The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

Guest

Question for those that do more than just roof cleaning

SEE OUR WORK HERE!!! · Guest

Ted,

To me it looks like it's caused by moisture that lays on the window sill ledge, and not the shutters. However I do see homes that are stained from the shutters (usually the screws that hold the shutters on create rust streaks).

Chesapeake · Guest

There are a number of causes for stains under windows or shutters. In the pic above, it looks like mildew. If thats the case, it could be treated with roof mix, or a house wash solution. Other causes for staining could be aluminum oxidation from window screens or frames, paint oxidation from shutters painted with oil base paint, or rust from the screws that hold the shutters on. Each of these will have to be treated with a different chem.

Guest

I would agree that these stains look like algae to me. Should be an easy removal with a stonger house wash mix if it is.

Brian

Guest

Thanks guys. In hindsight the other house would have been a better example - I just found a pic of it, although not a close up, The streaks on it had the same, yet very faint color of the shutters. Needless to say roof mix didn't even phase it.

Let's say it was oxidation from oil based paint as mentioned above- any relatively easy solutions?

With the clean roof, the home in the pic looked great, 'cept for those streaks on the brick.

BCRoofClean · Guest

You might need some masonry cleaner like Muriatic acid which is very strong so be very careful if you choose this.
There are several good graffiti removers if you are familiar with them.

Guest

BCRoofClean wrote:

You might need some masonry cleaner like Muriatic acid which is very strong so be very careful if you choose this.
There are several good graffiti removers if you are familiar with them.

Thanks Jerry. I've seen muriatic acid eat the cream coat off of a concrete driveway. I think I'll stick with the roofs. Although I'm looking for another niche' to expand in to....

Chesapeake · Guest

If it's oxidation off the shutters, you could use a sodium or potassium hydroxide solution. Just be careful with stronger solutions because they can strip paint off something other than what your trying to remove.

In the last picture you posted, it looks like aluminum oxidation. You can try aluminum brightner. It's an acid used to remove aluminum oxidation on trucks.

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"