Recent content by Mirage Cleaners

I used a surface cleaner to clean a concrete driveway that was only about 3 years old. The customer was a little disappointed that the texture of the concrete was worn away. I'm talking about the lines that are left when the concrete layer sweeps a broom over the wet cement before it dries and...

This spring will be the first time I'll have an employee on the books. I know nothing about how to take the appropriate deductions from his paycheck and I'd hate to pay an accountant just for 1 employee. I'm afraid of screwing up and being hit with penalties. I'm sure I can do it if only I...

Thanks for all the advice, but I'm wondering what's the best formula for charging a fair price for the 1st cleaning and then maintenance. Do you actually measure the entire area for square footage? I feel most comfortable charging by the hour, because when dealing with pesky gum it's hard...

Are fast food chains frugal or is it me?? I started doing flat work for a fast food chain recently and have discovered they are really cheap. With hot water and an expensive degreaser I sucessfully removed tons of gum and oil stains at a low hourly rate. Average price of each location was...

Well I haven't seen the house yet, but I tend to believe it is slate because it's in a wealthy neighborhood . . . the name has the word Estates in it. On the phone, the woman sounded kind of rich if you know what I mean. I'll be seeing the house in a few days and I wanted to be prepared so I...

Customer says she had a slate roof installed about 2 years ago. Every time it rains there's a white runoff onto her brick house. Have any of you come across a situation like this? What could the white stuff be and what should I use to remove it?

I caused a little damage yesterday and need some help. I was cleaning the concrete at a fast food restaurant and splashed some of the Klenzone concrete cleaner on the metal door and glass. The glass is badly spotted and the metal is stained and etched. I read the warning on the pail too...

What is the best method for cleaning a red brick house? I want to avoid using too much pressure and stripping away a layer of brick. I want the chemicals to do the work. I'm in a rush so I need something that I can buy locally. There's really no major stains, just years of dirt and mold...

Haven't looked at the house yet, but I want to be prepared before I go. Homeowner says her white stucco house was hit with eggs last Halloween and left some stains on the house and windows. Any suggestions on what chemicals to use to remove the stains? Is this going to be a problem?

Would it be possible to get comp for part time helpers who work off the books? Or do they need to see that you're taking out all the necessary deductions like social security, etc.?

How do they determine your actual payroll? Do you have to submit copies of your payroll checks to comp? Do you need to give comp your employee's name, social security #'s, their pay rate, etc. or is your company just holding the comp for everyone? I'm wondering how they actually monitor...

What's the best way to clean up oil stained drive thrus? Would hot water, bleach, detergent and a surface cleaner do the trick?

Customer needs to have her house cleaned and I will be using bleach. She's afraid the runoff and overspray will damage her new asphalt driveway. Do you think bleach will change the color or damage the asphalt?

I'm going on a bid for a cedar shingled house and am a little hesitant about it. I've heard you have to be real careful about water getting behind the shingles and leaking into the house. I'm mostly experienced in cleaning cedar decks and know I'll probably have to be a lot more careful with...

Water Tank Advice Scott, That's a great idea about moving the hole. My other concern was having enough leverage for the water to flow out. The tank is just about touching the roof of the van. Does it need to be pitched at an angle for better water flow? Here's another problem I didn't...