Clean It Up

UK General Cleaning Forum => General Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Iain macdonald on February 19, 2017, 09:24:58 pm

Title: Decking cleaning help
Post by: Iain macdonald on February 19, 2017, 09:24:58 pm

This season has started with lots enquiries for decking cleaning.I have be honest it not something i generally do a lot off. what best chemical use for decking   just hypo or is there a safer chemical to use on decking 

Title: Re: Decking cleaning help
Post by: Mike Halliday on February 20, 2017, 07:42:49 am

I've used hypo in the past and for a visual difference it's hard to beat but I do think it's not the best option, it almost makes it too light. I always tell the customer that we can clean it and prepare it for staining but after we done the job is not finished its only the preperation.

Looking on the internet I see oxalic acid ( spelling?) used as a cleaner which I believe clean and lightens without the false lightening effect of Hypo.

I'm not keen on cleaning decking as I don't believe my knowledge of it is of a high enough Standard to offer a 'professional' service ( how can I call myself a professional if I'm not confident in what I'm doing)

Title: Re: Decking cleaning help
Post by: Smurf on February 20, 2017, 10:54:21 am

There is a big difference from offering a deck wash and full deck restoration service.

I'm happy to wash down slippery decking and treat it with the likes of ddac afterwards. However like Mike  I don't get involved in full deck restorations. That means stripping old sealers, sanding, applying wood stain/sealers etc which all seems too much hassle for the reward if you ask me.

I'm always very mindful when using a pressure washer on wood decks etc as a lance or fsc can easily damage the wood, leave cut marks etc if not careful. 

Title: Re: Decking cleaning help
Post by: Jonny Swirljet on February 20, 2017, 06:37:50 pm

Customers expectations are way to high when asking you to quote for decking cleaning. Years of neglect, sundried, slimy, flaking...absolute nightmare and dangerously fragile. I always express concern at the neglect and state of the decking and tell the customer politely that I don't offer a rejuvenation service. However, if the conversation starts off with the customer saying "I cleaned it myself last summer, it only took half an hour with my Karcher" I quickly lose interest.

Title: Re: Decking cleaning help
Post by: surrey pressure clean on February 20, 2017, 07:22:37 pm

Hi there I do full decking restoration there is very good money in it. There is a lot of different decks out there that can be expensive hardwoods grove decks are a bit of a pain we clean strip brighten wood sand then oil
If you going to do this make sure you ask customer how many times it's been oiled and what with also we only use good wood oil.