Surface Cleaning Questions

K

Keith Richardso

New member
Hi everyone! Could someone tell me a good chemical to use to clean sidewalks that contains lots of gum and stains from coffee, soda, and food spills. Also, what purpose does sealer serve after cleaning? What results are achieved? Graffiti is another issue for me. What type of spray on chemical graffiti remover can I use with the pressure-washer to achieve good results? I need an alternate method of graffiti removing other than media blasting. For those contractors that do a lot of sidewalks and driveways, how do you price your jobs. Square footage, amount of gum, amount of oil, etc. Please give me a detail description of your pricing because I do not want to over-bid some contracts. Some costs are based on geographics but I still want a general idea. My location is San Francisco, California where the cost of living is one of the most expensive in the country, so please consider that when responding to these question.:) Thanks,

Keith
 
Keith,

No chemicals needed to clean the concrete your talking about, gum, soda spills etc. plain hot water, a surface cleaner then rinse and gum pop with the wand.

Now if in back part of restaurnant or other greasy area you need a good degreaser.

I do not do graffiti so can offer no help to you there.

Sealer is suppose to help keep things from staining the concrete, I believe it is best if applied on new concrete or fairly new but I have not had good luck with it on old concrete, not to say it is not good, it is, just me experience.

I have seen businesses that some pressure washers have supposedly cleaned then sealed, problem is there is so much dirt under the seal it is obvious they never cleaned it.

As for pricing up there you will need to get in touch with others, one way to learn is go to city and county maintance departs and ask to see bids that have be given out, it is public information and you will get an idea of government bids. Regular work is a bit higher.

Email or call me and I can offer more help. Are you interested in a soda system including 9 bags of soda? if so let's talk price and meeting half way for delivery.

Whatever you do know the law on waste water, where you are they actively seek out PWers allowing water down the storm drains, block it and suck up that water.
 
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As far as chems go, Jon`s right. No chemical absolutely needed. A strong bleach might help. That`s what I use on private driveways. Get`s rid of mold & mildew.
As far as pricing goes, I`ve seen everything from .06 - .15 cents/sq. ft. For first time cleanings, more towards the high end(.15), then drop it down.
 
We sell alot of Chemicals for this especially Extra Heavy Duty Powder. It contains Coustic Soda and cuts grease like no tomorrow. Find a powdered soap that contains this and you are in business. It is also known as Lye Soap
 
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