Help

[VickiS]

Hi,

Just surfing the web and trying to find some answers. I recently had my hose powerwashed. I have light grey vinyl siding. After the power washing, I was left with with what looks like white bleached stains all over the front of the house, the size of golf balls for the most part with some smudges and smears. The gutter also was stripped of paint on one side. The remaining house was without spots. The "professional" is taking no responsibility for the dots, however, admitted to using something "too strong" for the gutter and ruining the gutter and offered to paint it for us.

I obviously have zero, zippo, knowledge about why this could have happened - but I do know that prior to the powerwashing, my house was not polka dotted.

Any help from someone would be GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks!!!!

vickisavarese@sbcglobal.net

 

[FCPWLLC]

Ask for the "professionals" insurance information and file a claim. If he does not have insurance, you should not have hired him as he is NOT a "professional".

It sounds as if whatever he used on the gutters my have been splashed all over the Vinyl in concentrated form. Without knowing what he used on the vinyl or gutters, it would be hard to say exactly what you have been left with.

Call another Professional to get an Opinion. You might have to sue the guy if he has no insurance. If you got multiple bids to do that vinyl cleaning, maybe you should call the high bidder to see if he'll come out and take a look.

 

[john orr]

I agree with FCPWLLC that the spots are most likely from the gutter cleaning. In addition to the cleaner, there is also the color from your gutters. The solution for the spots should be to wash the siding with the same cleaner that he used on the gutters. Assuming you do not want this guy back on your property, you can either hire someone else, or find out what type (sodium hydroxide or butyl, most likely) and wash it yourself with a brush.

As far as the gutters, he obviously mixed his chems too strong. Assuming the gutters are now sparkling clean, they can be successfully re-painted with either Krylon or Rust-o-leum. Most likely, the entire stretch of affected gutter will need to be done.

As a professional, I will say that occasionally I make mistakes, we all do. The difference between a good contractor and a bad one is our willingness to accept responsibility for those mistakes. The person you used has not learned this lesson.

 

[VickiS]

As far as the insurance issue, he is insured. Can I put a claim in myself or does he have to file one? (assuming he will provide me with his insurance info). There isn't a way for me to find this out on my own is there? And should I ask for the sum of money it would cost to replace the siding? It is not repairable. Thanks for your in-put - I really appreciate it.

Vicki

 

[FCPWLLC]

If the guy is a registered contractor, then his insurance info should be on file with the contractor registration in your city.

When will these guys learn that business is more than just spraying water. I always give clients acopy of insurance win I give my Bid. I let them know my Contractor registation number so that they can call and verify my insurance and status as a LEGAL business.

Not Owning up to his mess is so not professional. I'm sorry, but it just kills me when I hear about these things. People here hire some of the worst types of workers I have ever seen all because they fall for the whole " I get it cleaner than anybody" bit. That is the smokescreen to hide that they aren't even registered or insured or professional at all.

As you see here, you'll find that the real Pros like john orr here are willing to help educate consumers. Glad you came here for advice. Next time you look for a contractor of any kind, you'll be armed with experience and know how to pick a real Professional.

 

[Douglas Hicks]

This type of situation can be nasty for all concerned. If you do not know how to contact your state/local agency that has jurisdiction, contact the local contractor/home builder association for that information. Call the government agency and talk to them. They should be able to advise you. Then contact the high bidder, and ask them for advise. Do not tell them the name of the person you hired, at this point that information is not needed, and may lead to more confusion. Offer to pay the other person for an onsite visit. Keep photos, notes of all conversations. After you have been educated, contact the person who did the work, asking for a person ot person meeting. Have them explain the chemicals used, the equipment used and the process. Ask about other jobs he has done, locations and names. Ask if he is licensed, insured, bonded. In Oregon, if you hired a non-lisenced contractor, you are without government help. We all make mistakes, give the service provider a chance to make it right. It may not even be his fault. You may have old gutters with the paint already comprimised, he may have had equipment problems, or been using new chemicals. Keep the conversation on a professional basis. Then if you are not satisfied, seek other solutions to the problems. We all have jobs we are not pleased with, sometimes the customer expectations are out of line, sometimes not.

The suggestion for you to perform the cleaning yourself is not a good suggestion. Should you choose that course of action, you have just relieved the contractor of all obligation. Once you touch the job or allow anyone else to touch the job, all responsibility is on you.

Don't use the threat of legal actions. He is already aware of that possibility, and that can be used as the last resort.

Douglas Hicks
General Fire Equipment Co of Eastern Oregon, Inc
Contractor Lisence 78491

 

[Larry L.]

Light grey and mint green will fade in spots if it has full sun most of the day.
The rest of the house cleaned up ok so it may not be the fault of the contactor,alot of depends in this case.

 

[Aplus]

I'm with Douglas and Larry here.

THere is no way we can tell you what happened without seeing for ourselves, and having an opportunity to do some testing.

As for the gutter going bare, it was likely severely oxidized, or an old gutter, and when cleaned, the color came right off. Likely nothing could have been done to prevent that. Just repaint it.

 

[Larry L.]

Post a few pictures,one of the whole side,another closeup and one or two of the sides that cleaned up.