I have to clean a white metal building with small mold spots. Can I use a truck wash, Windex, or store bought 6% Clorox through an x-jet? It is 2900 sq ft of siding 12 feet tall. Worst-case scenario is that I have to scrub up 12 feet. Best-case scenario is I can touch-free spray wash the gray mold spots off.
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3 yr old metal bldg with mold spots
- Thread starter tronman
- Start date
metal/mold
Larry is very much correct about the wand marks as i have been called in to inspect a similar result. The key to easy washing is to be patient after applying the chems and allowing them to do the majority of the work for you. Then you can back off with a 40 tip and make your life a whole lot easier.
Good luck,
TW
Larry is very much correct about the wand marks as i have been called in to inspect a similar result. The key to easy washing is to be patient after applying the chems and allowing them to do the majority of the work for you. Then you can back off with a 40 tip and make your life a whole lot easier.
Good luck,
TW
5 Star Johnny
New Member
Since when is chlorine a "necessary" ingredient for removing mold (fungus)? We remove all types of fungus with several different types of cleaners on several different structures without EVER using chlorine or Sodium Hypochlorite.
Although Chlorine or bleach (same difference) irradicates fungus spores, it is certainly not the friendliest chemical in a residential setting.
There are several options, although not necessarily as inexpensive. However, much more environmentally friendly than Clorox.
Although Chlorine or bleach (same difference) irradicates fungus spores, it is certainly not the friendliest chemical in a residential setting.
There are several options, although not necessarily as inexpensive. However, much more environmentally friendly than Clorox.
Aplus
New Member
5 Star Johnny said:
The only other options for effectively removing mold and killing the spores, are sodium percarbonate which is slow, or quats, which are expensive.
Mixed at the right ratio, and rinsed properly, chlorine is typically not a problem in a residential setting.
Considering Tronman asked about cleaning a white metal building, it is likely not located in a residential setting anyway.
As far as removing mold on other types of structures, sure there are other products that will work, but again, Tronman asked about a white metal building. And based on the information supplied, I stand by my initial suggestion of using chlorine in his wash mix.
All done!
It was a high end residential neighborhood withe about 15 houses on a private airstrip. Each one has a hanger for 2-3 planes. His one was a white corrugated 3500 sq ft. metal building. When I first paced it off I came up with 2900 sq ft of siding. After doing the work I should have doubled the sq ft. due to the corrugated siding - It is'nt flat. I put one gallon of 4:1 truck wash with 2 gallons of storebought bleach. I used a 4 GPM pressure washer with an M5 X-Jet. It took 5 gallons for the entire exterior. The mix loosened the mold but only surface scrubbing with a rotary on an 8' extension and a manual deck brush was able to remove the greyish mold spots. The white color on the metal siding was unaffected by anything I did. I even X-jetted with a 45% near teh bottom to test the surface and it did not even phase it - of the algae.
I thought it would only take about 3 hours. It took 7. I basically scrubbed the entire surface. I had Jomax and Krud Kutter but was too tired to try it.
When I was done the hanger looked like new. That rotary saved my hinney.
It was a high end residential neighborhood withe about 15 houses on a private airstrip. Each one has a hanger for 2-3 planes. His one was a white corrugated 3500 sq ft. metal building. When I first paced it off I came up with 2900 sq ft of siding. After doing the work I should have doubled the sq ft. due to the corrugated siding - It is'nt flat. I put one gallon of 4:1 truck wash with 2 gallons of storebought bleach. I used a 4 GPM pressure washer with an M5 X-Jet. It took 5 gallons for the entire exterior. The mix loosened the mold but only surface scrubbing with a rotary on an 8' extension and a manual deck brush was able to remove the greyish mold spots. The white color on the metal siding was unaffected by anything I did. I even X-jetted with a 45% near teh bottom to test the surface and it did not even phase it - of the algae.
I thought it would only take about 3 hours. It took 7. I basically scrubbed the entire surface. I had Jomax and Krud Kutter but was too tired to try it.
When I was done the hanger looked like new. That rotary saved my hinney.
5 Star Johnny
New Member
Although Tronman was describing a white metal building (which I too would assume was in a commercial or industrial area) your original statement referred to housewashing.
We've used sodium percarbonate, krud kutter, bd-20, etc., but have settled on ABR Building Wash 3. Completely non-caustic & PH free. For building wash we mix 4:1 and downstream, so cost is relatively low. On harder gutter stains & the like, we keep spray bottles of 2 or 3:1 mix and prespray before scrubbing. Works like a charm. We don't have to worry about plantings, vehicles, people, pets. The stuff has a great surfactant and removes oxidation on metal quite readily.
APlus - I'm not concerned about your chosen methods or chems. I simply take acception to your statement that chlorine is an absolute neccessity in building washing, and the only thing that removes (or kills) fungus spores. Your statement was essentially...wrong! There are friendlier options with the same, or better, results.
John,
I would be very interested in what the working mold/mildew killer is in the ABR Building Wash 3. We're always on the lookout for more user/environmentally friendly products that will lessen our bleach use. We currently use SP cleaners for wood but have stuck with our housewash mix which does contain sodium hypochlorite for most of the other stuff.
Thanks,
Celeste
I would be very interested in what the working mold/mildew killer is in the ABR Building Wash 3. We're always on the lookout for more user/environmentally friendly products that will lessen our bleach use. We currently use SP cleaners for wood but have stuck with our housewash mix which does contain sodium hypochlorite for most of the other stuff.
Thanks,
Celeste
tronman said:
New to the forum from Vancouver Canada. Anyhow just following this thread as I have two Corrugated roofs to clean approx. 20 000 sq. ft each with gently sloping roofs. Gutter faces will be cleaned also. I am assuming you could use the same chems on both. I tested a patch with TSP, Joy, XL-100 awning cleaner. All three did the job it appeared. It is likely an alkyde based paint on the roof I do not want to take off the paint. There is carbon deposits from a nearby airport as well as mold/algae. There are plants and lawn beneath the roof You mention the ABR -Buildingwash3 aswell as Truckwash mixture with bleach. X-jet or Shur-flo or brush. I was planning on low pressure and good old fashioned scrubbing due to leaving wand marks etc. Any Help?
Aplus
New Member
5 Star Johnny said:
Hey, now there's plenty of time for someone to do testing and research. But when someone asks for help, and needs it quickly, I'll tell him a solution that will work.
Why is it all you want to do is bash when you could just come out and tell us what you've found to work in the first place?
I'm not even going to respond to you anymore, it's just a waste of time.