Hey guys, yesterday we washed a house. Stucco/HardiPlank mix.
Solution: DS 12.5% with a little elemonator. Injector: PressureTek high draw. Machine: 5.5/3k & a 4/4.
Issue: As we were applying solution, I noticed that the runoff from the house had a milky look to it - not regular sopay (suds) but as if paint was coming off from certain areas. It was very evident that it was just on certain spots because the run off was normal color throughout most of the house except for certain areas - we stopped and advise the client - she asked us to proceed so we did.
Factors: House was built about 5 years ago by a builder that is well known around this area for shotty work. They constantly have complaints and seem to cut a lot of corners. I’ve had this issue once before - stucco/hardi house as well - however, when I arrived I could clearly see that the paint had been running off the house because you could see the streaking and the pigment of the paint on the ground where it ran off when it rained I’m assuming.
Question: Anyone have any idea what could it be? Could it be oxidized paint? maybe the builders used the wrong paint?
The house turned out pretty good at the end and client was happy with everything, however I am a bit concerned about what actually was going on. I’ve attached a picture of the house I took at the end and the runoff, its the white house.
Just had that happen on an office building. rinse good and even and it should be fine. just don’t miss spots when rinsing and it should dry uniformly
Many painters will use “contractors grade” paint which despite the name is pretty low quality paint. It is worse then Home Depot paint. Very common on interiors on new builds when they are throwing up an eggshell coat just to cover walls since most people after moving in will paint anyways. They should not do it on the exterior, but penny pinchers do it all the time. I actually came across one home where they used interior eggshell on the exterior of a new build. Like you said, a contractor with a shoddy reputation, probably subbed painting to the cheapest guy who in turn used the cheapest products to still make a profit.
90% of our work involves taking green off stucco. I’m hitting the wall at around 1%-1.2% give or take; basically it is necessary for most of the work that we do. are you implying that because it was a hot mix the paint came off?
This is the most likely scenario, that builder is notorious in my area for terrible work. Not to mention you could see every nail on the hardi (this was before I washed).
I’m not implying that. What I dont understand if you knew this was a common problem in the area you are working why you didn’t try a lighter mix first. A mix that hot with old paint could be the reason it turned milky.
Is not a problem in my area though… like I said before I’ve only seen it once before. So in 3 years of business I’ve only experiences it twice. The other 99.9999999999% of the time DS straight 12.5 works great for what we do.
