Mark Mercer poses with his children at Under Pressure’s facility in Hopkinton.

Exterior cleaning company Under Pressure is celebrating its 22nd year of “helping homeowners and business owners love and revive their properties,” says owner Mark Mercer. “Even after all this time, we still love what we do.”

The Hopkinton-based company has seen impressive growth in recent years, which had led Under Pressure to expand its team and franchise its business; a northern Georgia division of the company is set to launch this year.

“When the pandemic hit and homeowners were working from home and noticing exterior issues, we were absolutely slammed with work,” Mercer explains. Under Pressure’s services include hot and cold pressure washes in addition to soft washes. From roofs to siding, windows, gutters, solar panels, decks and patios, the company does it all when it comes to exterior cleaning.

Proper technique and products are integral to the company’s customer-approved work, Mercer says. He cautions that anyone can go and buy a pressure washer, but without skilled training, property damage may occur. “People think the pressure is what cleans, but it’s actually eco-friendly chemistry that does the cleaning,” Mercer explains. “For example, we do not pressure wash houses; we offer a soft washing process that is very gentle on siding and does not remove paint.”

Pressure washing, which the company uses for areas like decks and patios, can be dangerous, Mercer adds. Homeowners might etch surfaces or force water under their siding. As for pressure washing off a ladder? “That’s a recipe for disaster,” he says.

“Learning the craft takes time,” Mercer explains. “Our assistant technicians spend about a year working to understand the craft and skill necessary to become a lead technician.”

Mercer, who has lived in Hopkinton with his family for 12 years, says that customer relationships and trust are one of the biggest takeaways of his many years in business. “All we do is exterior cleaning. We’re not handymen who also do power washing. This gives customers peace of mind that they have hired the right professionals to touch their house.”

Eager to thank the town of Hopkinton for its support, Mercer says he does not take residents’ business for granted. Happy customers also have prompted the company to offer an automated maintenance plan with annual service visits. Homeowners often wait until they have an issue to call Under Pressure, Mercer explains, so the goal is to “set it and forget it” in order to stop problems before they evolve.

“Spring and summer feel short in New England,” Mercer says, “and the beautiful part about what we do is it helps homeowners enjoy the outdoors more — your decks, your patios, your pool decks. When your outdoor space is cleaned properly, it’s like a magnet for gatherings.”

Having a successful business is great, Mercer says, but it’s the feel-good results that really motivate him. “When people come home and feel pride in their house again, that’s what I love. We’re all in this together, right? The good-feeling vibes are what we’re all after, and we’re happy to offer that.”

To learn more, visit underpressurewash.com or call 508-422-0700.

Business Profiles are advertising features designed to provide information and background about Hopkinton Independent advertisers.