Need help/advice on bedford stone

[MDFrey]

Hello,
I'm new here and have found a wealth of information here!
So, thanks for that everyone!

My question is...I have a lady (a friend of a friend) wanting her bedford stone house cleaned. It has not been cleaned in over 15yrs but does'nt look bad at all, mostly just dirt. Is there a good cleaner for this type job or will a straight water wash do the trick? It does have one or two yellowed discolored marks in a couple of spots but they both only measure about 1 ft x 1 ft if that. Both marks i noticed was at top of house in the corners...looked like it could have been from gutter overflow but not sure.
I'm used to doing vinyl and have no clue what i should use on this...any advice would be greatly appreciated!

P.S. Just a FYI...I only have a cold water rig right now, running a 13hp honda and a 11hp honda.

Thanks in advance!
Mike

 

[Bill B]

I'd try normal house wash chem. If stains are rust related, clean those two areas with oxalic or similar mtl.

 

[MDFrey]

Thanks for the reply Bill. I was thinking the same thing but was kind of worried of what will and won't stain the "whitish/light gray" colored stone.

Thanks again!
Mike

 

[paul-uk]

mike....do a test spot around the back before you do anything.

paul.

 

[Larry L.]

Normal powerwashing soap should be all you need unless rust.Care should be taken b/c the stone will streak when useing acids,it can be used tho,care and work smaller area's.

 

[MDFrey]

Thanks Paul and Larry.
I did a test spot this evening with regular soap as Larry stated but it was getting dark and i was under a carport so i really couldnt tell how well it turned out b/c of the wetness and visibility. So i will find out tomorrow if it turned out ok!

Also, When i talked to this lady for the first time, she was leaning towards having the house sandblasted. She was told that was the best way to go by someone. But anyway, she was referred to me by a family friend and we agreed i would do a test patch and see how it turned out. (she picked spot i was to wash) well after i washed the area and we chatted for a few, we decided i would return tomorrow to follow up on it. As i was rolling up to leave she says "i want you to finish this whole side of the house b/c now that spot is going to be clean and stick out from the rest of the wall"! Now i dont know exactly what she meant by that but i sure hope she dont think shes going to get that whole side of her house done for free!?! If this is what she is implying how would you guys handle it?

Thanks again fella's, and i apologize for the long reply!

Mike

 

[squirtgun]

HMMM

HMMM
You agreed to do a test patch,now she wants the side of the house done so it will match.Will that lead to her wanting the whole house done so it all matches and you have yet to make a dime.I would give her a price to finish the side you did the test on,as well as,a price for the rest of the house.Sounds like she is trying to get a house wash for free.Just my .02

 

[oneness]

I'd simply tell her that you'd be more than happy to wash the entire side of the house, for a fee! She picked the test spot, not you!

 

[MDFrey]

Thanks Squirtgun and Mike for your reply.

I could have taken it all wrong, that's just how she came across. She did say when i come back monday she would like an estimate. Then said "i definately want you to finish this wall" etc... So I guess (and i'm hoping) she could have meant that even if she decides not to have the whole house cleaned that she would pay me to finish that one side.
But I can't and won't do it for free. Everything that was done (test spot) was done where and how she wanted it done, so i feel that I owe nothing more!

But anyways, Thanks again for your thoughts and advice you 2 and i totally agree with you both!

Take care,
Mike