[Drivewizard Ltd]

Hi All

Having successfully used Tech-clean's acrylic resin sealant for 12 months, and being very pleased with it, I was horrified to find that, on applying the sealant to what appeared to be a perfectly cleaned block paved driveway, black spore marks started appearing on the champhered edges of some of the bricks (about 2%)

Unfortunately the client is a perfectionist and whilst most people wouldn't even have noticed, or worried about them, he is insisting on the problem being rectified or a new driveway (140 sq metres) being laid!

I wasn't aware that the application of this (or possibly any other) sealant could cause a possible problem with hidden spores and Jan at Tech-clean couldn't really offer any advice, as helpful as she always is.

Has anyone come across this problem? If so were they able to resolve it? We have tried neat solvent applied to the affected area in an effort to 'soften' the sealant, so tyhat the spore marks below it could be removed, but this failed.

We appreciate that the client is being unreasonable, but at the end of the day The customer is always right!

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

Terry
Drive Wizard

[keith b]

Terry,

For future reference, after cleaning a block paved driveway, i would spray a anti-fungal solution to the area, "Jomax" or "Hydromoss" are one of many products on the market, and then leave on the paving for a few days before going over it with a rotary floor scrubbing machine with bristle pad.

To remove existing acrylic sealant will mean using a sand blaster, i believe its possible to get a sand blaster attachment to work with some pressure washers, but do test on a small area first.

good luck

[Drivewizard Ltd]

Thanks for the advice.

[Ged]

Terry

sorry to hear about your problem. did you cut the  acrylic back with xylene? the lichen spots were almost definitely  there all the time and the sealant has magnified the appearance of them.

your customer is totally unreasonable

no help to you now but i always get every customer to sign a disclaimer saying work is carried out entirely at their own risk and that unforseen circumstances are not my responsibility. nobodty so far has refused to sign it. only last week a client suffered subsidence to block paving but had signed the disclaimer which said this eventuality though unlikely was possible.

Good luck mate

Ged

[steve doyle]

Hi folks,

Just wandered if you have a copy of your dislaimer you could share with us also would be interested to hear how this job turns out, keep us posted!


Regards

Steve

[Ged]

Safety First
High pressure washing uses no hazardous chemicals and is environmentally friendly but for your safety please attend to the following while cleaning is taking place.
·   Keep a safe distance during cleaning.
·   Remove all vehicles from the vicinity.
·   Keep children and pets inside.
·   Be aware that there will be cables and hoses on the ground so as to avoid tripping.
·   Wet surfaces may be slippery.
·   Please inform visitors to your  property that cleaning is taking place.
·    The  operation of washing machines and dishwashers or any appliances that use mains water may be adversely affected during cleaning as the cleaning machine needs a steady feed from the mains water supply for the duration of the cleaning process
·   Spray from the cleaning process  may land on surfaces such as windows and doors and on plants and garden furnishings depending on the cleaning tool being used. Also spray borne sand particles may adhere to surfaces even after rinsing, these can easily be removed with a soft cloth when dry.
·   If connecting to an inside tap it is the customers responsibility to monitor that the connection is not leaking into the property.
·   Please inform the operator if there are any problems with drainage from your property or of any likelihood that water may penetrate door or window seals or drain onto a neighbouring property

Things To Be Aware Of .

 If you have decided to re-sand your block paving yourself, failure to do so may affect the stability of your paving and allow early re-growth of weeds.
Some surfaces may require sustained treatment by high pressure devices to obtain a satisfactory clean.  Occasionally the very high pressures put out by these devices can damage the surface finish of some paving or concrete and often removes any existing grouting. Some natural stone products are susceptible to shearing owing to their laminate structure. Pointing and grouting are susceptible to damage as are some Tarmac surfaces. High pressure jets can damage some wooden surfaces and a test area is recommended before work commences.
Pressure washing can contribute towards subsidence of paving in areas that are susceptible particularly where paving has been poorly installed on insufficient or poorly compacted hardcore.  Efflorescence ( a temporary white powdery appearance) may appear on some surfaces.

 We  usually achieves the complete removal of grime moss and algae and oil stains but the removal of mortar stains and other ingrained staining such as rust staining or discolouration due to chemical changes and some forms of deeply imbedded lichen staining within the concrete ( particularly common on block paving and noticeable on close inspection, as small black spots around the  brick chamfers )or fading due to age and the action of the weather cannot be guaranteed .We will only use chemical agents such as brick acids, bleaching agents, detergents and degreasers with the agreement  of the customer and at the customers own risk.

The cleaning process will remove weeds and grass from paving but these may return if not treated with a systemic weed killer such as Roundup

Please be aware of the above possibilities and that  (Name of company) accept no responsibility should they occur and that cleaning will take place entirely at the customers own risk.

I have read and understood the above.

Signature                           Date
 











   

[Mike Jones]

With someone like this I would  deny responsibility and refer the matter to my insurer. If you sand blast you may damage the block and they will still wants it replaced.

Mike

[Ged]

if you 're like me you will have PL insurance which doesn't cover liability for work in progress.

Ged

[steve doyle]

Thanks Ged,
that disclaimer will be very useful and hopefully will save on future agro, i also have pub liability but like you not covered for what i am cleaning.

p.s just a thought but i might add something about blocked drains as a result of high volumes of water flow?

any how thanks again and terry good luck and keep us posted,

Regards

steve