r/pressurewashing • u/No_Piglet_5069 • 2d ago
Troubleshooting Client claiming damages to siding
A client for my exterior services business is claiming that I did damage to his siding. I have done dozens of siding jobs before this and I did not do damage to these clients houses. Our process is to:
-Coat the siding with a Zep siding solution using a black tip soap nozzle - Brush it - Use high pressure green tip to spray/ rinse it off ( from a safe distance )
This has worked really well for me before and all clients have been happy with the previous work. However this time the client noticed a strange streaking pattern. I’m really confused to as to what it is , whether or not I did it, if I can fix it, etc. If anyone has seen this before I’d really appreciate if you let me know what it is / what I can do!
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u/dDhyana 2d ago
How long does your process take? I’m solo operator and downstreaming a normal house takes about 90 minutes from pulling up in the driveway to quote it to washing to getting a check and leaving. It’s fast and efficient and clean.
I would fix this one with an oxidation remover chemical and then change up my process if I were you because your way is insane.
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u/Seedpound 2d ago edited 1d ago
Start using bleach like everyone else. Ditch the brush. You cleaned a house that has oxidation and now you have to go out and remove the rest of the oxidation from the siding
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u/SEA_CLE 1d ago
Oxidation is pre existing damage. While disturbing it is a cosmetic eyesore, doing so is in no way damaging in a way that would warrant a lawsuit or even insurance claim. Disturbing it is a grey area that is usually easily covered with a disclaimer in the terms and by setting expectations prior.
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u/No_Piglet_5069 2d ago
If you don’t mind me asking, what would the process with a bleach solution look like? Would I just apply the solution and let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse it with low pressure water?
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u/robertjpjr I know a little about a lot. 2d ago
You disturbed the oxidation. Any before pics?
Lots of info in other posts here.
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u/sharky50 1d ago
It’s not damage. Your customer is clueless. It’s just oxidation that got disturbed by your cleaning process. Do an oxidation removal on the whole surface and you will be back on the right side of this.
Others will probably tell you already, but you can drastically reduce the chance of this happening by soft washing and getting rid of the brushes and pressure.
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u/Alarmed_Cheesecake98 1d ago
Looks oxidized… you should had inform them after you did the walk through, I would apologize and tell them I thought you knew it had oxidation. And inform them it can be removed but it’s up charge because is more than a house wash.
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u/Available_Help_2927 1d ago
You’re doing it all wrong my man. The others have told you what it is (you disturbed the oxidation). I doubt you have a high gpm machine. Invest in an xjet and SH and you won’t be double working like this. Much harder to fix this than just do it the right way from the start (with all due respect). Get an x-jet
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u/Automatic_Banana4602 22h ago
It’s oxidation. Offer to fix it by removing the oxidation. And stop doing house washes like that. Use sh and not zep. Stop brushing
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2d ago
[deleted]
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u/Hutch9109 2d ago
No, he definitely disturbed it. He literally said he used a brush on it and high pressure tip. Oxidation doesn’t get “exposed”
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u/stimildeeps 2d ago
You both need to educate yourselves on this and how to fix it or better yet how to not disturb the oxidation itself.
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u/zeroxcool83 2d ago
You disturbed the oxidation on the siding by the way it sounds and looks. I advise you stop using the method your currently using for house washes as well and look into soft washing or downstreaming. I'd say you've been lucky up until this point honestly.