JANUARY 2004

EACO CHEM NEWS

The NMD 80 Advantage: Cleaning Power and Profitability

The photo on the left shows a test wall on a hospital in Pennsylvania cleaned with a leading masonry detergent.

While this photo shows a different wall cleaned with NMD 80. Both cleaned effectively although the photo on the left shows a slight haze while the photo on the right shows better richness of color in the brick. The real difference, however, is in the dramatic savings in time and money gained by using the NMD 80 cleaning process.

After a cleaning test, the difference to the naked eye was subtle but still noticeable. The difference to the bottom line, however, was crystal clear.

What could you do with an extra $10,000-$100,000?

There they were. Two sections of brownish-red brick walls, side by side. After a cleaning test, the difference to the naked eye was subtle but still noticeable. The difference to the bottom line, however, was crystal clear. In a recent product comparison test between NMD 80 and a leading masonry cleaner on a hospital in Pennsylvania, the NMD 80 cleaning process produced better results, better productivity and a better bottom line. On the hospital project, the building featured Glen-Gery Canyon Blend brownish-red brick and PCL type mortar. The contractor cleaned a 150-square foot section with five gallons of a leading masonry detergent. Using a bucket and brush, the laborer scrubbed for 7.5 hours. The total product and labor costs to clean the 150-square foot section was approximately $250. Later, a test was conducted using one gallon of NMD 80, cut 4:1, on a 100-square foot section and sprayed on/rinsed off three times. The wall was cleaned in 45 minutes. After the tests were completed, the leading brand cleaned effectively but left a slight haze. In a much shorter time period, NMD 80 cleaned equally well and left the rich color of the brick intact. The total product and labor costs to clean the 100-square foot section was $29.50. If these numbers were applied to a 60,000 square-foot building, (assuming a $30 hourly labor rate, $5 per gallon product rate and scrubbing application), it would take 3,000 hours and cost a total of $100,000 to clean with the leading detergent. The same job with NMD 80 (same labor rate, $7 per gallon, spray and rinse) would take 450 hours and cost $17,700. That’s a difference of 2,250 hours and $82,300. To be fair, the other detergent could be applied with a spray on/rinse off process as well. But in addition to having to wear a mask, the laborer would also spend a good deal of time covering windows and other substrates such as precast or buff colored brick which could be damaged. Plus, those surfaces would need to be cleaned separately. With NMD 80, one product is safe on virtually every surface. It’s what we call the “NMD 80 Advantage.” Improve your process, improve your cleaning ability and, most importantly, improve your bottom line.

Fresh tar spill? Try Sabrestore

These fresh tar spots on a wall in North Carolina were removed with an application of Sabrestore Restoration Detergent.

One of the benefits of EaCo Chem’s Sabrestore restoration detergent is its ability to effectively clean a variety of stains and surfaces. It now appears fresh tar can be added to the list of stubborn stains that Sabrestore can remove. We’ve come across several cases of fresh tar being spilled on to brick and other surfaces during roof construction or repair. In these instances, Sabrestore was able to safely and effectively remove the fresh tar. In addition, there was no shadow left on the wall once the stain was removed. The most interesting point about this discovery is that Sabrestore, which is water-based, can remove a solvent-based material like fresh tar. Sabrestore is also VOC compliant and can be disposed in sanitary sewer systems (although we recommend checking with local authorities since regulations may vary).

One caution, however, is that Sabrestore was not developed to specifically remove fresh tar and it may not work in all instances. But it’s worth a try if you encounter this problem and happen to have Sabrestore readily available. Also, keep in mind we are talking about fresh tar and not old tar that has been on buildings for many years.

Visit EaCo Chem at World of Concrete Show

If you plan to attend the World of Concrete Show in Orlando, Fla. next Feb. 17-20, 2004, stop by the EaCo Chem booth, #9646. Lynn Peden, president of EaCo Chem, will be on hand to answer questions about EaCo Chem’s products or ways to solve problems you’ve experienced on the job. Whether you’re concerned about stopping efflorescence on new masonry construction quickly and easily without removing the cream in the joint or removing copper stains from limestone or cleaning graffiti from just about any surface, Lynn can help you. With more than 25 years of experience in the masonry cleaning business, there are few challenges that Lynn hasn’t come across.