How to remove these stains

[tstex]

Hello Guys

Folks here seem to be both creative and resourceful, so looking for solutions to remove these stains off of our gutters. After installing a new roof, the tar/resin(?) from the composition singles have stained the gutters when the rain overflows. When you get 3”/hr rains, it just happens?

Looking for products and instructions to remove these stains. We have travertine stones below for decking so I’ll need to cover when cleaning.

Pls let me know if you have any questions?

 

[rScotty]

I took down our white and put up brown gutters.

 

[Jchonline]

Hello Guys

Folks here seem to be both creative and resourceful, so looking for solutions to remove these stains off of our gutters. After installing a new roof, the tar/resin(?) from the composition singles have stained the gutters when the rain overflows. When you get 3”/hr rains, it just happens?

Looking for products and instructions to remove these stains. We have travertine stones below for decking so I’ll need to cover when cleaning.

Pls let me know if you have any questions?

First, if your gutters arent handling the rain in your area, then they are failing. You need more downspouts in those areas if they are not clogged. I lived in Houston area for 12 years so I understand the challenge.
Once that is corrected you could power wash them with dish soap then rinse, then try and repaint. I personally would not use any type of solvent or degreaser as it could make its way to your exterior siding below and cause issues there.

 

[tstex]

Thank you both.

I have 5 down spouts but also 5 other drains on the travertine deck of 1385 sqft. But when it rains 3”/hr, nothing can contain the flow.

I was told that this is mildew by a former homebuilderthat i just met, not a resin from shingles. He was 1000% adamant it’s not tar, resin or anything else. Does this change your approach?

 

[rgr33]

If you think there’s a chance it could be mildew, try a diluted bleach solution on a piece.

It looks exactly like the stain I get on my overhead deck beams most years, bleach solution + scrub brush cleans it up pretty well.

 

[tstex]

Perfect, thank you rg.

I met a former homebuilder of 30 yrs and he was very, very sure that it was mildew and nothing else. He said he was positive. So, I’m going w that as the culprit.

 

[Spike56]

Hello Guys

Folks here seem to be both creative and resourceful, so looking for solutions to remove these stains off of our gutters. After installing a new roof, the tar/resin(?) from the composition singles have stained the gutters when the rain overflows. When you get 3”/hr rains, it just happens?

Looking for products and instructions to remove these stains. We have travertine stones below for decking so I’ll need to cover when cleaning.

Pls let me know if you have any questions?

I had a similar issue. Used Krud-Cutter and a power washer. A big P.I.A. but cleaned fairly well. I then painted them, which to my surprise has held up for several years so far. I had assumed the expansion (texas heat) would crack the paint, but it has not !

 

[bearthebruce]

I believe it to be a black mold/mildew.

I use Simple Green and a small amount of bleach.

My process: wet the surface... using a fertilizer pressure can, spray the soap/bleach solution... let stand for the the bleach to attack the mold/mildew.. but before it dries, power rinse with the power washer. If stubborn, then I take a soft brush to it.

Do small sections.. don't try to do too much that the soap starts to dry...

I have vinyl siding.. I make sure the siding is wet so any over spray is hitting a wet surface.. I power wash the siding to make sure nothing remains on it.

 

[dodge man]

I’ve used a product called “Wet It And Forget It”. You just spray it on with a hose end sprayer and do nothing else. It doesn’t work right away, it says it might take weeks, but my experience is it takes a few days.

 

[tstex]

Thank you very much guys. You have given me some ideas and things to research - hopefully these gutters will be clean in a week or so - thanks again

 

[Rustyiron]

TSP mixture. It's a hardware store item.

TSP - Trisodium Phosphate: The Painter's Degreasing Choice

A quality of a paint job depends on using a powerful degreaser, like TSP Trisodium Phosphate, to clean and etch the surface.

www.house-painting-info.com

There are other "recipes" for cleaning only. Just search TSP mixture for aluminum siding.

 

[Alan46]

I’m a 40 year retired painting contractor. What I would do is just mix a very small amount of bleach and water ( 4 water 1 bleach) try that on the lowest part of gutter. Just use rubber gloves and a rag, if it’s mildew it will disappear in a few minutes!

If you have any questions p m me!

 

[Williy]

I would try the 9% vinegar mixed with some water
as vinegar kills mildew/mold and its a great cleaner

willy

 

[Thomas]

I use bleach mix with dish soap works well.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Another product that will work is "RV black streak remover". Works great on aluminum and painted metal.

 

[Spike56]

I use bleach mix with dish soap works well.

Thomas, No doubt the bleach works. I used that initially. In my case, the bleach slightly changed the color shade and required me to re-paint. Guess it depends on several factors (color for example). Mine were an off white that matched the facia boards and after wiping the gutters using bleach, I could tell enough difference that it looked odd to my eye. At least for me, I would not use bleach again on a painted surface. So, not against you on this, just a word of caution here.

 

[tstex]

Ok, I mixed 1/4 12.5% bleach to 3/4 water w 1 tablespoon of liquid soap. I agitated and applied w a paint brush and moved brush back and forth 3-4 times. It barely lightened it. Then came back dish scrub pad, dipped in solution and scrubbed back and forth. Then hosed down w the strongest pressure setting from hose bib.

The first pic is what it looks like now; second pic I have done nothing. To me, the first pic is a slight improvement, but not much.

Any suggestions since i have all the supplies out? Should i strengthen the bleach %? Skip the soap? Anything else?

Thanks

 

[Alan46]

“I’m a 40 year retired painting contractor. What I would do is just mix a very small amount of bleach and water ( 4 water 1 bleach) try that on the lowest part of gutter. Just use rubber gloves and a rag, if it’s mildew it will disappear in a few minutes!”

I would say if the above didn’t work, it’s not mildew!
Maybe call a gutter company and ask for a recommendation! Sorry that’s the best I can offer!

 

[tstex]

“I’m a 40 year retired painting contractor. What I would do is just mix a very small amount of bleach and water ( 4 water 1 bleach) try that on the lowest part of gutter. Just use rubber gloves and a rag, if it’s mildew it will disappear in a few minutes!”

I would say if the above didn’t work, it’s not mildew!
Maybe call a gutter company and ask for a recommendation! Sorry that’s the best I can offer!

Thank you Alan - First, I corrected my mixtures above...used 25% bleach to 75% water, 1 TBSpoon of liquid soap [before i said bleach but corrected].

Would it be best to apply w sun on it or not? It's almost perfect weather here at 68 degrees and RH of 35%...I can wait later if no sun, but it is pretty windy too...10-15MPH...Thanks again.

 

[Alan46]

I would try a small easy to reach section in the shade first, before doing too much just to see if it works! Keep me posted! If it does work and you spray with a pump up garden sprayer make sure you wet down any plants & things you don’t want to bleach also wear eye protection!