March 28, 2018
We've been asked how to safely soft wash street-facing properties while protecting the public from harm and conforming to the various regulations.
We thought many soft washing contractors would value this information, which we hope will enable them to both get more soft washing contracts and carry them out safely and legally.
We offer the following for general guidance only. Please do your own research into the factors, including regulations imposed by local councils, national governments and other relevant legislative organisations, governing best practice on any given contract concerning soft washing properties on public streets.
Quick tip: Benz Lightning Cleanze can save time and money over sodium hypochlorate (SH) mixes by not having to catch run-off in containers that are then incinerated at considerable cost.
This is possible because according to EU legislation Lightning Cleanze is non-classified and non-corrosive at the dilution levels we recommend on the product labelling and on the Benz Softwash website.
Lightning Cleanze is fully approved by the UK and Irish governments, unlike all other sodium hypochlorite products we know of.
Run-off must be diverted to a foul drain and kept away from surface drains. Permission should be obtained from the relevant water authority to discharge waste chemicals into the drainage system (again, regulations can change between water authorities, so please check what is required for the area you are working in).
Source further information: Regulations and procedures may differ country to country, city to city, council to council. So a contractor is well advised to contact their local council to get clear on their specific regulations and working guidelines. Also, a friendly scaffolding company will have come across the issues of working in streets already and would know what regs have to be complied with and how.
Regulations are constantly changing and the information given in this article is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing. But please check with the local authorities responsible for enforcing regulations for specific contracts in your geographical area before you soft wash a street facing property.
We hope this information is helpful and sincerely wish you great success in your soft washing business,
Ben, Leo, Fiona, Stevie & Anthony
How to find answers to most soft washing questions: Simply enter a relevant "keyword" or short phrase – e.g. keyword for the above link = "how to" – into our in-site Search Engine (magnifying glass icon on the main menu).
Click here to download our Product Documentation Pack (includes Application & Dilution guides, SDS, PDS, RAMS, PPE & Mask info, COSSH, sample Contract and more)
GB (England, Scotland, Wales)
Phone: 0800 70 74 222
Online: www.benzsoftwash.co.uk
Ireland and other countries
Phone: 00353 214 622 978
Online: www.benzsoftwash.com
Lines open Monday - Friday, 9am – 5pm
Please note: The above numbers are for orders only (click here for tech support)
PS: Click here to set up your "Clean & Maintain" programme. After completing an initial soft wash treatment, put your customer on a "Clean & Maintain" ongoing maintenance programme. Your customers will enjoy a permanently clean property and you will enjoy a steady stream of repeat business.
This is clearly a win-win arrangement for you and your customers.
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It's a free resource for people wanting to learn about the soft washing industry, to expand an existing business, or build a new business.
Soft washing reduces, or even eliminates, the need to use high-pressure washing.
Instead, once the build up of algae, lichen, fungus and mould – the root causes of properties looking "dirty" – has been treated, the natural "self-cleansing" of sun, rain and wind removes the surface residue through time.
By educating the cleaning trade and public about soft washing we are helping develop an industry that offers sustainable treatments to clean and maintain exterior hard surfaces.
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