Concrete damage - How to prevent?

[derekcaldwell]

I recently performed a job where there was minor damage to the concrete walkways. Luckily, the owner is a contractor and didn't care. However, I might not be so lucky the next time. The problem was that there were two 300' stretches of concrete walkways where the concrete was cleaned using a hot water unit and surface cleaner. I did small test areas with no problem. However, after doing the job at night and the steam settled down I noticed a 50' stretch where there were inconsistencies in the clean. I had no problem with the other areas. This concrete did have alot of imperfections before I did the work but I still want to know how to prevent this from happening. How do you prevent cleaning large areas with the possibility of some areas being inconsistent? Is it in the quality of the concrete pour? Do I notify/inform my customer? Also, can concrete be patched up after a pressure washer did damage to it?

Thanks for help in advance,

Derek

 

[Christopher]

Give us more info on the Concrete: How old is it? Was it dirty or just new construction? Did it have oil/grease or Mold/dirt? Tell us more about it so we can help you and if you had some pictures it would help. Tell us more about the damage? Clean overlaps? Swirls? Circles? Etching into the concrete?

 

[derekcaldwell]

Concrete damage reply

The concrete is about 2 yrs old. It had existing imperfections (some caused by previous pressure washer..i.e. wand marks) and mold/dirt. However, afterwards I could clearly see a long series of streaks where my surface cleaner made a path. The contractor has since paid me and not said anything but I don't want this to happen again. And if it does and my client isn't as nice how do I handle the situation?

Regards,

 

[Micah]

Were you drawing water from a tank or from a hose bib? If you were working from a hose bib, you may have had a drop in water pressure. This could be prevented using a tank, even if it's small (100gal) as a buffer.

 

[itswillist]

I've never used a surface cleaner, but I ordered a nice one and it's on the way. I did see some circular "skuff" marks at a shopping center today and it looked like it came from a surface cleaner .. I would also like to know how to eliminate this from happening ... ? Any other suggestions ?

 

[whit49]

Hello:

I own WW Pressure Washing here in Baton Rouge, La. Been in business 1993. I own 2 - 30" alkota surface cleaners, and one 24" Aqua Pro Surface cleaner. Many residential and commercial co. will not give you work if you don't have one. The skuff marks you are referring to is called tiger stripes.
This occurs when the nozzles which screw onto the bar under the surface scrubber gets dirt or a small grain of sand lodged in them. This restricts the flow of water, and does not allow water to come out in the correct pattern. The key is to clean them by unscrewing them and washing them out, or carrying another set to screw in when you notice the tiger stripes. Making sure that they are getting a good flow of water prevents the circular skuff marks.
Getting the circular marks out may require cleaning the nozzles, and then going over the section of concrete where the stripes are...

 

[jetstream1]

I must say you have a great last name...
Mark Cauldwell
Jet Stream Pressure Washing
Orange City FL
386-775-6301
386-383-9605

 

[Troy F.]

Tar removal

Hello everyone, I recently serviced a customer who had tar on her pavement from a recent roofing job. Most of it came up however even with hot water there was still spots left over. Does anyone have any experience with this? What chemicals do you recommend? Thanks in advance. Troy

 

[Troy F.]

Questions

Whit49, May I have your email adress? I need answers to some questions.Thank you.

 

[jetstream1]

Hello everyone, I recently serviced a customer who had tar on her pavement from a recent roofing job. Most of it came up however even with hot water there was still spots left over. Does anyone have any experience with this? What chemicals do you recommend? Thanks in advance. Troy

YEP GO TO THE GAS PUMP AND GET A BIT OF D-FUEL LET IT SIT AND IT WILL SOFTEN THE TAR /ITS A TRICK OF MOST DUMP TRUCK /CO FOR WHEN THEY ARE DOING ROAD WORK REMOVES A.K.A TACK...JUST DONT LET ANYONE SEE YOU A BIG NO NO....

 

[jetstream1]

Whit49, May I have your email adress? I need answers to some questions.Thank you.

IF YOU NEED ANY HELP OR ? FEEL FREE TO E-MAIL ME jetstream1@earthlink.net


Mark Cauldwell
Jet Stream Pressure Washing
OrangeCity FL,32763

 

[Troy F.]

Appreciate the help. Thanks

 

[itswillist]

Whit49 do you have an e-mail ? I'd like to keep in touch with you .. esp. since we live in the same city .. I just started my company "Earthcrawl LLC." Pressure washing .. my e-mail is john@earthcrawl.com

 

[woodlandspilo]

Mold/Mildew/Algae

Folks, this is my first post. I am coming across some grey and geen colored mildew (??) on rain gutters, soffet and fascia that is impossible to remove with cold water using Simple Green cleaner. Is there an enviornmentally friendly chemical that would loosen this stuff up so I could get it clean? I'm North of Houston in a heavily wooded area and lots of moisture.

 

[itswillist]

First wet the area, then get a brush (soft bristles), put some bleach (non diluted) on the brush and rub on the area's .. don't let the area dry, just do it till the mildew comes up ... then rinse very well ... This works for me with no problems ..