Help - Powerwashing Limestone Walls - TexasBowhunter.com Community Discussion Forums

apkleinschmidt · 10-02-2022, 08:50 PM

I’m hoping some of you might have tips for cleaning limestone walls. We’re wrapping up our house construction and got some clay/dirt backsplash on the white limestone walls. Hopefully gutters, a stone skirt, and sod will prevent that moving forward.

Should I power wash it, or are there soft wash techniques with some sort of bleach water mixture? I’m worried powerwashing will leave streaks.

I’ve wire brushed some small spots and that works great, but would take a long time to do the whole house. You can see in the pic below where I wire brushed the left side of the stone. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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brokeno · 10-02-2022, 09:01 PM

Powerwasher

bboswell · 10-02-2022, 09:03 PM

For what you describe just pressure wash. I have mildew issues in some areas and hit that with bleach prior to power wash

justindiehl7 · 10-02-2022, 09:04 PM

Hit with bleach and let sit then power wash

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JerryC · 10-02-2022, 09:08 PM

Don’t use a power washer on soft stone like limestone.
A bucket and scrub brush with soap will remove dirt and mud.
The brush and bucket with a diluted bleach mixture will remove algae and tree sap.
If it’s mortar that you are trying to remove use a diluted Vanatrol mixture. 10-15% at the most.

Don’t use any muratic acid , it gets In porous stone and continues to eat it away even when you rinse it well.

redhoghunter · 10-02-2022, 09:09 PM

Used this on our patio a couple of weeks ago: https://www.lowes.com/pd/30-SECONDS-...ner/5013150901

Worked very well. Mixed it in a pump sprayer. Wet the concrete 1st, then sprayed the solution on the concrete and let it sit for a few minutes then power washed it off.

flywise · 10-02-2022, 09:17 PM

Yep have power washed several limestone houses and walls. Power wash will not hurt it. A little bleach and soap mix sprayed on pre wash won’t hurt either. And there are expensive but good limestone sealers to finish it off as well

twistedmidnite · 10-02-2022, 09:26 PM

One restore. Wet, spray on, let set then pressure wash off.

apkleinschmidt · 10-02-2022, 09:35 PM

Appreciate the info fellas!

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Geraldg6 · 10-03-2022, 08:17 AM

In for any additional tips.

What if the try the solution and pressure wash but the mold doesnt come out of the mortar or stone? Do I need to let it soak and scrub it in with a brush?

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C.Read · 10-03-2022, 11:36 AM

Soft wash it with a sodium hypochlorite/water mixture, then rinse really well with your garden hose. I wouldn't put pressure on it.

C.Read · 10-03-2022, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twistedmidnite

One restore. Wet, spray on, let set then pressure wash off.

One Restore is a good option as well.

rolylane6 · 10-03-2022, 12:59 PM

I pressure wash mine about once a year for the last 10 years. No problem at all pressure washing limestone

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10-02-2022, 08:50 PM	#1
apkleinschmidt Four Point Join Date: Nov 2015	Help - Powerwashing Limestone Walls I’m hoping some of you might have tips for cleaning limestone walls. We’re wrapping up our house construction and got some clay/dirt backsplash on the white limestone walls. Hopefully gutters, a stone skirt, and sod will prevent that moving forward. Should I power wash it, or are there soft wash techniques with some sort of bleach water mixture? I’m worried powerwashing will leave streaks. I’ve wire brushed some small spots and that works great, but would take a long time to do the whole house. You can see in the pic below where I wire brushed the left side of the stone. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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10-02-2022, 09:01 PM	#2
brokeno Pope & Young Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Smiley, Texas Hunt In: Gonzales & Young Co and anywhere	Powerwasher

10-02-2022, 09:03 PM	#3
bboswell Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montgomery County Hunt In: Where ever I can	For what you describe just pressure wash. I have mildew issues in some areas and hit that with bleach prior to power wash

10-02-2022, 09:04 PM	#4
justindiehl7 Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Conroe. TX Hunt In: Woodville, TX	Hit with bleach and let sit then power wash Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-02-2022, 09:08 PM	#5
JerryC Ten Point Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Damon,Tx Hunt In: Ft Bend County	Don’t use a power washer on soft stone like limestone. A bucket and scrub brush with soap will remove dirt and mud. The brush and bucket with a diluted bleach mixture will remove algae and tree sap. If it’s mortar that you are trying to remove use a diluted Vanatrol mixture. 10-15% at the most. Don’t use any muratic acid , it gets In porous stone and continues to eat it away even when you rinse it well.

10-02-2022, 09:09 PM	#6
redhoghunter Six Point Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: DFW Hunt In: Coke County	Used this on our patio a couple of weeks ago: https://www.lowes.com/pd/30-SECONDS-...ner/5013150901 Worked very well. Mixed it in a pump sprayer. Wet the concrete 1st, then sprayed the solution on the concrete and let it sit for a few minutes then power washed it off.

10-02-2022, 09:17 PM	#7
flywise Pope & Young Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Tx Hunt In: Blanco, Nacadoches,NewMexico,Colorado	Yep have power washed several limestone houses and walls. Power wash will not hurt it. A little bleach and soap mix sprayed on pre wash won’t hurt either. And there are expensive but good limestone sealers to finish it off as well

10-02-2022, 09:26 PM	#8
twistedmidnite Ten Point Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Gilmer, TX Hunt In: texas	One restore. Wet, spray on, let set then pressure wash off.

10-02-2022, 09:35 PM	#9
apkleinschmidt Four Point Join Date: Nov 2015	Appreciate the info fellas! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

10-03-2022, 08:17 AM	#10
Geraldg6 Ten Point Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: College Station Hunt In: Snook, Texas	In for any additional tips. What if the try the solution and pressure wash but the mold doesnt come out of the mortar or stone? Do I need to let it soak and scrub it in with a brush? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

10-03-2022, 11:36 AM	#11
C.Read Ten Point Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Jasper Hunt In: Jasper/Angelina/Shelby Counties	Soft wash it with a sodium hypochlorite/water mixture, then rinse really well with your garden hose. I wouldn't put pressure on it.

10-03-2022, 12:59 PM	#13
rolylane6 Ten Point Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: North Texas Hunt In: Wise county	I pressure wash mine about once a year for the last 10 years. No problem at all pressure washing limestone Sent from my SM-N970U using Tapatalk