concrete sealer removal.

[Accu-Wash]

I have a residential concrete driveway to look at tommorrow. The owner applied a product called Res-Seal(sp?) and it turned his cement brown and splotchy. He applied it with a roller, apparrently way too heavy, and maybe with a roller that had some type of dye in the material that was pulled out from the sealer. It's my understanding that zylene will cut the sealer, followed with a good pressure washing. It's a fairly long driveway that would cause EPA concerns with the zylene and it's in an area of upper crust homes. The manufacturer claims it'll fade in 6-12 months(which to me, doesn't say much for it's durability). This stuff has only been there for 2 weeks, the cement is 4 years old. The homeowner would be willing to have V-Seal applied if we can get this stuff off(he'd rather not wait the 6-12 mos.). I have a 7gpm, 3000psi, hot water machine + a surface cleaner with 2 15'3.5 nozzles, may try replacing one with a 0'4.0. Anyone have any suggestions or encountered this before?


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[Mark Dadian]

I'm still on a pretty steep learning curve (est. 5/2000). My thoughts would be: 1)Use HOT water; 2)More detergent usually means less labor; 3)If your concerned about EPA, see if you can purchase, RENT or even "BORROW" a recovery system; 4)If not prohibited by the size of the drive, you might go at it with a wand rather than surface washer (more focused power and control), also you can go at it with a MUCH bigger tip (at 7 GPM I would think you could use a 25120 or even the biggest orifice rotating turbo you could lay your hands on (Dultmeier Sales pg. 75 - 800-553-6975) that matches your PSI); 5)If you stay with the surface washer, with your setup, I'd recommend 15050s +/-. If I'm wrong, then feel free to correct me. Just my 2 cents.

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GBU

Mark A. Dadian

 

[Jon]

First be sure to test a corner with hot water only, use your wand as Mark suggested. Then if it comes off with the hot water only go for it.

If not test again with degreaser if you have it, if not I cannot say what to do since Zylene as you already know must be recaptured. Truthfully so does the degreaser but not knowing the State your in and your local laws I can only say know what they are before you do the job.

Remember in the upper crust neighborhoods your more likely to be turned in then at the other end of the spectrum.

Whatever the outcome let us all know in case we ever run across something like that.

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Beep beep, the OPC Roadrunner coming through.

Jon Fleischer
Oasis Pressure Cleaning
(909) 792-2247
Fax (909) 792-5633

 

[Accu-Wash]

I visited this gentleman today on the way home from another job. 3600sq.ft. of concrete, fairly steep drive, gave a demo w/hot water, turbo, no luck with the sealer as expected.But to show off used the surface cleaner anyway. Now he wants me back next year to clean & seal w/V-Seal. Neither me nor him wants to use the zylene as he is aware of EPA implications. We'll see next Sept. how much is left. Nice gentleman, a good contact,a probable job for next fall, and good exposure in an upper crust allotment. Definately worth the 45min.

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