What is Wrong With My Method?

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therock

Guest
I am a non-pro newbe to pressure washing. The Wife's business just bought us a new unit, see my signature.
I have rented washers before to kill the mold on my wood sided home. I don't know any pros but everone I know who does the same, just sticking the low pressure injector into a bottle of houshold bleach with an added squirt of dish soap. We spray 2 sections, rinse one, spray another, rinse the second section and so on. It has done a great job. I have not killed any plants, or streaked any windows.
Talk to me. What is the problem?
 
T

therock

Guest
Well...

...reading here about all the chemicals you guys use I figure somthing is up. Perhaps I am paying more for the bleach than the chemicals made for the job?
 
Larry L.

Larry L.

PWN TEAM - Moderator Emeritus
grin,no nothing is up,your already useing the cheapest chemical.

Some of us had rather not mess with bleach products and pay more for chemicals that do the same job.Some of us had rather not breath bleach or kill plants or wear bleached out cloths with holes eaten inem or do extra watering to keep it from killing.
 
T

therock

Guest
Hmmm?

Is there something at Lowes or Home Depot I can get to avoid the extra cost and problems? I just need to get mold off.
I do a search on chemicals and get overwhelmed on results and opinions.
 
Larry L.

Larry L.

PWN TEAM - Moderator Emeritus
I think I just waded in over my head b/c I dont know which extra cost your talking about,the bleach or the squirt of dish soap which seems fairly cheap to me.Some add a squirt of rinseaid and a handfull of tide making it cost more.
What problems are you having or did I miss read your thoughts in doing a great job?
 
C

CaroliProWash

New Member
therock said:
I am a non-pro newbe to pressure washing. The Wife's business just bought us a new unit, see my signature.
I have rented washers before to kill the mold on my wood sided home. I don't know any pros but everone I know who does the same, just sticking the low pressure injector into a bottle of houshold bleach with an added squirt of dish soap. We spray 2 sections, rinse one, spray another, rinse the second section and so on. It has done a great job. I have not killed any plants, or streaked any windows.
Talk to me. What is the problem?
Click to expand...


At the risk of sounding like a really sarcastic jerk, the problem is that you are a homeowner trying to do a job that a professional should be doing, with chemicals that are meant for laundry and dishes.

I don't know what you do for a living, but wouldn't you be a little annoyed if I called up your office and asked how I could do your job more effectively and cheaper than hiring you to do it?

Congratulations on not killing any plants - I would hate to think that off the shelf Clorox, with about the same efficacy as Mom spit, would kill the grass since that's what I put in my laundry. :burn:
 
T

therock

Guest
CaroliProWash...

...don't hold back, I understand. I guess I am just trying to find out if the Bleach thing has a long term negative effect. I have never killed any of my grass or plants.
As for you calling my work place, it's America, the land of free enterprise and without competition it would be no fun at all. I work for Anheuser-Busch. Call away. :D
My Wife has a very successful Pet Grooming business. Her shop turns out 50 to 70 dogs a day. She gets hit with the same thing I'm doing here. She used to get a little defensive about it but realized there is no use stressing over it. She now helps in any way she can and finds most of the time 80% of these folks try it and mess their pets coat up and brings them to her because she was friendly to begin with. She gets other shops calling and asking about pricing also. Some try to not let on and forget about caller ID.
In my defense, I like doing my own home maintenance. I can afford my own pressure washer, and will enjoy using it. And no, I will not do the neighbors house or let him borrow it. I am real **** about my toys. Take it easy. I'm no threat to any of you guys.
 
Larry L.

Larry L.

PWN TEAM - Moderator Emeritus
You have to over look some professionals nomatter what your trying to learn to do for yourself,money hurry huh.

If I was you I wouldn't use bleach on wood,I don't know what the long term effect will be.Altho alot of people use it on wood.......Lowes or home depot will have cleaning chemicals for bare wood,painted wood,Aluminum,ect.,ask for help at the store.Most of use order in bulk to keep our prices down but in your case it would last you a life time.

