[drive surgeon]

has anyone removed smoke stains from a building with cold water pressure?  or do you need hot?  obviously i cant use turbo as it will remove or loosen the pointing.

[Griffus]

Are you being asked to quote for the exterior only?

[trevor perry]

even if you use hot water detergent will be needed on smoke damage so if you use cold water and dtergent there shouldnt be a problem.

[drive surgeon]

yes just outside brick walls.  is tfr ok?  will it shift it?

[rob fryer]

Try prochem ultrapac renovate its made for smoke damage and degreasing, i also think it might help if you no what sort of things have gone up in smoke to help you know whats on the walls

[BDCS]

Tfr is similar to ultrpac - just allow to dwell and wash with cold

[drive surgeon]

great guys , will try it.

[mark.laycock1@ntlw]

hi would tfr work on stains on painted render walls.

[drive surgeon]

to remove smoke mark? it might do yes

[mark.laycock1@ntlw]

i was asked to remove some stains from a wall. they look like mortar stains did it with cold water didnt remove it just wondering about tfr.

[drive surgeon]

usually need brick acid watered down to remove mortar mark

[Griffus]

Brick acid is the answer but be careful if you have not used before. You can buy this with varying strengths of hydrochloric acid. If you really must dilute then always add the acid to the water, never ever the other way around.

Be sure to soak the area thoroughly prior to applying the acid. If areas of staining are small then apply using a paintbrush, this is much safer in every way, to you and the bricks!

You will see the acid fizz up on the excess mortar as soon as applied. Leave on no more than 5 minutes, usually less on a small test patch. Rinse of with low pressure and your fan nozzle.

If larger areas and you have not done before then I would steer clear.

If you do go ahead be sure to use the following PPE: -
Chem res suit with hood.
Chem res goggles
Chem res gauntlets
Chem res respirator
Chem res wellingtons

Have a supply of water close by and someone briefed on what to do in case of an accident.

Most customers will insisit on a method statement, risk assessment and COSHH.

Check with your insurance that you are covered. Our policy more than doubled when we included the cleaning of building exteriors.


 

[mark.laycock1@ntlw]

the wall is painted white with stains on will this work. with acid.

[Griffus]

I would not use acid on a painted wall. Unless there has been recent building work I doubt the stains are mortar residue.

Is it the stains that need removing from the paint or does the paint need to come off also?

Do you have any pictures?

[drive surgeon]

it might work mark!

[The Great One]

Hi

You can use a latex paint, it is for smoke damaged buildings..

Paint on, when dry peel off and it will take the smoke damage off. Non acidic, not toxic. Expensive but you cam price it into the job.

Regards

Martin

[John Kelly]

Don't guarantee your results. Some external smoke damage can be impossible to remove. Especially so if any plastics or hydrocarbons have been burn't ie weely bin fire or car. Smoke residues from wood, paper and the likes generally remove ok as they are known as dry residues. Plastic and the like are classed as wet residues and are usually absorbed into the brick or surfaces.

[drive surgeon]

would hot water be better than cold?

[John Kelly]

Doesn't really matter. Give the wall a rinse down with low pressure then use a good degreaser first. use it strong and agitate it in then leave it for as long as possible before washing. Don't let it dry out before washing. You don't need to use high pressure at first. In fact it can force the residue into the surface.
The latex mentioned by Martin is really beneficial on internal brick and stonework where obviously water can't be used.