Hot vs. Cold for vinyl and aluminum cleaning - Power Wash Network "The Power Wash Contractors Forum"

Clean County · #1 (**permalink**) 04-17-01

I think most of us will agree that hot water generally cleans concrete better then cold water. How about for house cleaning?
Cleaning solutions once again most of us will agree helps speed up the cleaning of vinyl and aluminum siding. How about adding hot water to that mix.
I seem to clean faster when using hot water on these types of siding. Now I'm not knocking using cold water to do this because most of the years I've been doing this, cold is what I used. But since I bought my hot water PW last year It has made these kinds of jobs faster with greater cleaning power.
One of the reasons why I may not use hot water on these types of sidings would be the type of garden up against the house but usually every other time I will use hot water. As far as I know I never killed any landscaping when I clean houses.
What do most of you use when cleaning this type of siding as far as cold or heat? And for the ones that do use heat what was the reason why you changed over from cold?
-John-

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Mike Hughes · #2 (**permalink**) 04-17-01

I have two hot water machines, and I can count on two hands the number of times I have used hot water on alum or vinyl siding in the last two years since I upgraged my equipment.

I think hot water is better for vinyl then it is for aluminmum.

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Mike Hughes
Everclear
Souderton, PA

Mark · #3 (**permalink**) 04-17-01

FOOD FOR THOUGHT!

If you set your thermostat for @ 150 degrees you will find the temperature more than adequate for cleaning vinyl siding.

Most detergents / chemicals work better with water in the 130 - 150 degree range, as compared to cold water.

I have heard that some chemicals ( butyls for example) lose effectivenness at higher temperature (evaporation)

I have learned years ago that hot water hoses run across a lawn will burn the lawn. (brown stripes)

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Mark McIntyre: AKA: Pressure Washer Zone Man.
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Walt Graner · #4 (**permalink**) 04-17-01

Mark

I remember when I killed my first line of grass, business owner was not happy. But it grew back and a lesson was learned

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Walt Graner
"Off The Wall" Graffiti
3006 Bee Caves Rd, Suite B-160
Austin,TX 78746
Ph

512) 328-7776
fax(512) 328-2399

#5 (**permalink**) 04-17-01

John,
I have not experienced a noticeable difference with hot water house washing. I have tried it and had the hose burn Walt and Mark are talking about. I feel that hot water probably puts a little more wear on the hoses and guns. I have had the last section in my extending wands bend due to the hose heat inside the aluminum tube softening them up. Not to mention the added costs of running the heaters, and not necessarily just the fuel costs either. If I felt it made enough difference then I would use it. On those 95 degree days, I like a little cold water mist now and then.
Glenn

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"Hmmm, If everyone has a photographic memory... mine must be out of film."

henrybockman · #6 (**permalink**) 03-22-03

What is the best chemical mix that you have found for cleaning siding.

Vinyl siding?

Aluminum siding?

Kazooman · #7 (**permalink**) 03-22-03

Guess I will be the duhhhhhh newbie here with this question,can you wash a house without using chemicals?Had a former pw guy tell me I could.But then again maybe that's why he dosen't do it anymore.

Aplus · #8 (**permalink**) 03-22-03

You can wash just about anything without chemicals.....as long as you don't mind destroying it in the process.

The use of proper chemicals allows you to wash and clean things at a much lower pressure, so you don't have to blast the daylights out of everything and likely do damage.

Kazooman · #9 (**permalink**) 03-23-03

Thank you Tony,felt kind of dumb asking that question but knew I would get the truth about it on here.

Gwas · #10 (**permalink**) 03-23-03

Its not a question of hot or cold. It is SOFT WATER !!!!! Soft water makes all chemicals work better !!!!!