Honestly I am surprised at the amount of power cleaning companies that do not understand how gutter cleaning works. Most just don't do it at all. The dirt is in the oxidized part of the paint, that is why degreasers and solvents work best, as they eat the oxidized paint as well as the dirt. Many degreasers will take all the paint off the gutter and really screws up a good job. Full strength citrus cleaners will eat all the paint too so avoid these for sure. I use a product called ripper, which you can downstream saving lots of time, also no scrubbing. If it dosn't work the first time pull out your rotary nozzle (it wont harm them) and do it again. If you dont understand any of these terms, you need a little more experience so just take your time and learn. It is enviromentally friendly natural solvents that attack the oxidized part of the paint. Always test an area first when using a new cleaner and cool the area to avoid alkaline shock. Also DO NOT USE BLEACH OR CITRUS, they will take all the paint off. It is easy to be a pressure washer, but to be a great company entity you (the owner) must understand the dirt, process and chemical solutions. Reaserch research research

I agree 100%. However...if you do a search on gutter streaks, you will find that they are caused by run-off from asphalt shingles. The cleaner's job is to break the electrostatic bond of these vertical streaks. Any cleaner, if used improperly, can damage the finish on gutters. In 8 years of residential house washing, I have never experienced bleach affecting the finish of gutters.

You're kidding about the "rotary" nozzle, right? I can't think of any part of a home where the use of a turbo nozzle is appropriate.

As for "environmentally friendly", Simple Green is non-toxic, as well as very gentle.

"Search" is the biggest part of research.

John Orr
Low-Pressure Exterior Cleaning
Chesapeake, VA

Definitely Not A Job For A Turbo Nozzle / Rotary Nozzle!

Most any butyl or delimonene based cleaner will remove these streaks,
however proceed with caution, too strong of a solution and you may
remove paint.

Pressure Washer Sales & Service Specialists
Since 1979
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www.EasyCleanSystems.com
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Mark McIntyre 800-292-EASY 916-638-0828
E-mail Mark Click Here

We usually use a chemical called Enviroclean, which is used for mildew clean up. Mix it with bleach and water, spray the gutters one section at a time and you will see the grime eat away within 30 seconds. You may be able to spray it with a water hose and your gutters will be snow white. Sometimes the gutters may be very dirty and a second application may be needed. But that should work for you. Hotwash Atlanta in Tucker,GA carries Enviroclean.

Good Luck!!

Originally Posted by Bill Booz did you say pull out the turbo on a house wash

That alone will rip paint off.

Jet Stream Pressurewashing
Orange City Fl,32763
386-775-6301
386-383-9605

Hey Chris,
I found out and used which works great but you have to rinse it off after brushing quickly. At Wal-Mart i get the purple bottle of degreaser in the auto section and mix it 50/50 w/water andspray on gutters let sit for a few seconds brush it and rinse and like new. Make sure you rinse otherwise the paint will come off. No need to scrub to hard as the cleaner works rather well. At least for me hopefully the same for you. jim

I just completed alot of white gutter cleaning for a school in my area. I used F-13 which works real well. Hugh

Gibson's Power Wash Wagon Inc.
Hugh Gibson - Owner
4171 NE 127th CT
Williston, Florida 32696
(352) 281-7737

BD6 works like a tornado on gutters. 10:1 to full strength for cold water MUCH better than the "Simple" stuff
Work fast at these ratios, no need to let it set to long (like Mark said), spray it an watch it clean, RINSE, RINSE - dont forget the siding too!
its that fast.

Most importantly!!! When quoting out a job with pure white accents ALLWAYS assume they are going to need lots of elbow work and excessive chemicials to get them trully clean. Better to get paid for your hard efforts than work for free. If the stains fall off the gutter with a simple chemicial and rinse throw in a complimentary car wash or somthing small @ no charge.

More often than not this free gesture will seal the deal for future call backs and referals.

DAFF

DAFF MOBILE WASH
WINDSOR, ONTARIO CANADA
DAFFMOBILEWASH@AOL.COM

Daff, how do you quote your jobs? do you quote one price for the house and a second for the gutters? (considering the scrubbing) or do you price by the hour? We are trying to figure out which is the best way when white gutters are involved.....thanx!!

Donna
Piedmont Pressure Washing