Power Wash Stained Wood Siding Mildew Removal - Power Wash Network "The Power Wash Contractors Forum"

dk1047 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-05-05

Hi!

I have a contempory style ranch house that needs to have the exterior stained surfaces powerwashed to remove mildew,mold and discoloration.

1. The siding is vertical wood siding, stained with a dark brown stain(Such as Cabbots).

2. There is mildew/molds evident, to varrying degrees from none to heavy on the house.

3. I am looking for guidance on how to best power wash the siding, to remove the mildew and molds WITHOUT stripping off the stain. I need to show the house soon and do not want to have to restain at this point, perhaps later.

4. What would you recommend for:

A. Mixture of chemicals/cleansers to be used
B. Setting of washer such as nozel used, opening size and pressure.

Any advice would be gretly appreciated.

Dan S · #2 (**permalink**) 03-05-05

save yourself alot of trouble

Hire somebody in your area to do it and do it right!! Not saying you wont do it right .However If you are going to be showing the house. show it knowing that it looks great!! And it will last.............

onecallpowerw · #3 (**permalink**) 03-05-05

I absoulutly concur with Dan S. Even to just remove the discoloration, you will be removing old stain and will give it the appearance of being uneven. Do do it properly...Strip it, caulk it and re-seal it. This is only the true way to bring it back.

Being a ranch style house...you are not looking at a lot of monies to have this done. Consider getting bids on the restoration and having it done properly. If the weather is right, you can have this done in three days. 1 DAY WASH AND THIRD DAY CAULKED/STAINED. For a professional..you are looking probably around $1700-$2300 to have this done but well worth it. Especially if you are trying to sell.

Just my 2 cents worth.

dk1047 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-05-05

If it is not against the rules of this board, can anyone make recommendations(s) for good, reliable contractors to do this work in my area.

Princeton/Trenton/Lawrenceville area New Jersey Zip 08648

Thanks

onecallpowerw · #5 (**permalink**) 03-05-05

If you can not find a contractor willing to touch it...You can do the measuring for me and I will give you an estimate for us to come up there and take care of it for you. Let me know.

onecallpowerwash@comcast.net
www.onecallpowerwash.com
410-326-1980

Aplus · #6 (**permalink**) 03-06-05

From what I read, you may not need caulking and restaining. Sounds like a good detergent and mildewcide, along with a low pressure wash should do the job. Can't say how much that would be since I don't know how big the house it. But to throw a number out there for say, 1 story ranch, 1500 s/f, could be $250-$400.

It may be possible you could do the job yourself, but if you damage the siding, you'll be in for a world of aggravation at this particular time.

I agree hiring a pro would be the best solution.

onecallpowerw · #7 (**permalink**) 03-07-05

A-Plus,

I have 4 of them for you to do. I will even pay for your trip, fuel, food and hotel stay while you are down here at that price. Since you can do this with just a cleaning, It should only take you what (8 hrs) all 4 ? Do you give a guarentee for that price ? If need be, I will post some pics of what I would expect it to look like afterwards.

If you think for one minute that a wash will not remove the protection/caulking you are kidding yourself. Even at the lowest pressure you will still remove the stain and the viability of the caulking.

onecallpowerw · #8 (**permalink**) 03-07-05

Make that 5. Let me know when you would like to get started....Looks like winter is back for another week. But let me know.