Newbie Question

[David Edwards]

Hey, everybody. I'm David and have a stupid question. I am currently doing maintenance for a community and part of that entails pressure washing vinyl siding on some of the homes and buildings. I've done pressure washing for years but only as DIY - certainly not on the level of you folks. However, if I'm going to be doing it as part of a job (meaning I get paid for it) then I want to make sure I do the best and safest job possible.

So, I've been reading posts here (and thanks to all of you who post their knowledge!) One thing I've noticed is that it seems no one mentions brushing - you know, spray the solution, brush with a soft brush (something like a car wash brush) and then rinse. Is no one doing this? If not, what chems would you recommend to avoid that step? The detergents in stock at the community are Jo-Max and bleach, but since I'm the one doing the maintenance now I can specify whatever I want. I get paid by the hour but I've always been the type to just get something done as efficiently as possible and move on to the next task - so I'd love to be able to spray and then wash with good results.

Also, the black streaks on aluminum gutters - I searched and ran across a thread the other day that mentioned a particular product for this but can't find it now. And Jo-Max/bleach won't even touch these streaks.

Thanks for any help and insight.

 

[New Look]

Hey, everybody. I'm David and have a stupid question. I am currently doing maintenance for a community and part of that entails pressure washing vinyl siding on some of the homes and buildings. I've done pressure washing for years but only as DIY - certainly not on the level of you folks. However, if I'm going to be doing it as part of a job (meaning I get paid for it) then I want to make sure I do the best and safest job possible.

So, I've been reading posts here (and thanks to all of you who post their knowledge!) One thing I've noticed is that it seems no one mentions brushing - you know, spray the solution, brush with a soft brush (something like a car wash brush) and then rinse. Is no one doing this? If not, what chems would you recommend to avoid that step? The detergents in stock at the community are Jo-Max and bleach, but since I'm the one doing the maintenance now I can specify whatever I want. I get paid by the hour but I've always been the type to just get something done as efficiently as possible and move on to the next task - so I'd love to be able to spray and then wash with good results.

Also, the black streaks on aluminum gutters - I searched and ran across a thread the other day that mentioned a particular product for this but can't find it now. And Jo-Max/bleach won't even touch these streaks.

Thanks for any help and insight.

F13 Gutter Grenade but you may still need to brush the "tiger strips" on the gutter.

 

[Doug Rucker]

F13 Gutter Grenade but you may still need to brush the "tiger strips" on the gutter.

Hi DAvid, When you get a chance please fill in your signature line. You can do this by going to the top of the page and Click on Settings, on the left side of the page, under My Settings, click on Edit Signature, and fill in your name, company name, phone number, and web site address if you have one, and then click Save Signature. It's a little forum rule we have to help us identify each other.

Feel free to call me and I'll help you with cleaning of the vinyl siding. To much to type for a slow typer like me.

 

[David Edwards]

Thanks, guys. I think I've gotten the sig line filled out. I guess I'll find out after I post this.

 

[Xtreme]

I have used Purple Power effectively. Pour about 2-3" in the bottom of the bucket. dip the brush in and just wipe on the gutter so all is wet and wait about 10-15 seconds then scrub and rinse. Worked for me every time and it is cheap $11 at wally world for 2.5 gallons. I tried diluting it but it did not work as well on the gutter.

House washes I used bleach and simple cherry from pressure tek.

 

[archie_MN]

I just started using simple cherry and bleach. 2 vinyl houses so far with great results, including gutters. I added a bit of dawn dish soap for extra foam and dwell time.

I don't talk about brushing on the chem because, for me, it's a last resort. Some stains will require it, but it's slow.

Also, you might want to buy/rent a hot machine for the process. It's the difference between washing dishes in hot or cold water.

You should have the housewash bid by local pros. You might find it fits your budget. If not, at least you can tell the H/O board how much you're saving them by doing it yourself.

 

[GumDestroyer]

Dirt, mildew mold and such should clean fine with simple cherry, SH, Dawn detergent and hot water. For stains you need to identify the stain (hard water/iron/rust...) and treat accordingly. Alway's test first chemicals and treatments in small unnoticed locations and wait to completely dry overnight and examine before using such acids, products.

 

[David Edwards]

Pat - I'll try the PP withe the gutters. I appreciate the instructions!

Jake - I wanted to get away from brushing because there are so many other things to be done - all a priority. Any time I save just makes it easier on me. I have no say about bringing in pro's. Individual homeowners can do that (and do), but I take care of the community property (club house, offices, model homes, guest homes, etc.) I'm an hourly employee here and the management won't consider bringing in someone else. I'd love to have a hot machine but I can't justify using my own funds to furnish their equipment - even if it would make it considerably easier.

GumDestroyer - I'll take your advice and test special applications. It's really easy (too easy) to think of vinyl siding as being impervious, which I know is wrong.

Thanks to everybody for their time and advice. Just as an update, I took a 64 oz. bottle of Awesome, a large jug of household bleach (1 1/2 gallons?) and added both (full container of each) to 22 gallons of water. Sprayed it on the siding of the club house which was extremely dirty with lots of mildew under the porches and on the north side. There were areas, especially around the bbq grill, that I was sure I'd have a problem with. Anyway, I sprayed one side of the building at a time (including concrete). By the time it was time for me to wash (standard 2.5 gpm/2800 psi), everything rinsed off super easily. Nothing clung to the surface at all, nothing caused me to slow down or get right up on the siding. Anyway, I'm sure you guys know better stuff to use, but I thought I'd throw it out there in case you're ever in a pinch and near a Dollar General. Pool deck, all pool furniture, 2,500 sq.ft. club house including concrete surround/porches for less than $6 of chem. And did (what I consider to be) a great job with no casualties.

Anyway, thanks again for the time and help.