Tannin's and softwashing - Certified SoftWash Roof Cleaning

Vic Irish · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

Tannin's and softwashing

AC Lockyer · Administrator

Vic Irish wrote:
Can't find a Science and Technology forum so thought I'd try this one.
I thought that tannin's were caused by stepping on chestnuts and leafs, but just read an article that said it works it's way out into some woods like cedar, redwood and mahogany (and some knots in other woods). Would it be correct to say that tannins are to wood surfaces like efflorescence is to concrete surfaces?
Still learning,
vic

Yes and no. Yes in that they seep from within the wood and manifest as a stain on the surface of the wood or on another surface beneath. No in that they are organic and can be easily cleaned with a bleach and water softwashing solution. Efflorencence is mineral in nature and can not be cleaned with bleach based cleaners.

Yes this time of year we see tannin alot. From falling leaves and acorns leaving tannin stains. We recomend once the leaves and nuts stop falling to rake up the aftermath and treat the stains with a 2% softwashing solution with a 50/50 mixture of Green Wash and Terra Wash at 1 ounce per gallon of softwashing solution.

Hope this helps Vic.

Still Instructing,

AC

Vic Irish · SoftWash Systems Certified Applicator

AC Lockyer wrote:
Vic Irish wrote:
Can't find a Science and Technology forum so thought I'd try this one.
I thought that tannin's were caused by stepping on chestnuts and leafs, but just read an article that said it works it's way out into some woods like cedar, redwood and mahogany (and some knots in other woods). Would it be correct to say that tannins are to wood surfaces like efflorescence is to concrete surfaces?
Still learning,
vic
Yes and no. Yes in that they seep from within the wood and manifest as a stain on the surface of the wood or on another surface beneath. No in that they are organic and can be easily cleaned with a bleach and water softwashing solution. Efflorencence is mineral in nature and can not be cleaned with bleach based cleaners.
Yes this time of year we see tannin alot. From falling leaves and acorns leaving tannin stains. We recomend once the leaves and nuts stop falling to rake up the aftermath and treat the stains with a 2% softwashing solution with a 50/50 mixture of Green Wash and Terra Wash at 1 ounce per gallon of softwashing solution.
Hope this helps Vic.
Still Instructing,
AC

Thank you for instructing, AC. blankstare

I never would have guessed 50/50 for GW and TW, but will remember that combination for wood and tannin in the future.

vic