Wet it and forget it

Chemical/Chemistry
21

I need to explain more.

  1. SH kills mold on contact…then you wash it away. There are mold spores in the air that likely redeposit within a day of you washing. It takes time for them to make a home but it happens relatively quickly.

  2. Wet abs forget type stuff sit on the house. Killing what’s there and any mold spore that flies by. It can withstand a few rain storms too. The result is the house doesn’t grow mold and mildew while it’s active.

Could it be used as an after treatment, yes. But I still say go take a picture of the complete label. It’s a wrap around label so make sure you open up the complete label.

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22

This is exactly what I thought was happening but I appreciate the confirmation. My question then becomes what if any impact does sealing stone with a penetrating sealer have on the regrowth? The pores, nooks and cranny’s are still there but my thought is it should shed water and as a result help slow the reappearance due to less moisture. I’d appreciate your thoughts.

23

There are usually less pores when you apply a sealer…and it’s MUCH harder for the mold to grab ahold of the sealer due to the water wicking you described. It’s also much easier to rinse off than on bare stone.

The Quat could hold on to the sealant and deter immediate growth but moisture is in the air, and given moisture and shade mold will grow. The less moisture the better of course.

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24

There’s some good information in this post. Thanks

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25

As always, a great answer, thank you ma’am. Have a good weekend.

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26

Thanks mary. I educated a customer yesterday right after reading this. She definitely didnt want that stuff on her house are anywhere around her yard.

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27

The willful ignorance of people always astounds me. How do these homeowners THINK this stuff works? Does it hold up signs to detour the mold and mildew??? Of course it’s a pesticide :woman_facepalming:

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28

Happy mother’s day @CaCO3Girl!

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Awww THANK YOU!

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30

Homeowner here who does not want to use Quats after reading this thread so I have a question about using bleach.

The question is whether there is a point where bleach sprayed on concrete has decomposed sufficiently so as not to be an environmental issue. Can I spray on bleach with a mister (i.e. no run-off), let it sit for 24 hours and rinse the next day and have confidence that the bleach has decomposed to a non-toxic substance? ChatGPT has some informative information and since I’m using it outside I’m not concerned about gas release. But I can’t quite determine is the other decomposition elements are harmful or not. If CaCO3Girl, our resident chemist can chime in on the topic it would be helpful to have such information, and to have discussions with others on why not to use Quats. Thanks.

Chat says…
"Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), the active ingredient in household bleach, does not decompose into completely harmless elements. When sodium hypochlorite breaks down, it typically forms various byproducts, including salt (sodium chloride, NaCl) and oxygen gas (O2), along with other compounds depending on the specific conditions.

The decomposition of sodium hypochlorite can be accelerated by factors such as exposure to light, heat, pH changes, and the presence of certain contaminants. For example, when bleach is exposed to sunlight or heat, it can undergo a reaction known as photodecomposition, where it decomposes into salt, water, and oxygen gas:

[ 2 \text{ NaOCl} \rightarrow 2 \text{ NaCl} + \text{O}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} ]

While the byproducts of sodium hypochlorite decomposition, such as salt and water, are generally less harmful than the original compound, it’s important to note that bleach itself and some of its decomposition byproducts can still pose risks to human health and the environment if not handled properly. Additionally, certain reactions involving sodium hypochlorite can produce chlorine gas (Cl2), a toxic and corrosive substance.

Therefore, it’s essential to follow safety guidelines and use bleach and other chlorine-based products with caution, ensuring proper ventilation and avoiding mixing them with other household chemicals to prevent the formation of potentially harmful compounds. Disposing of bleach properly and avoiding excessive use can also help minimize its environmental impact.”

31

Giraffe-Chewing

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32

Not sure where you’re going with the vid but I like it.

33

The forum owners like new people coming on here and asking questions, so I thought I would reply.

Chat isn’t AI. It is no different that you doing your own due diligence, with the major exception being that it takes less time. Garbage in and garbage out (GIGO), chat doesn’t discern whether the information comes from a credible source or not.

