[mark bowditch]

Been reading forum from States and it seems like big business out there just wondering if any of you are house washing here.
Is there a market over here for it? What chemicals are you using and how?
Many Thanks in advance
Mark

[John Kelly]

Most of the houses in the suburbs of the States have some kind of weather boarding, either timber or UPVC. This gets dirty and this is what they are cleaning. Not a great call for it over here although there is a market for cleaning conservatories inside and out.

[preston powerblast]

I clean brick and stone houses.

[mark bowditch]

Thanks for the replies, sorry I should have made myself more clearer.
What chemicals would you use on :
painted render
brick
upvc
guttering
pebbledash.
As there is alot of pebbledash and rendered buildings in my area.
Thanks in advance
Mark

[preston powerblast]

Painted render leave well alone as todays masonary paint are waterbased and you run the risk of washing it off.
Brick, Hydroflouric acid.
UPVC clean this by hand with a upvc cleaner.
Guttering best by hand.
Pebbledash leave well alone again you run the risk of washing paint off also risk washing the dash off.

[mark bowditch]

Hi Gary,
Thanks for the info will leave them well alone.
Is all the beige rendering I see about painted or is it some sort of special coating.
Many Thanks
Mark

[preston powerblast]

If its flat its render.

[mark bowditch]

Thanks wasn't sure about the two.

[gb property care]

Gary,
         Where's the best place to get hydroflouric acid, and how much should I pay. Been to quote for washing an end back to back. Front of house is stone and covered in green and dirt, and will blast off no problem, but end of house is brick and its black, will definatley need acid on it.
         Regards    Peter

[gb property care]

Gary,
         Where's the best place to get hydroflouric acid, and how much should I pay. Been to quote for washing an end back to back. Front of house is stone and covered in green and dirt, and will blast off no problem, but end of house is brick and its black, will definatley need acid on it.
         Regards    Peter

[preston powerblast]

I used to use centurywise chemicals but it worked out very expensive, but now i have found a local supplier who does it for me at just over £20 for 25 litres.

[Jake]

I think you are confusing hydroflouric acid with hydrochloric acid which is used in the manufacture of 'brick acid'. I have used both, on no acount would I recommend using hydroflouric acid, please leave well alone!

                                 Regards....Jake

[preston powerblast]

http://www.centurywise.co.uk/chemicals.asp
Have a look on this site, this will show you both formulations of brick cleaners and stone cleaners.
HF & HC. I have used both formulations with very good results.
Everything has it dangers as you will find when you read about the product.
But using the correct protective gear and a knapsack sprayer, you will find that the results are outstanding.
The one I buy is a high strength HF.
So long as you take all necessary steps you will be fine.
But this is the way I do things, make your own mind up.
But dont use brick acid on stone unless its really diluted as this can cause severe damage.
I always do a small test area first.
But like all chemical cleaning its a skilled job.

[Jake]

I think what has made wary of recommending hydroflouric acid, is having to carry anti-dote gel, never had to use it, mind.


                               Regards....Jake 

[preston powerblast]

We always carry it, but using the proper gear you will never need it.
but you never know.

[chrisoleary]

Hi guys,

I am new to this site but was interested to see the topic regarding hydroflouric acid. I work as a firefighter at an industrial site which uses this acid. We use full chemical protection suits (the big yellow 'michellin man' type) with breathing apparatus whenever hydroflouric acid is involved. I hope you use similar protection when using it for cleaning.

[preston powerblast]

do we, full face resi and chemical suit.