the complete right to file a lawsuit against you. This is because your negligence to maintain surfaces on your property may have had a hand in what happened.  

However, a statute of limitations limits the time they have to make that lawsuit known to the state’s civil court system. 

When someone slips and falls, they can file a lawsuit under personal injury. This means that it will fall under the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code section 16.003, which allows anyone two years to file a lawsuit. 

Once these two years are up, the lawsuit becomes nullified and the person can no longer present it to the state’s civil court system. 

As a property owner, you need to make sure you’re doing everything you can to avoid someone getting injured on your property and filing a lawsuit. Proper maintenance of walkways is crucial here and pressure washing is a sure-fire way to keep these areas clean and safe. 

Final Thoughts

Maintaining the general upkeep of your driveway and walkways is absolutely vital. Not only does it look beautiful and inviting, but it helps protect you and your guests. 

The buildup of residue and growths can lead to people getting injured, which can land you some pretty hot water. By hiring a pressure washing company, you can take away some of your stress. They will be able to assist you in maintaining the frequently traveled surfaces around your property. This way, you can get rid of any hazardous growths and make your outdoor areas look as good as new!

How Pressure Washing Can Help You Avoid Possible Lawsuits in Houston | Geek Window Cleaning