Cleaning and Stain Removal - cleaning old wood walls

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bedu1
02-17-09, 07:38 AM
would appreciate any ideas re: cleaning old wood (pine)
walls - 100 year old well built all wood house-
abused, odors, some old paint, wall behind old sheetrock (now removed).
can I use pressure washer if I have a powerful wet/dry shop vac to immediately clean up water? This is how bad and abused, dirty it is. If so, are there cleaners which would aid in odor removal? I have someone who can help operater the pressure washer correctly. Where the old molding and sheetrock were, there is so much old dirt and dust.
We want it to be cleaned before putting up new sheetrock, molding, etc. Thanks to all of you.


Gunguy45
02-17-09, 08:05 AM
Well, don't have an exact answer except....NO PRESSURE WASHER. You'd never get all the water that gets blasted into the cracks and joints. Then you could have mold and rot, electrical problems and more.

I'm sure some of the Pro's that have worked old houses like that will be able to help.

Docduck
02-17-09, 11:34 PM
if this is going to be behind the finished wall you may want to make sure all old insulation is removed and replaced and then a good oil based sealer can be applied to block out and seal in odors a vapor barrier can also be installed...Dont use a pressure washer...as gunguy stated that would lead to other problems....only in the most servere mold conditions have i seen pressure washer used....ie: hurrican katrina cleanup

if a contractor was going to help you do it and agreed to it...be careful on what else you have them do

before doing anything have a good filter bag in a shop vac and go to town..upgrade elect. and plumbing that may be in behind there....