What Are the Different Types of Wall Stains?

Are there stains on your building’s facade that you can’t identify? Knowing how to identify different kinds of stains will help you take action in having them removed once and for all. Although, it seems like the cold weather is taking its sweet time here in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area, it’s bound to hit us hard, and soon! This is the perfect project for Property Managers to put in the budget NOW instead of later to make sure that your buildings appearance stays in top form.

Below are 4 common stains you may find on your building surface, and how to identify them, and ways to prevent them. From lime run off to general stains, KEVCO is happy to assist in all your pressure washing needs!

Lime Run Off These stains usually appear on bricks and have a white or gray scum appearance. They start in one spot and run off in a downward formation. These stains tend to form on hairline cracks in the brick, but are quite easy to remove with a pressure washer. Lime runs are caused by a flow of water that follows the same path for an extended period of time, and can be prevented by stopping the water source, or repairing the brickwork.

Silicate Deposits These stains also result in a white colored scum, but instead of running off like lime stains, they make the face of the brick appear discolored. They can form over the entire brick, or small segments of the brick. These stains are usually a result of improper cleaning of the brickwork. You can avoid this type of stain by hiring professional like KEVCO to pressure wash the stains with the proper solutions.

Manganese Stains These stains are usually brown or tan in color and usually occur on the mortar of the brick (the line between bricks). They are caused by coloring agents that are sometimes used in brown, tan, or gray bricks and their reaction to acid. They can be prevented by making sure that the brick is not exposed to unbuffered hydrochloric acid when cleaned. These stains are usually brown or tan in color and usually occur on the mortar of the brick (the line between bricks). They are caused by coloring agents that are sometimes used in brown, tan, or gray bricks and their reaction to acid. They can be prevented by making sure that the brick is not exposed to unbuffered hydrochloric acid when cleaned.

General Stains These stains are hard to prevent, because they are usually caused from natural sources in the environment like pollution, organic growth, runoff, hard water, and rust. Thankfully, they’re easy to remove with a proper pressure washer! Need help identifying your buildings stains?

Call KEVCO today at (301) 258-9750, for any of your stain identification and pressure washing needs in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas.