Streaks on gutters

csoldier

New Member
I know this has been discussed recently, however I have a few questions on the topic. What is your routine for cleaning the streaks when house washing-- do you clean the house then apply the streak remover or is the remover part of your mixture? Is this an extra charge to the customer or part of your house washing price? What do you recommend charging for the extra service? How do you apply your streak remover-pump sprayer, etc.? How about on 2nd story?
I finally found a real good product (TR 5000) which removes the streaks with ease. It is a citrus type cleaner. I would like to incorporate into my services. Thanks for the input.
Mark
 

Mike Hughes

New Member
Price-wise, I do not offer it as a seperate service, but I include it in my estimate and use it as a selling point.

I feel that by offering it seperate, the customer expects the results to be perfect. I do not shoot for perfection. I do the best I can, without spending all day on it. If they don't come up perfect, so what? They are still much better then when I got there. That attitude might appall some, but to me, it just makes sense. Don't get me wrong, I try my best to get the gutters clean, but I have yet to use a brush on a gutter. If I can't get it on the first try, I will try again...........and if not, I let it go. Move on. I made no promises to the customer, therefore everyone remains happy. And I dont have to spend half a day on the relentless pursuit of perfection.

I use Gutter Zap. Spray on, powerwash off. The sooner you wash it, the better. Generally, I do the gutters before I wash the house. I wet the siding before I spray the gutter zap. I apply it with a pump up sprayer or a sure-flo pump. Second floor I usually apply it from a ladder with the sprayer. On rare occasions, I apply it with the xjet nozzle........but it gets all over the place when you do that.

Good luck.
 

ParadiseProWash

New Member
Hey Mike I have bought some Gutter Zap but I have not used it yet. Could you go into more detail as to why you said the sooner you get it off the better. I am just curious I would think that dwell time would be good. Do you mix it 50/50 or what. Thanks in advance for the info. :confused:
 

Mike Hughes

New Member
It has been my experience that it works better if you just powerwash it off pretty much right away. You may find otherwise. I have seen no benefit to dwell time at all.

I dillute it 2 to 1. Sometimes I mix it a bit stronger........depends on how bad the gutters are.
 

Harold Brantley

New Member
I like Gutter Zap also and usually mix 3 to 1. If you let it sit on too long it will loosen the paint on gutters or anything else. Mike said he uses a ladder on second stories, but I think it is quicker to get a bucket and brush with extension pole. It is fast and no ladder to unload, set up, move, move, move and then put away. I start washing the house and if I need the Gutter Zap, I take out a pump up sprayer and do right after I have applied chemicals. Then rinse very well to get it all off. If it over sprays on windows, don't let it dry. It will streak the windows.
 

spraymasters

New Member
Here is our procedure for cleaning the gutter streaks.
We put the house wash chems on the house including the gutters. I rinse off using the pressure washer getting the gutters the best possible. Then I use a brush (with extension pole) with gutter zap. I come right behind the brush with the pressure washer. Works great and have yet to come across any stains that will not come out using this method. Yes it does take alittle longer and is more expensive to use the gutter zap. We use it full strength. But it is worth it when the customer comes out and sees the bright white on those gutters!
We are careful with plants and make sure we wet them before and after. The same with windows.
Den
 

Mike Hughes

New Member
Dennis,


There is no need to use it full strength........just a waste of money, and potentially damaging. Next house you wash, try it with half water.........I think you will find you get the same results (and less product cost). Let me know if it works for you.

Mike
 

Aplus

New Member
I've been using a product called "Knockout" that I get from my local supply house, and mix it at about 1 pint to half a 5 gallon pail. I apply with a brush on an extension pole. Scrubbing is very minimal, in fact, it's just a matter of distributing the solution evenly on the gutters. It's better to rinse it off right away, and not let it dry. My only beef is that the mixture is really tough on my hands. I've tried various styles of gloves, but it always seems to work its way in, and it dries the skin terribly. I'd be interested in trying gutter zap, but I don't know where to get it. Can somebody tell me?

Thanks,
Tony
 

spraymasters

New Member
Mike, I will give that a try. We don't use much as it is, using a brush to apply. Thanks, and will let you know if it works for us the same.
Den:D
 

Ron Musgraves

Administrator
Staff member
I like Gutter Zap also and usually mix 3 to 1. If you let it sit on too long it will loosen the paint on gutters or anything else. Mike said he uses a ladder on second stories, but I think it is quicker to get a bucket and brush with extension pole. It is fast and no ladder to unload, set up, move, move, move and then put away. I start washing the house and if I need the Gutter Zap, I take out a pump up sprayer and do right after I have applied chemicals. Then rinse very well to get it all off. If it over sprays on windows, don't let it dry. It will streak the windows.


I see you tearing it up on Angies List , Hows life going in the pressure washing World?
 

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