Removing this???

Doug Rucker

Doug Rucker

Roundtable Host 2009
These are pic's of a house I went to bid today. The pics are whats left after they pulled some type of climbing vine off the house. What's left are these attachement points, I call em "feet". Anybody have any ideas of how to get these off without having to scrape, sandpaper, or steel brush.

I'm wondering if there is anything out there that will loosen em up so I can remove them using my pressure washer. The surface is hardi plank on the soffit and fascia's and painted 2 x 6 around the garage door.
 

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I have had some luck hitting them with a strong house wash mix to help kill what is left and let them know that over time they can brush them on occasion.

Using strong brushes or trying to pull it might cause the feet or roots to pull out and damage the surface. Once the vine is gone they will start to deteriorate over time, a strong house wash mix will speed it up a little bit.

I would let them know they will have to work on it over time and then eventually sand or brush when they are about to paint.

No quick fix on this that I have found that does not damage the surface.
 
I painted a stucco house earlier this year and was able to remove about 99% of the stuff with a soft brass wire brush attached to a drill. If the plant grew larger it is in deep to the surface and the damage is done.
 
Thanks Doug, yes it grew very large, the house has been vacant about 4 months. really overtook parts of the house.
 
I have done a few jobs where the "feet" had pretty much embedded itself into the surface. In my opinion the job of removing the "feet" (and possibly damaging the surface to the point of needed sanded-primed-painted) was better suited for a painter - since I wasn't going to take responsibility.

Then I've had some jobs where the "feet" popped right off with regular house wash mix. I think it depends on the particular species of plant and the age, along with the substrate.

When a house has this, the only promise I make is that I'll only do what I can do.
 
Yeah Micah, that's exactly what I told them, No Promises. I am going to try the BT200 as it is escellent at removing organic matter. It's just gonna be a matter of figuring out dwell time. thanks.
 
Doug Rucker said:
Yeah Micah, that's exactly what I told them, No Promises. I am going to try the BT200 as it is escellent at removing organic matter. It's just gonna be a matter of figuring out dwell time. thanks.
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Doug did you have any luck with the bt200 on the root matter? I did a house yesterday that looked the same and roots didn't budge, even with a hot wild cherry mix. It is on vinyl siding
 
No. I haven't found anything that will remove them except a scraper and wire brush. And that wouldn't look to good on vinyl. I just tell customers it won't come off

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Hey guys i am a newbe but i will have to say that the hardi plank is a concrete base siding and the paint on it is added at the factory and the paint should take quite a pounding if needed,best bet is to call hardi plank and see what they say.
Just my though Rick
 
Rick Martin said:
Hey guys i am a newbe but i will have to say that the hardi plank is a concrete base siding and the paint on it is added at the factory and the paint should take quite a pounding if needed,best bet is to call hardi plank and see what they say.
Just my though Rick
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Rick can you place a Signature Please
 
As a former painting contractor, I can tell you these suckers can't readily be removed. I have had a clause in my contract for years stating that they will not all be removed. They actually get IN to the substrate, so your chances of getting them off without damage are very low. I have painted over so many of them I can't count.

The best thing for these is preventative maintenance, meaning keeping the vines OFF of buildings to begin with. Once they have a hold, it's all over with. Always advise customers when they are found, and educate them about keeping these vines trimmed and removed.

Oh, and Rick's post was almost a year and half ago. You have a way of reviving old threads Ron, haha!
 
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