I have a commercial building that needs cleaning. The back side has about 2000 sqft of old flaking paint they want removed, just the loose stuff. After that, they want it soft-washed for paint prep.
I plan on laying down some plastic and knocking down the large paint pieces with a stiff brush on a pole, then hitting it with pressure to get the rest of the loose parts. This is where my question comes in.
I don’t want this paint going down the drain, though it is lead-free. What would you guys recommend? I’ve called around and cannot find a water reclamation rig for rent. There isn’t any grass I could push it into. This is also my first job for a city, so I’m trying to impress.
They think it’s a good idea to ‘remove’ that paint utilizing someone with a pressure washer but I’ve done two small jobs now and let me tell you that stuff goes EVERYWHERE. I won’t do it again, let Chuck In A Truck be the sucker.
I figured it would be easy. I may try it and just get as much off as i can when its dry. I spoke with the client and they’re actually wrapping the stone so the paint doesn’t need to be 100% removed.
this seems to be the consensus. I was actually mistaken theyre wrapping the building in some thick vinyle stuff. They basically want me to remove the big chunks and whatever else i can get off. I might try to find a way to physically remove it with a drill and a brush. Not that exact idea but something similar.
I do paint prep, but it is all in the language of the contract. Cover any drains you aren’t using, don’t clog a drain plumbers are expensive. They will call a plumber first and not you. Set up some dams/berming/socks, put a filter on the pump or keep it off the ground (milk crate works well) or use a trash pump, push all water that way, check on pump periodically. plan ahead on having a backpack blower (the bigger the better) and maybe a wet shop vac. Spray in one direction only if you can, otherwise you will double your cleanup area. charge accordingly.