Just to clear up some possible chat confusion, when you use SH, it is already diluted by the manufacturer. Then, most of their directions will tell you to further dilute that jug of SH for use. Then when you are done using it, most people and business owners here will tell you to rinse it off, which further dilutes it. If you are worried that a very diluted chemical (SH) is breaking down on your non solid surface (concrete) and that it’s base components are harmful to you (salt, O2, water), well…don’t use it. If you are worried about chlorine gas, then don’t mix SH with acid. Other than that, I would use it everyday with proper PPE just so it doesn’t get into my eyes or mouth.

Water will kill you, but your body is about 60 percent water. I really wouldn’t worry too much about your diluted SH in your yard. I’d be more worried about your drinking water and processed foods.

here is what the EPA says can be in your water:

here is what the FDA says can be in apple butter (I like it and eat it a lot, but we make it at home now)
https://www.fda.gov/food/ingredients-additives-gras-packaging-guidance-documents-regulatory-information/food-defect-levels-handbook
Apple Butter

Mold
(AOAC 975.51)

Average of mold count is 12% or more

Rodent filth
(AOAC 945.76)

Average of 4 or more rodent hairs per 100 grams of apple butter

Insects
(AOAC 945.76)

Average of 5 or more whole or equivalent insects (not counting mites, aphids, thrips, or scale insects) per 100 grams of apple butter

DEFECT SOURCE: Mold - post harvest infection. Rodent hair - post harvest and/or processing contamination with animal hair. Whole or equivalent insects - preharvest, and/or post harvest and/or processing insect infestation,
SIGNIFICANCE: Aesthetic

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Yeah, people are usually very shocked when they find out what is fully allowable (by the US government) in our food and drink. :+1:

35

This is a classic thread of what the comments and back & forth used to look like. I miss many of those guys above.

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36

So, what’s the point of this post or what is your question?

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37

Sorry if the post wasn’t clear. I’m in an environment where the house is surrounded by trees. I would like to make an informed decision as to whether to use chemicals to clean the driveway. Reading about bleach, I learned there are many downsides (overspray, safety to people animals, etc). So I thought perhaps a Quat based solution (like Wet&Forget) might be the answer as it’s advertised not to have a negative impact on vegetation (but aquatic life and animals/people, yes). In looking into Quats (on the EPA site and more), I found that the chemicals have a long life (months to years) and are becoming increasingly prevalent in the environment with negative effects. So, my question regarding bleach, is really to become informed as to whether bleach decomposes after use into something that is not harmful to the environment. I’ve seen lots of articles on bleach decomposition as it relates to storage, but nothing on what happens to bleach once it has been used.

If bleach, decomposes into harmless or relatively harmless material once used, it’s a plus for using it. I am aware of spraying off vegetation before/after. I know during the decomposition, it does produce gas, but I’m using it outside so that shouldn’t be a problem.

Maybe for context also, I’m in an area where ‘forever chemicals’ (PFAS) were discovered nearby and mitigations are being put in place to remove these chemicals from the ground water. At one time, nobody gave any thought to the longevity of these chemicals or the impact on the environment and humans. Hence my interest into what happens to the bleach, once it has been applied, and eventually is carried off into the environment. In fact, if bleach is rendered harmless after exposure to air, sun and temp changes, it might be a marketing plus in reaching out to customers. Thanks and again I hope I’ve been clearer.

38

Live in the mountains, every home has trees around it. Spray it on homes, driveways, pool decks, and retaining walls. Occasionally hit an RV that sat too long and got green as well.

Keep it away from Japanese maples, and roses, those things are touchy. I wash houses with them around it, I just take precautions.

If you are worried you can always dilute it or neutralize it, whichever you prefer. Alternatively, you can use sodium percarbonate.

I think you are overthinking this, everyone on this forum uses SH.

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39

Thanks for feedback and I agree, I tend to overthink. Cheers.