Waukesha County Home

A pressure washer is a versatile cleaning tool that will save you countless time and energy and does a fantastic job of boosting cleaning performance for a renewed sparkle to surfaces. The high-pressure water stream gener- ates a cleaning action to remove paint, mold, grime, dust, mud and dirt from sur- faces and objects such as buildings, vehi- cles, fences, walks and driveways. Decades ago, people cleaned challenging surfaces with steam cleaners, sand blasters and chemical compounds. Pressure wash- ers have replaced these processes and proven to be more effective. A pressure washer refreshes and rejuve- nates surfaces at a relatively much lower expense than replacement costs or restora- tion projects. Additional background about pressure washers: ■ Powered by either gas or electric motors. ■ Mixes water and other liquids with compressed air to generate a powerful stream. ■ Can be fitted with different types of nozzles that eject water in a fan pattern or a thin jet of water which spirals around rap- idly. Some nozzles allow detergent to be introduced into the water stream to help with the cleaning process. ■ Sometimes when repairing or restoring a surface, it is critical to remove as much grime and grease as possible to insure the best adhesion of new materials. ■ Pressure washing gets into the cracks and crevices and increases the cleaning per- formance. Remember: Be careful when using a pressure washer and keep in mind if held too close to a surface, the high-velocity water jet can etch or damage surfaces. Be careful with the velocity when cleaning boats, washing vehicles, cleaning sidewalks or other surfaces. Start small and experi- ment with the amount of pressure when doing any pressure-washer project. (Article courtesy of Menards.) When it comes to building a new deck, fence or dock, now more than ever, today's busy consumers want something that's low- maintenance, high-value and will last a long time. Composite decking attributes include: ■ Stand the test of time, resisting splin- tering, splitting, cracking, warping, rotting and insect infestation while providing the look of real wood; ■ Made from recycled wood fiber and plas- tic polymer composition that may have oth- erwise ended up in a landfill; ■ Easy to clean with mild detergents and water using a garden hose or pressure washer; ■ Typically comes in a variety of colors including cedar, gray, redwood and rose- wood tones; ■ Never needs to be stained or treated, further reducing the cost to the consumer and toll on the environment; ■ Quick, easy to install just like a tradi- tional wood deck with standard woodwork- ing tools; ■ High-slip resistance and anti-splinter technology. Composite decking can be used to build fences, railings, benches, steps, caps, picnic tables and other outdoor solutions. HOME MAY 2018 2 Distributed by: ©2018 by Conley Media Waukesha County Home is published monthly by Conley Media - Waukesha County, 801 N. Barstow St., Waukesha, WI 53186. Contents of this publication may not be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publisher. A publication of Conley Media Sales Director: Jim Baumgart 262/513-2621 jbaumgart@conleynet.com Editor: Dan Muckelbauer 262/513-2626 dmuck@conleynet.com Production: Patricia Scheel 262/513-2690 pscheel@conleynet.com Home Volume 7 ■ Number 5 ■ May 2018 Dousman 262.468.6683 www.yoderheatingandcooling.com $79.99 Expires 6/31/18 AC TUNE-UP ARE YOU READY FOR SUMMER? 260451001 Durability is just one feature of composite decking Weathering spring: Time will tell how hard season has been for the air to warm up but the soil as well. Wied said cold soil and rain can cause seeds to rot out. "Just because the air is warm doesn't mean the soil is warm," she said. Matt, who grows organic heirloom tomatoes at Plant Land, agrees that gar- deners should wait until the end of May to plant tender vegetables. "It can't be below 50 degrees for these plants," she said. Exercising patience is often necessary when it comes to growing certain vegeta- bles successfully. "When you take a hot-season plant out too early, you risk loss," Piala said. April 1 marked Piala's 40th anniver- sary in the business. Although a happy event, the Pialas, second-generation own- ers, feel the weather didn't cooperate. Because this has been a "slow" spring, it's hard to tell now if fruit trees have been affected, Wied said. She noted that ice can often be more damaging to plants than snow, which tends to have an insulating effect. Under-cover protection Those concerned about flowers and other plants can cover them with a sheet or other protective layer. Also, Wied recommends people focus on putting warmer plants out at the end of May, when temperatures are typically higher than they are earlier in the month. "You can still have a great growing sea- son," she said. Piala said people with planting ques- tions should call nurseries or experi- enced gardeners for advice. When it comes to hot-weather vegeta- bles, she recommends a hardening-off technique, which involves taking a plant from a warm environment and placing it in a cool environment, then taking it back to warm conditions. Wied advises people to follow planting recommendations and to call the UW- Extension Horticulture Help Line, 262- 548-7779, or email uwex1@waukesha- county.gov if needed. "Just know what you are putting in and what the requirements are," she said. Continued from Page 1 Under pressure for spring cleaning

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