Vinyl siding and exterior gutter cleaning !

[scarrylarry]

Hello All !

Okay when it comes to cleaning dirty, mildew , algae , siding and gutters a couple of choices come to mind

#1 have it powerwashed . Some companies offering this service apply a cleaner beforehand. Then they let the pressure washer rip. some don't take great care when doing this and blow water up under the siding.Goes for the outside of the gutters as well.


#2 Have the siding scrubbed by had with long arms and cleaners and hosed down with a garden hose. Goes for the gutters as well.

#3 Now I see this fella has a company that applies a cleaning product put on by an electrical sprayer in a foam application . He waits a few minutes and then uses the grade hose to spray the dirt off . No scrubbing or hardly any. I asked him what the product was but he was tight lipped . He did say that it was basic biology most of the dirt is Algae based ,

So any of you guys know what he may have been using |I know it smelled like bleach but to be able to just be washed off like that I tend to think there was something else in it . This fella used to power wash homes with a pressure washer and ladders etc. now he can do it from the ground
Any ideas ? Would love to know the cleaner .
Thanks
scarrylarry

 

[Done That]

Something like "Spray & Forget"

I use on my vinyl siding, campers, deck...does what it says.

 

[matt_i]

I'm not a fan of the pressure washing. Too much chance to blow water up underneath, or scuff the siding with an aggressive tip.

 

[jeffmattero76]

For cleaning siding, gutters, etc., I have always used 50/50 bleach/water with a squirt of dawn dishwashing liquid. I spray it on with a garden sprayer, let it sit for a few minutes, and then hose it off with a garden hose. Most of the time, no scrubbing is required.

A couple years ago I bought a 4 gallon backpack pump sprayer from harbor freight for about $20. Works perfectly for this, and many other jobs around my house!

Sent from my SM-G530T using Tapatalk

 

[glentre]

My home is right on a river and gets northwest winds off the water all year long which keeps the vinyl siding moist much of the time. Result is green algae which needs to be removed every year. The first few times, I used vinyl siding cleaner before power washing but now just use the power washer....algae comes off just as easily. I've used hand washing on smaller areas before and it is time consuming and a lot of work. My vote is for power washing every time.

I've had it done before buying a washer and they just use a mild bleach and water solution made by themselves...not a commercial product. Wise to spray off your shrubbery after using bleach though.

Glen

 

[MarlynOC]

Siding mix 1 gal bleach in bucket of water, add squirt of Dawn dish washing soap. Apply with an x-jet to siding from bottom up and let sit for about 10 minutes then rinse off from top down.
For zebra stripes on gutters use GutterZap, spray on and rinse off. Never let it dry still on.

 

[scarrylarry]

Thanks for all the good replies so far fellas !
scarrylarry

 

[thammel]

I have a pressure washer. I use this to clean the siding but only to spray a bleach solution up high to the siding....not for the pressure. My pressure washer has a suction hose. I use this to such up bleach and spray it (mixes with water of course, naturally in the PW). Let this sit for 5 -10 minutes, then switch the spray nozzle to one that sprays harder and rinse it off. Works very well. I used to use a ladder and a bucket and sponge with a bleach solution but this is MUCH easier. It's called soft washing. Check out on youtube.

Tom

 

[ezriderga]

Jomax. Find it at Lowes. Mix according to instructions. I use this and my 1800 psi pressure washer. Very little scrubbing.

 

[gahrajmahal]

Wet and Forget works very well for removing green growth from your house and lasts for several months. I had heavy algae on the roof and after a month or so it completely disappeared . Zinc strips installed at the top should keep it from coming back.

 

[glentre]

I have a Subaru gas power washer that specifically states to not use bleach or solvent based cleaners in the unit or it will damage the pump and void the warranty. Don't know if other manufacturers have the same warnings but better to check your machine instructions before using it to spray bleach solutions.

Glen

 

[scarrylarry]

Okay Thanks again Fellas !

Additional info to original post ! It was really something this stuff/solution the guy used on the house. He applied it from a 12 volt pump he had in the back of his truck and it went on in a foam ,not sure if he had air mixing into it to get the foaming action . It did have a bleach component to it because you could smell it., but how much was bleach how much was something else. then after a few minutes he rinsed the house with a garden hose and Voila the stuff just ate the crud off !
scarrylarry

 

[scarrylarry]

Thanks to the above replies fellas !
scarrylarry

 

[MarlynOC]

Glen, look up downstream injector.

 

[couch67]

I use a concentrate from HD, and apply/scrub using a good brush on a pole, and rinse off. Access the 2nd story with a ladder. Not a fun job, but its efffective and only have to do it every 2-3 years.

Maybe with the spray on-spray off stuff, would be easier but have to do it more frequently.

couch

 

[6768rogues]

I use bleach and laundry soap in water. Laundry soap removes grime well and works in cold water.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Step dad was talking about the Spray & Forget stuff he heard about on a Paul Harvey type talk radio.

This interests me as I need to get my **** in gear and get this done on the house and power wash the porches for restaining.

 

[Skiff Builder]

I use bleach/water/trisodium phosphate. Spay on rinse off from bottom up. Works great on decks and masonry too.

 

[The Cobbler]

I have a Subaru gas power washer that specifically states to not use bleach or solvent based cleaners in the unit or it will damage the pump and void the warranty. Don't know if other manufacturers have the same warnings but better to check your machine instructions before using it to spray bleach solutions.

Glen

but if you put it thru the soap injector it is past the pump.

 

[MarlynOC]

That is what a downstream injector does.

 

[Radix2]

Wet and Forget ( or the Jomax version) is one of the best products I have ever used.

