New Construction Cleaning Process
Goals
- Fast, consistent, and correct chemical application
- One rinse reduces water usage, time spent, and wall saturation
- One-cycle finished cleaning
Test First!
Always test prior to beginning full-scale cleaning operations. Testing should confirm cleaning and rinsing effectiveness on each type of surface and stain designated to be cleaned.
Equipment
Chemical Application
- EC Jet (end of the wand chemical application)
- Spray bottle (complete cure applications)
Rinsing
- Pressure Washer – The ideal size for exterior clean is gas-powered 3-6 gal/minute. The ideal size for interior clean is an electric or gas powered low-volume gpm, 700-1200 p.s.i.
- EC Jet (used to low-pressure rinse surface-dyed substrates subject to color bleed with high-pressure rinsing)
- Garden hose (can be used for low-pressure rinse applications, patios, and synthetic stone)
Containment (where required)
- Sump pump
- Garden hose for pumping effluent to sanitary sewer
- EPDM/Rubber sheet (for drain covering)
- Plastic (for base of wall capture)
Miscellaneous
- Scraper (long-handled metal head garden edger)
- Wet vac (inside cleanup)
- Squeegee
- Plastic (covering items that require protection)
- Duct tape
- Painter’s tape
- Rubbing stone
The Process
Beginning from the top of the wall
- Lightly pre-wet or pre-cool the wall.
- Apply chemicals using the EC Jet to the area to be cleaned.
- After first application of chemical, scrape heavy buildup areas with a long-handled scraper or rubbing stone.
- Check smears and tags to see if they crumble easily (N-type mortar usually only requires one application. Harder mortars [S or PCL] and extensive residue will benefit from repeated applications).
- If needed, repeat application to melt remaining residue and extend dwell time. Do not rinse with water between applications.
- Begin rinsing from the top down. Use long even strokes that overlap each other. Good chemical application means that your rinsing passes can be done quickly without having to get close to the wall with the high pressure nozzle.
Additional NMD 80 Tips
- With NMD 80, the longer it stays wet on the wall, the cleaner the result and the least amount of rinsing is required. After reapplication, scraping can be done further down the wall.
- Choose the rinse style: Brick, split face and common block, natural stone, and precast use a high-pressure rinse. For smooth dyed block or brick and synthetic stone use the EC Jet for a low-pressure (50 p.s.i.) rinse.
- The amount of foaming reaction will lessen with each application. When you apply NMD 80 to a wall that is thoroughly cleaned, there will be little to no foaming as it contacts the wall. Rinse time will be dramatically reduced.
Note: Pressure washers equipped with a downstream chemical injector (after the high pressure side) should have the injector removed before using the EC Jet.
If the chemical injector is attached with a quick coupler, simply uncouple it and attach the pressure hose in its places. If the chemical injector is hard plumbed in place, simply place the chemical hose in a five gallon bucket full of water when using the EC Jet.
When finished, run clean water through the EC Jet, and rinse the outside of the tool when done using. Make sure tool is dry before storage.
Rinsing determines much of the quality of the job.
Contractor Support, Distribution, Training and Product Information
Phone
Location
Call us. Email us. Send us a message. Tell us about your project and the issues you’re facing. We’ll guide you to find the EaCo Chem products that can help. Our knowledgeable staff is ready to assist you!