Hi Guys, I need to see what everyone thinks on this one. I have a 32 unit complex I need to quote but think I may need to power wash the brick. Here are some pics let me know if you think I can soft wash this or if it will need power. Also I have never quoted a job if I need to use the power washer this much, anyone have any feed back on how to guesstimate the time needed?
We have just recently started SoftWashing brick but it works pretty well. Some that we have done has produced better results than power washing would have but other jobs have not. If you are going to try it I agree with Jeff, you're looking at a 2 or 3% mix and give it plenty of dwell time. May need to reapply your cleaning agents a few times as well. We have been letting it sit on the surface for at least 15 mins making sure to keep it wet. Also some areas may require some brushing (under the vinyl in pic. #3 where it looks white).
Remember brick is made of clay and can act like carbon in a filter. Brick will draw in impurities in the air and these will hold on the surface and within the brick. Some of these impurities are not organic but rather mineral in nature. You will need a heavier Terra Wash mix in your softwashing solution than Green Wah. I reccomend a 1 oz Green Wash to two oz Terra Wash per gallon of softwashing solution at 3% SH.
This type of job requires a demo cleaning. If it is algae, surface dirt, surface environmental contaminates, heavy Terra Wash will do it. It also could require masonry cleaner, I like OneRestore, and/ or a pressure washing. Time to clean and your bid will depend heavily on the method and chemicals you need.
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Chad A. Eneix, President, Water Dragon Inc. chad@waterdragoncleaning.com
Thanks Everyone!! I really appreciate all the help on this one. That helps a ton with this quote. I will see if they will let me do some test spots to see what I will need to use on it. Hopefully I can get this job, it would be a huge jump forward for Rescue Pro Wash!
As others have said above, you may not need anything but standard Terra Wash and SoftWashing. That would be ideal. If you need more, I'm not sure what kind of pressure washing equipment you have or have access to. If you find you need to pressure wash, to do it efficiently, you will need at least a 4gpm machine, or you will be there forever. A wall surface cleaner may also help. In a 32 unit complex, these items would pay for themselves pretty quick, just roll them in to the bid if you need them.
Here's hoping your demo goes well, and just SoftWashing will take care of it. Good luck!
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Chad A. Eneix, President, Water Dragon Inc. chad@waterdragoncleaning.com
David, demos sell jobs!! The property managers, and homeowners alike, love that you are trying to save them money, while also offering a better solution for their exterior cleaning needs. It shows them you want to go the extra mile. Good luck on getting this contract!