Steel Beams

S

superiorpw

New member
Hi Guys,

I need some assistance on how to clean this structure. I'm attaching photos and it seems that it would be fine with some hot water and possibly some sort of surfactant to clean it up with, but wanted to get others opinions, as this is the first time I've been asked to wash something like this. The steel appears to have some sort of painted or coated surface, so the dirt can't really set into it. I also could use some opinions on pricing, since it will be steel beams that we wash and not a flat surface. I do know that we will need a lift. Please help!
 

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Tell me the dimensions LxWxH and how much room is there in between the beams (can you get a bucket or basket of a lift in between the beams?

Is the coating like a faded or dull blue (blue steel)?

Are they going to paint the beams?

Is it just dust and dirt or it needs to be prepped for painting?

I have done some of these before, just need some more info.





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Superior Power Washing<O:p</O:p
Chris Chappell<O:p</O:p
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Exterior House Cleaning Corpus Christi Texas<O:p</O:p
Cleaning Driveways and Sidewalks Corpus Christi Texas
 
Not sure what your trying to accomplish here either. Paint Prep, Just Clean? If you need to get up close and personal the easiest way I can see would be with a scissor lift.
 
In the 3rd picture I see an orange lift bucket on the other side of the wall. See if they have a scissor lift laying around that they are not using for a few hrs. If all ya doing is cleaning it I would just ds some soap and water, hit the heaviest soiled areas hard and rinse.
 
I used to get about 2-3 of those type of buildings a year, and cleaned one of those last fall covered in mud. Use a boom lift not a scissors lift as too much water gets into controls. I used Powerstroke and sprayed it on downstream and rinsed with hot water. I went a pit more aggressive on the chemicals to avoid any brushing, worked great.

Even with the coating you will be suprised at how the mud sticks to the surface, you will need a stronger chemical to remove it all without brushing.
 
Mobi Clean Inc. said:
I used to get about 2-3 of those type of buildings a year, and cleaned one of those last fall covered in mud. Use a boom lift not a scissors lift as too much water gets into controls. I used Powerstroke and sprayed it on downstream and rinsed with hot water. I went a pit more aggressive on the chemicals to avoid any brushing, worked great.

Even with the coating you will be surprised at how the mud sticks to the surface, you will need a stronger chemical to remove it all without brushing.
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What Paul said - with the exception of why a bucket lift instead of scissors...the floor is not yet poured and I promise it is uneven! Be prepared to bog down from time to time. (Lowering the boom will usually get you moving.

I have a regular customer that has me wash this exact type of steel. Downstream the soap, use hot (120* or so) water and I would recommend a 6' aluminum lance or your arms will fall off. This is a two-man (in the bucket) operation (another on the ground if possible for hose management) and I would recommend charging an hourly rate. You could offer a limit on the hours, but if the builder knows you, you should be fine. Assuming they supply the lift, I would charge your usual hourly rate - hopefully somewhere around $100 plus your cost for the second man. If there is any way to get someone with experience running a lift, it will make your life MUCH easier.

Check to see if the crossbeams are dirty as they may need to be cleaned as well. This will be wet and dirty work, so wear appropriate gear. Try to schedule when the other trades will not be there. (Usually just before the roof is installed. If the roof is already going in, it will make your job much harder, as it will be darker and harder to see the dirt. Every square inch needs to be done or it will be very noticeable from the ground. There will also be some areas that will not clean as they have rusted.

I did (in sections) about 400,000 sq ft of this type of steel over the last few years. Great money, but really messy and tiring. Here's a link to my website with a few pics from a section we did.

http://www.exteriorcleaning.com/index_files/Page347.htm
 
superiorpw said:
Thank you all for the replies. I remember seeing some pictures in the past John, that you posted of you washing a larger building with steel beams, I'm glad you wrote such an informative reply. Thanks also to Paul, Larry, and Chris for the information. Chris, I think it's 80 x 125 x 20.
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Glad to help.

P.S. I hope you're not subject to motion sickness! Moving along with the boom extended, it tends to get a little choppy. ;)
 
Great video Matt. Now, Do you have one that shows how you got rid of all that mess? :confused:
Dang!
I need one of those for some of the nasty Pool Cages I Clean down here.
 
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