I have algae and mold problems all over being waterfront and heavily treed - these products work fantastic and the effect lasts a long time. I have some really old cement that I couldn't do much with pressure washing or full strength bleach. Spray this stuff on and it just gets better month after month. Wood decks look pressure washed after treatment with no pressure washing damage. Siding under trees looks great and stays clean. Bleach works, but you have to clean again in a few months here.

Wow, best thing I have found in a long time. Now, understand - the effect is not immediate - it takes a while, but it gets better and better and it lasts.

 

[On-Wheel]

You have to have a soapy bleach neutralizer after bleach .Dont buy bleach on sale it's at end of shelf life from what I read.You know like .88 cents.Sure some big box stores might have something that works,ok.
Go to a place where there cheapest power washer is a grand and sells chemicals.Buy your chemicals there.A place that only sells power washing equipment and chemicals.A spray and rinse is only 80% clean,buy a brush while your there and try it on a spot.You'll see what I'm talking about.Then don't wait so long to wash and probably won't need that $12-15 brush.

 

[bobbyjean]

olympic deck and fence cleaner (lowes)... it works well on vinyl and gutter's...
never tried the wet and forget stuff

 

[CJ7VFR]

Wet and Forget ( or the Jomax version) is one of the best products I have ever used.

I have algae and mold problems all over being waterfront and heavily treed - these products work fantastic and the effect lasts a long time. I have some really old cement that I couldn't do much with pressure washing or full strength bleach. Spray this stuff on and it just gets better month after month. Wood decks look pressure washed after treatment with no pressure washing damage. Siding under trees looks great and stays clean. Bleach works, but you have to clean again in a few months here.

Wow, best thing I have found in a long time. Now, understand - the effect is not immediate - it takes a while, but it gets better and better and it lasts.

How long would say the shelf life of this stuff is after you buy it? I bought some a few years ago and I am wondering how long the effectiveness lasts with it just sitting on the shelf.

Jim

 

[tjpavlov]

I've used wet and forget on concrete and the stuff is amazing. Never thought of it on my vinyl siding. How would you recommend applying it more than ten feet up? My house is a two story with a walk out so the gable wall is probably thirty feet high.

 

[BigSteve63]

I used Scott's outdoor cleaner from Lowe's. It has what is basically Oxi-Clean as the active ingredient. I use this, mixed with a bit of high foam car wash in a foam cannon on my pressure washer. Foam makes it cling really well. Wait a few minutes and rinse off.

Steve

 

[JRC3]

Best and one of the cheapest. $10 makes like 5 gallons. I've used it many times on different aluminum and vinyal gutters, siding and eaves. As well as cedar facia and eaves. https://www.menards.com/main/paint/...3-c-19342.htm?tid=-1884583583298816770&ipos=8

 

[BigSteve63]

Also, the hands down best cleaner for gutters is Purple Power. Found that on a pressure washer site. Mix fairly strong in bucket and brush on with extendable car wash brush - move quick and just rinse off; leaves them as white as new.

 

[captaindiode]

A lot if people mention bleach. I used to use it, but last year I switched to oxiclean and it was much more pleasant to use and easier on your clothes if you get the solution on you (which you will). I put it on with a long handled brush and rinsed with a hose.

I used:

To 1 gallon hot water add
1/3 cup powered laundry detergent (I used Gain original)
2/3 cup TSP (trisodium phosphate) cleaner
1 scoop (line 4) of oxiclean

 

[On-Wheel]

Also, the hands down best cleaner for gutters is Purple Power. Found that on a pressure washer site. Mix fairly strong in bucket and brush on with extendable car wash brush - move quick and just rinse off; leaves them as white as new.

If anyone try's purple power do so at own risk ! Find a scrap piece to destroy first.haha
I took paint off concrete .Finish off rims in a mater of 3 seconds using PP.

What do you do with gutters with melted off paint?

Alright what's the mixture ratio? What's it do to wood decks? Gutter cleaner leaves white spots.

 

[On-Wheel]

Also, the hands down best cleaner for gutters is Purple Power. Found that on a pressure washer site. Mix fairly strong in bucket and brush on with extendable car wash brush - move quick and just rinse off; leaves them as white as new.

If anyone try's purple power do so at own risk ! Find a scrap piece to destroy first.haha
I took paint off concrete .Finish off rims in a mater of 3 seconds using PP.

What do you do with gutters with melted off paint?

Alright what's the mixture ratio? What's it do to wood decks? Gutter cleaner leaves white spots on wood and removers paint fast if not cut enough.
Heck what happens with PP on siding? I yiyi! Oh and windows.Yah baby! Lots to consider.

 

[scarrylarry]

Hey you guy's have all contributed a lot of information here !
Thanks
I'm sure there is even more out there !
scarrylarry

 

[Radix2]

How long would say the shelf life of this stuff is after you buy it? I bought some a few years ago and I am wondering how long the effectiveness lasts with it just sitting on the shelf.

Jim

I have never idea the shelf life, but I wouldn't be surprised if it does not degrade much with time. Try it and let us know.

I've used wet and forget on concrete and the stuff is amazing. Never thought of it on my vinyl siding. How would you recommend applying it more than ten feet up? My house is a two story with a walk out so the gable wall is probably thirty feet high.

I just use a normal pump sprayer, but I would love to find one with a really long reach too - we also have spiders that need spraying a few times a year, and like you I have some really high soffits.

anyone know a really good sprayer?...?

 

[nadogail]

Is your mail box overflowing with opinions?
Welcome to the Forum from Southwestern California