Need Help!! First time dealing with moss and algae!

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ONPLS

New member
Ok so we are very familiar with commercial flatwork etc. But have not come across this before.

Today I get a call from a country club asking about cleaning their natural stone steps. They are really slippery with green moss and algae and every morning the dew makes them like a skating rink. That's ice for you boys down south.

There are about 40 steps that are 5' wide with 3 landings that are 5'x8'

I have an idea on the cost to clean just figuring my time and materials. If anyone can chime in on the approximate cost that would be great too.

I really need to know the proper steps(no pun intended) for cleaning these steps, and the cleaning solutions to use.


Thanks
 
Thanks Vince, dumb question but what is that made up of. I can honestly say that I have never seen a house wash mix here or herd of anybody washing houses or roofs in Ontario, We generally don't get much algae or moss growth here.

I know bleach is probably in there.

Can you suggest something that I could mix or get my hands on at a big box store.
 
ONPLS said:
Thanks Vince, dumb question but what is that made up of. I can honestly say that I have never seen a house wash mix here or herd of anybody washing houses or roofs in Ontario, We generally don't get much algae or moss growth here.

I know bleach is probably in there.

Can you suggest something that I could mix or get my hands on at a big box store.
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House wash mix would be bleach + a surfactant (roof snot/cling on/lemonade/fresh wash/ etc etc etc.) Depending on the size/GPM of your pump you could probably find 8% bleach at your local store and just downstream it.
 
Rapid HotClean said:
Moss is a way of life around here. It grows really thick and clings to concrete and asphalt for all it's worth. House wash strength SH won't touch it. I like to see it turn white the instant it's hit. Then I allow a 10 minute or so dwell time.
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So does that require roof mix or do you go straight SH?
 
socalkol said:
So does that require roof mix or do you go straight SH?
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Job 1 is always to get as much off as possible with a flat nose shovel. That improves surface cleaner speed and cleaning quality. It also cuts way down on the sludge mess.

Vince is right about hot water.

If we're also doing a house wash and/or roof cleaning we'll spray the concrete/asphalt first but clean it last after we finish the other work.

We use 12.5% SH and apply with an X-Jet. Depending upon how fresh the SH is, it's always 3.2% minimum out of the gun. No hot water needed. SH is cheaper than running the burner.

Mix includes Gain Ultra, Lemon Aid, and EBC.
 
@320 sq ft, shouldn't take long to complete - 1 - 1 1/2 hour tops. Materials suggested @$15. Set-up and travel + going up and down steps.... $300. Just curious, what did you have in mind?
 
Rapid HotClean said:
Job 1 is always to get as much off as possible with a flat nose shovel. That improves surface cleaner speed and cleaning quality. It also cuts way down on the sludge mess.

Vince is right about hot water.

If we're also doing a house wash and/or roof cleaning we'll spray the concrete/asphalt first but clean it last after we finish the other work.

We use 12.5% SH and apply with an X-Jet. Depending upon how fresh the SH is, it's always 3.2% minimum out of the gun. No hot water needed. SH is cheaper than running the burner.

Mix includes Gain Ultra, Lemon Aid, and EBC.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ted, Good stuff!
 
Job 1 is always to get as much off as possible with a flat nose shovel. That improves surface cleaner speed and cleaning quality. It also cuts way down on the sludge mess.

Im not sure if there is that much build up, Its more that the steps have turned from light brown to dark green and slick.

I hate to say it but I have only seen about 5 of the steps since the rest is still buried in snow....

I think that a real strong mix of bleach would do the trick, Ted, what would be a good dwell time?


To CL $ 300.00 bucks is probably on the right track, I was thinking about about $350.00 its close to our shop but I think its going to be a one off thing.
 
ONPLS said:
Job 1 is always to get as much off as possible with a flat nose shovel. That improves surface cleaner speed and cleaning quality. It also cuts way down on the sludge mess.

Im not sure if there is that much build up, Its more that the steps have turned from light brown to dark green and slick.

I hate to say it but I have only seen about 5 of the steps since the rest is still buried in snow....

I think that a real strong mix of bleach would do the trick, Ted, what would be a good dwell time?


To CL $ 300.00 bucks is probably on the right track, I was thinking about about $350.00 its close to our shop but I think its going to be a one off thing.
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Shovel work is definitely extra $$$
 
ONPLS said:
Job 1 is always to get as much off as possible with a flat nose shovel. That improves surface cleaner speed and cleaning quality. It also cuts way down on the sludge mess.

Im not sure if there is that much build up, Its more that the steps have turned from light brown to dark green and slick.

I hate to say it but I have only seen about 5 of the steps since the rest is still buried in snow....

I think that a real strong mix of bleach would do the trick, Ted, what would be a good dwell time?


To CL $ 300.00 bucks is probably on the right track, I was thinking about about $350.00 its close to our shop but I think its going to be a one off thing.
Click to expand...

Ten minutes should do it.
 
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