I’m a huge fan of Frog Tape, wider is better. More importantly, I apply tape bottom to top. So it’s arranged like shingles on a roof. That way any runoff will flow from one piece to the next like a series of umbrellas without getting behind anything you want to keep dry.
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Agreed
Does frog tape stick to brick snugly or leaves big gaps?
Does 3M blue tape stick to brick well?
Because that’s the only trouble i had taping is nothing else i tried would stick to brick properly. This stuff does.
I’ve never tapped or cover a damn thing in 15 years for a house wash
Except a fish pond .
I’ve popped two breakers and smoked one electrical box on a standby generator. And we’re talking thousands of homes .
If it’s outside there is an expectation that it’s weather proof . Nothing I do should hurt anything.
If by some chance it does I’ll fix it.
BTW the generator box was $2800 and after replacing it I told him to call someone else next time.
Problem solved
Brick is tricky to tape up. The wide tape comes in very handy for that. Also, I only rinse with soap tips so the tape doesn’t get interrupted. Most items that get rained on would probably be toasted long before you showed up if there were any issues, I would think.
I don’t tape anything on houses except doorbells and cameras. I’m with you, a popped GFI every thousand houses doesn’t warrant it. We tape a ton of keyholes and pull stations at apartments though.
I get a lot of light fixtures with big gaps around them where you see the wires connecting. Not caulked. They are under the overhang/soffit so mostly protected from rain, not from washing overhead.
I’m still waiting to know if i’ll have to pay 10 k deductible because of damage caused by smoke coming out of an outlet on the side of a house we washed and the firefighters ripped open the wall and flooded the place. Causing 17k of damage. And we took precautions and taped up. I figure the least i can do is take a few minutes to reduce the risks. Imagine if we had left and a fire started while family was asleep. Not worth risking to save a few minutes.
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We put out flyers to every resident the day before we clean there building. It politely states if you don’t want BLEACH on it tomorrow bring it inside.
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What’s a pull station?
I hope that situation works out well for you! The other tool I keep handy is a voltage detector. I had a golden opportunity to spray water all over some exposed hot wires a couple months ago but decided to check them first. The customer had no idea those wires were live.
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It’s true we often take things for granted. If i see exposed wires hanging out somewhere i assume they’re disconnected and wash on. They could be live.
I’ll take the habit of checking.
I’m not a fan of getting zapped with electricity. The tool is the size of an ink pen & costs a few bucks. My customer had just had a deck rebuilt & this junction box was just tossed to the side where the dogs play with hot wires exposed. I suggested hiring an electrician to turn that mess into an extra GFCI outlet. Problem solved.
Why is your deductible $10.000 Mine is zero . Not one single dollar. For exactly that reason. I don’t want to worry about it. I pay my premium and if an accident happens like that I don’t want to be on the hook for it .
But things my work differently in my state .
The home owners insurance would fix that first and then look to my insurance for reimbursement. That’s just how it’s structured down here . The law makes sure it’s fixed first because the insurance companies will probably litigate the final bill for years .
My situation is different. We primarily service elderly customer’s houses and people trying to sell, so either they don’t have time or can’t move their stuff. I seriously wouldn’t have any PW work if I didn’t move stuff around.
I don’t have much wiggle room of what jobs I can take or decline at this point.
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Yes it’s the homeowner’s insurance that’s trying to get paid by my insurance. My deductible is 10k because we do roof snow removal, which is considered very risky by insurers and is very difficult to be insured for.
Keep in mind it’s snow half the year here.
I can’t think of the last time I’ve seen those except on commercial buildings.
true, if you’re only rinsing from above…maybe using a drone? None of it is designed for the angles we spray at, nor are you factoring in SH & surfactant which have a very different surface tension than just water…I know plenty who tape nothing, but just know what you’re doing. New guys, probably not a good idea…
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Pretty much all we wash now are apartments and townhomes. Every breezeway has about 6 pull stations and we use a lot of t shirt bags and tape in them. Houses are a pain and we don’t do them much anymore except on Fridays. We did 17 today and everyone was home or at the shop before 11am. I won’t book anymore for the next few months unless someone really wants to work late on a Friday, and I don’t see that happening lol
If you’re guys aren’t rinsing from above they needed some more training. I didn’t mean that in a snarky way. Lob the water high and let it run down. Don’t spray directly within 5ft of a junction box.
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