Commercial Building Washing Tyler TX: 6 Common Mistakes

Your building is the first thing a customer, inspector or new hire sees. Dirt, mildew and red clay on warehouse walls, loading docks and plant exteriors say something before anyone walks through the door. If you manage a facility, you already know that. The harder part is keeping the exterior clean without wasting time or damaging the building.

Here are the most common mistakes we see managers make with commercial building washing Tyler TX facilities deal with every fall, why each one causes trouble, and what to do instead.

Why Fall Is Hard on East Texas Buildings

Fall in East Texas is a mix of leftover summer humidity and falling leaves. This week, winds have shifted back to the southeast, bringing more clouds and humidity back to the region, according to KTRE. Damp air and shade are what mildew needs to grow on painted metal, block and concrete.

It has also been a dry month. October rainfall is 1.82 inches against an average of 4.66 inches, per Tyler Texas Weather. Dry weather leaves red clay dust and pine and oak debris sitting on walls and docks. Rain is in the forecast, with a 60% chance Friday night and throughout Saturday, according to KTRE. That kind of light rain does not clean a wall. It usually leaves streaks.

Mistake 1: Waiting Until the Walls Look Bad

Mildew and clay are easier to remove when they are light. Once they build up, they soak into the paint and the porous surface, and cleaning takes more work.

What to do instead: Look over your walls, docks and shaded corners at the change of each season. If you see green or gray film starting, schedule a wash now instead of waiting for an inspection date.

Mistake 2: Using Too Much Pressure on Metal and Block

It is tempting to turn the pressure up to get a stubborn spot out. High pressure can strip paint, dent thin metal panels, gouge mortar and push water behind seams and around door seals. Water behind a wall can create bigger problems than the dirt did.

What to do instead: Match the method to the surface. Most walls need lower pressure and a cleaner that does the work, not force. Keep water away from electrical boxes, lights, windows and vents.

Mistake 3: Washing the Wall and Skipping the Ground

Red clay does not just sit on walls. It splashes up from the concrete apron, the dock approach and the gravel edge every time it rains. If you clean only the wall, the next rain puts the clay right back on the bottom few feet.

What to do instead: Clean from the top down and include the apron, the dock face and the base of the wall. Cleaning the concrete at the bottom gives the wall a clean start.

Mistake 4: Using Bleach or Chemicals Without a Plan

Spraying a store-bought product on mildew can make things look better for a short time, but it can also streak, damage paint or harm landscaping. Chemicals need to be used the way the label says. Never mix products, and keep them away from kids, pets and plants.

What to do instead: Follow the product label every time, and rinse as directed. For larger buildings, hiring a crew that handles commercial building washing every day takes the guesswork and the risk off your maintenance staff.

Mistake 5: Ignoring the Shady Side and the Roofline

The north and east walls, the spots under eaves and the corners near pines and oaks stay damp the longest. Needles, leaves and pollen collect there, and mildew follows. Overflowing gutters and downspouts can also leave dark streaks down a wall that no amount of wall washing will fix for long.

What to do instead:

1. Walk the whole building, not just the side facing the road.
2. Clear leaves and needles from gutters, downspouts and ledges.
3. Make sure water drains away from the wall instead of running down it.
4. Wash the shaded sides at least as carefully as the sunny ones.

Mistake 6: Timing the Wash Around the Calendar Instead of the Weather

Washing the day before a rain, or right before a storm kicks up dirt, wastes the effort. This week is a good example. With rain coming Friday night and Saturday, a wash scheduled for Friday afternoon could be splashed and streaked by Sunday.

What to do instead: Pick a window after the rain has moved through and the walls have had a chance to dry. Then set a regular schedule, so you are not scrambling before every audit or visit. Our ongoing cleaning plans can help if regular upkeep fits your site.

A Quick Checklist for Your Next Walk-Around

• Look for green, gray or black film on shaded walls.
• Check the base of the walls and the dock apron for red clay splash.
• Look at roll-up doors, door tracks and ledges for built-up debris.
• Check gutters and downspouts for leaves and needles.
• Note the weather before you schedule, and avoid wet days.

Clean Buildings Around Tyler

Plant and warehouse managers in Tyler and across East Texas have the same fall challenge: humidity, pines, oaks and red clay all working against a clean exterior. A little planning goes a long way toward keeping your walls and docks looking the way your business deserves.

Get a Free Quote

If your walls, docks or plant exterior need attention, the Clean Team would be glad to take a look. Get your free quote at bhpwashing.com/quote or call us at (903) 424-1607.

We do our work with care and heart. As Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”