Post Office
- Thread starter LX 90
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That turned out great.
814jeffw
Active member
Ok,..so you got the job,..and you're now going to do a test spot? You do test spots BEFORE you give any pricing quotes,...
UNLESS you have alot of experience and you price it enough to cover the worst case scenario,..but that still isn't a conventional way to bid.
I have cleaned yellow brick like that over the years,..a strong bleach mix will get it cleaner and maybe get you a paycheck,..but to see true results on how clean it can be,..go get some acid use for cleaning historic type brick,..I've always used Dietrich 101,..and it works really well.
These jobs require a degree of up close work on every inch,..applying your chosen detergent and washing off isn't an option if a quality job is desired. So the recommendation of a lift was exact. You don't want to do this from a ladder,.and it can't be done from the ground.
The bleach mix will work best on the concrete pillars and trim around the top.
*Keep in mind the higher off the ground you are, the further misting carries through the air. Be very aware of property and especially pedestrians. You need a lookout on these jobs or someone can end up with a face full of acid or bleach. Make sure you know where the runoff is going,..not sure you want the runoff going down city drains,..especially if you're using an acid.
*If you've never done this type of work,..you're about to see where your interest and pricing for these jobs will be for the next time.
**I sound negative,.but is a real World experience "heads up" sort of way,Ha,Ha,..
Jeff
I appreciate your honesty, and I agree I should have done all testing before hand. I really didn't think I would get it, and u priced it high enough with the lift in mind that I know I will make money. I had talked to a few brick guys in the industry and was assured a good roof mix would do the trick. This was 6 months ago. So I just wanted to be sure and have some other ideas to be better prepared. I agree a little backwards though.
814jeffw
Active member
Just to see,..why not get a gallon of brick cleaner and see for yourself,..it's what gains you experience.
Brick is porous and when it's is old has alot of airborne contaminants like exhaust from trucks,..bleach only kills mold,..and soap may remove some of the dirt,...and you will get it cleaner,.. but 99 times out of 100 it won't do near a good as job as brick cleaner made to attack these contaminants.
*Try to do this job on a rainy day,..keeps people inside and the rain also knocks the mist down before it gets to far.
Jeff
Brick is porous and when it's is old has alot of airborne contaminants like exhaust from trucks,..bleach only kills mold,..and soap may remove some of the dirt,...and you will get it cleaner,.. but 99 times out of 100 it won't do near a good as job as brick cleaner made to attack these contaminants.
*Try to do this job on a rainy day,..keeps people inside and the rain also knocks the mist down before it gets to far.
Jeff
PressureWashItNow
New member
How diid the job turn out?
DownEastPowerWash
New member
That's what I want to know! Pics? BTW I've used EBC recently and that stuff rocks! Just bought another 5 gallons today!
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Newlook
Member
Good to hear that Adam and thank you for the comment!!
814jeffw
Active member
Dietrich 101 or an equivalent is usually carried by masonry supply companies.
*Regarding the EBC,..I don't doubt that it works great,.but the example shown looked like cement or stucco,..brick itself doesn't clean up the same as these surfaces. I mentioned to Eric that his roof strength mix would likely clean the trim pieces,..but it's the brick that needs a more particular product. Maybe the EBC will clean brick this way,..the example above just didn't show it.
Jeff
*Regarding the EBC,..I don't doubt that it works great,.but the example shown looked like cement or stucco,..brick itself doesn't clean up the same as these surfaces. I mentioned to Eric that his roof strength mix would likely clean the trim pieces,..but it's the brick that needs a more particular product. Maybe the EBC will clean brick this way,..the example above just didn't show it.
Jeff
Newlook
Member
It was definitely cement Jeff and you bring up an excellent point regarding the surface.
I am pretty confident that EBC could put a nice "dent" in that brick.
Zap It Wash
New member
Nice work
JWBris
New member
Great work! What was the final solution you ended up using on the building to bring the bricks up nice and clean?
I am curious as well....if you don't mind sharing
