Could use some help! Have you run into this?

[privateer]

Thought someone out there might be able to help on this. We need it!

Washed a house two weeks ago. The owner called last week to say he noticed whitish streaked areas on the front and side of the house(scattered and random areas). We went over 2 days ago and washed the front and side again. Today he called most irrate saying it was still the same. We used M1 Housewash at 24:1 mix with 32 ozs of percarbonate. We use 4gpm 3200lb washers and apply the soap from a separate tank and 60lb 2gpm sprayer.

Has anyone experienced something like this happening? This guy is already mumbling lawsuit and the house is barely dry yet! I understand his hostility to a point but it's not helping resolve this.

Could use some sound advice on this. We're not newbies but we've never had this this happen in our 7 years in business. Please contact us at 860 627-5490 or email directly to colormasters@cox.net.

Thanks

 

[Dave Ott]

Was the house Vinyl. aluminum, brick or mixed?

 

[privateer]

Sorry for the omission - the house was vinyl sided. Aproximately 6 years old and is a darker grey in color.

 

[john orr]

A pic or two would really help. Short of that, can you wipe off the white? Is it just on the surface? Is it Possibly run-off from painted trim? I had a house a few years ago that I had to come back when it was dry and wipe same areas that had "bled".

 

[PressurePros]

I'm surprised it hasn't happened to you before. Sodium percarbonate can get aggressive with paint or colorant but then again if you have been in business that long, this may be a fluke. For my taste sodium percarbonate (and your post doesn't really tell what strength as it doesn't mention total solution.. 5 gallons? 20 gallons?) is too reactive to use on a house. Check for oxidation. You may be able to get away with an acidic compund applied to the sides that are having problems. There is a host of things you are going to have to try. The first thing I would do is get a ladder up there and see what you are dealing with.

 

[privateer]

Hi John, This isn't coming off the trim. When we rewashed the house we did notice that the chalky greyish/whiteness disappeared when it was wet. Once it dried at apparently came back. It doesn't wash off, or according to the owner, doesn't scrub off either(haven't gone back again to check personally yet). We used the same soap to rewash but when the owner called he said there was no change from what he had before. Seems to me that if the soap was the problem then it should have changed - one way or another. Our soap first pressure-rinse method makes it pretty difficult for anything to stay behind. We wash overlapping two boards at a time so everything is thoroughly washed. We're not fast but are thorough. We even use a 10ft stepladder or our bucket truck for higher reach to keep the jet within a foot of the cleaning surface so lack of pressure isn't really an answer either. Like I said we're stumped. I've just called the Jomaps company to ask if they're aware of any problem similar to this. I'm currently waiting for a return call.

 

[privateer]

Hi Ken,
We don't have a one method fits all for our chemistry. We use none on paint as you are right it could damage paint. We don't use hypochlorite bleaches for the same reason. We do use percarbonate on vinyl sided buildings with mold growth and this was the case with this one. Our tanks can handle 50 gals in which we usually would put two pounds. Our tanks were half full for that job so the mix was about 2/3 ozs per gal - and other than M1 nohing else was added. We will be doing some tests on the siding with assorted cleaners. Your suggestion was to try an acid. Would you have a suggestion? We keep some citric around but not much else in that line.

This is a first for this happening to one of our washings. We are trying to figure out what we are dealing with. Please include details of similar experiences and also details of what successfully corrected them.
Called left message.
Thanks
Phil
860 202-7255
colormasters@cox.net

 

[mmmattman]

oxidation

6 yr old vinyl, its probablly worse on the more weathered and exposed areas, run your finger on it, it will probabley be chaulky, (i learned to notice oxidation when quoteing and note it on the estimate.) the sun & eliments break dow the vinyls luster. Ive used products that remove the oxidation, be carefull they are very caustic (Brite side from atlantic pressure systems), im sure any chemical dealer will have an equivalent.. a non chemical fix is to pressue wash inch by inch to remove the chalky streaks but you have to do the whole section...more than likley you didnt cause the problem but exposed it ...compair neighbors houses, same weathered side i bet they are chalky too...when quoteing note: NO pressure it will take off the chaulk and leave swirls or swipes, mist rinse...Oxidation removal is 3-4 Xs the time and price

Matt Marshall
Windows Plus Pressure Washing
Charleston SC

 

[privateer]

Matt,
We have been contacted by two other veterans and all seem to feel as you do, that oxidation is the probable culprit. When we rewashed the property we did do a closeup wash at 3200psi but the result was no change once the siding dried. A chemical of an acidic base has been suggested to cut the oxidation. It has been suggested that a test with Oxalic acid or Phosphoric acid be done. Other suggestions or safer options would be welcomed as we try to run in the biodegradable area as much as possible. We also do not want to physically damage the siding!

Thanks for the comeback!
Phil

 

[pwrwshr1]

weep holes and underlayment

Matt,
We have been contacted by two other veterans and all seem to feel as you do, that oxidation is the probable culprit. When we rewashed the property we did do a closeup wash at 3200psi but the result was no change once the siding dried. A chemical of an acidic base has been suggested to cut the oxidation. It has been suggested that a test with Oxalic acid or Phosphoric acid be done. Other suggestions or safer options would be welcomed as we try to run in the biodegradable area as much as possible. We also do not want to physically damage the siding!

Thanks for the comeback!
Phil

after 24 yrs of washing I would say you have had the under layment get wet thru weep holes ( exp/cont.0 joints.) Once you get under it, you will get this effect. I use one (1) product only on vinyl and have had no probs in all this time. I would not use anymore acids. Try a simple truck wash solution. How can it be oxidation if you are so very careful in the washdown not missing any spots?

 

[privateer]

One of the reasons this is a mystery to us is that we have washed many buildings, both residential and commercial that have the whitish chalky appearance. Usually the pressure and the mix break it down and it comes off in a milky white runoff. This does not do that. When wet it disappears totally and the siding color is normal. As you are washing the runoff appears to be plain clear water. When dry it assumes the chalky appearance. Just to add more confusion this is only in patches. Not the whole property.

I'm not sure I mentioned that with the two parties I talked with so if this changes your take on the problem please let me know.

Thanks
Phil

 

[PressurePros]

Phil try the acid. Efflorescence on brick will disappear when wet also. I would want to eliminate that this is not some kind of calcification or salt that was formed from a chem reaction or hard water. Was the water supply municipal or from a well?

 

[privateer]

Ken,
Seems I forgot to mention this was a well? I seem to be a wealth of incomplete information lately - sorry! Does this change your outlook on the problem?

Phil

 

[PressurePros]

From what you have described it sounds like a hard water/mineral problem. The only thing that is going to remove it is an acidic cleaner.

 

[windowmonkey]

elements

It's cheap siding and maybe older then six years find out the manufactor of the siding and how old , is it run off from the roof ? What i think what happen is what a few people already suggested , you reveiled a problem, we spray water and cleaner not paint and the customer somethimes has a fantasy of a Beautiful new castle, their is only so much we can do with out collateral damages
You need to pin point the problem and act, control this sitution or it will cost you! [white]

 

[windowmonkey]

And

Hey what happened with this sititution [hello]