Why not start washing pets,they make pet washers,some even setup at carwashes.
 
M

Mathew Johnson

New Member
Hey Rock....

FOr what you are using to complete your specific goals, I think it is fine. You are cleaning your house and aren't pushed for time.

I use the stuff that is expensive and a bit stronger (Citraclean or 396 and 12.5 hypochlorite or percarbonate) with two objectives in mind. The first is to clean things well and the second is to clean things fast. We do a large house in about an hour and 30-45 minutes (tops).

MY season is short herre in upstate New York. When I started I was using a housewash mix similar to yours (clorox and Dawn) and I was feeding it pre-pump. It took me a day to do a large property.

As for Anheuser-Busch, We have a couple of the main owners that live a few minutes from me here in Cooperstown... I have done work for them a long time ago... THey are great to work for and give millions to the local community... The paid for the Emergency Room Construction at the hospital I work at...

If you do think about getting started with a side business. call me... I will tell you all of the mistakes I made so you won't make them and I can give you some bid sheets and other stuff as well.... and there is money to be made.. I do this part / full time and also have a job as an RN.

Call with any questions 607-286-7458
 
C

CaroliProWash

New Member
Hey Rock,

I completely understand that we understand one another. I have gone out on many limbs trying to help folks especially since getting into this business. Check posts. By the way, our business probably never would have happened had we not been the DIY type as well :)

I probably do owe you an apology for responding before I had my coffee this morning :eek: Most folks do know our company as one who does try to help. Shame on me.

We make it a practice not to use bleach on wood as we have been taught that bleach will break down the lignin in the wood causing the longevity of the wood to decrease. A sodium percarbonate type cleaner - Oxyclean if you're going off the shelf - is much safer for the environment and you as the applicator.

Again, sorry for my little tirade :)

I would be more than happy to speak with you by phone if you like. My info is in my signature.

Celeste
 
Henry Bockman

Henry Bockman

Member
Hey Rock,

Since your in Georgia, why don't you contact sunbrite supply at www.sunbritesupply.com Ask for Pete or Tracey, either one of them would be glad to help you out with chemicals or questions and they are in your area so they may know more about your particular application and climate.
 
T

therock

Guest
This Is All Good!

Henry:
Thanks for the local link. I was glad to see they have Gutter-Zap. Shipping charges locally will help allot. Looking at your picture, you look just like a friend named Henry I knew years ago. Have you ever lived in Brandon Florida?

CaroliProWash:
No problem here! I do wonder about what it says under your name. "Banned"?
Heh,Heh, what's up with that? You guys don't have to walk on thin ice around me. Fire away!

Larry L.:
Short and direct are your replies. Great, and for all you guys, thanks for the time spent replying.

More on the chemical question.
I was in Lowe's today and looked over the shelf. I see a general cleaner by Briggs & Stratton that lists mold\mildew in the list. It's 1 gallon to 5 gallons of water. Any experience with that stuff here? I looked the label over and there is no MSD or composition list.

Again, Thanks To All,
 
B

bMOORECL

New Member
Larry L. said:
You have to over look some professionals nomatter what your trying to learn to do for yourself,money hurry huh.

If I was you I wouldn't use bleach on wood,I don't know what the long term effect will be.Altho alot of people use it on wood.......Lowes or home depot will have cleaning chemicals for bare wood,painted wood,Aluminum,ect.,ask for help at the store.Most of use order in bulk to keep our prices down but in your case it would last you a life time.

Why not start washing pets,they make pet washers,some even setup at carwashes.
Click to expand...
A LITTLE HOT LARRY LOL,I JUST DON,T UNDERSTAND. [spin]
 
Larry L.

Larry L.

PWN TEAM - Moderator Emeritus
Heck no,just getting tired of the extra work and explaining.To me they is no differents between a part timer and home owner doing their thing,we're here to help all.

I'm going to close this thread,think for a sec and you'll understand why.
 
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