[simon w]

Do you think Hypo will remove this green algae from the brick work? we are pressure washing balconies on the top floor and have been asked if we can remove the algae from either side of the down pipe from ground floor to roof level. I am going to test clean at ground level using a backpack and water fed pole but was just wondering on opinions from those that have cleaned similar.

I don't want to hire a MEWP if I can help it and the building manager isn't looking for perfection. The rear of this property where the work will take place is mostly free of pedestrians and traffic so managing a safe work space shouldn't be an issue.

Thoughts please?

[Mike Halliday]

Hypo might remove it but will leave a  highly visible difference . I would use a biocide algae remover it won"t work  straight away  but will work

A WFP will spill hypo on all  the windowsills plus run down the walls it will be very hard to control where it goes

[simon w]

Hypo might remove it but will leave a  highly visible difference . I would use a biocide algae remover it won"t work  straight away  but will work

A WFP will spill hypo on all  the windowsills plus run down the walls it will be very hard to control where it goes

Thanks for your input Mike. Using a biocide algae remover through a wfp would be the same to control as Hypo I should think? from what I understand hypo won't cause any damage to the windows or frames and it will all be getting rinsed away before we finish on the brickwork. I will take a look at bio algae removers do you have any links to a good product?

I will upload a photo after my ground floor test clean

[Kev Martin]

The problem you have is that whatever you use be it Hypo, a biocide like Spray and Walk Away or even a High Alkaline Cleaner like PSRP Xtreme will of course improve it dramatically.  This however will then in turn show the rest of the building up.  Then they will complain to you about how dirty the rest of it is.   It’s a bit like washing one door of a filthy dirty car and leaving the rest

[Splash & dash]

Totaly agree with Kevin , if you clean that it will stand out like a soar thumb, we would either do the whole building or nothing at all , hypo will bring that up like new and the rest will look awful I don’t think the property owners would be happy with it looking like a patchwork quilt

[Smudger]

No problem using hypo - if going through water fed pole you will have full control - yes you will have a great clean bit but that’s not your issue - that’s preferable to what it is now

You ha e 2 options:
Clean it as asked and show up the rest of the building then hopefully be asked to clean it all

Or

Use a weaker solution of hypo so it blends in, but that’s not doing the job to you best abilities

Personally - I wouldn’t use any of the spray and walk’ away  stuff - customer will want to see the results quicker than that

Good luck whatever you decide - look forward to some after piccy’s

Darran

[simon w]

Thanks for all your replies on this, I'm not at all concerned about the neighboring areas not blending in with the cleaned brickwork as we can only quote and clean what's been asked for. If at a later date the building manager asks for this rear elevation to be cleaned in it's entirety then I'll readily quote for this also, it's the rear of the building and only used as a service area for deliveries and refuge collection etc so I doubt it'll be needed. The other two downpipes on this side of the building are clean in comparison so it's only likely to be the area shown in the photo. I will post some follow up photos of the test clean and the final results if we get the work. Thanks again for all your advice it's been very helpful.   

[Aqua Power Solutions]

I would also advise that the guttering and/or downpipe requires clearing out .
This would  prevent this area getting soiled again in the future
Ed

[simon w]

I would also advise that the guttering and/or downpipe requires clearing out .
This would  prevent this area getting soiled again in the future
Ed

That's a good point Ed. It has just been cleaned out that's why they want the brickwork either side of the downpipe cleaned