Advice on powerwashing a wood home

[prince083]

I would like to power wash my wood home. I do have a 2500 psi power wacher and since i didnt clean it for a couple of years i have this black (could be mold, could just be dirt or whatever) on my window siding especially and the overhang of my house. When i use straigh water pressure shooting righ at it, it may get some of it but still looks dirty, like its stained. Could you all please tell me what i can use to get that cleaned?

Do i use bleach?
Do i use a chemical or cleaning solution? if so which one.

Or what else could i use? I do thank you for your help and advice.

God Bless

 

[CaroliProWash]

There are still some blank factors here......is the wood painted or natural (with a sealer?)

Too much pressure on wood is bad for the wood. Even painted, if using too much pressure you can damage the wood fibers.

There are some chemicals that would make you life much easier however, some of them would be dependent on if the wood is painted or not. You would probably be safe either way with a light sodium percarbonate wash. This will kill the mold & mildew and remove the dirt without bleaching.

If you want, feel free to give us a call - where in VA are you?

Celeste

 

[prince083]

The wood is painted. you mentioned some chemicals that might make my life easier for cleaning it, what chemical are those? and also you mentioned a "light sodium percarbonate wash" good you please elaborate on exactly what that is. I do thank you and others for you advice, it is greatly appreciated.

thank you very much

 

[prince083]

27 views and no other replies?? what do the other folks use to clean wood hours? bleach? chemical, a specific brand cleaning solution?

thanks

 

[CaroliProWash]

There are vendors on this site who have products that you can use. The biggest problem with that is the quantity that most sell in. As a homeowner, you may be best served to hit Lowe's or Home Depot and look for a product called JoMax, mix with bleach as instructed and wash away. Let the chemicals do the work - don't blast with high pressure....you will run the risk of damaging the paint and/or wood. One word of experience, if you use the outdoor bleach, make sure you rinse the windows really really well as that bleach will streak glass. Keep your bushes, flowers and grass wet well while you are washing.

Good Luck

Celeste

 

[Mike Gwas]

You could always hire a professional to do the work ? It is sometimes difficult to come up with the correct answer w/o seeing the job. Good Luck...

 

[prince083]

yes i could hire a professional, but i just want to try this once, i may like it and i am looking for a part time job, maybe i can do this.

I am a computer engineer by trade for the state and you wouldnt believe how many questions i get on how to fix somthing, get rid of spyware or viruses..ect and not once did i tell them to hire someone. I think as human beings we should help each other more, i have never turned down anyone that aske for computer advice.

but anyway thanks for that lowes tip, i was hopint there was some kind of chemical that would help me so i wouldnt have to scrub it with a brush .

thanks for all the advice so far, its appreciated. If anyone ever has a computer questions feel free to ask.

god bless

 

[CaroliProWash]

A DIYer is okay every now and then, however, when you start making noises about maybe picking this up as a part time gig, it rattles some of us. There is far more to being a professional pressure washer than pulling around an over sized squirt gun. Many of us have become certified in specialized areas, we pay quite a premium for the liability insurance, workers comp insurance, licensing, classes, chemicals, not to mention, thousands in equipment that allows us to separate ourselves from Harry Homeowner with a Lowe's or Home Depot backyard tool. There are quite a few that are striving to make this a recognized profession, we are full time, and this is how we make a living for our families. Comparing it to the world of computers is like comparing apples and cucumbers.

Thank you for offering up assistance for computer - how about putting up a way to contact you if we ever want to take you up on it?

Celeste

 

[Mathew Johnson]

I use citraclean on most of my surfaces... It works excellent on wood and allow it to dwell... If it is painted... I have done properties with it plus bleach... Let it dwell for 15 or so minutes occasionally blowing a mist to keep the detergent from drying on the surface while it dwells.

Also... find a small area out of site and use your detergent mix in a test area. I think you may find that Dawn dish detergent and a bleach combo may work well.

Call with any questions 607-286-7458

 

[prince083]

we are full time, and this is how we make a living for our families. Comparing it to the world of computers is like comparing apples and cucumbers.

Celeste

How is it different i use computers to make my living and feed my family, yet i help people very day with free advice and help, even go to people houses ad help them get all the spyware off thier computers and somtiomes rebuild them. I could do that and charge them but instead i do it out of kindness.

Not trying to take anyones job away, just wanted to try something by myself thats all. To those that have given me advice i do really appreciate your kindness. I may still get a professional to do it but may do it myself. Not sure if this is the right place to ask but how much can i expect to pay for a tri-level painted wood home to have it just cleaned. Is about 1800 square feet i think.

 

[TheHoodGuy]

You are asking professionals to give up trade secrets learned through expensive trial and error and then you cop an attitude? When you have invested the $15-30k and become a regitered business, I will be the first to answer any questions you may have. In the interim, there are plenty of DIY websites, this is a contractors' site.

 

[prince083]

wow, ok no problem, im sorry, I thought this was a place to just ask questions and maybe get some answers from friendly people. And no matter how you treat me i pray that god and others will always treat you with kindness.

You all have wonderful day and may god bless your families.

Peace

 

[psi-pressure]

There are all kinds of kind people on this board but kindness does not pay the bills and feed my family

 

[Larry L.]

Somehow or another kindness will get the bills paid and the family feed.

This site is not only for professionals its also for part timers and home owners,we want all to do a professional job.This site will try to teach how to do the job right as in what kind of tools needed and chemicals.This site does not offer where to buy the chemicals or tools needed unless they are sponors of this board.The type of tools needed can be bought in alot of places and the type chemicals can be bought in alot of places whether it be degreasers,acids,caustic,alkiline or other.Its up to the professionals,part timers and home owners whether or not they use the type tools and chemicals needed for a good job.Most powerwashing wholesalers will have the tools and chemiclas needed for any job or they can get it,good luck to all.

I wax and polish my own trucks the professional way b/c of the kindness of the professionals on a detailing board.With the type tools and chemicals needed I'd still be doing a half *** job if its wasn't for they're kindness.

 

[CaroliProWash]

How is it different i use computers to make my living and feed my family, yet i help people very day with free advice and help, even go to people houses ad help them get all the spyware off thier computers and somtiomes rebuild them. I could do that and charge them but instead i do it out of kindness.

I'm not knocking the kindness end, believe me. What I am trying to point out (apparently not very well) is that in a perfect world, everyone's chosen line of work would be viewed as a trained profession. Not everyone can be over-the-top computer literate....it is a specialized, trained job that is viewed as such. As much as pressure washers would like to feel that our industry is a specialized, trained job, it is NOT viewed as such. That is the apples to cucumber comparison I was referring to. We personally do a great deal of charity work for folks who are just not able to do pressure washing themselves for health, age or monetary reasons.

I am certainly not trying to discourage you as an able-bodied, want to take care of your own stuff kind of person, which is why I suggested the available product I did as well as some of the other tips in my post.

Celeste

 

[prince083]

Yes i know celeste, thank you for you help and tips. To give you an update i bought some lomax this weekend and mixed 3 quarts water, 2 cups bleach and 3/4 cup lomax and low pressure sprayed it on some spots, let it sit for 5 minutes and tried to low pressure wash it off but wouldnt come off under low pressure. As a test i got the wand closer and used a higher pressure and that cleaned it off. Still i thought i should be able to wash it off with low pressure letting the mix to all the work. So the mix may not be the right amounts or the right type. I will keep trying different mixes.

thank you all.