Tag: House

I have a laquered brass door knocker that has been exposed to weather for many years. What is the best way to clean it without damaging it?
Ellie

Brass begins to develop a patina within hours of being exposed to the elements. Brass is a alloy of copper and zinc, and although when cleaned and polished it can have a brilliant shine, if it is not protected it can tarnish and actually pit the surface. Most brass architectural hardware, such as your door knocker have a protective coating applied to them. These coatings prevent immediate damage, however almost all fail after a few years of exposure. This said, there are some new technologies in coatings which are much more durable than those applied even a few years ago.

If your door knocker has had one of these coatings, you will be able to tell if it appears the surface is protected in some areas, yet damaged in others. Some of these coatings appear to flake off of the protected surface. You can try cleaning the piece yourself, however if the damage has pitted the surface, or if the protective finish is only partially intact, you will likely not be very happy with your efforts.

If the surface is completely intact, washing with a mild detergent (such as dish soap) is enough to remove the grime that accumulates over the years. It is a good idea to protect the lacquered surface with a couple of coats of high quality paste wax. This will prevent the elements from damaging the lacquer finish itself, and effectively provides another barrier to the brass itself.

If the piece does not appear to have a protective coating, you can try a metal polish. Metal polishes have a very fine pumice suspended by detergents and sometimes a wax. You apply the cleaning polish, and rub, and rub, and rub. And finally to polish the piece, you buff some more with a clean dry cotton cloth.
Once the piece is polished, you need to protect it with a lacquer that is suitable for outside elements. I have also heard of using several coats of automotive paste wax, to prevent elements from reaching the brass, although you cannot control the glossiness of the piece when using wax (lacquer’s at least come in different gloss levels).

For serious damage, a professional will take your piece, and possibly sandblast it to remove pitting and the remaining protective coating. They will then polish and apply a protective coating.

This question was submitted from Caitriona C.

“How do I clean the interior of double glazed windows”

If you are referring to the inside of a double glazed window the answer is you can’t clean it.

If the window has dirt or moisture, etc. on the inside it has been compromised and must be replaced since it no longer has a seal and the effectiveness of the window is completely negated.

The exterior of my 20 year old aluminum sided home was egged. I did not notice this until mid winter when it turned black. How do I clean the egg stain from the siding without causing damage to the siding finish?
Peggy

Happy Halloween!

The best solution is to use a pressure washer, but use caution because a high pressure unit can also damage the surface of the siding. The pressure washer can actually remove the paint from the surface.

It is a big expense to rent a pressure washer, so unless you have other areas (siding, patio, driveway, etc) to clean, it likely isn’t worth it. We have had some success in mixing an equal amount of vinegar, hot water, and a few drops of dish soap (1 cup of each) and soaking a thick terry towel. Hold this towel on the egg for an hour or so (a 2X4 can be leaned against the wall to hold up the towel). Agitate with a stiff scrub brush and hose down with your garden hose. This works great on auto finishes and we have had responses saying it worked from vinyl siding, however the stain was relatively fresh.

This question was submitted from Louis M.

“How can the ground-in dirt and stains on an exterior gutter be removed?”

Ground-in dirt can be cleaned with success, however stains may be more of a challenge. The best thing to try for stains is a general purpose solvent or paint thinner. However if the stain has been there a long time exposed to the elements it may not come off easily.

Try these techniques :

When cleaning gutters, the main thing to be concerned about is safety. Be sure you are using the proper safety gear and if you have access to some kind of construction scaffolds it would be helpful.

Most good general purpose cleaners will be effective at cleaning gutters.

The key is to have a washing pail with warm water and either a sponge or a stiff brush. Preferably, use a sponge with a scrubber on the reverse side for stubborn stains.

Also have a pail with clear water or your garden hose handy for rinsing. Wash and rinse as you go; if the soap and dirt dry on the gutter before you rinse it off then you will have a greater challenge. Since dirt attaches itself to soap residue, the gutters will stay cleaner, longer if they are properly rinsed.

If the soil on the gutter is super bad you can use a stronger chemical called TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) available at any hardware store. Be sure to read the instructions on the container and follow all safety recommendations.

If you want to make the job a little easier, pre-spray the gutter as you are working to allow a little time for the soap to break down the in ground dirt.

This question was submitted from Richard G.

” How do I remove grease stains caused by a barbecue from a wooden deck?”

If the wood has been treated (stain or paint) you will have a bit of a chance. Unsealed wood will simply absorb the grease and it will discolor permanently.

Try these techniques :

Wood is very porous. Stains and paints, however, will partially seal these pours and form a bit of a barrier.

If this is the case you will need to remove or clean the stained surface, and refinish the wood.

You can remove the finish mechanically (sander, scraper) or chemically. Most home centers carry excellent wood cleaning products.

After you remove the stain (or as much of it as possible) be sure to reapply new paint or stain for continued protection from the elements (and BBQ grease!)

General Information:
Cleaning gutters or eves regularly will help increase the life of the gutters and prevent back-ups and overflows.

Tools & chemicals:
Rubber gloves, hose, bucket and multi-purpose chemical. You may also want a scoop or old slotted serving spoon.

Technique:
Start by scooping out leaves, debris etc. with your hands using rubber gloves or with a slotted spoon or cat litter scooper. Clean gutters at least once a year. Scoop out leaves etc. more frequently to prevent back up and overflow. Once you have removed the large debris, hose out the gutter. Use a mild soap and warm water and a brush to clean off the gutters. If your gutters are very dirty or havent been cleaned in years, you may have to use a more aggressive chemical. After cleaning is a good time to inspect for damage and facilitate repairs. Use ladders according to safety standards.