Perfect Power Wash, LLC

3396 Green Drive, Akron, Ohio 44333

Phone: 330.697.0131; Fax: 330.294.4287

Email: michael@perfectpowerwash.net

Contact:

Mike Palubiak, Owner

Perfect Power Wash

330-697-0131

www.perfectpowerwash.com

AKRON, Ohio (May 7, 2008) - If your house has been attacked by Artillery Fungus - an ugly rash of black spores that glue themselves to your siding - you've probably discovered that there is no way to remove them without leaving a permanent stain that ruins the appearance of your home.

The fungus, which commonly grows in wood mulch and propels its spores as high as 20 feet onto the surfaces of homes, has become a major problem in Northeastern Ohio.

Mike Palubiak, owner of Perfect Power Wash, an Akron-based power washing service, has developed a patent pending process to remove Artillery Fungus - also known as Shotgun Mold - from vinyl siding.

"We're the only company I know of that can remove Shotgun Mold from siding," Palubiak said. "We can remove the existing spores and offer tips on how to keep them from coming back."

After encountering increasing incidents of Shotgun Mold in recent years, Palubiak researched the problem and found that nobody had a solution.

"I've heard people calling home improvement shows on the radio and posting questions on the Web to figure out how to get rid of the spots, but nobody had an answer," he said.

Dr. Donald Davis, of Penn State University, has researched Artillery Fungus for more than 10 years, but has yet to find a practical way to remove it from siding. According to a fact sheet Davis published online in March, "The spore masses of the artillery fungus stick like super-glue. We have not found a way to get them off without leaving a stain or damaging the siding, especially on old dry siding."

According to a report from the Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic at Cornell University, "Removing the fungi is virtually impossible. Scrubbing and scraping with tools or washing with soap and water aids somewhat in removal; however, the use of tools or harsh chemicals may damage painted or otherwise colored surfaces."

Undeterred, Palubiak collected strips of used siding that were infected with the spores and did hundreds of experiments until he finally found a method that worked. His solution is a proprietary application of a custom formulated detergent.

"The biodegradable detergent is very mild and will not harm children or pets, but it is completely effective in removing Shotgun Mold," he said.

Palubiak said the growth of Artillery Fungus appears to be more prevalent in low-quality mulches than in high-quality mulches. Research done at The Ohio State University suggests that mulch that is composted prior to sale is far less likely to breed Artillery Fungus.

Palubiak, a member of the Power Washers of North America, established Perfect Power Wash in 2001 as a way to finance his education at Kent State University, where he earned a business degree. The company has since grown to become the area's leading provider of exterior cleaning and restoration services and a recognized expert in mold removal.

For more information about the removal of Artillery Fungus, contact Palubiak, at 330-697-0131.

Artillery Fungus, also known as Shotgun Mold or Shotgun Fungus, produces a rash of spots that residents of Northeast Ohio have increasingly found on their homes and cars. The spots are spores from a type of fungi that colonize organic matter such as wood mulch. The fungi disperse their spores by propelling them upwards where they can land on new surfaces.

Because wood mulch is often used in plant beds close to homes, vinyl siding often becomes a landing surface. The Artillery Fungus usually shoots its spores toward the light, making reflective surfaces like white siding especially vulnerable. However, like all fungi, it grows better on the shady, northern side of houses.

Research indicates that Artillery Fungus grows better in wood mulch as opposed to bark mulch. Composted mulch has been shown to be free of, or at least less vulnerable to, Artillery Fungus.

There are no EPA registered fungicides that have been shown to be effective against Artillery Fungus.

Until the development of a patent pending process by Mike Palubiak, owner of Perfect Power Wash, of Akron, there was no known method to remove Shotgun Mold spores from vinyl siding without leaving a permanent stain.

For more information about the removal of Artillery Fungus, contact Palubiak, at 330-697-0131.